Preferred Boots or Shoes in the UK???

[Anniesantiago]

I have been asked by a man from the UK who is having difficulty finding footwear for the Camino.

He has some over=pronation issues and hasn't been able to find appropriate footwear.

Can you folks in the UK steer me to some of the boots or shoes THAT YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY WORN on the Camino and where he might shop?

Thanks!
Annie

 

[Tia Valeria]

We favour the Hi-Tec boots which have removeable insoles with arch support. Hi-Tec, and others produce differing insole inserts also which might help.
Our own boots have been the Altitude IV Waterproof.
The Hi-Tec site has a list of stockists in the UK, although some only have limited variety.
Can you give the general area of the UK the person lives, which might help to give a recommended stockist (of any boot)

 

[Tincatinker]

I rely on Brasher Hillmasters, the recent remodelling has successfully addressed a long term issue with heel lifting. Previously I used heel wedges to help with fitting. The fitting service in Cotswold, or Field & Trek are as good as you are likely to get.

 

[nidarosa]

I second Tincatinker, the Cotswold Outdoor boot fitting service is excellent, they measure your foot and send you up ramps and down rocky slopes to make sure the fit is right - and there is no pressure to buy. I have got a wonky heel since I walked the Frances last year and they have fitted me with two pairs of boots since, one leather and one goretex. (Scarpa and Salomon respectively) They also have a good range of insoles to replace the normally quite flat footbed - I use Superfeet and love them!

 

[tyrrek]

I third the recommendation for Cotswold. They make a point of recruiting staff who have spent longer in the outdoors than it takes to pick up the next video game, and always give good advice. On my last long Camino I wore North Face boots, which were incredibly comfortable but started to crack (without failing completely) towards the end. I got full money back and I almost felt guilty having walked a Camino Frances in them, so I bought a replacement pair there and then. They are Scarpa boots, which were not quite as comfortable but I've worn them practically every day for 18 months and they´re only starting to crack now.

 

[Diogo92]

I live in Portugal, but buy a lot of things from SportsDirect and Field and Trek. Right know, I have a pair of Karrimor KSB Trekking boots on, in leather and they are great and are not so expensive has that. I bought them for my day use.

For the Camiño, I bought a pair of Hi-Tec Tornado Mid WP, but I think that this model has been discontinued. There are other great models though just like the V-Lite Sphike Waterproof or the Sierra Lite Waterproof.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks everyone

 

[alansykes]

If he can get to Keswick, George Fisher will fit your friend with exactly what he needs. They really do know their boots, and our feet, and I'm not just saying that out of Cumbrian loyalty. They have a website as well, but the personal advice and fitting you get in Keswick is second to none: www.Georgefisher.co.uk

 

[dalston999]

Another vote for Cotswold, excellent staff who have lots of experience, don't seem to mind how long you take to decide, let you take the boots home to try and then refund until entirely satisfied.

 

[supersullivan]

I usually use a full weight hiking boot for my hill walking in Ireland but my most recent purchase, Lowa 'Munros' weighed in at 2.06 kgs for a pair of size 11's so I went with Meindl Meran GTX's for my recent St Jean-Finisterre-Muxia camino, 985 kms with not a foot problem in sight, the Meran's weigh in at 1.6 kgs for size 11's, the weight is saved by using 2.2 mm leather rather than the 2.6 or 2.8 mm leather that my more normal boots use, they also have a slightly softer sole compound which helps a little with the amount of tarmac walking on the camino, I did replace the manufactures insoles with 'Superfeet' insoles as a personal preference.