I agree in that for 150chf a boot that last 2/3 years is good value but can you get them here? I can spend 80£ in the UK for the same as 200chf here.
I have walked all over for far to many years and a was shocked when I cam here and saw the prices, even given the Swiss need to spend excess money.
Yippee ...... is the exchange rate back to 2 1/2 to 1, just like in the good ole days?
Boot... Same boot.
They are all made in the factory (sweat shop) so it's all down to what they can charge and get away with.
I've actually just been in the Baechli outlet shop in Basel and can confirm that they have a huge range of shoes and boots from lightweight runners up to full-on mountain boots, from Brands including Scarpa, Meindl, Salomon and Mammut. Prices starting from around 120chf for Gore-Tex ones, but mostly in the 150-190 area.
That sound reasonable, Will have to have a look next time I'm in the area.
Was at baechli in Zurich oerlikon several models aren't there. Maybe it's the wrong period. Anyway I'm reading a lot about materials and seems the sherpa leather boot is really good.
I update the post maybe it's helpful
I went to transa in Bern, so I tested some models that were missing in Zurich shop.
La sportiva and scarpa models were perfect for my feet but at the end I decided to go with the sherpa model that is good and less expensive but heavier.
Sherpa is not a famous brand but I bought 3 pair of different hiking shoes and a backpack and for my experience it is ok. prices are little better then other more famous brands. That's true for shoes but I find other stuff is expensive too.
Bye
I have Ahnu.
Try boots on a slope, kick forward,make sure toes don't slide crush
On the leather vs. Gore Tex discussion, I have a pair of Meindl in nubuck and synthetic material while Trollefar has all leather boots. He sweats a lot less than me in his shoes. I don't mind too much and I'm going to keep them for as long as possible (how long are hiking boots supposed to last? had my last pair for 20 years for they mostly decorated the bottom of my closet), but the next pair will definitely be all leather.
I am looking for a pair of hiking boots that are sturdy (covered ankle) and suitable for Summer... any recommendations for less than 200chf? I'm going hiking on Saturday so need a pair pretty fast.
I have Migros Sport, Oechsner Sport, and Outdoor by SportXX next to me.
EDIT - These Colombia's have good reviews and are only 99chf... http://www.sportxx.ch/de/schuhe-herr...?selectvariant
Can't really recommend anything under 200 CHF, but my old Meindl were probably somewhere around that price. I got them at Oechsner Sport at Glatt, got pretty good advice. Never got a blister, never got wet feet. They were a bit warm, but with solid boots that cover the ankle it's difficult to avoid. Husband and Junior also have Meindl and are very happy with their choice.
Saying my old boots, coz I forgot them on the train 2 weeks ago. Now the (not so) proud owner of much more expensive Scarpas bought in Andermatt. More comfortable than the Meindl BUT much more expensive. Given that I hike more than 100 km a month they were probably worth it, but my wallet is still sore.
I suggest you go to the shop and try as many pairs as you can. i spent hours browsing for hiking boots and read quite a bit on different models,, only to find that the Merrell I was after was not the right fit for me. I was also looking at the prices (and colours), but in the end went for the boots which fit best. Meindl boots (urgh in purple)
Although right and left feet are not identical it sometimes helps decision making to try the right foot of one pair and the left foot of another. Just make sure you take a pair home with you. And try going up and down a slope with them on too. I guess you know all this but those buying for the first time might not.
This! Find a shop which has a slope - most Ochsner Sports shops have these.
That's why I won't buy these babies online! It's not just about size (or colour ), it's about fit!
Happy hiking
Whatever fits your feet (and do sample generously) - buy them, and hold on them like your dear life.
Do buy locally; Bächli Sport in Oerlikon, Transa close to Zurich main station (Europaallee), and possibly other larger shops come to mind.
I guess that you know that you need to sample at the end of the day, with the socks that you prefer.
You will want to pay close to the sole and how the sole material behaves in wet, slippery conditions. The rest is, from my point of view, rather subjective.
In any event, it is too late to break them in, so good luck with _that_
To alleviate any fear about breaking in new shoes, I didn't have problems with the Meindls nor the Scarpas. I'll stop by Stoked with the Scarlas next time I'm in Zermatt, but only because I want an inner sole with more arch support. I also don't like the synthetic inner sole of the Scarpas as much as the Meindls'.
But the German words for grip on wet terrain were very useful this time around. The expensive boots have much better grip and also more shock absorption than the 200 CHF Meindls.
The Meindls were good enough though, would have kept them longer and am still hoping the SBB will find them.
Well guys, after checking out all three stores I listed earlier I ended up buying the following shoes from Outdoor by SportXX:
Adidas AX2 MID GTX (Dark Shale / Black / Light Scarlet) https://www.amazon.com/Adidas-Mens-A.../dp/B00HQ22ARQ
As you can see from the Amazon reviews it's a highly regarded hiking boot. It is also crazy light and feels like you are wearing a sneaker, yet also tough and supportive. Also Gore-Tex. I paid 150chf in the end, which while more expensive than it costs online in the UK, is ok for CH.
Looking forward to trying it this weekend.
I'm gonna head and check those out this afternoon, i'm on the lookout right now too. Did they have just the one colour set?
Yeah just the colour I bought. However it is a good colour and you can also easily use them in Winter with casual clothes etc.
Forgot to update the thread...
Saturday I went hiking with the shoes and did the Grosse Mythen trail from Schwyz Post and it turned out to be the most brutal hike I have ever done. The last half up the Mythen... pretty sure I almost gave up around five times. The path was mostly very uneven and jagged rock but the shoes didn't skip a beat, they gripped fine on the dry rock and my feet felt like they were cushioned on air. At the end of the hike I had a very slight ache on the ball of my left foot where I was putting so much pressure on it, but I would say that is not the fault of the shoes and a result of how rough the path was and how my weight was distributed.
Very happy with them, and I hope they last a while.