Lubin wrote:
One thing to look for is how much stitching there is on the boot. This is where water will get in unless you somehow waterproof them. I never believe all this stuff about GORTEX lining being waterproof either as your feet are constantly rubbing against it which will eventually let water through. The best way , I have found , to get a good waterproof boot is to get a one piece leather pair and Nikwax them regularly.
It really depends on the quality of the boot, not the amount of stitching. I had a pair of Salomon boots which were worn for 10 years, never reproofed in any way and they were 100% waterproof (wading through burns, paddling in lochs and the sea, etc).
Sanctuary, I would advise going to a quality outdoor shop and trying some pairs on, as it's important that they fit properly and are comfortable. I wore Salomon boots for years but when I was looking to buy some new ones a couple of years ago their fit appeared to have changed and didn't feel comfortable on my heels (I went for Haglöfs in the end).
It's worth investing in a quality pair of boots as they will last you a long time (and treat your feet better). Some good brands are the aforementioned Salomon and Haglöfs, Meindl, Scarpa and Mammut. I'm less keen on Hi-Tec and Berghaus for boots, I don't think they're as good as the brands I've listed. They'll still do a decent job, but I wouldn't expect them to last as long or be as comfortable.
You can quite often pick up last year's models reduced to within your budget from outdoor shops like Cotswold Outdoors, Snow and Rock, Ellis Brigham and so on.
