Hitec Altitude Ultra

[champo]

Hey guys,
The name is James and along with my father and brother we are heading to Kokoda at the end of July and we are in the process of selecting an appropriate set of boots for the trip.

These boots won't be a one off use (ie. we anticipate doing more serious treks in the future) so quality and durability is important. We dropped into Anaconda today just to check out their selection, and were particularly interested in the Hitec Altitude Ultra (seen here: http://www.wetisdry.com/) mainly because I'd read a bit about it online and it was the most expensive boot in the store at $300.

Being Anaconda the girl who helped us was about 16 and had no idea about anything and couldn't really provide any decent feedback on the pros and cons of any of the boots, so I thought I'd drop in here and seek your advice.

Having done my research, I've read a lot of good and bad reviews for the Altitude Ultra. Some websites have suggested it is a decent entry level boot (entry level at $300?!??!?!), but is nothing special and will not cope well in wet conditions, whilst others have been more positive regarding the quality of the boot. This has basically left me confused and unsure on whether spending $300 on these boots is such a good idea, or should we be looking in a higher price range?

I plan to go into a proper camping store and seek proper advice but I thought I'd talk to you experts first. Is the Altitude Ultra really an entry level boot, that whilst being ok is nothing special? Will it not be appropriate for Kokoda? Will it be a boot that can be used in the future for some other serious hikes? Should we be looking in a higher price bracket, and what brands?

Thanks a lot for the help guys,
James.

[peterh13]

Hi.
Theres a good article about boots posted on the forum here somewhere.
Gail posted it, and its worth a read.

[Brian]

Hi Champo

I always have a couple of pairs of boots on the go do not know why but that is the way it happened.

I have my old trusty Rossi boots but when I decided to trek Kokoda last September I purchased another pair of Rossi Boots (Aussie Made) about 3 months before I was due to leave so that I could wear there them in well and truly and they did the job very well.

Whilst trekking I noticed what my porter Brenden Buka was wearing and asked him to try on my boots for size they were a good fit so I gave them to him on conclusion of the trek.

Soon after my return I was in Anaconda having a look around much like I do in Bunnings and Dick Smith Electronics and the like just browsing to see what is new. My wife spends her time browsing Craft Shops whilst I browse for Boys Toys.

Anaconda at the time had a one day 30% off sale and I thought that I would give the Hitec Ultra a go I have warn them now for a few months and on several walks over different terrain I must say I am very impressed and very happy with them. Whilst I can personally recommend them I would be interested to know if others have tried them and what they felt. When I hopefully return to Kokoda in 2010 I will be wearing them.

By the way whilst I often look around I only buy at Anaconda when they have one of their sales.

Enjoy your trek it will be a highlight of your life but do prepare and train correctly for it.

Brian

[Fluppy]

Hi Champo,

I located the thread for you as I have saved it into my favourites. I am trekking Kokoda in October and have bought and worn in for the last 3 months, Zamberlan boots from Silk Road in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Had I paid full price, they would have been $399. But they are terrific. Full one piece Italian leather. My Partner just bought his last week from K2 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. His are a set of Asolo boots. Most trekking boots (not all) come standard with Goretex lining now and Vibram soles (both good names, durable and help keep the boot watertight/sweat proof) although you will not easily find completely water-proof trekking boots. He paid $499. They have a very good lacing system that have little pulley things on them – like a quick release for laces. The guy threw in a pair of $34 trekking socks for free. My partner says they were an immediate comfortable boot. Walked up and down the stairs, did some calf raises, jumping etc.

There were a set of Scarpa boots which are very tuff. Last for ages, but very, very difficult to break in and reknown for severe blistering – which is why we didn't purchase them. Are an excellent choice if you plan to do future trekking in future though.

