I bought a pair of mountain lowa's a few years back and they are great boots. However I find my feet get very warm inside and often sweat. Is this the gore-tex or just my feet?

It'll be the gore mate. I've got the mountain gtx too, and they're great boots, but can get very warm!

I can recommend you these boots. I have them issued(Dutch Army) and they are a treat to walk on! The shock absorption is superb and therefore brilliant for tabbing,especially on tarmac roads.

www.worldofsurplus.com...cr389.html

I used to have them but the sole came away from the shock absorber when I was in brecon! Ended up having to use a roll of black nasty to stop the sole from flapping around!

I loved them but my Altbergs ( I think defenders...) are better.

T C

I'll be popping down to Silverman's to try on some Lowa Patrols or various Altbergs for my OTC japes. I notice some of these boots have slightly lower legs compared to the issue one - is it a massive problem (considering I'll have a pair of gaiters handy)?

The pair you are wearing.

its not a problem really in most circumstances, because if its gonna go over the tops then your usually in a stream where only waders would be of any use haha but if its something that worries you most boot lines have a hi'leg variant such as the lowa hi-leg combat

I was thinking also along the lines of what DS would say (or scream).

i have got to agree with you mate; i have a pair too

they have to be the best tabbing boots in the whole world, no arguement!

Scarpa and Altberg, may tend to disagree with you.

I'm looking for decent second pair or boots within a reasonable price range.

I've got a pair of Altberg Defenders (Mark II), which are the mutts nutts, but am also looking a cheaper second pair that I can use for emergencies... and potentially tabbing if good enough, as I find most boots f*ck up my (wider than normal) big toes.

Heard that Bates Falcons are decent, and at around £50-£60, seem to be in a good price range.

I've ordered Peacekeeper non-Aquas, although I originally wanted Defenders. Stock issues etc, Silvermans only had Aqua versions. Is the softer more flexible sole of the Peacekeeper still good for field work - I might be going to Kenya this year with 1 SCOTS - or should I stick it out and try and get some Defenders?

In basic do you just get one pair of standard issue? Can you wear lowas or altbergs a few weeks in and not be frowned at?

Recently purchased a pair or Lowa boots--turned out to be too narrow for my Fred Flintstone wide trotters.(crackin' boots)
Are Altbergs liable to be more "fitting".?(can't make it to the fitting shop)
Spend a long day on my feet--no yomping/tabbing required--but need the ankle support(injury)
Have tried Magnums,and Danner(quality),but at 200 quid(they managed 6 years--no tread left)
Can muster up to 150 quid.

I had Altberg defenders once,, They leaked like a sieve after less than a year (Please note I wasnt running up streams or suchlike i was DS'ing) and the soles wore away quickly and the lining wore away at the heel very quickly. The final nail in their coffin was when i went over my ankle on exercise and the ankle support was next to nil!!

Subsequently bought non goretex Lowa Patrols,, Have not had any of the above problems!!

Lowa Recon are not bad!!

You'll get two pairs of CABs and those will be all you will wear without a chit from the medical officer. Wait till you get to bn before wearing anything else.

I'ld recommend the Israeli issue boots..

I've gone through a couple of pairs now, used them for med-ex, yomping, etc, etc, etc, and have had no problems.

But beware, here are a couple "dealers" selling p1ss poor fakes, like with everything you want to buy..

Altberg do different width fittings, don't know if they do this outside of the fitting shop oop North though...

Not sure if they've been done - 5.11 tacticals, mega comfy. I wore for the first time on a tessex and they did not need wearing in. Almost as light as gsg9's but waterproof, although non-gortex so it avoids sweating your feet. A bit of bitch when wet. but most boots(except CABs) are. I think there originally designed as Police/HRT boots in america but they seem to be standing up prettty well.