[Monolith]

I haven't had a pair of walking boots since I was about 12 and would like to pick a pair up this week. I don't plan to be the next Dougal Haston but it would be nice if the shoe could come in under £100 and have the ability to take a light crampon for winter strolls in the mountains. Am I miles off with my budget here? I sense I could be!

Any standout deals gratefully received!

[Paul B]

Knowing nothing about walking places when it gets cold enough to require spikes (but having had microspikes, trainers and carrier bags (!) recommended to me by someone who does), do you need a full boot + lightweight crampon or can you get away with less (I'm interested after seeing chilly looking peaks in the Lake District)?

I've done a fair amount of crag approaches (EU, USA etc.) and had no call for anything more than a basic approach shoe (obviously ignoring the white stuff).

[GCW]

The crampon bit will be your limiting factor, you'll need a B2/3 type shoe which tend to be a)more expensive and b) heavier.  If you aren't going to be doing a lot of winter stuff, there are plenty of decent boots around and I'm sure you can pick up a good deal.

Nowadays I usually go with fell shoes rather than boots.

[SA Chris]

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?topic=25401.0

[Coops_13]

If you're just going for winter strolls and nothing too technical, you could get away with B1 boots (basically a stiff walking boot)


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[Monolith]

Cheers all. I'm thinking something along the lines of one of the Salomon offerings as they seem to fit the bill fairly well. Made me realise from this hunt just how expensive it must be to get involved with winter mountaineering!

[Muenchener]

I thought cams were expensive until I saw what modern ice screws cost 

[SA Chris]

Why my warthogs must be about 30 years old.

[Johnny Brown]

I would get some modern lightweight goretex boots, shop around for end of line. I've got some Sportiva ones I got for £70 from GoOutdoors. Don't worry about crampon compatibility, just get some Kahtoola walking crampons, you can strap them to just about anything.

[Paul B]

I would get some modern lightweight goretex boots, shop around for end of line. I've got some Sportiva ones I got for £70 from GoOutdoors. Don't worry about crampon compatibility, just get some Kahtoola walking crampons, you can strap them to just about anything.

Is this the answer for slightly wintery walking in the Lakes etc. (ZERO UK winter expertise here; likely apparent)?

[Monolith]

I went with the below in the end. Usefully, the sales assistant had put the wrong price inside the shoe and they conceeded that they had to sell them at the price shown (£91). They also have 15% off all items in store at the moment if you get a voucher from purchasing anything (Kendal Mint cake etc.). This includes sale items too.

Reviews seem to be OK and pretty sure they'll fit the bill:

http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/157488-salomon-mens-ultra-2-mid-gore-tex-hiking-boot.html

[Coops_13]

I went with the below in the end. Usefully, the sales assistant had put the wrong price inside the shoe and they conceeded that they had to sell them at the price shown (£91). They also have 15% off all items in store at the moment if you get a voucher from purchasing anything (Kendal Mint cake etc.). This includes sale items too.

Reviews seem to be OK and pretty sure they'll fit the bill:

http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/157488-salomon-mens-ultra-2-mid-gore-tex-hiking-boot.html

I'd got with a pair of the Kahtoola walking crampons on those then, job done!

[duncan]

I would get some modern lightweight goretex boots, shop around for end of line. I've got some Sportiva ones I got for £70 from GoOutdoors. Don't worry about crampon compatibility, just get some Kahtoola walking crampons, you can strap them to just about anything.

Is this the answer for slightly wintery walking in the Lakes etc. (ZERO UK winter expertise here; likely apparent)?

Bendy boots plus walking crampons. Boots will be more comfortable than something stiffer and more technical for the 95% of the time you're not wearing the crampons. You'll be less likely to trip over or impale yourself on walking crampons than something with longer spikey bits. Approach shoes + placcy bags might work but in the UK the issue is usually waterproofness.

Leather versus Fabric/goretex is durability versus weight. A good fit is more important than material choice.

[SA Chris]

And some goretex gaiters for when you invariably end up postholing through slushy snow.

[Johnny Brown]

Slightly wintery means to me that you won't need crampons. With P-Ben's luck I'd suggest turning round if you get to crampon terrain. Cheaper and safer.

[SA Chris]

With P Ben's luck I'd be turning around at the end of the car park.

[duncan]

Slightly wintery means to me that you won't need crampons. With P-Ben's luck I'd suggest turning round if you get to crampon terrain. Cheaper and safer.

Good point. I was mostly answering the OP.

What on earth am I doing pontificating about walking boots.

[Drew]

I like to think this is an area I know about, and I'd agree with everything written so far.

As for the Kahtoolas, if you can find some K10s get them. They were sold briefly until it turned out that they might not technically be fully certified, while the KTS is. The KTS is available in aluminium (avoid) or steel. It's more of a faff than the K10, but works equally when when its on.

Alternatively the  Microspikes are very effective but are designed purely for footpaths.

P.S. Paul, your luck seems to be contagious. Don't go out in the snow. In fact, best if you just stay indoors wrapped in bubble wrap. For everyone's sake