Footwear.

[4AssedMonkey]

Was wondering what peoples experiences are of waterproof hiking boots. Are they waterproof? Do they stand up to wading through sticky mud for a few days? Are they comfy? Just thinking it may the opportune time to get a bargain as the day and a half I spent in wellies this year was agony on my plates.

[grumpyhack]

Go for a decent pair of walking boots. With care they'll last for years. I opt for leather with a good lashing of dubbin.

Also invest in a few pairs of reasonable walking socks (Got mine in ASDA so don't need to be expensive). Some of my friends also use gaiters for the really muddy bits.

Rarely will you encounter really deep water (if you do find a way round - unless you want to paddle). The main problem is just wet grass.

Wellies are sweaty and uncomfortable and can lead to wellie rash where the tops rub against your legs.

Walking boots should be really comfortable but wear them in before you go to Glasto.

[StormCrow]

I bought a pair of these in 2005 and they have kept my feet bone dry for the last 4 Glastonburys.

http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=964

Personally I just would not contemplate wearing wellies I know walking boots can be quite expensive but they are waterproof and comfortable.

[rischbrit]

get walking boots, wear them before hand to avoid blisters and put nikwax/dubbing on (plenty of it) to keep them waterproof

[strudders]

I use these Viper Tactical boots

They are completely waterproof, comfy as hell and have lasted for two years. However I am getting a new pair next year as a treat.

I can not recommend these enough, they have removable inner soles that can be washed, I wore them for 72 hours when I was at bearded theory and did not have wet feet once and did not feel the need to remove them in the state I was in.

However not every bodies cup of tea.

[DaveMac]

I use these Viper Tactical boots

They are completely waterproof, comfy as hell and have lasted for two years. However I am getting a new pair next year as a treat.

I can not recommend these enough, they have removable inner soles that can be washed, I wore them for 72 hours when I was at bearded theory and did not have wet feet once and did not feel the need to remove them in the state I was in.

However not every bodies cup of tea.

[strudders]

I may consider getting these for Glasto next year as my old trusty goretex lined boots fell apart after many years of use and 6 Glasto's. Need to get something suitable as I'm definately not going to wear Wellies at Glasto - too many bad tales to contemplate

Are these boots very heavy Struds and any downsides you can think of mate ?

[.jay.]

never felt the need for hiking boots, this year i just wore my regular comfy trainers (except when muddy the the wellies were broken out but that was only for one day/night thankfully) and my feet we're just fine the whole 5 days no blisters no rubbing nothing.

oh how i love Adidas Gazelle

Edited October 17, 2009 by .jay.

[Paul ™]

I bought a pair of these in 2005 and they have kept my feet bone dry for the last 4 Glastonburys.

http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=964

Personally I just would not contemplate wearing wellies I know walking boots can be quite expensive but they are waterproof and comfortable.

[future_shock]

Depending how much you want to spend and how often you are wearing them I'd recommend a good pair of Salomon walking boots. They are expensive but worth it. I bought mine in 2002 and are still going strong, taken them plenty of places and they also survived 5 months in the Jungle. Comfortable and waterproof. I always take them to Glasto along with a pair of gators for the deeper mud. I'd deff go for a pair of gators (you can get pretty cheap ones) they keep your laces reasonably clean which can make a difference when you have to tie really muddy boots over and over.

[minkitzka]

I use these Viper Tactical boots

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Just got myself a brand spanking new pair of German Para Boots. New they are hard to come about, but they are absolutely awesome. Walked 25 miles in them today and soft as f**k

At any one time I own.

Boots (wear 7 days of the week for work, play etc)

Trainers (for running)

Climbing shoes

Dress shoes (with my suit etc had these for 15 years).

Thats it

[treacle]

I bought a pair of Ecco gortex boots in TKMaxx 6 years ago for £25. I've worn them for hill walking and around 20 festvals and they are still waterproof Best worn with gaitors to stop the laces getting muddy.

[Deepsky]

Personally I don't worry about wether the boots are waterproof or not... Just get ones that are comfortable and fit well and have a little bit of space that you can pad out with several pairs of thick sock and then get several pairs of waterproof army gortex socks.

