I think it is about time I sang the praises of my Salomon Contragrip XC boots. They are similar in style to these, and cost me 169chf when I bought them from Oschner Sport Lowenstr. in 2000, and I wore them as my only footwear this weekend and they are still going strong. Good support, comfy and waterproof. I mention this mainly because it is rare that I have any item of clothing or footwear that endures in such a way. Buy some.

BigD

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www.shootingthecheese.ch
The place for fun and chat in Switzerland.

I just bought 2 sets of Salomons this w/e, a pair of hiking boots similar to those I think, and a pair of walking shoes, it'll be my first Salomons, I've previously had hiking boots/shoes from Helly Hansen and Hi-Tek, all have been very good and lasted years.

If I'm not buying congress trainers, I'm prepared to pay plenty of money and travel for a decent pair of shoes as shopping for shoes is a total pain in the arse for me. I picked up the Salomons from a shop in Cambridge that I know will always have decent outdoor shoes in my size, but it's a hell of a trek just to get shoes.

Don't even bother suggesting online shopping, shoe sizes are never the same across manufacturers.

I agree on the Salomon recommendations - both my hiking boots and my amphibians are comfortable and have lasted for a long time, and through quite a few holidays.

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Bring on Summer!

I have a set of Meindl Borneo boots that are about 10 years old, have covered hundreds of miles and been exposed to the Lake District in Feb through to Air Boarding:
Meindl Borneo Boots - OUTDOORSmagic Reviews

They aren't going to need replacing any time soon, I'll buy the exact same pair as a replacement if and when they do.

My Camper sneakers...... bought my first pair 15 years ago, when they opened their first shop in Madrid. They are still in great shape. I also converted Mr Lucy to Camper's philosophy - walk don't run.

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My blogs: about food and Zurich 1200 fountains

I used to buy them for a while, they last a year or so and were quite stylish, but Jones stopped stocking them, so it was too hard to get them in 11+ sizes. It's usualy the sole at the heel to go.

Ah... Jones the bootmakers, branches throughout the UK. My favourite. they sell welted stitched brogue shoes of decent quality (much better than the Navyboot garbage I see here) in their sales for 69GBP, reduced from 140GBP. Recommended.

If you need shoes are are shopping in London try them: in London Convent Garden, London Westfield shopping centre.

BigD

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You make your own luck.

www.shootingthecheese.ch
The place for fun and chat in Switzerland.

They're my favourites as well for smarter shoes and trainers, they used to have good ranges of stylish shoes in 11+, though in recent years I hadn't liked the range of trainers and so haven't bought anything from them in a while. (It's trainers/casual shoes I get through most)

I also bought some Doc Martin boots, which are really comfy, as leather soles are not good in rainy weather like we have in Zürich at the moment ! Also in snow leather soles are very slippery. A gentleman finds it difficult to remain composed when sliding on his arse down Rennweg.

BigD

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You make your own luck.

www.shootingthecheese.ch
The place for fun and chat in Switzerland.

Jones the bootmaker, caters for the inner transvestite or laydee with gigantic feet.

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One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.