Footwear

[robu]

I took a disabled friend to the festival this year. It was his first time. He uses crutches permanently and has very little strength or mobility in one leg.

He wore gators and walking boots (Berghaus Supalite II GTX, heavily discounted in the January sales) and said he didn't think he could have done it at all in wellies.

I've got to say, he was amazing. In thirty years of attending the festival, I've never covered as much ground as this year. Mainly it was because he was determined to see as much as possible as he didn't know if/when he might be able to go again. Using his crutches, he powered past many able-bodied people, which inevitably drew plenty of appreciative comments.

A couple of things helped: he registered as disabled with the festival and received passes that allowed him and one other person to use various shortcuts around the site. He also had access to the disabled viewing platforms, although chose not to use them. Possibly the biggest benefit was being able to park our campervan in the disabled area, which on the east side is immediately at the top of the hill of death. 

All that said, he crashed and burned when he got home. He was exhausted and his leg gave him a lot of problems over the next couple of months, which he adamantly insisted had nothing to do with the festival, but I think he's being polite.

[Glasto peaches]

Can I have some links for some walking boots pretty please

[sheffieldlady]

20 hours ago, Glasto peaches said:

Can I have some links for some walking boots pretty please

I got mine from Blacks some time ago in the sale, I have some Merrells. Really comfy and lightweight. I'd suggested heading into a shop and trying some on with proper walking socks

[Glasto peaches]

Thank you, I will take your advice and try some on.

[Deaf Nobby Burton]

On 12/10/2016 at 4:22 AM, Trout Mask Replica said:

Muck boots for the entire festival. Best of both worlds between a walking boot and welly. Not a chafe or blister in sight. And they don't slip off in the worst sticky mud.

Also 1000 mile socks. I took 3 pairs this year and will take more in 2017.

 

For me the walking boots/welly argument is irrelevant, the most important thing is to have a few pairs of 1000 mile socks, you could wear ill fitting wellies all weekend but if you're wearing 1000 mile socks it will be fine. They've changed my festival experience.

[Madyaker]

People in ill fitting wellies kept getting them sucked off in the mud as well.

[JacquelineS]

I am looking at these boots or possibly Doc Martens. As well as Hunters. Any suggestions?

https://www.amazon.ca/Womens-Liberty-Ridge-Outdoor-Gargoyle/dp/B00RLUKYOY/ref=sr_1_6?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1477272762&sr=1-6&keywords=hiking+boots

Edited October 24, 2016 by JacquelineS

[wwinstanley]

I bought a pair of Peter Storm waterproof walking boots from Blacks for this years festival. A decent pair of socks each day and did the boots up tight and they were perfect! Didn't get a wet or muddy foot the entire festival, they never felt uncomfortable and I always had grip underfoot! I walked anywhere up to 19 miles each day and my feel felt spot on.

I plan to waterproof them before next years fest just to make sure.

My mates in willies were slopping about all over the place, losing them in the mud and suffering nasty looking blisters on their calves.

[Bernieray]

I wore my doc martens Wednesday to Saturday, had no problems at all, even in thickest and deepest of mud areas! I did swap into my walking boots on the Sunday and found the mud stuck to them more! I never wear wellies as other say... Pain in the arse! Doc martens all the way for me!