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In reply to Post #22
Same here.
Maybe there's some brand snobbery going on or that some people are just heavy footed.
For instance my daughter wears a pair of trainers for a few weeks and they look knackered.
Ok they are fashion trainers not walking shoes but they aren't cheap, whereas my day to day trainers look in good shape for ages.
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I've had a love hate relationship with footwear all my life.. in fact most footwear seems to hate me. Trying to get something that does what it says on the tin.. like be actually waterproof.. is a nightmare. I've had some high end Adidas Terrex goretex continental soles.. leak and wear within a matter of months.. And then again some lower end Terrex that hasn't actually been that bad... one thing is I find these walking trail shoes to heavy for Summer wear. If I was you for the summer and dryer months I'd go for these trail running trainers a lot lighter and easier on the old hoofs when it's a bit warmer. 
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In reply to Post #17
I've been wearing Karrimor walking trainers for many years and they have been excellent, for both fishing and general use.
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In reply to Post #19
Yes I also have some Merrell Moab 3 mid GTX (they were a Xmas present) which mainly just get used for dog walking.
After a year of use they leak like a sieve and the vibram soles badly worn.
I spoke to a colleague who lives in the US - New Hampshire where they get some challenging weather from time to time, he said merrell used to be good many years ago…
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I’ve got adidas terrex gore-tex. been brilliant for me for a couple of years now. Wear them outside of fishing for country walks, watching the sons football on muddy pitches and arriving to and from construction sites with work, or when it’s raining heavily or loads of puddles. Not highly fashionable but not that out of place for general wear.
Plenty of trail running trainers out there, can get a bit expensive though!
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In reply to Post #18
I have had 2 pairs of Merrell that have both fallen apart after moderate use, so take from that what you will.
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In reply to Post #14
Karrimor brand has been owned by Fraser group (AKA Mike Ashley) since the early 2000’s. His strategy at the time was to buy well known but ultimately dead brand names, then put the brands onto cheaply made garments and footwear to sell in his sports direct stores. It’s mostly mass produced low quality, and the brand is simply a name. Karrimor, Slazenger, Lonsdale all the same thing made in the same factories, stacked high and sold cheap.
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In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the brand Grisport. Made in Italy but very budget friendly for the quality and many have vibram soles.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4382 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #14
This is the difference you get with the Meindls . . .comfy / water proof / sweat free for genuine all season wear . .
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For years I have worn Karrimor walking shoes, but my last two pairs I was not impressed with, the first pair, one of the soles dropped off and the second, they were far two hot to wear in Summer. I had to sit with them off in the bivvy on hot days, they had done something different to the design and when I compared them to my old pair with the sole still on, the new pair was heavier, so they must have changed the design and they did seem a bit more padded.
So last year I bought a pair of "Merrell Moab 3 GTX", absolutely brilliant, far superior to the Karrimor and worth paying the extra money The GTX stands for "Goretex". If anything, I should have bought the "Merrell Moab 2 GTX" as they are a lighter version and better for the Summer months, the "Moab 3" is more tougher version for very rocky, rough hill walking etc
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In reply to Post #1
ive had moabs over the last few years, buy them on sale for about £50-£60 do about 4-8 miles a day in them so only last a year and a bit, but cant really ask for more for the price. finding comfortable all day every day shoes in size 13 is rather difficult surprisingly, but yeah happy with the moabs
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In reply to Post #5
I've had 3 pairs of Karrimor, since they were bought by Sports Direct.
Since they've been bought by them people have said they've gone downhill (excuse the pun) but I've not had any real problems.
Maybe I'm just light on my feet.
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In reply to Post #2
I had a pair of these for about 5yrs, lasted well with fairly heavy usage. They were waterproof up to the ankle when I got them- literally stand in the lake and no leakage. Tried the Terrex - simply awful so never again and Merrel weren’t any better.
Got some cheaper Salomon Shelter WP ankle boots recently, not as good as the GTX4 - bit tight on the widest parts of your feet and the rear heel section will never soften or break in.
The GTX4 again will be the next pair I get, will start breaking those in as they are comfortable for walking and everyday use once broken in. As others have said, so hit and miss with finish quality eg. of the sole etc for all makes currently.
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In reply to Post #9
Meindl are pure quality, used by the German army. My leather boots are Meindl, re soled twice and going strong, again probably 20 years old.
During lock down I forgot about them, big mistake, leather dried out causing some cracks...gutted as it will eventually go through..can't grumble I suppose.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4382 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
The best I've ever used - Meindl Magic 2.0 GTX . . .expensive but worth it, my previous pair lasted over 20yrs and the design remains the same with current versions. These are the most breathable (whilst remaining water proof) you can buy - they NEVER smelt of cat p*ss . . .even after 20yrs!
A slightly cheaper (and almost as good) option is the Clarks ALT Trek GTX (Khaki). . comfy, light and dry feet throughout the seasons, plus you can buy half sizes / the Clarks fit is usually spot on - my current all round outdoor/fishing trainers of choice
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Scarpa for me. One size up so easy to slip into from the sleeping bag.
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I've tried them all brand wise.
Merrell and Salomon aren't made well anymore (Salomon used to be very good), I've utilised Salomon 2 year warranty a few times because the boots simply aren't waterproof although very comfy. Merrell are the same and I've got the moab speed and 100% not waterproof and started to fall apart and I've hardly worn them.
My mammut boots are well made but again not waterproof still better than salomans and Merrell though.
I wear Adidas terrex for work because they're cheaper and comfy and as a plumber they last me about a year which is great.
My go to walking boots are Scarpa ranger. Very good although heavy.
I'm not sure if it's just me but if a boot is claiming to be waterproof your feet should not get wet at all!!...and most seem to get wet just by walking through long wet grass.
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Merrel Moab, I've been using them well over a decade now, they're all I use for walking full stop. I usually have 2 pairs on the go, a older pair for the garden and a nicer pair for general use.
I would say though, I bought a new pair at Christmas and they went straight back, the glueing was terrible, I'm not the only one to report that.
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No need to break the bank have a look at asics, karrimor or decathlon with some of the brands they sell there like quechua.
Should find something for less than £50
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In reply to Post #1
I recently got a pair of Merrell Speed Strike Goretex, not put them through their paces yet but seem comfy enough so far.
Daz
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In reply to Post #1
Had plenty over the years, they all have their faults.
For comfort I love Keen Targhee 3's, had various Salomon leather Gore-Tex were very nice, currently have Adidas Terrex Gore-Tex, mine been fine, wife's leaked like a sieve!
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In reply to Post #1
Not walking trainers, but i've used Solomon Quest 4 GTX boots for about 10 years. They're pretty comfy especially with decent socks on and goretex so keeps the water out 👍
Absolutely no thermal benefits to them though, so not for sitting around in.
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Been looking into some walking trainers instead of the fishing brands. Anyone have any recommendations for a decent pair. Been looking at the merrell moab but there's so many different models I'm not sure what to go for? Thanks.
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