Brasher Country Master - RIP

[willk]

Some of you will know that Brasher footware were taken over by Berghaus a while back and promptly wound down. I was a longtime fan of the Brasher Country Master shoe - a supremely comfortable, sensible (although some might say staid) country gents shoe. I must have had four pairs over eight years or so and wore them whenever I wasn't at work (sometimes at work too ).
They were discontinued about a year ago and stocks have now finally run out.

RIP Country Masters - my "dogs" will miss you!

Anyone got a replacement?

[jambo]

Very county!!


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[treerat]

Good job I've a spare pair of Hillmasters in the loft waiting for me then

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

Anyone got a replacement?

Anything other than those pipe smoker's brothel creepers!!

Try La Sportiva, Scarpa , Garmont or Asolo.

[A1an]

I can't see past Hoggs of Fife, you WON'T wear through their stuff, I use their brogues and boots.

The "Dee" looks a close match.

https://www.fifecountry.co.uk/footwear/mens

Sorry, picture is of the "Shepherd" boot.

[mick]

I like the Haglofs approach shoe for dog walking

[willk]

Cheers Alan - a USEFUL reply!

[The Gurnard]

For many years .. I was a big fan of Brasher boots for clambering the hills ..they were comfortable from day one so didn’t require walking in. But if I am honest.. once they stopped making them in the UK ..long before the Berghaus buy out ..the quality had gone downhill. The stitching rotted quickly and leather cracked across the toes within a year of use.

So personally ... Im delighted to see Berghaus are now producing the Hillmaster II range ..in the hope they return to the original quality of the Brasher boots. There are still plenty Brasher boots for sale in places like Go Outdoors..but I wouldn’t waste my money on them anyhoo ..the last two pairs I had were very disappointing compared to Brasher of old.

As Bobby Dylan sang.. Better start swimming or sink like a stone..cos the times they are a changing ...or that other old song by Nancy Sinatra "Berghaus boots are made for walking "

[willk]

Originally Posted by The Gurnard

I was a big fan of Brasher boots for clambering the hills ..

I had a pair once - comfortable from the get go as you say but no-where near boot enough for the conditions in the west of Ireland - too low and not near waterproof!

But the shoes! Oh boy, 'twas like walking on air...

[The Gurnard]

Yup..even their boots were like walking on air..but lets face it..Brasher had gone to the dogs... Berghaus make decent stuff..I hope. .cos thats my next purchase.

I cant recommend wearing shoes where I tread in winter anyhoo.. I had to carry the last person I met wearing shoes on the hill..off it.. they bravely tried to stop themselves slipping down the mountain.. you can see their finger nail marks where they fell... and started slipping downhill ... in my photo



That boot in the photo is a Brasher boot with spikes added ..and at only 6 months old.. ready for the bin soon...but at least they get me safely off the hills... I do long for Brasher of old... but not the last few years rubbish.

[A1an]

If you are talking about hiking boots I can recommend the Meindl Dovre.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by The Gurnard

For many years .. I was a big fan of Brasher boots for clambering the hills ..they were comfortable from day one so didn’t require walking in. But if I am honest.. once they stopped making them in the UK ..long before the Berghaus buy out ..the quality had gone downhill. The stitching rotted quickly and leather cracked across the toes within a year of use.

So personally ... Im delighted to see Berghaus are now producing the Hillmaster II range ..in the hope they return to the original quality of the Brasher boots. There are still plenty Brasher boots for sale in places like Go Outdoors..but I wouldn’t waste my money on them anyhoo ..the last two pairs I had were very disappointing compared to Brasher of old.

As Bobby Dylan sang.. Better start swimming or sink like a stone..cos the times they are a changing ...or that other old song by Nancy Sinatra "Berghaus boots are made for walking "

If Berghaus are making them, I'll put money on that will be made in Vietnam or China. Berghaus ain't what it used to be. I've got a 20yr old Quattro jacket that can still hold it's own for walking the dog in the rain, it's outlasted 2 more recent ones that were produced after Berghaus went all "Gucci". As Alan says, Hoggs take some beating for general outdoorsy footwear, Scarpa or Zamberlan for "proper" walking boots for me.
All IMHO

[The Gurnard]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

If Berghaus are making them, I'll put money on that will be made in Vietnam or China.

Yup..Im sure they will.. possibly in the same factory where the Brasher boots were made at the time of the buy out ? They were china made in later days. Its just the way of things now.. I used to support the Karrimore brand too..when it was UK made..but its all far east made now too.

Scarpa boots dont suit my foot shape so dont buy them..but I have only ever tied them on in shops . I have had Berghaus boots in the past...I only tried them the once. The beauty of Brasher..even of late ..was the comfort from day one.

I will look into the ones Alan mentions.. I was not aware of them before.

Same with inflatable boats .. most made in far east or china ..seems to be the way of the world now ..but some are good value

[jambo]

Jesus you lot will be talking about your 'Nicky Tams' next👍👞


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[willk]

I'd have to echo Pikey's words of warning about Berghaus - almost certainly Asian imports. That said, Scarpa are manufacturing in Asia too. I bought a "cheap" pair of Scarpas recently for walking in tough but DRY terrain and they were very impressive - walking comfortably out of the box. I'm told that the field guides in the British Antarctic Survey are keen on Scarpa kit.

Gurnard - my other boot is a pair of old Meindl Burmas - they have done sterling work in the wet over many seasons and are going strong. For Scotland (and Ireland) I'd probably recommend the Meindl Butans for the extra bit of collar, but my Burmas have kept me dry. Made in Germany.

Hanwag are another German boot outfit that look to be excellent, if pricey. donegaldan wears them continuously* and seems to squeeze a few years out of a pair - and he's VERY sore on equipment!




* as in all day, every day

[A1an]

Originally Posted by jambo

Jesus you lot will be talking about your 'Nicky Tams' next👍👞


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Putties are far better, they don't stop the blood if you yark them too tight.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

If Berghaus are making them, I'll put money on that will be made in Vietnam or China.

Berghaus sold out several years ago and went all 'Craghoppery'. Rab have done similar. The best outdoor wear now is either Swiss or Scandi, with the exception of perhaps Patagonia.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Berghaus sold out several years ago and went all 'Craghoppery'. Rab have done similar. The best outdoor wear now is either Swiss or Scandi, with the exception of perhaps Patagonia.

We like Paramo for outer wear, they are made in Columbia iirc but the parent company is in Glossop in the Peak District. Had a couple of their jackets & never let us down. They are very comfortable & warm, initially they feel to soft & you don't expect them to last, but they are tough as old boots.................

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by A1an

I can't see past Hoggs of Fife, you WON'T wear through their stuff, I use their brogues and boots.

The "Dee" looks a close match.

https://www.fifecountry.co.uk/footwear/mens

Sorry, picture is of the "Shepherd" boot.

I like the look of them PD!...
Bet they'd soon wear/break your foot into shape!!
....They make in the E.U?

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I like the look of them PD!...
Bet they'd soon wear/break your foot into shape!!
....They make in the E.U?

I use those boots for kicking about on the low ground but the Meindl Dovre for the hills.

Bloody comfy.