hiking or hillwalking

[Kev]

Any of u guys into hiking or hillwalking?
the reason i ask is that this time next month ill be doing the west highland way and i need to get meself some stuff, primarily boots.

so suggestions as to the best pls.

Kev

[SandyP]

Hey Kev,

I do a lot of hiking and hill walking - it'd be criminal not to living where I live.

Vizzavi Boots I have a pair of Altbergs which are great but you really wanna try a few pairs. When you're getting fitted for 'em make sure the shop you're in has a hill simulator (for want of a better word)...what may feel comfortable on the flat won't necessaryily be so when you've got your foot and, more importantly, your ankle at an angle. Also, the simulator will enable you to try out the grip etc. If you happen to try a pair of Altbergs and you like 'em...let me know which ones cos I'll probably be able to get you a pair slightly scratched to order for a fraction of the price ;)

Sandy

[Dan@DB-Power]

My parents are passive walkers, I think they are nuts but probably sane in their heads. They are climbing/ walking Mount Kilimanjaro next year, they have also done the iceland chanledge and various other walks. I think my dad is the worse he one did a "walk acros wales" which is a 45 mile walke in one day it took him 13 hrs and 39 mins aswell as the Surrey Summits which he did 100km in 20 hrs and 51 mins. You should have seen the blisters on his feet the following day ewww :eek: :eek: :eek:

Our hallway is a shrine to certificates of walks and climbs.

I will try helping you with any questions.

Dan,

[Kev]

thanks alot guys.
any other input peeps?

[Doug]

Kev..

i used to do alot of hiking/hillwalking too..

Did the 45 and 55 mile Ten Tors event on Dartmoor a fews years ago.. what a bastard that was !!

Regarding boots, you basically have leather or fabric...

i have only ever tried fabric boots, i have a pair of Berghaus Storm GTX boots... Gore-Tex Lining, well comfortable.. i guess they are the top of the range ones, and only for if youre pretty serious, but Berghaus are a quality brand IMO, and do some cheaper boots that are also v.good

I tried Karrimors best offering of fabric boots with Gore tex lining, and although very good, i think my Berghaus are slightly better

go here for link to my boots

http://www.berghaus.com/index.asp?bhjs=1&bhsw=1152&bhsh=864&bhswi=1122&bhshi=683&bhflver=5&bhdir=1&bhje=1&bhcold=32&bhrl=-1&bhqt=-1&bhmp=-1&bhab=-1&bhmpex=&bhflex=6,0,47,0&bhdirex=&bhcont=lan&bhcd2=1055260481

My boots also have the grooves on the sole so you can wear Yeti gaiters... they are actually amazing and you can literally walk through streams/rivers and keep your feet dry.. being Gore-Tex lined, they are also breathable..

If you wanna know anything else mate drop me a PM..

Doug

[Kev]

cheers Doug.
what u reckon i should be paying then?

And Sandy, how much notice would u need to "order" me a set?

[Doug]

It really depends on how long you are gonna keep them, and how often you are going to use them.. mine cost me 110 quid, that was like 2 years ago if not more.. i must of done about 500 miles in them so far and they are still in good nick.. thats why i spent so much though, as i needed a good boot..

however berghaus do some cheaper alternatives, for around 70 if i remember correctly.. best thing to do is go into town like has been said and go into say Milletts or YHA adventure and try some boots on there and see which feel right for you..

make sure you have a go on the ramp thing as Sandy has said so you can experience angles etc..

Some of the cheaper boots may not have Gore Tex lining and all the other fancy stuff, but it doesnt mean they are a s h i t e boot..

www.berghaus.com

Check em out..

Doug

[SandyP]

Originally posted by Kev
cheers Doug.
what u reckon i should be paying then?

And Sandy, how much notice would u need to "order" me a set?

Kev, I'll phone the Guy I know at the factory at lunchtime and get back to you.

I'm with Doug vizzavi Berghaus...quality gear...I've got quite a lot of stuff by them. You've really gotta be into walking them hills tho' to make shelling out the ££££'s worthwhile. Fortunately I am.

[Koko]

Hi Kev,

Massive walker here! Did the Three Peaks Challenge at the weekend....really knackering!

Have also walked the West Highland Way too, a few years back now.....it's a stunning walk, but very hard work especially the first few (?) miles up the side of Loch Lomond - v. boggy and tree rooty!

I have Karrimor-KSB boots, and they've lasted me well, used them for the WHW and still going, done thousands of miles in them, I'd highly recommend them.

Best thing to do is buy them early and wear them lots around the house to break them in, this will stretch them to fit your feet better because of the warmer temperatures.

Sorry to ramble on :rolleyes: :D

[Kev]

:D :D :D