old-fashioned hiking boots

[pipvh]

Does anyone know if you can still find classic old-fashioned hiking boots with (preferably) one-piece tops and Norwegian-welted soles? I know there are a couple of custom makers out there (one in Canada - unbearably expensive but apparently incredible), but I really just want a pair to hike the moors in. I can't stand modern injection-molded soles. There's no point in buying something that can't be mended, after all!

The closest I have at the moment are some commando-soled Trickers Grasmeres - lovely, but not very (honestly, at all) waterproof. I'm kicking myself now because you could buy real stitched Austrian boots anywhere a few years ago and now when you go into a hiking shop and ask for them, you get nothing but the blankest look by way of reply... An admittedly minor tragedy, but I don't see why I should wear built-in obsolescence on my feet.

 

[Alexi]

to steal a tune from Filson, might as well have the best:
http://www.limmerboot.com/ or http://www.russellmoccasin.com/

I think danner still makes a pair of waffle stompers also

 

[Creeping Past]

Van Gorkom, the Canadian maker is very expensive but seems to be worth it. James Taylor is in the same vein, but even more old school.

William Lennon do some good old-styles.

Limmer have a good reputation.

Danner make some okay-looking mountain boots.

How about these: see "Bergstiefel" and "Tricounil Stiefel"?

 

[pipvh]

Van Gorkom was the guy I had in mind. Really fantastic but totally overkill for my needs - and I could buy almost half a Land Rover for that money. But meanwhile many thanks for this info: the Bertls look very promising and I'm going to check them out. Do you know how much a pair of Taylors are likely to run me? They don't look cheap...

 

[HDRnR]

Merrell still makes what your looking for http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/ViewProduct.mvc.aspx/7178M/0/Mens/Wilderness?galleryId=M-F

 

[Erik]

And for Orvis, as well:

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1A6X&dir_id=885&group_id=909&cat_id=5350

Quite the deal, actually.

 

[Tomasso]

Vasque on eBay.

 

[JEEP]

Try looking at the Meindl Perfekt. We have it at the hunting-/outdoor store where I work - I have seen and handeled many boots, but the Perfekt is just what it's name suggests; perfect.

Both my girlfriend and I wear Meindl almost exclusively.


Regards.

Jakob

 

[pipvh]

Those Orvis boots would have been perfect - but of course they don't have my size. I'm off to scour the online labyrinth of European sports shops...

 

[pipvh]

Narrowing it down to a pair of Meindl Ortlers - http://www.huntingandoptics.com/acatalog/info_127.html - should be just what I need, providing they don't discontinue them in the next month or so!

 

[Creeping Past]

Do you know how much a pair of Taylors are likely to run me? They don't look cheap...

They're bespoke. A couple of years ago they were £1500+

 

[kaiser]

I like the Meindl Boots as well. My Wife and I have been wearing Meindl Boots for about 8 years now with very good results. Her Boots have been re-soled as well. Even though they are molded you can get new soles put on them at a good Cobbler shop.

 

[bburtner@moran]

Hiking boot

The Merrell`s mentioned are very good "old style",like the Fabianos of Italy,they are warm in the cold also,with a pair of gaiters you are good to go..

 

[Creeping Past]

I've contacted Merrell in the UK about availability here but had no response. So I'm guessing these new/old boots are for the US market only, at the moment.

 

[pipvh]

It's a toss-up between the Ortlers and those Merrells - which are Italian (Asolo?). The Merrells are more trad-looking but the Ortlers are cheaper and nearer. I'll give a full review if and when I make my choice. What might sway my decision is that the Ortlers have a Gore-Tex lining underneath the full-leather lining, while the Merrells are just plain old leather-lined. Gore-Tex tends to make boots unbearably hot after a while... or perhaps I'm just a Luddite?

 

[pipvh]

...And then you find something that really ruins your day...

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/347,66558_Kayland-Norwegian-Welt-Trekking-Boots-for-Men.html

 

[bburtner@moran]

Hiking boots

Sierra Trading,now thats a BARGIN!!!nice boot also....

 

[bburtner@moran]

SOLD OUT

Those are SOLD OUT..figures..

 

[norton]

Try looking at the Meindl Perfekt. We have it at the hunting-/outdoor store where I work - I have seen and handeled many boots, but the Perfekt is just what it's name suggests; perfect.

Both my girlfriend and I wear Meindl almost exclusively.


Regards.

Jakob

I bought a pair of Meindls at Cabelas almost two years ago and have been very happy with them. I used them for a week long hike on the Appalachian Trail. They're the first pair that never gave me blisters.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Old School romantic leather mountaineering boots?

Fabiano. Still handmade in Italy. Still incredible.