Walking boot fans.....

[math125]

I have a pair of Asolo I swear by but really the best piece of advice is go try some on and see what feels best. Brasher, Soloman, Lowa, Scarpa make good boots. Everyone will have boots for different types of fits.

Quick search found a few Soloman or Mammut recommendations for widefoots.

Edited May 5, 2014 by math125

[Anderson19]

Im also looking for some been looking around and thinking of these seem a good price compared to everywhere else, more a mid boot than a full one, anyone have any experience with these? Or even just the brand seems good..

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/merrell-mens-proterra-mid-sport-gtx-boot-32110540?id_colour=124

[frostypaw]

It's as applicable now as then...

Another vote for Brasher Supalites here. Comfy from the day I first put them on (genuinely can't even remember breaking them in) and still look and feel like new after about 18 months.

[kalifire]

Any opinions on this pair? Great reviews, although apparently they don't stay completely waterproof for more than a year or so.

[MrsRookin]

Any opinions on this pair? Great reviews, although apparently they don't stay completely waterproof for more than a year or so.

[math125]

Used this website for gear reviews for years http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Gear-Reviews/left-hand-nav/Footwear/

[Hello... I'm Johnny Cash]

If I was buying them for serious regular walking I'd avoid Karrimor like the Plague. They are owned by Sports Direct. That said they may be ideal just for few days.

[Guest]

There are a lot of good boots out there but some will suit an individuals feet and some won't. It is important to try them on before buying to make sure that the footbed, width, ankle cut and height, heel piece and tongue etc suit your feet. You may find that fat calves cause rub on the back of the boot if it is too high, too low can cause the front to rub or your achilles gets sanded. Some bellows tongues are too thick and a wider boot is needed to compensate. If your foot is exactly the same shape as a cobblers last, crack on and buy online, you'll be fine.

If you want waterproof, buy waterproof boots, Gore-tex is close to wtaerproof but standards of lining and quality vary. I have had Gore-tex Merrills that leaked like a sieve and non Gore-tex KSBs that never leaked unless it came over the top.

If you spend money online based on reviews then don't be surprised if the 120 quid spankers aren't quite right. You also need to break them in properly. This doesn't mean a couple of trips to the shops, they need to mould to your feet. Any number of ways to do it (but don't piss in them as some people will suggest, it doesn't work and you will just end up smelling like a tramps nether regions).

Whatever you buy, break them in, wear decent socks and do them up properly to avoid your foot slopping around in them. You don't need to spend a lot, just buy some that suit your feet.

[math125]

Not so sure about that. I run about 40k a week cross country and Karrimor running shoes last as long and give me less problems than other shoes that are 3 times the price.

[scrippit]

If you intend to walk more than just at Glastonbury then leather boots are the best IMHO. They are significantly stiffer and retain their shape and waterproofing longer. I have had Brasher's for 12 years but recently changed to Meindl after the soles on the Brasher's finally had too little tread.

Wore them to 2011 and 2013 for the full five days. The only issue with footwear I have ever had was getting my wife's wellies off at 4am when she was, errrr, very tired...

[MrsRookin]

Would definitely second trying before you buy. The boots I thought I wanted didn't work for me at all. Also despite being a size 5-6 usually I ended up getting a size 7, which I never would have gone for without trying them on. Worked out cheaper too, as we got a great discount.

[Hello... I'm Johnny Cash]

I had a cheap pair ok Karrimor walking shoes I bought just the dog and muddy country lanes. They were okay but despite having non slip soles every time it rained I could hardly stay on my feet.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Hello... I'm Johnny Cash

[frostypaw]

Both quality choices, carry on

[kalifire]

Having spent half the afternoon looking into it, I've plumped for a pair of Brashers Supalite Active's. The sizing seems accurate, although I'll send them back if there's a problem. I was attracted to a few things:

* They're not too hardcore. I don't want a heavy-duty leather mountain boot for trotting around Glasto.

* They're lightweight

* They don't need much breaking in, which I always find quite a painful process

* They don't have a fully closed ankle - the back seems to drop down a bit, which is perfect because it would chaff otherwise

* Uttings has my size in stock (and only my size) for £79, much cheaper than anywhere else.

So I'm happy with that, and I'm delighted to say I now have all I need for Glasto aside from drink and spending money! Phew.

[esp]

I have salomans which I love. Needed no breaking in when I bought them, wide and super comfortable. However I went round to a few outdoor shops and spent some time getting advice from the shop guys. Loved the advice from cotswold outdoor particularly, even if you eventually buy them online (!) still well worth doing.

[bush]

I've had the Grisport Crusader for about 3 years now and they have been the best boots i've had. No breaking in, good waterproof properties and comfortable as slippers.

[Morse Code]

Never was the old adage 'buy cheap, buy twice' never more apt.

Definitely try them on, get the right fit, choose a style you like etc, but remember typically, you get what you pay for

[HurrahBrother]

While I have lucked out and found a great pair of wellies, I heartily recommend sealskinz socks if you are going for boots and are nervous about wet feet. My favourite boots are the old US Jungle boots with the panama soles (each time you tread down, the mud gets pushed out), but being canvas and leather, not at all waterproof! But with sealskinz or wooden socks, the feet stay good even when the boots are thoroughly sodden!

[Girlwiththemostcake]

I bought Brasher Supalights last year after someone on here posted a link to them being sold pretty cheaply online. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to break them in properly as on first wear I discovered they press on the front of my foot/leg, and cause a really painful bruised feeling which got so bad I couldn't wear them at all.

I wore them the other in the hope of managing to properly break them in this year. Should have been doing it over the winter of course, but I didn't get tickets until the re-sale so the thought of breaking in boots for a festival I probably couldn't get tickets for was too depressing. I plan to take a bit of a walk in them every two or three days, building up as they become more comfortable.

I intend to take both boots and wellies if the forecast is iffy. I find if I wear the same shoes day in day out, they knacker my feet no matter how comfortable they normally are so I'll alternate.

[captain reido]

I like the look of these.

http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/104932-peter-storm-mens-snowdon-walking-boot.html

[Octave Doctor]

Meindl Burma pro have been worth every penny - over 5 years old / 15-20 festivals plus other hikes. Some tread loss - use gel insoles as well now ( they make a big difference ) always use Goretex gaiters if muddy. Avoid wellies unless it's really bad.

whatever you buy - start wearing now as much as possible

[math125]

What gaiters are people rockin'?

[Brave Sir Robin]

The cheapest I could find in Blacks a few years ago. Is it worth spending more on gaiters? What improvements can a more expensive pair offer?

[DeanoL]

Had some boots I've been wearing for Glastonbury and pretty much nothing else for about five years now. They just about keep their shape for a year, which I discovered to my cost last year, first time after a fallow year, not worn in two years, nearly killed me on the Wednesday

[Keano10]

Wading in way late on this topic... Just a week before the shenanigans!

The weather hopefully is set to fair. However if it does rain I have some cheap wellies but these really screwed my feet up on my only glasto so far. Thinking of buying some memory foam insoles to help the soreness - any insole better than an other or are these all on par?

Secondly, I like the idea of striding in walking boots in milder weather. I don't currently own any & if I buy some I wouldn't wear them any other time of the year so can't be forking out 80-100 quid. Was toying with getting some DM's which I could wear to the pub anytime; I'll get more out of them. But do they suffice in showers & puddles?

& is it risky by not breaking them in? As I'll only have a few days to wear them before next week.

I've got a pair of old timberland boots in the loft. Not waterproof - any better than just a pair of cons?