Etche canyoning boots

Keris82

Member
I am considering investing in a pair of canyoning boots but there's not much available in the UK. I have seen etche canyoning boots on starless river. Has anyone got a pair and what are they like for caving?

https://starlessriver.com/shop/footweargloves/etche_canyoning_boots

I have tried walking boots and wellies for caving and am yet to find something I find suitable and comfortable with enough grip. I personally don't like wellies for caving.
 

Tommy

Active member
Overall I find them pretty good, the laces have worn through quite quickly but that's just some cord to replace so not the end of the world.

  • In terms of general wearing they're ace, just like walking boots...
  • I dislike wellies and long wetsocks, although they provide insulation and shin protection I find them restrictive, perhaps I'm claustrophobic? So I much prefer the feel of the Etches.
  • They don't get left behind in thick mud.
  • They are 2-4 times the price of wellies depend on how boutique you like them. (Mine were a gift but I'll pay for more when the time comes).
  • I find they are better on clean-washed limestone than thick mud (they are canyoning boots after all), on some trips I might have preferred to have worn wellies for grip in the mud, perhaps this is just my perception, and of course your particular welly sole rubber of choice is a key factor in the comparison. I haven't worn my wellies at all this year so they must be fine.

They don't seem to be wearing out after some average usage, whereas I'd imagine some of the more technical canyoning boots and walking boots would be showing signs, the Etches appear to offer a good middle ground between fancy pants footwear and wellies.

Given how much a pair of walking boots, work shoes, rock climbing shoes, ski boots, running shoes etc seem to routinely cost, I think cavers are fortunate to have the option of such frugal footwear as wellies, but I don't think there should be an issue with buying something that suits your needs and you prefer.
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
I've tried some canyoning boots, but I don't get on with them I've done too much grubbing around in fine and larger chunks of Grit and stone. I find it all gets in over the top. Wears away the wetsocks and generally gives an unpleasant experience.
(at least with wellies, I can tip it out and start again).

I don't know if it's just a Derbyshire thing, but I don't like digging in them. Anything else maybe fine?!?
 

JoW

Member
I've just treated myself to some bestard boots, yet to test them in person but I've heard good things about them. Now being stocked by Starless River too. Bit on the pricy side though so depends on how keen you are for something superior to wellies  ;)
 

Keris82

Member
JoW said:
I've just treated myself to some bestard boots

I'm interested in how effective the bestard boots are. from pictures I've seen the tread doesn't look very deep. But then it's difficult to tell just by a photo!  :-\
 

Keris82

Member
I have a pair of karrimor walking boots that I have been using for caving and the treat and grip is quite good. But they are rapidly falling apart as they are not made for climbing abrasive rocks  :cry:
 

Pegasus

Administrator
Staff member
If you search (top right of screen) for Bestard:

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=21496.0

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=21334.0

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=20992.0

Search for Canyoneers:

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=19416.0

plus other threads.

Lots of info available, hope it helps  :)
 

Vulcan

Member
I have some of them - I agree with all of Topimo's points about them.

I much prefer them to wellies, particularly for climbing.

I didn't have any issues digging in them - and that was pretty muddy.
 

cavemanmike

Active member
I've had a pair of bestards for a while now and wouldn't go back to anything else. The soles are wearing really well, the built in gaters don't seem to let any mud/ grit / shit  in. can't fault them. I've spent a lot of time digging and srting ! In them.
 

Tommy

Active member
Yeah they're good for climbing some stuff. Coming from a climbing background, wellies are like your floppy all day trad slippers for mountain severe (or MVS int' Lakes), and Etches are your stiff edged Anasazi Whites on slate and lime.

:sneaky:
 

Tseralo

Active member
cavemanmike said:
5 ten whites are as good as my anasazi greens if not bettet [emoji106]

FYI if you want a new pair of blanco?s rock and run have on at ?55 from ?135 as they are end of line .
 

Keris82

Member
FYI if you want a new pair of blanco?s rock and run have on at ?55 from ?135 as they are end of line .
[/quote]

Are you referring to climbing shoes? I don't think they would be useful for caving!  :eek:
 

David Rose

Active member
I had some Bestards a while back, and they were getting very worn out, so I tried Etches.

I hate them. They are really heavy, so heavy that I find myself losing my balance, especially scrambling around on awkward but non-technical ground or boulder hopping. And the grip on wet rock is mediocre.

I've now splashed out on a second pair of Bestards. Bliss. The absolute best: light, comfortable, great for climbing, incredible grip on anything but sliipery, wet mud (such as the slick and slide area that was Lake Cadoux in the Berger when I was there in July).
 

Ed

Active member
Personally I find the Etche boots very good.

And being unlinked easy to clean and quick to dry. Excellent in mixed wet / dry caves.

 

KrissGC

New member
I've bought the Bestard Canyon Guide boots from Up and Under. I've worn them a few times and have been brilliant in dry caves. The grip is better than wellies. Not tired them in a wet cave yet though.
 
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