Should I buy these

[Jon]

Since thier seems to be a lot of walkers here, I need suggestions.

Should I buy a pair of boots called Magnum Leather??? Any better boots?

[Oakers]

Not for serious walking mate. They're urban boots. Go to a good civvi hiking/clombing shop and ask them. If they tell you Magnums are good for anything than OBUA they're not worth talking to.

Depends what money you're prepped to spend, high end of the market you've got Scarpa or Berghaus then at the other end some of the Hi tec walking boots are pretty good and reasonably priced. Try doing a search here, boots have been covered before mate.

[Contractor]

It's probably a personal thing but I like Brashers, but they are pricey

[harry hackedoff]

Contractor, I thought Brashers were an attempt by Chris Brasher to combine quality and price, in a boot suitable for the British walker. Those that I’ve seen were rated as three-season. Meaning they will suit most walkers in Britain. It is a personal thing and my preferred boot of choice has to be Scarpas. Four season rated and worth every penny. Have had my current pair for about five years and have used them in Cairngorm and North Wales through three winters. KSBs, I’ve mentioned elsewhere. (Use "Search") If you just want boots to pose in, or the occasional jaunt, Hi-Tech are fine for the price Find a decent outlet (like Cotswold Camping), which has a fitting service, and staff who are not just salesmen.
Oakers, is OBUA the love child of FIBUA and DIBUA? I think we should be told

[Contractor]

Scarpas, huge range, quality gear. Having 'fat' feet I like the Brashers as they are a little wider than most boots.

As with all things it depends what you need the kit for, the odd amble around with the dogs I like my neoprene Wellies, more off the beaten track I put the Brashers on - surprising some of the places you meet people wearing just trainers though, rough terrain, muddy lanes, each to their own I guess

[RobT]

Sod the pricey stuff. I did the whole of the Duke of edingbrugh's gold expedition in a pair of lightweight (not waterproof!) hi-tech (the make of trainers) jobs. They did the trick although i had to get some new insoles.

Check out the Tog24 shops they sell good stuff usualy

[barryc]

Had some really good Berghaus boots for years and then, prat that I am, left them on a hotel balcony when I left to drive home at the end of a holiday. Now have a pair of Trezetas, for the last three years, also very good boots for walking, scrambling and the gentler Via Ferratas, the soles are a bit too rigid for more serious climbing but on the other hand, stiff enough to take a good choice of crampons. In the final analysis different boots suit different feet, I've previously confessed to flat feet, my wet footprint resembles a flip flop with toes, so I don't doubt that what serves me well will not suit others.

Barry

[Jon]

Im going to start going walking and camping in the Lakes, Peaks or Snowdonia. Any suggestions for boots?

[Sully]

I was always too brassic (after the usual priorities of runs ashore and grog) to buy scarpa's though I know they are well rated. Cheepo HiTec trail type boots (sometimes with goretex gaiters) have always served me well in the UK and Norway and the Himalayas (Koflach plastic boots for high altitude crampon type stuff) and they last reasonably well - although I know some who could wear something out in an afternoon, I tend to have stuff for ages. Magnums seem to only be worn by coppers, their only saving grace being that they're black and lightweight. At the end of the day if its very wet your feet will get wet and then lightweight boots (like HiTecs) dry out quickly.

Can't leave without quoting Brian Glover "It's what's in the shorts that matters" - but of course you all know that

[Oakers]

Harry,

OBUA is the daddy of all things urban mate

[Archie]

Go for Berghaus goretex ones if you can afford them. My pair are ten years old, they never leak a drop and still grip wet rocks like the proverbial to a blanket.

All I need now is the unstoppable legs to go with them.

[RobT]

Cheepo HiTec trail type boots (sometimes with goretex gaiters) have always served me well in the UK

The man knows what he's on about!

[AC]

OBUA = Operations in Built Up Areas if I recall correctly. As Oakers said, the daddy of all things urban.

Boots for walking and camping... well, I like my Pro Boots, they're comfortable, durable and my don't rub my feet. I know some people can't stand the Pro Boot, but as always it's a case of each to their own.

I have a pair of Sympatex Hi-Tec Magnums as well, but the Magnum line of boots do feel as though they're designed for Urban usage and I found them a bit uncomfortable when wearing them for long periods of time.

The most important thing is that your boots fit you properly. You want a nice snug fitting boot that you can walk comfortably in. You could have the most gucci boot available, but if its uncomfortable and doesn't fit properly then you're going nowhere!

Have a look in somewhere like Blacks or Millets at the range of Hiking boots. Berghaus and Lowe boots are always pretty good. Albeit quite pricey. If you fancy something a little less civvie-street then take a look at Danner and Matterhorn boots.

Oh, and get yourself a few pairs of good quality socks. Don't forget the to buy a decent inner sock too.

[spitfire]

I'm a karrimor KSB man myself, I'm on my second pair and combined have been wearing them fro over 15 years, highly recommended.

I go scrambling and climbing at least twice a week mainly in the beacons and north wales, and I've not had any problems. A bit of advice though what ever you decide to get, do not wear cheap socks or you'll have wasted your time and money picking boots carefully. Think of the whole package. Good luck.

[Dante]

I can't believe no-ones mentioned Lowa's! OK, they are they are around the £100 mark but they are the nuts.

I think they full name is Lowa Combat boot - go try em on - i've had mine 3 years...