Walking boot recommendations

Sorry, have never had boots made.
I bought my boots for our coast to coast walk from our factory shop. They were comfortable and were fine when dry. I did, obviously wear them in and wore two pairs of socks.They did get soaking wet every day( dried in hotels drying cupboards overnight). It poured down every day in the lakes and some of the terrain was quite wet. Talking to other people that is normal no matter how much you pay. Waterproof doesn't seem to mean waterproof, unfortunately.

What a wonderful idea!
I have no idea if you could get custom made boots, I'm sure you could as you can get most things at a price!

My boots are by Brasher, with Gortex so the foot breathes, but the boot is waterproof and they have Vibrand (sp?) soles, which are shock absorbing. This makes walking so comfortable.

I hope he has an enjoyable time.

Good walking boots are expensive even when they aren't custom made, as I'm sure you know, and worth their weight in gold to the wearer. There is a place in Lancashire called Walley Warm and Dry that custom fit boots to the wearer but I don't know if they make them. They do custom make orthotics I believe so it may be an idea to give them a ring, explain your problem and see if they can help. You could also try Alt-berg in North Yorkshire, who I know do make boots. I got mine from a small specialist outdoor firm here in Sheffield, who are fitting specialists, but the boots were off the shelf.

J52, are your boots really really waterproof in very wet conditions. If you can promise me that they are I may treat myself. A very experienced chap we spoke to said that they are tested on the continent where wet isn't quite as wet as we get in the UK. Wrong kind of wet!!

PamelaJ1 are your boot linings Goretex? I have had my Meindl boots for several years and worn them in continuously wet conditions - have stood in shallow streams in them - and have never had water coming in. Nothing worse than wet feet.

One more point; It's surprising how many people spend heaps of money on good boots and then buy cheap socks to go with them. It's false economy not to buy the best socks you can afford as they are the things that are in contact with your skin, so they are every bit as important as your boots.

Yes they do have goretex lining, they were a bargain but a well known brand that has good reports, in all other aspects were excellent. Agree with about the socks. I even bought some waterproof socks in Grasmere, they didn't work either!

My boots are Meindl as well; they do wider fittings, and I've never had a problem with them.
I'd suggest going to a specialist walking/outdoor shop to get them fitted and also buy decent walking socks.
Decent boots are three figures these days so you want to get it right!

I have Altberg boots kitty
www.altberg.co.uk
Made in Yorkshire & the best boots I've ever had. Not let any water in yet!
Not sure if they do made to measure but they do lots of width fittings.
Best wishes to MrKitty on his retirement. I guarantee he won't miss the world of work

The Altberg boots look great - thanks for the link.

I have a pair of Rieker walking boots that I love, have had them for 15 years and they are just getting into their stride

That particular style is now "out of print" (I've looked for a replacement pair). They zip up on either side - no laces, bliss.

Meindl for me as well I have just bought a new pair my old ones are cracking up.

It depends on what the terrain you are walking over is like. If it basically good foot paths you do not need the tougher boots.
I find myself on rough rocky terrain on geology trips and a good pair of boots with ankle protection really do help.
Do buy well fitting socks to go in them. When I got my new pair the assistant suggested getting ladies socks. Mens feet are very different and the wrong socks can be far too bulky for comfort.

The ground where I live is always wet. I wear my Berghaus goretex-lined boots a lot. £100, reduced by quite a lot, from the Green Wellie Shop at Tyndrum four years ago. They haven't let in any water yet though I daresay they would if I paddled in deep enough water.

I have wide toes. I suggest you go to a good mountaineering shop and try on loads.

My DH has made to measure orthotic insoles from podiatrist, in his boots without which he would have had to give up walking, and he walks 8 - 10 miles regularly. He is a great fan of Whalley Warm and Dry, in Lancashire, which is not local to us, they are specialists in fitting walking boots and take a great deal of time and trouble making sure you get the right fitting. They have a selection of boots including Altberg. Check them out on the Internet, it's best to make an appointment prior to visit. (Whalley has a few nice shops and cafes too!)

Pamela hi, I have a leather pair, which I put Dubbin on. I have walked in Scotland in them and my feet stay dry. I also have walking shoes, the same, but suede, I spray protect them. The shoes I use in summer for light rain!

Custom made boots would be very expensive I am sure, but an orthotic would be worth it.
I recently bought my first pair of leather boots. I would never go back to fabric/suede ones as they are so much easier to clean. I have Berghaus Supalite GTX, which were Brasher before the take-over. They promise to be the lightest on the market and don't need breaking in, which I found to be true. I tried on at Go Outdoors to get the size then ordered from Ebay - cheapest shown in my link. I hope he finds something to suit and enjoys the walking.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Berghaus-Supalite-II-GTX-Mens-Walking-Boots-/232076092003?var=&hash=item3608d02263:m:meqC_aAWO0-PmV38iZK3K2g

Bär shoes and boots are particularly good for people with wide feet and who don't like squashed toes. They are expensive but very, very good.

I am trying to remember the name of the shop where our friend went for new walking boots; he wears orthotics too and these boots were wider to accommodate them. He's away at the moment, can't ask him but he does a lot of walking. If I remember I'll ask when he comes back.

Just looking up stores nearby, they could have branches near you.

It could have been:
Cotswold Outdoor
Ellis Brigham
Taunton Leisure

Wherever it was, he was expertly fitted by someone who knew what they were doing, which is the main thing.

ps when he walks the National Forest could he please say hello to my DGC's trees - they each have one growing there!

I'll get him to say Hi and relay any return messages Jalima

Isn't GN, great! Thank you all for the recommendations so far. Lots of food for thought.

Thank you

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn8YubD01sk

I must be in a musical mood this morning kitty