Write a review on ProductReview.com.au! The merino tops and socks are usually my go to. I wanted to be fair to the price point. Used by child for one trip so great condition. We often had to detour great lengths to avoid the thickest of the bush. 5 Items . I’ve written about the ramifications in this article: Fancy a hike along this breathtaking stretch of Eu, Add these adventures to your Blue Mountains bucket, Want to win a stay at Banubanu Beach Retreat in Ea, @jetboil have just released their lightest and mos, Facebook announced that they would restrict Austra, Want to get the best of Victoria from it’s coast, get lost Issue 66 Is All About Finding Places Where People Aren’t, Jetboil Stash Lightweight Hiking Stove // First Look, Zorali Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat // Gear Review, Zorali Recycled Venture Pants // Gear Review, Arc'teryx Nuclei FL Jacket // Gear Review. A bit warm for Aussie summer is the only downside. Especially if you're on a budget. For me, it’s a tough line to walk – beginner and budget hikers need to start somewhere, but should it be at the expense of factory workers overseas? Sort By. There was a lot of slick rock and muddy trail to test my shoes – the grip was great and my toes were toasty dry all the way through. I had a full pack at 7kg and the bag was comfortable. ALDI’s weekly catalogue in early July featured a ‘trailblazers’ special. ALDI Motorcycle Boots. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Surprisingly good comfort and grip, but don’t have the finish or support of a long-term boot. Merino undies for the win! I also felt like I couldn’t read without bothering the others (it only has two brightness options), so I could barely use the headlamp at all – major fail. Who better to support the latest of my harebrained schemes than the folks at We Are Explorers? Yeah I’m a total convert now! 4.8 out of 5 stars 17. I also noticed some shin splints, probably because the boots lack support. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links. your best bet is to find decent shoes that are old stock and on a discount. But paying $30 means for. I was super impressed with how durable the merino layers were. It’s not surprising when you feel the cheap material or look at the crappy stitching, but now the proof was truly in the pudding. The team at We Are Explorers were just as intrigued to see if the budget gear could hold its own and hooked her up with the full kit and kaboodle. Pick up an ALDI Catalogue each week? They were great and I use them all the time now. I wanted to answer some big questions. I purchased the ALDI hiking boots a month ago for $29-95. which folds up to not much bigger than a coke can. Good to hear your experience and that they lasted with a lot of use. It’s labelled waterPROOF, not water RESISTANT, so I will reserve no aquatic mercy for this one ($39.99 vs $150). Aldi Work Boots with Cap Would suit size 11-12 (Marked as Size 10, but very loose) Used a hand full of times, excellent condition. Instead of a cushion that costs £50 (approx. With supportive outsoles and foot bed, these boots will protect, grip and give comfort for walks and hiking… But paying $30 means for certain that they didn’t. Is this the kind of thing we want to support – a disposable culture of throwaway items? it’s the little luxuries that make the difference! I really only had two issues all day; my rain jacket hood wasn’t placed well, obstructing my view so badly that I just took it down half the time. The trailhead sign urges inexperienced and unprepared hikers to turn back because of the risk of rescue. 1.19kg with a (meagre) load capacity of 10kg ($34.99 vs $300). I recommend them highly. So well made. Good review guys! , complete with enough chemical fumes to give you a gnarly headache ($29.99 vs $300). When Saphira spotted a bonanza of budget hiking gear in ALDI’s weekly specials’ catalogue, she was stinging to put it to the test. I’m not laughing anymore, merino undies are the future and I would buy these again. I will be very interested to see how long they last. Aldi Boots. The shoe is equipped with features such as a gusseted tongue, heel pull tab, and a waterproof membrane. For the boots to be ‘worth it’, they’d have to last at least 10% of this time (since they cost 10% as much). Keep the Aldi hiking pant for camping with grandkids. The bag has a great bunch of features – but it just won’t last. With supportive outsoles and foot bed, these boots … The workmanship in these boots is really nice which makes me wonder how they can be made and