Limmer Boots [Archive]

Mags

12-07-2009, 14:54

LL Bean used to sell non-custom made Limmers. Looking on their site, that does not appear to be the case anymore. :(

If you Google search, you can still some places kicking around that sells them:
http://www.rmconnection.com/Limmer_boots.htm

I understand not wanting to go through too many boots, but be aware even if you get a pair in time for your thru-hike, the standard bomber Limmers need a LONG break in period and may be overkill for for a hike for a well maintained trail like the AT. (The lightweight ones you can still order and find for sale probably last about the same as any traditional leather boot)

If you are not sold on trail runners, you may want to look into a lighter boot that takes less break in time and will perhaps not be as heavy on your feet for a whole day of hiking.

The problem with boots that last a whole trail is that they can be harder on your feet, more tiring and may not be the right shoe for a trail vs. more mountaineering type activities that the original Limmers were designed for. People have done the trail(s) in Limmers..but there just may be a better option for you.

Just a thought anyway.

[quote=double d;929982]From what I understand, they have a year or two waiting list for the sized boot! [QUOTE]

Seems like five years now. :(

http://www.trailplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1537

superman

12-07-2009, 15:49

Heavy...too heavy. You can buy many pairs of other boots for what you'll pay for limmers. If your boots need work it takes lots of time and they don't fit the same.

Marmotnj

12-07-2009, 16:28

What?! 5 year wait? haha i guess i'm not getting them, im planning on heading out on a thru hike this march.

Lone Wolf

12-07-2009, 16:30

overrated and overpriced

rcli4

12-07-2009, 16:33

overrated and overpriced

Have you ever owned a pair?

Clyde

emerald

12-07-2009, 16:42

One doesn't need to have owned a pair to start an argument about them. Limmer Custom Boots (http://www.limmercustomboot.com/index.php?id=8) now sell for $625 according what's posted on PL&S's website.

I sometimes like to argue about them and I've owned a pair of customs and standard heavyweights, but I'm too busy for it today. My Limmer-inspired rant some time ago was fun to write.

Digger'02

12-07-2009, 17:20

i bought my limmers in 2005 while I worked as a crewman at Greenleaf hut and I have to say that I love them. There is nothing like the ritual of greasing them up once a month and the feel of them after they are good and broken in. If I had to have 1 pair of shoes to whear for the rest of my life it would be them, they are a great all around boot and look sharp too.

That said i wouldn't wear them on a thru-hike if I could avoid it, they are ungodly heavy.

There is something to be said for a handcrafted boot with a lifetime warranty. Nothing but rave reviews here.

rcli4

12-07-2009, 17:26

One doesn't need to have owned a pair to start an argument about them. Limmer Customs now sell for $625 according what's posted on PL&S's website.

I sometimes like to argue about them and I've owned a pair, but I'm too busy for it today. My Limmer-inspired rant sometime ago was fun at the time.

If you are implying that the price tag is to high, buy your shoes at Walmart. It is difficult to find quality stuff anymore. Everybody wants to buy new shoes for 60 dollars, twice a year at Wally World instead of good stuff that last.

Clyde

emerald

12-07-2009, 17:41

Who, me? I wasn't implying anything. The Limmers could charge more and still have a waiting list. Their boots aren't overpriced, nor are they too heavy.

springerfever

12-07-2009, 20:13

I bought a pair of the lightweight off-the-shelf Limmers about 18 months ago directly from the Limmer website. I believe these are actually made in Barvaria. Excellent quality and design; only one seam on the entire boot and it's on the instep. I followed the guidelines for ordering, sizing,etc. Even sent in a sketching of both of my feet (pretty standard 11 D). My left foot is a shade larger than the right.

Try as I might, the boots just did not work for me. I tried numerous hikes, numerous socks and lacing patterns...and I still got blisters. After a while I decided this is just crazy and sold them on Ebay, hopefully to someone who will enjoy them. I'm sure it was just a sizing issue, perhaps they were a little large for my feet, but I HATE boots that are too snug and kill your toes on the downhills. You have to realize on a long hike your feet most likely will grow an average of 1/2 to 1 whole shoe size !

After selling them, I tried on boots from a 1/2 dozen different manufacturers and finally settled for a pair of the Scarpa Kalish..size 46 EU which is approx a 12.5 US. These were...BOOT NIRVANA...100 miles of hiking since new and they were comfortable right out of the box.

I must say that Limmer was very responsive to my phone calls and concerns. They offered advise and suggestions but this particular pair was just not right for me. The legendary quality was there alright, but fit is EVERYTHING.

If you do decide to go with Limmers, I would suggest trying to scarf up a pair on ebay. They show up fairly regularly in standard sizes and they are usually broken in already by the previous owner. That way if they don't work for you, you can always resell them for probably close to what you paid.

Bottom line is they are great boots, albeit a little heavy for a hike such as the AT. I enjoy doing business with US companies that produce a great product and are there if you need them. Limmer is one of the few still around.

There are plenty of options out there and I, for one, prefer the support of a good trail boot with ankle support. If you do go with the Limmers, I hope they work for you..........

