Poles

[Brotherton Lad]

I come to the boot question from a different angle.
If you have well developed and toughened joints and ligaments from years of running, then you'll be fine with shoes. But from an Army, 'carrying very heavy weights over long distances when you're really tired' point of view, you'll want decent and strong boots every time. Otherwise you'll be left on the hills with a sprained ankle or a broken leg. Getting used to such boots also takes many years, so if you don't need to, then I agree, you don't have to.

I forgot to add 'at night and in foul weather'. I like being in the hills in a pair of fell shoes, but they really are fair weather gear for when you know you'll be tucked up in a warm bed in the next 36 hours or so.

[Sam Harrison]

I come to the boot question from a different angle.
If you have well developed and toughened joints and ligaments from years of running, then you'll be fine with shoes. But from an Army, 'carrying very heavy weights over long distances when you're really tired' point of view, you'll want decent and strong boots every time. Otherwise you'll be left on the hills with a sprained ankle or a broken leg. Getting used to such boots also takes many years, so if you don't need to, then I agree, you don't have to.

You're probably right there, I come from a hill walking background and being in the hills without boots still seems a little strange to me - I feel very comfortable in a decent pair of boots, especially for long walks where I'm out for 10 hours or more I feel they give me the rigidity and support I need - plus they're nice and snug in the cold! Can't say they do any favours for how fast I walk but when walking I'm not really bothered.

I think maybe it's just what you're used to, I ain't got very strong ankles so boots are good for me!

[Alexandra]

[QUOTE=superflyguy;362364][QUOTE=Alexandra;362218] Now I want to remove mine, but Leki baskets seem very firmly fixed. Suggstions?[QUOTE]

Stanley Knife and concentration!

/QUOTE]

No, surely Leki sell different types of basket to be used in varying conditions eg snow - they must pull/screw off somehow.

[Alexandra]

[QUOTE=Brotherton Lad;362776] from an Army, 'carrying very heavy weights over long distances when you're really tired' point of view, you'll want decent and strong boots every time. Otherwise you'll be left on the hills with a sprained ankle or a broken leg.

Does the army really leave people on the hills with broken legs? No wonder we haven't won many wars lately, and have trouble recruiting enough soldiers.

[Alexandra]

I forgot to add 'at night and in foul weather'. I like being in the hills in a pair of fell shoes, but they really are fair weather gear for when you know you'll be tucked up in a warm bed in the next 36 hours or so.

What about waterproof socks?

[Brotherton Lad]

[QUOTE=Alexandra;362881]

from an Army, 'carrying very heavy weights over long distances when you're really tired' point of view, you'll want decent and strong boots every time. Otherwise you'll be left on the hills with a sprained ankle or a broken leg.

Does the army really leave people on the hills with broken legs? No wonder we haven't won many wars lately, and have trouble recruiting enough soldiers.

Only if we don't like them. Recruiting is going very well at the moment, actually. Goretex socks are issued at the taxpayers' expense.

[IanDarkpeak]

[QUOTE=Brotherton Lad;362898]

Only if we don't like them. Recruiting is going very well at the moment, actually. Goretex socks are issued at the taxpayers' expense.

I should hope so. we wouldn't want them getting cold wet feet while they are being shot at...

[Brotherton Lad]

Indeed, didn't have 'em in my day though. Trench foot was all the rage.
Just brewed up another 10 gallons btw.

As for losing wars, Alexandra, it's true the Crimea and the Boer War weren't that great, but we've won all the others since. It's not the war fighting that's been iffy (the Iraqi Army in particular just folded), it's the nation-building phase afterwards that wasn't prepared for by the politicians that sent the Forces in.

There's an interesting debate amongst military personnel here on Afghanistan:

http://www.arrse.co.uk/current-affai...ost-cause.html

Whatever you do, though, don't go in the NAAFI.

[Joe]

I have nice warm feet when wearing trainers all day in the wet and the snow - neoprene socks :-)

[Alexandra]

Can anyone advise on which ultra light-weight trekking poles to buy? I remember this has been discussed before, with mention of Mountain King and at least one other brand, but I can't find the thread. I like the idea of the sort that fold up rather than telescope, but I don't want anything that comes apart in action.