UKC

Hello,

I am hoping somebody can assist with my decision making as I have went down a boot rabbit hole. 

I am looking to buy some new boots for the tour du mont blanc (end of August) and annapurna circuit trek (May).

I won't be using the boots for anything more extreme than this. I don't intend to go mountain climbing or trekking in the winter etc.

I tried on a pair of Aequilibrium Hike GTX boots after speaking to a sales assistant. They fit well and were comfortable but the Aequilibrium Trek GTX and Aequilibrium TX5 GTX have both caught my eye. Just a little concerned that the Aequilibrium Hike GTX boots might not be comfortable enough during multiple days. I have narrow feet, so the Aequilibrium work pretty well for me. Can anybody recommend these boots for the treks I have mentioned or any others? I was advised that boots like the Aequilibrium Ultra Raptor or Solomon X ULTRA 5 would not be recommended for such treks as the soles would be too soft.

Any input would be much appreciated. 

These....

https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/footwear/walking_boots/scarpa_r-evo_gtx-122...

I did the Annapurna circuit a couple of years ago in these boots. Comfortable straight out of the box and no blisters or sore feet for the duration of the walk.

I wouldn't know what to do in your situation as I wouldn't want the same shoes for both trips.

For Tour du Mont Blanc I'd be looking at a fell running shoe and travelling as light as possible. I hate wearing boots on long hikes as I struggle with blisters. A comfortable trainer however is wonderful. 

Annapurna circuit is a bot more complicated which I will leave to others to comment.

Thanks! I will be sure to give these a try. 

In all honesty this was my initial thinking, but the sales assistant recommended the Aequilibrium Hike GTX boots for the TMB and said that anything lighter (Aequilibrium Ultra Raptor) would be no good. 

I'd be interested to know what other's think.

If you are carrying a lot of weight, you will get very tired and clumsy, and some ankle and arch support might really help. But I don't think the Raptor's provide much support anyway as they are basically a sriffer running shoe formed as a boot.

If you can keep the weight down, and your feet are strong and you pay attention to foot placement (which is something we should be doing anyway) I don't see what benefit a boot will bring.

My vote would be comfort, lightness and cool feet and none of that gortexy stuff turning your feet into soft sweatboxes.

But my opinion has been formed by working out what doesn't work on my feet. I might be odd?

The people I know who've done TMB have generally used trail running shoes, and I've done enough of it in bits that it's what I'd do. 

Can't comment on Annapurna circuit

No idea about the TMB.

However, for the Annapurna circuit, how light are you planning on travelling? A friend of mine ran it in trail shoes with a very minimal pack. I did it in approach shoes on a mountain bike.

I'm pretty sure you'd be fine in reasonable weather in approach shoes if you're travelling light, or you're using porters/other support. If you're carrying a decent pack, then definitely walking boots, but you don't need to go mad - the trail isn't that gnarly. The difficult bit is the first bit of the descent from the pass (assuming you're going anti-clockwise).

I will aim to do the Annapurna circuit with a company. So will be using porters and carrying as light of a backpack as possible. Same for TMB.

Im starting to think the sales assistant might have pushed me onto slightly more aggressive boots than needed. After doing a little more resource, it does sound as though the boots I have ordered might be a tad much..... especially for the TMB. 

I think I will still go for boots, as I would prefer some ankle support, but might look for a lighter, less rigid option. 

Light boots or shoes will be fine for the TMB, or really any alpine trekking. They'll be lighter, more comfortable, and the whole ankle support thing is a bit of a myth - boots need really realy stiff ankles to provide much support and they'd be far too uncomfortable to hike in. 

I've done a lot of hiking in the Alps and I'd always choose trail running shoes or very lightweight boots . Never done the Annapurna circuit so can't comment on that but for any hiking, I'd say b2s are probably a bit unecessary unless you need to put a crampon on - they're more expensive and less comfortable. 

What do you wear for hill-walking in the UK? Whatever works for multiple days here will equally work on the other trips you're talking about.

I am currently using a pair of old karrimor boots, which have gained some extra mileage over the years through the addition of a superfeet insole. The waterproofing isn't the best on them. Good enough for any mountain in the UK. 

Thanks everyone for the input. I have better understanding now of what I am looking for. I will either go for something light for the TMB (or at a push use my current boots) then reassess closer to the time for the Annapurna circuit, which will likely need something a little sturdy. 

I will report back how it went

An approach or trail running shoe is perfectly fine for the Annapurna Circuit in May. The trail is easy underfoot. A stiff or heavy gtx boot would be overkill.

Buy this guy's guidebook, then ask him for advice on guides/porters. He will direct you to reliable Nepalese companies where you can have a private guide and porter for the same price as a large tour group. Also the cash stays in Nepal rather than foreign companies. 

https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/

Provided you’re an experienced hiker and have worked out what works for you, the advice to go as light and comfortable as possible is definitely true.

Beginner hikers I think are generally best off erring on the side of caution to go with a bit more oomph to the boot, as they’re generally not paying too much attention to foot placement. This is why sales persons in stores tend to advise overbooting (is that a word?).

So do I.  Whilst I haven't done either of your projects so can't advise directly on them, I can on the fun of having long, narrow, low volume feet.

If you're after a brand to look for, start with Asolo.  Their lasts are more traditional continental, and so narrower, and would be a good starting point.  You could also look at AltBerg, who manufacture boots in a range of width fittings.

I'm not ruling others out but, for my part, I found Scarpa too broad to fit my feet.  Your feet may differ of course, which is why going to buy boots in person is a must.  A good retailer will help and be able to advise on footbeds, which might keep your feet better positioned inside a boot.  I have used Superfeet insoles for many years and, for me, they make a difference.

Good luck hunting!

T.