I am looking for reccommendations for footwear for walking dogs. I do about 5-6 miles a  day every day. I prefer a walking boot but I am finding that after  3-4 months or so they start to leak and I HATE haiing wet feet. The boots I am using at the moment cost about £40. I know it is possible to pay a lot more than this but I am reluctant to spend  a lot of money unless I am sure they will not start leaking.
I have tried various leather treatments and waterproofing sprays but nothing seems to stop the leaks. Even with the dry weather I walk on wet  grass as I go out early when the dew is still there.
I do wear wellies when it is really wet  but I find they don't give my feet the support I get from proper walking boots.
What  does everyone else wear for dog walking. Is there a solution to my problem?

Which walking boots are you buying, I've had mine for 11 years and they still don't leak

You may not want to pay more than £40 but how often are you going to end up replacing them?

I'd look to head towards at least the £80 mark and they should come with a guarentee from the shop as well, min of a year's warranty.
http://www.blacks.co.uk/home.html
I'd look here to start with..

What about muck boots? They are waterproof, comfy, not sure how supportive they'd be on lots of long walks mind, just thinking blisters on ones feet..
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductList.asp?topGroupCode=001&parentGroupCode=0103&groupCode=01304

Or you could go all out and combine wellies which have a walking shoe sole.
Look at Aigle and Le Chameau brands.. A good £100 min would need to be spent on these type of wellies.. But they do last

If you are not wanting to buy more expensive boots what about wearing wet proof socks inside the ones you do buy.  I use Sealskins in my  hockey shoes for running agility courses and they always keep my feet dry regardless of the weather.

> You may not want to pay more than £40 but how often are you going to end up replacing them?

I don't mind paying more than £40 if they last but was just  a bit reluctant  to pay out large sums of money only to find that the boots didn't last any longer.

The ones I have had most recenly are    Hi-Tec lether waterproof  boots. Very comfortable but leaking in 3-4  months. What are  the ones you have had for 11 years.

I had some North Face walking shoes, they were great, but only weather proof, so when it poured it down I had wet feet.. For total waterproofness i'd go with the walking wellies.
Walking boots around the £140, the leather ones with gaiters and waterproof trousers should prove a good buy..

My brother swears by his Sealskin socks, reckons they are definitely worth the money.

My Meindl Burma boots lasted 12 years--I think they are about £150 now. They would have lasted much longer but for the puppy customising them for me, bless him

For lightweight shoes for grass/rock/moorland it's impossible to beat Inov8 (around £60-70), just wear the Sealskinz

I have used Scarpa boots (leather and now fabric) for years, never had any problems. Sealskinz are great as well.
jeff.

dubarry £270 but water proof and last for years

My Meindl Burma boots lasted 12 years--I think they are about £150 now.
I think it's the old story that you get what you pay for, my Meindl boots are about 8 years old and still like new. Prior to that a I had a pair of Brashers that served me equally as well.

Brasher leather walking boots with Goretex, , through fields and mud and they keep my feet bone dry. Cost about £120 but check out ebay as can get a bargain.

at £40 a time with your wear-out rate youd do much beter getting a good pair, paying more and lasting years. I have merrells for summer walking when the fields are dry, le Chameau mouflons for very wet walking in winter, but really prefer my le chamau shooting wellies for walking as our mud is very deep here!!

I have a pair of Merrells which are really comfy. I think they were around the 90-100 mark, worth it for comfort and lasting BUT one thing I have found with them is their grip when its slippery is very poor. Damp concrete is the worst, they are lethal. Damp leaves, moss, frost..anything  with moisture and I'd sooner take my chances on ice skates.

southerngirl mine are Head 'Exploration', so not even an expensive make

A not-to buy shoe is Meindl. My first pair (about £90) and supposed to be waterproof - Goretex - started letting the water in after a few months - I don't do anything like 5-6 miles a day!  I took them back and had them changed for a new pair.  They too started letting in the water after I had had them a couple of months.  When I bought my boots (also Meindl) I was told that to care for them properly I should clean the insides regularly because a build up of dirt (was he saying my feet are dirty ) can alter the effectiveness of the water proofing.  They are fine at the moment - but I only use them for heavy weather.   I am considering buying waterproof socks now - ready for when my running shoes (that I wear for agility) start to fail.