sold at $29.95? Currently Sorting By: Sorted by: View as Grid List. Crane, Adventure Ridge and other brands and their products are collected by the catalogue. That’s about 3-4 months. I would never buy ALDI gear for my own personal use because it’s all made in Bangladesh and China. UGG Boots Australia Premium Double Face Twinface Sheepskin Short Mid Calf Women’s Bailey Button Boots Water Resistant Winter Shoes. The top of Mt Barney is scrubby with big boulders, and it shredded my pant pockets. © 2021 ProductReview.com.au Pty. The rubber sole on my right shoe had also worn down noticeably. Hi Leigh! Have you noticed any damage on them, and if so, where? The merino layers kept me dry and warm even when I got a little sweaty in the cool air. This hike let me test the gear in cold conditions (at least, as cold as a Queensland winter gets) and for an overnight trip. ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. Yeah the Aldi gear is hit and miss but sometimes you find a winner. What a practical and awesome post. Designed with a durable synthetic upper, they are breathable and waterproof. Awesome review. We’ve had a couple of down jackets from there that are going suprisingly well although I still long for the days of my Black Diamond down jacket that I destroyed… Have you tested UNI QLO down and thermals? I used aldi hiking socks on the overland track. I did purchase myself a pair of hiking boots from the local Aldi store a couple days ago for only 39.95 and they feel great. Thanks for the reviews. Ellie Shoes… I have worn these through every terrain under the sun and they are seriously rugged, comfy, and have the best fit I’ve ever seen on a hiking pant. General disclaimer: All third party trademarks, images and copyrights on this page are used for the purpose of comparative advertising, criticism or review. ; I’ll be honest, I’ve always thought hiking underwear was a laugh, so we’ll see if I really find these useful or not ($12.99 vs $25). These “boots” — they look and feel like hiking shoes … Designed with a durable synthetic upper, they are breathable and waterproof. The total weight came to just shy of 11kg, so technically over the recommended maximum load, but it all fit (just). A lot of Aldi products from their special biys punch far above their weight. Several times I was yanking to get out of lawyer vines I was wrapped up in, but there wasn’t a single hole or tear to speak of after seven hours. The seams sure did look like they were struggling though. Thanks and cheers. , with six features advertised (I can’t even name six features of a sock) ($11.99 vs $15 each). Maybe it’s because I’m under average height, but the pockets were awkwardly placed, and on top of that the zips jammed easily. Most of this gear works pretty well – until it breaks down, which is way sooner than higher-quality gear. We’re aware that cheap gear has other impacts however, check out Saphira’s companion piece ‘The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear’ where she unpacks why the savings might not be worth it. They were the best pair of shoes … with moisture-wicking fabric and UPF 50+ sun protection ($24.99 vs $100). I have gottem them wet and the water hasn't got through but I have not tested them in extreme wet such as a heavy rain or snow. This is a public forum presenting user opinions on selected products and businesses, and as such the views expressed do not reflect the opinion of ProductReview.com.au. As part of your review were you able to research how or where any of this gear was made? I bought the hiking pants for a November hike Marysville Vic way.. That’s the problem with cheap headlamps – they’re not bright enough for actual use in the dark (only good around a campsite, really), but they’re too bright for sitting around a campfire. Would be super interested to see the results. Purchased in June 2020 at Miranda for $29.95. gain, my bag managed to physically fit everything I needed for an overnighter. It’s interesting to see the wide variations in quality within the ALDI hiking range. I’ve written about the ramifications in this article: The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear. Aldi Hiking Boots (Product): 4 out of 5 stars from 2 genuine reviews on Australia's largest opinion site ProductReview.com.au. From the very beginning of this little project, I’ve been super conscious that none of this gear can ever really be ‘worth it’ because it’s not sustainable or ethical, and completely unaligned with what our values should be as adventurers. The Adventuridge Men’s Hiker Boots, an