UKC

Not strictly climbing but, I'm looking for a new pair of boots for 3 season hill walking/scrambling. Currently been using Brasher Hillmasters, which, although great in most conditions, are somewhat limiting when things get steep. Currently considering Salomon Adventure/Pro Trek 7's or the new Scarpa Zero Gravity 20s.

Anyone out there got any comments on them? I keep hearing that Salomon rubber is crap, any truth?

Thanks

Nick

In reply to ALF:
i have had two pairs of salomon walking/aproach shoes, both broke, my house mate is on his second pair of £70 salomon runing shoes, becasue the sole fell off. And another friend wants to get his girlfriend into winter climbing, got her to try on salomon boots, and the bloke in the shoe pulled the laces and all the eyelets fell off. He said it was the second pair that it had happened to.

i worked in a shop for two years and we only got one pair of scarpa back.

In reply to ALF:

I only buy Scarpa or Salomon, therfore I've got quite a few pairs of both brand for all purposes (rock, mtn, hiking and trail running) and all I can say is...buy the pair that fit the best for the intended purpose...Perfect fit is paramount!!

Oh and don't buy g/tex lined fabric hiking boots as once the liner wears out you'll have leaky boots. G/Tex lined leather boots on the other hand are great.

Hope that helps a bit!

In reply to ALF: Having always been a Scarpa fan mainly based on the fit which as has previously been said the most important thing I would have to say I have never had any complaints about them. I have only ever moved away from a pair when I have walked through the soles. Recently (in the last two months) bought a pair of Salomon Pro-Trek 7s so far they seem alright but a few people on here now have me worried that they are going to fall apart. I certainly hope not as they fit well and seem to be a good pair of boots.

In reply to ALF: Thanks everyone, looks like I'll be going the way of the Scarpa., Just can't get a decent fit in Salomon, even with footbeds etc. They either fit perfectly but are too short and my toes are touching the end or, my heel lifts and it feels like I'm wearing three sizes too big. Pity really, the small ones feel great but I know that my toes will be raw in a few miles.

Have to say that the Scarpas I've tried so far seem to be in a different league quality wise, far superior.

Nick

In reply to ALF:
I'd agree with getting the best fit.
Personally, i've got a pair of Salomon approach/running shoes; I've had them for nearly 3 years now.
I do everything in them including training for and competting in 2 off-road marathons, they are the best pair of shoes of this sort i've ever had. They are still in pretty good condition and i cant think of one day in the last 3 years i havent warn them.
The fit is excellent, but that's a very individual thing and i know many people dont get on with the fit of Salomon shoes.

Andy.

In reply to Andy Lamb (Not logged in):

I love my Salomon Super Mountains and want to get hold of a pair of pro stickys. Does anyone know where I can get them from?

In reply to chambers:

Don't bother with the pro stickys - they are not sticky!

I have had some for a couple of years now, used mainly for cragging and general use/walking and they are fairly comfy, but the sole is neither grippy enough in mud etc or sticky enough on rock.

I really liked my pair of previous exit shoes, but next time I will get 5.10s. (Although the best thing about the pro stickys appears to be that they are indestructible!)

In reply to Imp@work:

Scrpa Ascent are so much better; expensive but you get what you pay for

In reply to ALF:

I have two pairs of Scarpa boots. One pair dates from 1977 and still get used regularly. THe leather's still good - the sole's seen better days though. The other pair date from XMas 2003 and appear to be as well made as the others and are as comfy as one could ever wish.

In reply to ALF:

You're going to get wildly different views on this as, a mate in a climbing shop tells me, they are both very different widths. Scarpas are wider which is why they are so poular with Brits, who have wider feet than Italians (because we are more obese and put more weight on our feet, apparently!).

Personally, I love my Pro Treks and Mountain 9s.

In reply to Doughboy:

Is this true as I was thinking of getting a pair?! How long does it 'usually' take for the liner to wear out?
T

In reply to ALF:

>... Currently been using Brasher Hillmasters, which, although great in most conditions, are somewhat

True story: my mate climbed the North Buttress of the Chardonnet in a pair of those (with crampons strapped on, obviously). So it's the 'man in the boots, not the boots on the man'.

Myself, I prefer Scarpa boots - but only because they fit my feet nicely. And I have never had any problems with them.

On the other hand, my missus has had to take _three_ pairs of Scarpa walking boots back over the past two years: the soles keep coming off. The claim is 'it's a bad batch'.

In reply to ALF: Scarpa make the best quality boots in the world hands down!!! (if they fit you) if not try Zamberlan which come in a close second place

In reply to Doughboy: Gore tex lined leather boots are a waste of your dosh mate. the only reason the don't leak after the same lenght of time as fabrics is because the leather is probably water proof any way. oh and it makes them less breathable.

If it was SL's then it was a bad batch and Vibrams fault not scarpas