UKC

i am going on a trekking trip to mera peak in nepal can any one recomnened the best boots for the trip? i have heard sportiva lhotse are pretty good?

In reply to Andy h: Ignore all reviews and advice and go for the ones which fit you. Personally I wear Gronell Mont Blancs. A not so well known or advertised boot from Italy though very distinctive as they are olive green leather. Never had any blisters from them. They've done about 2000 miles since I got them 8 years ago, are still completely waterproof and the soles are in pretty good condition considering the abuse I've given them. They are an exceptionally well made boot. They will still hold a C2 Step-In without difficulty. Unfortunately as they are so unknown they can be pretty difficult to trace, however look in the back of Trail magazine as there is usually an advert for the UK importers and distributers, I think its called Gronell in Britain (though I may be wrong) and are based in Stoke. Alternatively, if you're anywhere near the Lakes head to Sport Extreme in Ambleside as they have them and last time I was in they were at a reduced price

In reply to jimbo:
agreed. also Hanwags make some good boots, though I haven't seen their latest range. Beware of the very narrow fitting of some of the Scarpa range (particularly anything made with the vaunted RS last) now, as I've found to my cost, getting the next size up for width causes heel problems. Why oh why did they change their lasts from what worked?

if you're the bearer of wide feet, look at Meindl Nepal Pros, or whatever the new ones are (same boot but with goretext for added warmth), could be the makalu but if you ask, they'll let you know in a shop. fantastic boots, i walk the dog in them and climbed in the alps.

In reply to michaelw: have scarpas changed shape? The reason I ask is because my (old style) mantas are getting really knackered and I would intend to replace them with new ones. Had another pair before and they were both extremely comfortable, however I don't have particularly narrow feet & I don't want to waste £140 on boots that cripple me!

In reply to Ninian: NO THERE AINT NO PROBLEM WITH SCARPA BOOTS AT ALL,IVE HAD SOME NEW MANTAS RECENTLY,BECAUSE MY OLD GOT KNACKERED SAME SIZE SAME WIDTH EVERYTHING.ALSO GOT MYSELF SOME REPLACEMENT SCARPA SL NO PROBLEM THERE EITHER.I
ALSO SELL LOADS OF SCARPAS EVERY WEEK AND GUESS WHAT NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM WITH ANY CUSTOMERS NEEDING NEW BOOTS.THE SL COMES IN DIFFERENT WIDTHS ANYWAY THE BX AND BXX.

In reply to Andy h: any by La Sportiva, the Makalus i think, best treking boots going, are there any other makers of good boots these days ??

In reply to Andy h: hi andy,i did the mera and island peak trip last year and used mendil nepal pros for trekking in which i found an excellent boot however most guys including myself took plastics for use on the mountain days,it can get seriously cold up there and one of our team got frostbite so its not always the walk in the park some people suggest.make sure you try your boots on a long walk before you leave as there are some long days on the trip.

In reply to Ninian:
The problems I've experienced have been with the RS lasted (mountaineering rather than walking) boots. I can no longer wear size 44 (my native size) as the newer boots are too narrow, and size 45 is too long. I speak as someone who has worn Scarpas for more than 15 years. I have a pair of Sportivas which are very much like the old wide fit of Scarpa, but unfortunately not as comfy to walk in as my tatty 2 pairs of Guides which are getting to the limits of repairs.

In reply to michaelw:
mind you the sportivas are pretty good techncally and a very good buy if you can get them at a reduced price

In reply to Andy h:

as Jim said, you really need 2 pairs of boots. Definitely plastics for the actual climb - Scarpa Vega and Koflach Arctis Extrem are the warmest (remember it might be -25c when you start in the morning). Plastics are uncomfortable for long walks though, so I would look at any solid leather boots that fit you well, remembering lighter boots are usually more comfortable over a long day. If you already have some leather walking boots, these should be fine.

In reply to Ninian:

the new Mantas are definitely narrow, but I never tried the old ones, so I can't compare. There's definitely a huge width variation in the different Scarpa products.

Last year's Snow&Rock catalogue usefully noted the breadth, heel width and volume of each boot they sell on a NMW scale. It seemed quite accurate. I haven't seen this year's catalogue yet, but it might be worth checking.

I've got a pair of Meindl mountain crack pros, which are very stiff and comfy to climb in, but not too hot on the walking side of things however, for something of this stiffness they are not as well insulated as plastics. If you require something of b2 but in reality is quite close to b3 when new, then these area a good bet. Also have a pair in La Sportiva makalu gtx which have just been updated so the old style are going dead cheat. I got mine for £73. great all rounded and much comfier to walk in.

In reply to jimbo: Dear Jimbo, I read the reply to Andy's message and I am very proud of your words. I am of the gronell family. If you need help to find our products do not hesitate to write me by e-mail ([email protected]). However, you are right, our UK partner is "GRONELL IN BRITAIN" and it is located in Stoke-on-Trent. Ciao, Massimo.

Gronell are the best!! Need help to find them?? write me by e-mail ([email protected]). Bye.