I cannot stress enough the importance of looking after your feet whilst trekking Kokoda. I understand that you do not want to be wasting your money, but when it comes to your feet, do not compromise on the price just to go for something a bit cheaper. Your feet carry your entire body weight around every day. Trekking puts enormous pressure on your feet and ankles, so it is worth the effort hunting around to get the best fit you can for your feet.

Also, get yourself into see a podiatrist. You may not have any feet/ankle problems at all, but they can help a lot for fitting boots and adjust your walking gait to suit. When trying boots on, try to go after lunch as this is the time when your feet are usually at their fullest (when they swell due to heat). Buy a pair of socks that wick moisture away from your feet. Wear these when trying on your boots in the store.

When actually on Kokoda, you will not want cotton socks or 'Explorer' socks as these trap moisture increasing the risk of foot-rot, blisters and other nasties you really don't want to be dealing with on the track.

Anyway, here are some threads to get you started. Hope they help you a bit:

http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…;st=0#entry6990

http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…62&hl=boots

http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…51&hl=boots

http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…55&hl=boots

fluppy

[Brian]

Hi Again Champo

I personally believe that $399 and more so $499 is perhaps an over kill for boots although at that price you would expect them to be very good.

Went bush walking over the weekend and as a matter of interest as there were 24 of us on the walk I tried to take note of what boots others were wearing they were to me mainly brands that I was not familiar with but I did notice two possibly three of the group were wearing Scarpa another was wearing the Hitec like myself. When we trekked Kokoda one of our team was wearing Scarpa he was most happy with them. I was comparing boots at the weekend with one of those wearing Scarpa he seemed just as happy with them as I was with my Hitec.

The Aussie made Rossi leather boots that I wore for Kokoda after the seniors discount cost $199 and they were great would still be wearing them if I had not given them away to Brenden, the Hitec Ultra that I am wearing now if I recall during the Anaconda sale cost me $249 or there abouts I am equally happy with them.

What ever you get do NOT get ones that are tight as your feet tend to swell when on the move they will kill your feet if too tight get ones a little on the big size preferably take one of two pairs of soxs with you when you try them on and what ever you do make sure that there is plenty of room between your toes and the front of the boots if too close to the front of your boots it will be a painful walk specially when going down steep inclines and there are plenty of those on the Kokoda Track.

About your feet make sure that your toe nails are really short do not go with long nails for if they hit the front of the boots you will be sorry, wash and really dry your feet each night, I used tinea powder each night and each morning I used Vaseline on my feet had no problems at all with my feet whilst trekking

Brian

[Fluppy]

QUOTE(Brian @ 12 May 2009, 02:37 PM) [snapback]9502[/snapback]

Hi Again Champo

I personally believe that $399 and more so $499 is perhaps an over kill for boots although at that price you would expect them to be very good.

Brian

Agreed. It is a bit of overkill. I did not pay the full price of $399 for my boots – as they were at the back of the store, last one in stock and were not selling as no-one would fit them. They fit me beautifully though. They sold them to me for an unbelieveable $79. At that bargain, I would have been quite foolish not to get them.

Champo, for at least $245, you will get a decent pair of boots that will suffice for your trek. For my partner and I, we chose the more expensive brands as they were what suited our needs and more importantly, our feet. It's a matter of personal choice I guess…

[Lorna]

My original purchase were the leather Scarpa boots. Comfortable just wandering around but my God, once I started seriously trekking in them they nearly killed me. Blisters after blisters after blisters. I didn't think I'd ever break them in. Some of you would remember my earlier posts when I was trying to break them in… and terrific advice was given, which everyone should study. Eventually I did away with them ( don't tell my husband!!) and purchased a pair of Hi-Tec Altitude WP women's for $239.95. They were comfortable straight out of the box, brilliant. I'm annoyed with myself for not getting it right first time around ( therefore wasting $$$'s) but just so relieved that I've now found a very comfortablle and hopefully durable boot for my trek in June.

[champo]

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for the replies and sorry it has taken me this long to get back here. Been a really busy week and I've just spent the weekend up at Mansfield with all the people I'll be doing Kokoda with.

