Trying to decide on a new pair of boots, here are two that I tested out on the countryside around Macclesfield ending up to the summit of the ‘Cheshire Matterhorn’ and back again, the Garsdale and the Ad Quest styles of boots, both from Regatta.

Regatta Mens Garsdale Mid Walking Boots

Features:

Mens Comfort Fit

PU nubuck and breathable mesh upper

Water and stain resistance ATL treated upper materials
 

Isotex waterproof and breathable footwear - seam sealed with breathable internal membrane bootee liner

Deep padded collar and tongue

Rubberised toe and heel bumpers

EVA comfort footbed

Steel shank

Lightweight rubber outsole featuring internal EVA shock pads

Weight: 500g per boot

Price: £36.00

The Garsdale, from Regatta, really can be described as an all-weather boot that has been designed for walking in a variety of terrains, so can be utilised all year round making them a really versatile and great value boot.

ATL treated uppers ensure enhanced water repellence, which with the weather in the UK is useful all year round. Resistance to staining is useful especially when the ground is muddy underfoot and the combination of the Isotex bootee offer’s a boot that keeps your feet dry and comfortable throughout a day’s walking. The day itself saw sunshine and a sudden down pour which did leave some soggy ground, which gave me the perfect opportunity to test out this claim and success, no wet feet, although muddy legs did suffer from the deeper then expected puddle I used.

The Boots are well designed and shaped to combine the integrated comfort footbed, EVA shock pads and deep padded collar and tongue so that they stay comfortable no matter how long you are wearing them. I was out for a full day covering forest, country lanes and a trek up the Cheshire Matterhorn that is Shutlingsloe.

The rubberised toe and heel bumpers featured along with the steel shank in the sole and EVA shock pads offer a sturdy and well supported shoe for walking and rambling., and would be a good winter boot for getting around both town and country.

In A Nutshell

7/10 - 

Regatta Mens Ad Quest Mid Hiking Boots

Features:

PU nubuck, PU suede and textured nylon mesh upper

Water resistant Atl treated upper materials

Isotex waterproof and breathable footwear - seam sealed with breathable internal membrane bootee liner

Precision fit last designed for support and secure fitting

Deep padded collar and tongue

Weight: 600g per boot

Price: £25.99 pair

The Ad Quest Boot gives you great value for money with a lot of features for your money. The boot has been styled in such a way as to give extra support around the heel and ankle which proves useful, especially at the end of a long day’s hike. Comfortable to wear and durable, standing up well to the rigours of the test walk through Macclesfireld Forest and up to the summit of Shutlingsloe the claim that they are ideal for trail and hill walking certainly came  up to the mark.

The upper, made from a combination of PU nubuck and endurance mesh, and treated with water resistant ATL certainly did the job as tested by a couple of patches of boggy ground and the traditional stream at the foot of Tegg’s Nose. At no point during the day did my feet feel uncomfortable, and this was certainly helped with the rubberised toe and heel bumpers offering extra protection, which is a particular feature I look for in a boot. They even utilise internal EVA shock pads which certainly add additional shock absorption as my feet still felt great at the end of the day.

In A Nutshell

8/10 - 

Verdict.

While both boots certainly lived up to the job in both design and overall sturdiness and got me through the day, if I was given the choice I would be leaning towards the Ad Quest, while the lacing design was different and it was a slightly heavier for me they gave a little extra in support around the heel and ankle - it’s always nice to save a few extra pennies and at just 25.99 who can argue with that. Although at just 36.00 the Garsdale is still a bargain.