Peter Storm Women's Skiddaw Leather Boot

.../> **********Quality**********

Peter Storm is a very well known and respected make in the 'outdoors' industry. They have been around for many years and have used their experience to make their products to a high standard. These sturdy boots are also recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh Award as a 'high performance' pair of boots to have as part of your expedition kit list. So it's not just me that agrees they are a good buy!
...
.../> **********Price**********

Peter Storm is often a slightly cheaper make to other competitors like North Face, Regatta, Gore-Tex or Berghaus. These boots had an RRP of 49.99GBP, however now it is 59.99GBP. When I bought mine there was an offer for half price gaiters at the same time so it's worth asking if they have any offers on at the time. (Gaiters are a piece of material that attaches to your boot and is zipped up your leg to ... more

I have currently had this type of walking boot for just over a year now. These boots have been my secret success tool to completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. Through camping with snow on top of our tent and under our boots, to soaking wet bogs, springs, rocks, well, most things really! I had a fantastic expedition which was helped by numerous practice hikes with my team, best mate, scouts, the family, my boyfriend, most people got involved really to help me along with my training!

**********Description**********

The boot is made from dark brown real leather as the main boot with softer light brown leather around the top edge. The non-slip sole is made from Vibram. After many hikes and my 85km hike the sole has hardly worn away. Many times I slipped on wet rocks due to the weight of my bag and fell many times, but not once did I twist my ankle. The boot has a great deal of support around the heel with lots of padding on the fabric inside lining. The overall boot is durable and also waterproof. It has a sewn in leather tongue so there are no gaps between the boot and the tongue as it is all in one to prevent water getting in to the inside of the boot. Technically you would be able to stand in water up to above your ankle in depth and not get wet as the leather creates a waterproof cover (providing you keep the boot care up and look after it). The boot is also breathable so it limits sweating from your feet with in the foot.

**********Quality**********

Peter Storm is a very well known and respected make in the 'outdoors' industry. They have been around for many years and have used their experience to make their products to a high standard. These sturdy boots are also recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh Award as a 'high performance' pair of boots to have as part of your expedition kit list. So it's not just me that agrees they are a good buy!

**********Comfort**********

Not once through out the whole expedition do I remember moaning about the pain of my feet. My other three team mates all had foot problems, two with blisters and the other with their Achilles' tendon. I was extremely surprised that after carrying my 20+ kg pack that I had no mark on my feet, and I went to work in a restaurant the next day! I have to admit I was quite tired though!

I have suffered from Athletics' foot, veruccas, ingrown toenails, the lot over the last twelve years, and after surgery and medication I am 99% there, so to my misbelieve I would swear by these boots. I always wear a thin pair of socks and then a pair of thick walking socks over the top for comfort and warmth.

**********Width/Size**********

I am an E/F width, I have one foot sized 7 ½ and the other an 8, which is a pain, which is why I couldn't go up to the next size as the 7 ½ foot would have been too lose in a nine so I have a size 8 which is quite a good snug fit. The boot does however only go up to a size eight, but there is always men's?! The width is good for me too, however I keep the lower section of the boot loser when I tie my laces and the ankle support quite tight to secure my foot and prevent it slipping in my boot.

**********Price**********

Peter Storm is often a slightly cheaper make to other competitors like North Face, Regatta, Gore-Tex or Berghaus. These boots had an RRP of 49.99GBP, however now it is 59.99GBP. When I bought mine there was an offer for half price gaiters at the same time so it's worth asking if they have any offers on at the time. (Gaiters are a piece of material that attaches to your boot and is zipped up your leg to your calf/ knee region and held tightly by elastic to prevent your trousers becoming dirty and wet------I know it doesn't sound very attractive but it keeps you dry and clean!)

At all main line Outdoors shops like Blacks and Millets a 10% discount is available if you have a Duke of Edinburgh card or student card. (Which is particularly good for buying large amounts of stuff like summer festival season!)

**********Availability**********

They are still definitely available from Millets, which is where I bought them. They should also be available in other outdoor shops as they are a well-known brand. They are also available for men in the same Skiddaw range as women.

**********Disadvantages**********

It is quite a heavy boot, however as it is leather and so sturdy then it is what you would probably expect. I think I also changed the laces as mine frayed at the end quite quickly, but it's always good to take a spare pair incase yours snap!

**********Boot Care**********

I use boot 'Nikwax Wax for Waterproofing Leather' which you can pick up for approximately 2.99GBP (from Millets) when you buy your boots. Other ranges are available, sprays are too if you don't have the time. I really would recommend using protection cover once you have purchased your boots after wearing them in for a while. Just let the mud dry, scrape it off with and old knife, and rub the wax into the boot using an old cloth or something. Focus on the toe and the seams, which is where the water will try to come in if the wax does not uphold the waterproof barrier. Two applications is usually a good coverage.

**********Recommendations**********

I would definitely recommend these to anyone who needs a basic pair of walking boots, even if it's just for rambling or your Bronze expedition. You don't need to fork out an arm and a leg for top of the range 120GBP+.

**********Overall**********

Overall I cannot really fault these boots personally, they have done me proud and I will continue wearing them for all my activities. So if your looking for a pair of decent walking boots then pop in to Millets (www.millets.co.uk) and try them on to see if you find them comfy. You should always try on the next size up because when you have your walking socks on there is not much room!

P.S. An excellent tip for not getting blisters which is another thing that helped me get through…cover your WHOLE foot in Vaseline before and after hiking. Even in the little creases and the edges of your toes, the balls of your feet and your heels. Since I've used this I've never had a blister and I did used to get them quite badly, so fingers crossed!
 

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