We hiked up Mount Stirling from the Mt. Buller village which was about 6 hours for the round trip. The following day we just did a 3 hour hike to see how our legs held up from some decent hiking two days in a row. My legs are certainly hurting now, but during the hiking I didn't have too much trouble, and I'm feeling pretty good about my fitness level considering I still have 2 months till we leave. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to buy boots yet so did all this in sneakers which was fine for 99% of the time, except for a few of the steep descents which were a bit hairy at times.

All the advice so far has been really good, and I've had the chance to drop in to Mountain Design and have a quick look at their selection of boots, although I didn't have time to try any on. I plan on heading up there in the next couple days and trying some on, and might also check out the selection at Ray's Outdoors and Aussie Disposals as I've heard they can be pretty good.

It's interesting that a few of you have mentioned how tough the Scarpa's are to wear in, because a few people in my group were wearing them and they said they've been the most comfortable boots they've ever worn and they've not had a single problem with blisters, and they were pretty new boots too.

I still haven't discounted the Hitec Altitude Ultra's as they were extremely comfortable, but will try a few different boots on in the next couple days and see how they feel compared to the Hitec's.

Thanks guys,
James.

[Brian]

Hi Champo

What ever you get make sure that they are not only a comfortable fit but also a little on the large side as your feet will swell specially when they get hot but even more so after you have been walking for a couple of days.

Make sure that there is ample room between your toes and the front of the boots most important with steep declines as you will find along the Kokoda track.

You obviously have a few people you walk with seek thier advice if one is a regular bush walker get him/her to go with you if they will when you actually purchase your boots.

It is getting close now and you really need to wear them in before you go, I actually wore mine for a couple of weeks of every day use as well as bush walking.

By the way I have always used "Dubbin" on my boots after each clean after a few light coats it certainly helps when cleaning the mud off them.

As mentioned in my previous post look after your feet and boots as both are the most important thngs that you will take with you.

Wear your boots when on the plane to PNG if your lugage gets mislaced it can be replaced but comfortable worn in boots cannot.

Have a great trek
Brian

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi James,
Not much more I can add to the advice on boot selection already given in direct answer to your query and previously posted on the forum.
As mentioned by Brian, time is running out for you to properly "break in" new boots. Do not delay your decision too much longer.
You indicated you reside in Victoria and your group certainly appear to be preparing well with the extent of your training at Mt Sterling/Mt Buller.
Two training tracks worth considering, if in close proximity to your place of residence, are at Warburton, from the Golf Course to the summit of Mt Donna Buang, and Powelltown, "The High Lead Track". Both tracks very much duplicate the steep uphill and downhill terrain you will encounter on the Kokoda Track. Both training tracks were invaluable in our preparation for Kokoda in 2007 and were recommended by Ross Clover, a major contributor/consultant to Bill James book, "The Field Guide to the Kokoda Track"

Best wishes with your continuing preparation and your "crossing" in July.

Cheers, Geoff Hardie

[EveG]

Hi all,

I haven't posted on this site in about a year (was supposed to trek last August, but I'm now doing it this August), but I thought I'd weigh in on this convo as I purchased my boots just over a week ago and have been training in them every day.

I ended up buying the Scarpa Kailash gortex boots (there's a mens version of the same) and they've been excellent since day one…no blisters, no rubbing etc. I chose them over leather boots, because they are much lighter in comparison (that I've found) and don't seem to need as much maintenance or wearing in.

I took them for a 'serious' test today out at the Glasgow Track (Melbourne in the Dandenongs) – twice up and down in the rain and mud. I had really minimal slipping – the grip on the soles is better than any of the other boots I own – and they stayed comfy. A little on the expensive side, but worth it for something that felt good for me straight out of the box.

The mud didn't stick in the tread on the soles either, but I'm sure that might end up being a different story after a few days on the track.

[Author]

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