Footware

[Adjee]

My Hiax boots have seen better days so I am looking for a suitable replacement.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good, reasonably lightweight waterproof boot suitable for camping, hiking, running and survival purposes?

Considering Altbergs or Salomon at present but concerned about sizing as I have to order from UK/EU which means returns are a pain to complete.

Many thanks.

[Frnc]

Ultralight hiking shoes that look like running shoes.
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/men ... -footwear/

Running shoes.
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/mens-running-shoes/

Some of the lighter shoes are the same on both pages, so are obviously aimed at running and hiking.

Both pages should be by default in weight order, lightest first.

[Yorkshire Andy]

My Hiax boots have seen better days so I am looking for a suitable replacement.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good, reasonably lightweight waterproof boot suitable for camping, hiking, running and survival purposes?

Considering Altbergs or Salomon at present but concerned about sizing as I have to order from UK/EU which means returns are a pain to complete.

Many thanks.

Gone from haix to altberg much more comfortable and I liked the haix....

[Adjee]

Gone from haix to altberg much more comfortable and I liked the haix....

Haix are not of the same quality they used to be, the sole seems to split away on the instep a lot. It has happened to a couple of people I know.

How does the sizing run with your Altbergs?

[Peter]

I can’t recommend any boots as it’s a few years since I bought any new ones, I was told many years ago,
if you buy boots and you like them buy a second pair and alternate wearing them and they last forever.
However most boots can be improved with good gel insoles and proper woollen socks.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Gone from haix to altberg much more comfortable and I liked the haix....

Haix are not of the same quality they used to be, the sole seems to split away on the instep a lot. It has happened to a couple of people I know.

How does the sizing run with your Altbergs?

Hair are a touch wider than the altbergs but not by much ..

I'm usually a 8.5 in merrell walking shoes i plumped for 9m in both haix and altbergs...

The altberg defenders are closer to the haix cold weather versions than the slightly wider high liability

[Frnc]

Ah, had a look at Hiax and Altberg, they look like traditional leather hiking boots. How could you run in those? I got a lightweight pair which are Grisport Saracen.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018GLV8PU
These are a good all round boot which I bought for a bug-out scenario. For Download, I wore some waterproof fabric boots I have.

Top makes for hiking boots are still Zamberlan and Scarpa, I believe. I used Scarpa for hiking and scrambling for years.
Typical current popular model:
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/scarp ... 14032.html
NB Scarpas are known for slightly stiff soles, which are still ok for hiking, but the stiffness helps on ascents, particularly where scrambling (easy rock climbing) is involved.

Other top makes include Meindl, Asolo, Hanwag.

[Adjee]

had a look at Hiax and Altberg, they look like traditional leather hiking boots. How could you run in those?

I used Scarpa for hiking and scrambling for years.

I have been training, working and running in these and similar boots all my life and up to @ five years ago completing a 10k run in them most days of the week. This only stopped due to the work load we took on when moving and expanding our sustainable living lifestyle, keeping and caring properly for animals and crops is time consuming and not easy. I used to have a pair of Scarpa boots when in the UK for hiking and I agree they are a good reliable boot.

The altberg defenders are closer to the haix cold weather versions than the slightly wider high liability

Thanks for the photo and comparison.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Ah, had a look at Hiax and Altberg, they look like traditional leather hiking boots. How could you run in those?

I used to run cross country in them till I knackered my knee...

They are strangely designed to be run in whilst providing lots of support of the ankles and various foot ligaments


Would much prefer to hoof it across rough ground in proper boots vs softer lighter lightweight walking boots/ shoes (I class merrell boots as trainers ) did a walk last weekend in the dales and I'd have been much happier in high leg leather boots but it was a unplanned wander the combat boots offer much more grip and support

Least i had my goretex jacket

[Frnc]

Ah, had a look at Hiax and Altberg, they look like traditional leather hiking boots. How could you run in those?

I used to run cross country in them till I knackered my knee...

They are strangely designed to be run in whilst providing lots of support of the ankles and various foot ligaments


Would much prefer to hoof it across rough ground in proper boots vs softer lighter lightweight walking boots/ shoes (I class merrell boots as trainers ) did a walk last weekend in the dales and I'd have been much happier in high leg leather boots but it was a unplanned wander the combat boots offer much more grip and support

Screenshot_20251215_214759_Gallery.jpg


Least i had my goretex jacket

Personally I used to wear leather Scarpas. But times have changed. Nowadays most long distance (thru) hikers wear trail runners. They don't even bother with waterproof ones, many just wear mesh. The soles are usually zero drop, with good grip, eg Vibram. Some wear walking shoes, as a compromise, but these still look like trainers. Having said that, for Britain, hillwalking in autumn, winter and spring, I would stick with leather, and leave the trailrunners for summer. The longest thru hike I did was the Pennine Way, and trail runners would have been nice for that.