In reply to dmorty:
> (In reply to The New NickB)
>
> Original price £140, and that seems to be standard going price - but I got them for £70 at an outlet sale!
From what I've seen when browsing in Mountain Warehouse, pretty much
everything is priced at ~50% off its supposed "normal" price. As others have noted, this is similar to Sports Direct's approach. (I think both chains must sail very close to the edge of what's legally allowed in terms of misleading pricing). I have occasionally bought stuff from both retailers, but based on the price they were asking, not the supposed "discount". I've also taken some stuff back that failed on first use, and got very poor wear out of other items. Overall, as slong as you buy based on what you pay and set your expectations re quality and longevity based on that, then you are unlikely to be surprised.
I'd also add my voice to those pointing out that the Scarpa SL is by no means guaranteed to give you blisters. My SLs are as comfy as carpet slippers and I find them ideal for Munro-bagging all year round. But if they don't fit
your feet, don't bother.
Regarding fabric boots: I'm not keen on them for Munro-bagging. Remember, this is Scotland we're talking about. You are are almost guaranteed to come across water and/or mud underfoot on most Munro outings (anyone ever sunk into a peat hag in fabric boots?) As others have pointed out, mud + mesh => erosion of 'waterproof' membranes. Even if the weather's dry, access to many Munros requires river crossings with no bridge, for which a leather boot with a reasonable ankle height is handy. And a robust sole is almost essential for some of the rough ground you get in the Scottish hills (eg interminable boulder fields), and certainly so in winter.
The most sensible alternative to 'proper' boots, IMO, is fell running shoes which are
so light that benefit from that genuinely can outweigh the disadvantages. They are not waterproof, but the point is that getting them wet doesn't matter (in fact they're arguably better for river crossings than a boot for that reason). The main disadvantage is the lack of support: something that you can train to deal with, but I wouldn't particularly recommend that anyone with little hillwalking experience should expect to bag their first Munro in fell running shoes and have happy feet at the end of it.