How to look after your leather walking boots.

How to look after your leather walking boots.

Question from a customer.

Hi,

My Karrimor conniston boots have started to leak, can they be fixed with reproofing agents? I have only had them for 2 years and there's loads of tread left.Please advise,Thank-you

Thank you for your email.

I see that the Karrimore Coniston walking boot is made from smooth leather with an eVent lining to help keep it waterproof.

If your walking boots are definitely leaking (put them in a bucket of water and see if anything leaks in), and it isn't too much sweat, then it is highly likely that the eVent lining has worn or become damaged in some way. It was always a concern that the amount of flexing in a boot, particularly across the toe box, can cause the waterproof lining to wear out much quicker than when it is used on a jacket. This was definitely a problem with Gore Tex a number of years ago.

Another problem may be that, if you have not nourished the leather at all since you have had the boots, the leather will be wetting out, that is absorbing a lot of water and therefore this will really reduce the amount of water vapor being moved away from your feet by the eVent lining. The result will be wetter feet.

Though you cannot replace the eVent lining in your leaking Karrimore Coniston Walking Boots, you can really help to make them more water repellent, by treating the leather with a wax or cream such as Nikwax Wax. This will nourish the leather as well as really help with the water repellency, therefore allowing the eVent to breathe easier, which may help to make your boots more water repellent.

Leather by it's very nature is a porous material so therefore cannot be classed as 'waterproof', however with regular treatment with a product such as Nikwax Wax or Nikwax Aqueous Wax then this can really help to make the leather very water repellent.

Both these Nikwax products can be applied to the leather when it is either wet or dry, so is great to carry around with you all the time and is easy to apply to the walking boots, either by using your fingers, where you can really rub the wax into the leather (the warmth from your fingers can help melt the wax right into the leather) or with a cloth.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions please do let me know.

Have you got a question about outdoor gear? I have over 15 years experience working in the outdoor industry and many more of going out walking and travelling. I am more than happy to try and answer any questions you may have on outdoor gear, or recommend what types of gear you need for a travelling, walking, a Gap year or Round the World Trip.

I look forward to your questions!

Walking boot review

An interesting article (is that the right word for a feature on a TV show?) Feature, sounds better...

An interesting feature on the Gadget Show on channel 5 this evening (21 September 2009), comparing 3 pairs of walking boots.

The gruelling test comprised of a pair of Meindl Vakuum GTX, Hi Tec V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPI, along a footpath on Chobham Common - my none other than Brian Blessed. Booted up, Brian and the presenter, mooched along the footpath discussing how good the fit was etc of the boots, whilst discussing the molecular build of the leather to stop water ingression. They even went so far as to explain how the memory foam works in the Meindl Boot.

This interesting test of walking boots was topped off with a squirt of water from a water pistol thing, quite a drenching I'm sure, but really a good way to test a walking boot?

I know the Gadget Show is probably some harmless fun, but they really do need to think about how they test things, especially boots that are, in reality, in different classes of use and build quality - easily reflected by their price point.

The Salamon boot came out on top, followed by the Hi Tec, followed by the slated Meindl Boot. I hope that Bramwell International, the importers of Meindl boots will follow this up... and to be honest I'm surprised they went in for this kind of test!

May trade my Meindl walking boots in for some Hi Tecs...

Lightweight walking boots - part 3. The final reckoning.

Yes, I'm going to keep Meindle Lightweight Walking Boots - they are not destined for eBay!

They were given their full road test the other weekend, or should I say their full bridleway test the other weekend.

A quick yomp across the South Downs from Southwick to Wivelsfield Green following the Sussex Border path broke the boots in well. 15 miles of pure pleasure and I am sure my feet felt that little it lighter going up hill. Only one small complaint was the hotspot on my heel which was soon alleviated with some second skin dressing. To be expected really, they were new and I've got bony heels - prone to blisters from ill fitting boots in formative years.

So, recommended and I know people will say it isn't important - they look good on my feet as well. To me looking good on the hills is still important.

Gareth's five top tips for buying walking boots:

• Always go to a reputable (preferably independent) outdoor store.
• Get your feet measured - they change shape / size as you get older.
• Try on as many pairs of boots in the shop as possible, under the guidance of the qualified and experienced boot fitter.
• Always use a test slope to walk up and down in the shop to make sure you don't slip in the boots.
• Buy your boots later in the day when your feet are hot and slightly swollen from being used all day.
• Take the socks you expect to wear with the boots to ensure optimum fit and comfort.
• Get them home and wear them indoors for as long as possible to make sure they really are a good fit. Climb the stairs in them a few times.

Need any more advice or have any more questions about walking boots? Ping me an email.

Happy buying, happy feet - happy walking, love the adventure.

New Boots - part two.

The Meindle Softline GTX so far have proved a success. The toe box became more comfy and there is a good feeling of room around the boot, especially in the heel cup, though not too much. Next week will be the main warm up event for them. I'm walking a section of the Sussex Border Path, from Shoreham to Wivelsfield Green.

We're doing the walk to raise fund for the Scout Group, in order to buy a replace our old rattly LDV minibus. Arguably the most important piece of kit that the Scout Group owns. Without it the Scouting activities that we can offer the young people of Roffey would be severely limited. I hope the boots hold up and give me comfortable, blister free miles on this walk. Will let you know how it goes.

New Outdoor Gear Reviews and Info

Well, it was time to update the good ol' site a little bit more. I've now added in some of the great outdoor gear reviews that my customers have sent in. I've also added a few more outdoor gear questions and answers.

Further to this I've also added in some outdoor gear technical information on as well - been worked quite hard.

The outdoor gear reviews are a great place to let me know what you think about gear you buy from Walk and Travel. The reviews added recently are for: Rab Down Sleeping Bags, Snugpak Sleeping Bags, Tatonka Barrel Holdalls and Vaude Tents and Vaude Rucksacks. There's loads more there as well. So go have a look.

Want to know what travel plug adapter to use for the country you are heading off to? I've put in a neat table that show's exactly what travel adapter you need for the country you are heading to.

Ever wondered what you need to repair outdoor gear? McNett make some great products, such as Seamgrip for fixing most things, Freesole for the repair of walking boots and all kinds of outdoor footware, Gore Tex patches for repairing your torn waterproof breathable outdoor clothing and McNett Tenacious Tape for in the field repairs to your outdoor gear. It's all great stuff. The people at McNett are geniuses. Our technical guide tell you exactly how you use these products to repair your outdoor gear and clothing.

Walk and Travel isn't just about selling products, it's about the information that we have on there as well. Got a question about walking boots? Look at our walking question and answer section. Got a question about travel? Look at our travel question and answer section.