Factory fitting is really good, they will make you glad you booked a appointment. Downside you are stuck with all those different ones you want to try.

Not much has been said about goretex vs non-goretex.

My (limited) experience with goretex boots is that they are normally comfy etc. but once wet on the inside they take literally days to dry out.

I've never actually done any "hard-graft" in non-goretex boots, so what's the view on those?

At the moment, I'd go for non-goretex lowas with some goretex socks/sealskins as backup. Thoughts?

Non-goretex all the way, sealskin socks and the rest are great for harbour areas - not as great for more tabbing.

To be honest, after running up a river during a platoon attack my boots got absolutely soaked. I changed socks about an hour later, and had no dramas - boots seemed relatively dry, if not a little damp. Non-goretex patrols lowas for me thanks!

I have Lowa Combat GTX at the moment and yes they take days to dry out, but are comfy as fcuk! I usually wear CAB's if I know I'm going to get wet, but recently after being issued a new pair they strain my achilles and now am in a catch 22, have wet feet for days or sore body parts for weeks. I'm looking at getting Lowa Urban boots, but am not a fan of the mesh panels; after finding out the hard way with magnums... S*"T!!!

But as they make both a GTX and non GTX versions what would generally be better? As there is only a small amount of mesh how much water would get through?

Thoughts/ points please.

Thanks

Lowa Supercamps; not Gore-tex, very quick drying and comfortable, and provide enough support for those who have to tab with weight.

Right, bracing for impact BUT....

Raichle Mountain Guide for the CFT's or any running in green. They only come in dark brown so need blacking up (as do the red tags and gray brand name on toe but FFS if that gives you away then they'll be close enough to hear you breath) but they're so light they float away if not tied down (700grams lighter per boot then Lowa Patrols) and they have a cambered sole so they don't feel like clunking along in lead weighted diving boots as my Lowa patrols feel in comparison.

Brecon or any baby-head territory? Lowa patrols! Great ankle support. Find superfeet insoles within and foot ensconced in thousand milers. Job Done.

Barracks? Issue. nuff said.

Me too, spot on!

I got some Meindl Army Goretex last year, and they seem OK. The sole is a bit slippy on rocky ground, but otherwise they perform well...... well apart from a bloody annoying squeak when they are damp !!

Anyone got an opinion on these things, or some advice on stopping the squeak ? I think it's from the laces rubbing on the outside... and I got them as tight as I can bare......

And, can anyone recommend a particular Altberg boot over the others in the range ?

Ta

Does any one else suffer from sweaty feet like I do? I love my Altbergs and I've never had any trouble with them, but after wearing them for about an hour my feet get all sweaty! And then I've pretty much got wet feet all day.

Less than ideal.... Any help?

T C

Hoping to do Nijmegen this year, and we basically only started training today, with a 15 miler with 10KG at a good pace. I had always scoffed at those paying money for boots as my issue ones never really bothered me on ex except for a few blisters, but today fook me heels were sore at the end of the march took my boots off, you coulda justified puttin on an FFD there was so much blood! pretty scary when you think Nijmegen is 25ish Miles a day for 4 days!!!!!!!!

So really what i want to know from your combined experience what boots would be best for a road march like Nijmegen and Gaerlochead without any considerations about whether they are good in the field.

Try Magnum Spiders, cheap-ish, very light and comfortable! You may want to replace the laces on them though, as the standard ones are crap and keep getting undone.

Are you wearing synthetic socks? Could you try natural fibres. There is a very powerful anitperspirant called Triclor it's a roll-on available from Pharmacies, can't promise it will work though.

These?
www.outdoorsmagic.com/...s/uan/2744

i ware the alt berg sneekers, ive found them absolutely amazing they have the skywalk technology as they call it which is hard on the bottom for long lasting but soft on top so keeps your feet nice and comfy, they are so light they dry out in a few hours, i have also worn han wags , and just found they are so clumpy and heavy and take for ever to dry out. Im such a firm believer in alt bergs even though they dont looks as "ally" as lowas they are so more practical, i bought the desert version aswell because im on herrick 10 at the moment they are just as good keep my feet cool.

i have problems with my meta tarsals and in issue boots i find they make them swell and become very uncomfortable, i have been issued lowa urbans and i find i just have the same problem. alt bergs are the way forward for me.

I DO! i bought a pair altberg warriors aqua version, i wear brashers coolmax socka yet my feet sweat constantly! every other aspect of the bots are amazing and to right when your paying that money!

cheers

Gandy:
Hoping to do Nijmegen this year, and we basically only started training today, with a 15 miler with 10KG at a good pace. I had always scoffed at those paying money for boots as my issue ones never really bothered me on ex except for a few blisters, but today fook me heels were sore at the end of the march took my boots off, you coulda justified puttin on an FFD there was so much blood! pretty scary when you think Nijmegen is 25ish Miles a day for 4 days!!!!!!!!

So really what i want to know from your combined experience what boots would be best for a road march like Nijmegen and Gaerlochead without any considerations about whether they are good in the field.

Try Magnum Spiders, cheap-ish, very light and comfortable! You may want to replace the laces on them though, as the standard ones are crap and keep getting undone.

A few years back the Nijmegen website stated that Magnum Amazons were the best, as they are the lightest boots available (Or were at the time)
I did a few marches in Magnums and they fell to bits at 200 miles, have used Lowa Combat's for the past two years, close to 600 miles in them now, sole unit is F**ked but is still going and I will be using them for RAFWARMA Cosford this weekend. I am also keen on using my Lowa Urban GTX for the Sunday as they are new and worth a little abuse.

I used to wear Altbergs.........................but transferd to RMP where i now wear FLIP FLOPS. Whats tabbing again?

Has anyone had any experiences with DANNER boots, in particular the Striker 8 - are they as good as their Lowa/Altberg comparible price implies? Or are they overpriced rubbish?

Just to throw in my tuppence worth...

I have dodgy heels and have had tendonitis from issue boots and now can't wear them because they shred my tough feet in 3 minutes flat!

Have had lowas from 2002 onwards and never had a problem but started to find my combat GTXs waaaay to stiff and heavy (albeit the most waterproof boot ever - running through rivers doing platoon attacks and the like and only got the cuff bit wet from no gaiters). Recently switched to Altberg and boy am I impressed... they come in width fittings (!!) and are so comfy it's unreal (and so much to chose from!).

In the end I went with a pair of field and fell original (might go microlight next time) and a pair of Sneekers which are seriously like trainers.
Anyone with achilled problems needing a decent field boot - try the field and fell. It's so flexible around the achilles it's like heaven. Can't understand why I didn't get Altbergs years ago. When I have a bit more dosh I'll probably go for the full factory fitting experience but I definitely agree with the other posters who've recommeded going to the factory - 1st class fitting and plenty of boots!

i've got stint bashing a round brecon, need some new black taxis, seeing as the weathers fair warm, and i hate gay-tex lining, i was thinking altberg sneekers? best idea? any other recommendations?