Brasher Superlite GTX

On 13/9/03 19:20, in article [email hidden], "Mark

Smith said:

I am looking at buying a pair of Brasher Superlite GTX boots.

From a search on Google I see that the last discussion about these boots was in 2000.

For me these are just too light - I need more in the way of substantial ankle support.

Most good walking boots these days are fairly light (Scarpa, Berghaus, Meindl). I'm a bit suspicious
of all of these light weight claims. On hard ground you need boots that will perform.

--
Andy Howell Birmingham, UK

www.ecotrend.net

In article <[email hidden]>, Andy Howell <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Mark Smith said:

I am looking at buying a pair of Brasher Superlite GTX boots.

From a search on Google I see that the last discussion about these boots was in 2000.

For me these are just too light - I need more in the way of substantial ankle support.

Most good walking boots these days are fairly light (Scarpa, Berghaus, Meindl). I'm a bit
suspicious of all of these light weight claims. On hard ground you need boots that will perform.

I find on hard and uneven ground that a pair of good sandals allow my ankles to work as mother
nature intended. I am then far more comfortable than clomping around in footwear with substantial
ankle support - unless it is cold.

--

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

"Mark Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am looking at buying a pair of Brasher Superlite GTX boots.

From a search on Google I see that the last discussion about these boots

was

Quoted message said:

in 2000.

As anybody got any up to date observations on these boots. I am looking

at

Quoted message said:

using them for regular walks on Dartmoor and also for an upcoming Kilimanjaro trek.

I've got a pair of Superlites as well as Meindl Lhotses, both are size 11. The Brashers weigh 1240g
and the Meindls 1880g including laces and relatively clean (weight per pair, I weighed them). That
is a big difference at the end of a long day.

The Superlites are damn ugly, but work very well. I have used mine for a week long traipse over most
of the high peaks in the Brecon Beacons (up to 25km / 1300m ascent per day). I was the only one not
to have a single blister, even amongst the fabric boot boys. I have also used the Brashers on walks
up to 2400m and scrambling at over 1300m, so they can do most things.

One change I needed to make was to put little red shock absorbing heels under the footbeds. I think
this is because I am quite heavy (95kg) and hit the ground heel heavy. One weirdness I have found
with boots is that they feel a little like walking in football boots with the stud effect. This is
only really noticeable on hard ground, but makes me not want to walk too far in them on very hard
ground (like rock or roads). With both pairs of boots, I have an orthontic in the left boot due to a
problem with my left ankle which tends to pronate when I am tired. The orthontic stops me tearing my
knee (believe me coming down Pen y Fan with a tear in your knee cartilage and strained ligaments is
as fun as it sounds).

When the going is really uneven (i.e. one foot could be planted six inches or more above or below
the height of the other), then I find the ankle protection of the Superlites is not sufficient. This
is partially offset by the Brashers being much easier to exactly position my feet that the heavier
Meindls. Lightness has its advantages. I would always prefer the Meindls on this sort of ground
though. The sole is nowhere near as grippy as my vibram sole on wet rock, but on anything dry and
softer wet surfaces it is fine.

The other disadvantage of the Brashers is when I carry a load. With body and bergen (no I am not the
naked rambler, you know what I mean), I sometimes put 130kg though the boots. That is too much for
the Brashers. I prefer the support from the Meindls with heavy loads.

The Gore-Tex lining still works well, but the soles are wearing out. I would guess I have done about
500km in them. I guess the soles will last until around 800km before needing replacing. The boots
have never recovered their looks after scrambling on Puig Massanella in Mallorca. The leather cut up
quite a lot and no longer has the water repellency it did have (even after treating), so thank God
for Gore-Tex. For comparison, I have used the Meindls for about 150km and they still look brand new
(when clean).

In terms of looking after them, they get a bath after every walk (before I do) and then get left to
dry. I am not festidious in getting every bit of mud off. A wipe round with a cloth is good enough.
Once dry I pour a little water on them. If it balls and runs off, fine otherwise it is wax time
(Brasher's own for Gore-Tex boots usually).

In short, I now take the Brashers unless I know there is going to be a lot of rock walking, really
uneven off piste stuff or heavy load carrying. Then the extra protection of the Meindls is
invaluable.

Hope that helps, Paul

"Paul Cummings" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've got a pair of Superlites as well as Meindl Lhotses, both are size 11. The Brashers weigh
1240g and the Meindls 1880g including laces and relatively clean (weight per pair, I weighed
them). That is a big difference at the end of a long day.

Do you find you actually get physically more tired or simply can't walk so far in heavier boots.
Having switched to trainers I find it's a nicer feeling to wear light footwear but I can't detect
any quantifiable benefits in terms of how I feel at the end of the day going by my backpacking
experiences. It'd be interesting to do the Welsh 3000s again in trainers this time.