Aldi Special Buy (ALDI Find), retail for $18.99, which is a lot less than most hiking footwear we’ve seen. Can you really survive lawyer vine, creek crossings, rock scrambling, and rainy hikes in super cheap gear? The Adventurer Waterproof Boots are ideal for outdoor escapades this season. I had a full load of gear for the overnighter plus an (optional) litre tub of pumpkin soup. … I better invest in a better quality hiking pant. Comparing the price of ALDI gear with standard gear gives me a benchmark for comparison. Glad you found it useful Shelley, we were intrigued too! Keep an eye out for the Kathmandu XT-series pants (not a sponsored recommendation!). Within outdoor range of Aldi you can see special hiking shoes … For example, my $250 Salomon boots had done three years of solid hiking before they bit the dust. Thanks Paul, I really appreciate that! We weren’t so much bushwhacking as we were walking. These, on the other hand, are veritable hiker boots… See the Best Products in 2021 as rated by Australians on ProductReview.com.au. First, there were the rain boots, which sold out in many stores in what will forever be known to us as the Bee Boot Craze of 2019. yeah – good luck with that. Each item includes the price, as well as what you’d expect to pay for mid-range gear. This hike let me test the gear in cold conditions (at least, as cold as a Queensland winter gets) and for an overnight trip. A nice big rip right in the outer pocket. Correlates well with our Aldi gear experiences. Aldi gets a number of its items from China, so it’s not a stretch to wonder if they get their meat from China, too. Aldi Is Releasing A Range Of Quality Hiking Gear Starting From Just $4.99 By Kassia Byrnes 2 July 2020 Aldi has really been turning it UP lately with their Special Buys sales — or maybe lockdown … that is supposedly ‘Responsible Certified Down’ ($49.99 vs $200). Damn. Yeah I’m 100% with you. That evening, my torch turned on, which was a great start, but for stargazing I really. I personally started building my kit very slowly and usually second-hand to stay aligned with my values when I was starting out. that they didn’t. A section of this track is reminiscent of the terrain of Mt Beerwah/Mt Tibrogargan but the shoes were super grippy and handled it well. From my experience I felt the bit covering the toes and the sole were wearing down faster than the rest of the shoe. Quick Answer: Best Hiking Boots Australia The most important piece of hiking gear you have is your boots. We quit when it got dark, seven hours after starting, but by the time we returned back to the Hash House (aka base camp) at midnight we had still clocked over 30km. Note that I didn’t pack a tent since I was sleeping. Still, no major qualms – none of the gear actually sabotaged my hike. I got kitted up from my knickers to my headlamp to find out: what’s it like hiking in dirt-cheap gear? Mt Barney, even up South-East Ridge, is an intense affair. With another one or two overnighters, even at the recommended load, this bag would belong in the trash. Find Crane Men's Walking Boots at ALDI. 00. The first pair survived 10 years with numerous overseas trips etc. part of Aldi’s special buys walking range, but we were intrigued by a 25-quid boot with a Vibram sole unit… So are they rubbish? I expected this to be a dumpster fire, but it let me down in ways I didn’t expect. We often had to detour great lengths to avoid the thickest of the bush. Day. made from Australian merino, which claims to be biodegradable, renewable, odour resistant, breathable, insulating, and water repellent. The first hike in my ALDI kit was in rain. It’s not surprising when you feel the cheap material or look at the crappy stitching, but now the proof was truly in the pudding. Were my Kathmandu XT-series pants really six times better than ALDI’s $25 hiking pants? The other, darker side of cheap gear is the social and environmental impact of paying so little. A solid pair of hiking boots can make the difference between an amazing day out in the hills … Paying $200 for your boots doesn’t guarantee the maker got paid fairly. Expect padded metatarsal for flexibility, plus hook and loop flap over YKK zips. I didn’t put the rain cover on my backpack, but the seep-through was still minimal. The top of Mt Barney is scrubby with big boulders, and it shredded my pant pockets. Aldi Boots: Price: £17.99: Weight: 1130 grammes (size 7 / 40) Features: Nubuck leather uppers, TenTex breathable / waterproof membrane, padded collar and tongue, ... Best Vegan Hiking Boots & Shoes Reviewed 2021. The