Which new hiking shoes?

Trail runners unless you need ankle support. And you'll always get more ankle support with a trail runner and a real ankle brace than a boot.

TKMaxx is always a good place to try. Suzied, my new Merrill's are for a walking holiday in Greece in May. What lucky women we are
to be able to go away, buy ourselves a decent pair of shoes, and best of all, walk. My feet are currently giving me some gyp but walking lifts my spirits, though I do need decent footwear.

I got some Merrill shoes from TKMaxx for £30 reduced from £90, wore them every day on our walking holiday in Greece. Very comfortable.

Thumbs up emoticon

I tried them out on a scramble down the cliffs near Eastbourne today and they felt safe and comfortable. So far so good.
Tomorrow is a final trip to the fabulous Waitrose, then a return to France....

Glad you are enjoying a bit of English shopping Mamie- and that you found a good pair of boots. If they are comfy and fit you well, and keep you safe, that is all that counts.

I've just bought a new pair of Merrill walking shoes. They are a great fit, and my experience of older Merrill shoes is that the grip is good, and they last. I think mine were a bargain, this years shoe for £66 bought on Deansgate in Manchester, not at a cut price shop either. I am a happy walker

Wore my Crocs and remembered that there is something about the floor in Marks and Spencer here always make me trip up when I am wearing them! I shopped solidly for three hours, but then I had ten weeks of no UK shopping to catch up on....

That's very good value, Mamie. How many pairs of shoes did you wear out traipsing round those shops?

Congrats Mamie, happy walking!

Lovely morning's shopping! I went to Millets, Blacks and Cotswold Company. Nobody interested in serving in Millets, Blacks had the North Face Hedgehogs at half price, but not in my size and didn't offer any other help. Cotswold Company measured my feet, knew what they were talking about and gave me three pairs to try. The Merrill ones were lovely but £120 so I ended up with some very comfy Salomon, reduced from £120 to £75.
Thanks for all the help and advice.

Not (Knot) to worry re RfL; perhaps next year!
Thanks everyone for lots of ideas for shoes, I will let you know which ones I get.

Hi Mamie!

This has reminded me re the RfL invite, which regrettably I don't think I'll be able to make in June as my life is a whirl at present of babies, DIL, daughter, wedding, etc etc,

I just finished the second of a knitted pair of "Ugg" booties for my new grandbaby coming in early July, and the one is much smaller than the other. Urgh. Note to self, don't leave weeks in between making of second bootie!

Re your OP - I had a pair of Merrell hiking shoes which I loved and wore and wore. They have just given up after many moons of walking.

xx

I have a pair of Hotter Gortex. Very comfy, light weight - and purple!

However I'm not sure about recommending them if you want them to last, the soles on a pair of Hotter shoes bought three or four years ago but hardly worn, have just disintegrated. Fell to bits leaving a trail like a black paper chase! Built in obsolescence.

My favourites are Meindl, as thay tend to be wider fitting (I have a bunion). My friend who has narrow feet swears by Brasher. If you want them to be truly waterproof, the ones with the Gore-tex mark are best.

North Face are my favourite walking shoes, and I also have their boots. They fit me, take my orthotics and the young men and women who work at the North Face shop locally are well informed, helpful and friendly. North Face stuff isn't cheap, but it does the job and lasts is what I've found. I try and buy in the sales as Decathleon and co don't tend to sell NF quality (not in our area anyway). My latest walking trainers were half price, £50. Happy shopping Mamie

Just checked and mine are North Face Hedgehog, still available but they are around £75. Worth every penny to me. I rarely wear my hiking boots now.

I have some North Face trail shoes which are soooo comfortable it's like wearing slippers. I can't post a link as I've had them ages, but I would definitely go for the brand again. On the other hand, my friend bought some walking shoes from Decathlon for less than £30 and she is very pleased with them.

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/action-packed/10644774/The-best-lightweight-walking-shoes-Action-Packed.html
I bookmarked this article recently but can't decide if I can justify the price!

My sister and I both have some Hotter Gore-Tex shoes which are comfortable. durable and very water resistant. They are also available in a wide fitting which I need.

Thanks both. I had thought of Decathlon, but thought I would get more choice in England. They will be for walking and hiking around here, plus the Race for Life (walking in my case) in June. I have boots, but they are getting a bit knackered and I find them too hot in summer. I had some Salomon trail shoes once, but found them very stiff. The new ones on the market look a lot lighter and more flexible. I will go to Rohan, Millets, Blacks and Cotswold and see what is on offer!
So excited - I love shopping in England (and seeing the grandchildren of course).

Mamie Rohan are good - but I find them unnecessarily expensive. In France I've had some very good hiking/treking shoes from Decathlon. Not pricey, but by golly they last. Downside is there won't be a huge choice. I walk every day in the ones I have at the moment and I am in my 3rd year. I'll probably be replacing them this winter.

Is this a one off holiday where you'll need these shoes, or will you want to have them for future expeditions! ?

Top Tip: Buy really good socks.

Have you looked at the Rohan website Mamie? I think they have a sale on at the moment.
I have to say though that having once lost a toenail through hiking in what were very sturdy salomon trainers with a good gripping sole, I always wear my boots now for everything!