I wear them when canoeing to keep my feet dry when getting in and out and they're brilliant!

Personally i find it's essential to pad my feet out with a few pairs of thick walking socks so i find its essential to get a size up... Saves me from blisters!

These are what i use

http://www.climbers-shop.com/241735/produc..._Lhasa_GTX.aspx

Edited October 18, 2009 by Deepsky

[maninkilt]

Been said before but what ever you get get them soon and wear them in, cant over emphasise how much difference that can make.

[TheBigJT]

This thread has me really rethinking my original plans.

I've never owned or worn a Wellington, I live in California and we rarely get lengthy periods of rain. I had just figured that I'd buy some when I got there and wear my normal walking shoes the rest of the time (Lightweight Rockports, don't know if they have them in the UK).

I'm starting to think I may not be comfortable in a Wellington based on the comments here. I have very large calfs, legs and feet, and the chafing issues mentioned sound like a real possibility.

Thinking I may try a GorTex boot just past ankle height (like some of the examples posted).

I'd love to hear any other comments regarding Wellington "issues". I'm also curious is just wearing a regular height shoe is workable, or if I really need to invest in the taller (ankle height) boots makes the most sense?

Thanks!

[treacle]

Wise plan my friend.

Another reason not to wear wellies is that they give no support to the ankle. I know this only too well as when out for a gentle stroll I slipped on some mud on a slope and ended up on crutches and off work for 4 months after breaking my leg and dislocating my ankle

[irons]

This thread has me really rethinking my original plans.

I've never owned or worn a Wellington, I live in California and we rarely get lengthy periods of rain. I had just figured that I'd buy some when I got there and wear my normal walking shoes the rest of the time (Lightweight Rockports, don't know if they have them in the UK).

I'm starting to think I may not be comfortable in a Wellington based on the comments here. I have very large calfs, legs and feet, and the chafing issues mentioned sound like a real possibility.

Thinking I may try a GorTex boot just past ankle height (like some of the examples posted).

I'd love to hear any other comments regarding Wellington "issues". I'm also curious is just wearing a regular height shoe is workable, or if I really need to invest in the taller (ankle height) boots makes the most sense?

Thanks!

[4AssedMonkey]

Cheers for the input guys. Too the plunge and went boot shopping today. Got some Hi-Tec Nevis Boots for £70. The bloke in the shop seemed really knoweldgable and reckons they have the best "hydrophobic technology" at the moment as the entire boot is "coated on a molecular level with a water repellent PTFE type substance rather than relying on a membrane" (?). He also said there the one he bought for Autumn/Winter hiking duties so I took him at his word.

The problems I found with wellies are: -

- They don't provide ay support

- They don't have any cushioning

- The slob about and give you blisters

- The grip is crap

- They chaff your calves

- They sweat your feet like crazy.

The good thing is, they keep the water out, unless it actually rains and it runs down your leg.

Just need to break the boots in now.

[sreeve40]

Was thinking about getting some waterproof walking trainer type things. Are these ok or are boots the only way to go?

[strudders]

Was thinking about getting some waterproof walking trainer type things. Are these ok or are boots the only way to go?

[Mel & Claire]

I wear walking boots at festivals and gigs, only wear Wellies if I know I'm going to be tramping through lots of mud, because I don't really find them comfy and I don't like getting them on and off. But they're easier to clean mud off I find, and I don't really care about tramping through mud in them, but I think I would in walking boots.

Boots are loads better.

[4AssedMonkey]

Was thinking about getting some waterproof walking trainer type things. Are these ok or are boots the only way to go?

[Deepsky]

A decent pair of walking boots and these >

http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci...N+GORE-TEX+SOCK

can get them alot cheaper from various places including ebay, army surplus shops e.t.c

I got two pairs of brand new proper gortex ones for 7.50 from my local army surplus!

Use them for kayaking and they're brilliant!

Definitely a must for glasto no matter what type of footwear you're taking!

[NeilVJ]

Anyone know of any comfy or at least fairly comfy wellies as am just worried incase of a mudbath. I had cheap wellies last year and god my feet hurt.