Men's Vego Waterproof Mid Hiking Shoes are a brilliant option for well-kept hiking trails and some rougher environments. The poor quality of the seams was apparent when I first got the bag, so I wasn’t surprised. Companies can't alter or remove reviews from ProductReview.com.au. I definitely should have worn the down jacket. An unexpected winner. The shoes will grip and keep your toes dry – but they’ll wear down super fast. . Suitable hiking shoes or hiking boots will protect your feet from scrapes, knocks and impact injuries, while also ensuring any … How realistic are these alternatives do you think? The Adventurer Womens Waterproof Boots are ideal for outdoor escapades this season. Everything else held together on the way up, until the final summit push. To be honest, I was in awe at how chock-full of features the backpack was for the price: a rain cover with stowaway, emergency whistle, waist and chest strap, plenty of pockets, external and internal brain compartments, water bladder compartment, and padded shoulder straps (adjustable for different heights). What better way to start my gear test than to get everything drenched for a few hours? $100), ALDI in Australia has similarly-designed cushions that cost $20, while coffee tables are … Again, my bag managed to physically fit everything I needed for an overnighter, but then it tore. . . My pants got drenched, but they were dry within 10 minutes. ALDI also limits how many items any one customer can purchase. Your trust is our top concern. Bargain price. I also felt like I couldn’t read without bothering the others (it only has two brightness options), so I could barely use the headlamp at all – major fail. with two brightness options ($4.99 vs $50). This has happened several times now, so the fleece is really just for 10-15℃. I’m keeping them as my back-up pair now that I’ve got my long-term “proper” boots sorted. Entire Aldi catalogue July was focused on many areas that might include essential needs. I highly doubt its Aldi. View this post on Instagram . The rogaine ended up being a pretty hardcore durability test in lawyer vine. expired ALDI Carpet Cleaner 600w $99.99 @ ALDI mazuko on 15/01/2021 - 14:00 aldi.com.au 600W power 2.3L clean water tank and 2.5L dirty water tank 6m power cord For a couple of years, Aldi sold Adventuridge Hiker Boots, although those were more akin to hiking shoes. I sure did try my best to make this a thorough review. In it I suggest some alternatives to buying cheap gear when you’re strapped for cash or just starting out: borrowing gear, thrifting it, buying quality gear which is cheaper in the long run (which definitely still requires some financial privilege), and buying gear only as technical as you need (which reduces the cost a bit, since we often see tempted to buy the “best” instead of what gear will do the job just fine). Set Descending ... We have detected you might be visiting from outside Australia… If it’s a few days or less and not through lawyer vine and rough boulders, the pants will do fine. Overnight, I had both the fleece and down jacket on in my sleeping bag and I was the toastiest of my crew (minimum temps of 5-10℃, open air). I usually purchase hiking boots every 4 or 5 years spending $140 plus. In addition to our core range of everyday grocery products. The great thing about this gear is that it can be a starting point for those who are just taking this up, or those who do not have thousands of dollars to spend. Note that I didn’t pack a tent since I was sleeping al fresco for the purposes of meteor shower gazing. ALDI’s Motorcycle boots ($79.99) feature rubber gear pads with a heel strengthening design. Always wondered about their stuff. I’ve given my thoughts on the individual items here, with a star rating out of three for ‘function’, ‘durability and ‘comfort and style. Thanks Shelley! Key Specifications/Special Features: 1) Description: safety boots 2) Sizes:36-40,41-45 3) Upper material: … Glad you liked the piece! I would be interested to know how a pair of boots can be made ethically and profitability for $30? How long is your hike for? On the way home, I definitely started wishing for my puffer jacket, as my fleece was letting me down in the 7℃ night. That being said they weren’t hugely cheaper than from the socks I’ve gotten at Kathmandu on sale (who pay their makers fairly, which is super important to me!). The total weight came to just shy of 11kg, so technically over the recommended maximum load, but it all fit (just). Through the combination of these features, this is a solid boot for hiking …