Doc

12-07-2009, 20:17

Tipi Walter

12-07-2009, 20:44

I have a pair of customs. Paid a lot and waited a long time to get them. They are indeed heavy but I really liked them and wore them for much of the AT. The problem for me was when the soles wore down and I paid a lot to get them redone. A trainee made them too small and they were never again comfortable. I tried to get them adjusted at Limmer's but was unsuccessful. They wanted me to tie the laces so tight that my feet screamed and that"s when I lost faith in the shoe. I then switched to lightweight hikers from Bean's and never looked back. Now I think "What was I thinking?" Any interest in a set of 9 1/2 wide Limmers?

I bought my first and last pair of Limmer midweights in 2001 and won't ever take the plunge again. Poor customer service, a long drawn out story involving unwaxed welt thread, flapping boot soles, seemingly covered by the warranty, $100 repair bill afterwards, warranty voided due to me putting glue in the boot for a field repair. Etc.

No matter how much Limmer boot grease I used I could never get the things waterproof and so they ended up soaked and frozen for most of my winter trips. And heavy. And after about 12-15 miles my feet were sore, no so with the run of the mill Asolos FSN 95s. Problem is, I have to buy new Asolos every 2 years. The only good thing about Limmers? They can be repaired and so will last for 20 years. And if you just leave them in the closet, they can last a lifetime.

Lone Wolf

12-07-2009, 20:51

i bought my limmers in 2005 while I worked as a crewman at Greenleaf hut and I have to say that I love them. There is nothing like the ritual of greasing them up once a month and the feel of them after they are good and broken in. If I had to have 1 pair of shoes to whear for the rest of my life it would be them, they are a great all around boot and look sharp too.
That said i wouldn't wear them on a thru-hike if I could avoid it, they are ungodly heavy.

There is something to be said for a handcrafted boot with a lifetime warranty. Nothing but rave reviews here.

BS on the lifetime warranty. in 92 i hiked with a guy whose limmers sole was peeling off prematurely. he sent the boots to limmer from Va, when we got to NH where he lived we went to the limmer place, got his boots and he had to pay $50

gravy4601

12-07-2009, 21:03

If you are implying that the price tag is to high, buy your shoes at Walmart. It is difficult to find quality stuff anymore. Everybody wants to buy new shoes for 60 dollars, twice a year at Wally World instead of good stuff that last.

Clyde

WOW... 625.00 and i thought my Asolo's where expensive however thats just my oppinion i like the asolo 520 mid weight and have good supoport on my ancle's

Marmotnj

12-07-2009, 21:10

yeah i dont think I'll be going with limmer just yet, i have been hearing good things about scarpa, I think i'll do some research into them.

njordan2

12-07-2009, 21:30

I like the concept of Limmer Boots. Made in USA, heavy leather that you maintain by oiling, Norwegian welt with unwaxed thread so the natural cotton fibers expand adding to the water resistance, one seam, durable, resolable.

Limmers versus Asolo, (Vasque/Merrel/fill in the blank), is like carburator -vs- fuel injection. I guess when tshtf you can sew on a new sole to a Limmer boot or rejet a carburator with a screw driver.

I put them in the catagory of the old Swiss mountaineering packs. There is just something about harkening back to the good old days of canvas, leather and wool that apeals to me.

Now, with that said, I have carried a 9lb Swiss mountaineering pack with 55lbs of gear, slept in a canvas tent that weighed 5lbs dry, (12lbs wet), under which I was curled up in the fetal position in the mud shivering and freezing with a sopping wool blanket, (5lbs dry 12lbs wet - warmth aaallll the way down to 65F!) when it was 45 degrees. Some of that equipment is older than my parents and will out live my children.

I have never worn any shoe on my foot that compares to the bliss experienced in a pair of Asolo Fugitive GTX 11Wide. They currently have around 500 miles on them and look like they could go twice that far again. There was no break in time to speak of. I put them on, went on a 2 day hike, each day hiked 10 miles and never had a blister, hot spot or any trouble. So as far as it requiring 2 pairs to complete a full 2,100 mile thru hike; big deal. Throw the old pair away, strap on the new pair and hike a full day without missing a beat. The new high tech equipment and materials are just tough to beat.

I do like the fact that Limmers are made in the USA by people who enjoy their work, and if there was not a multi year waiting list, this alone might be enough to pursuade me into buying a pair and breaking out the ol' Swiss pack and gear again!

Tipi Walter

12-07-2009, 22:05

Actually, njordan2, when I called Karl Limmer about my sorry boots, he told me they used a erroneous batch of Unwaxed welt thread in a recent boot run when they should of used Waxed, and explained that the constant rubbing of the unwaxed thread led to their quick separation. The warranty would've covered this mix up had I not squirted a bunch of Barge cement into the footbed and upper sole. Bottom line? They should've sent me a new pair w/o question.

Black Oak

12-07-2009, 22:27

I have a pair of off the shelf Standard Limmer boots. They are for winter use only. Keep in mind, the standard model is for mountaineering. They are excellent for that purpose. I use use them for climbing Colorado peaks in the winter. They are excellent. On all other trails, I use trail runners. I do use them for hiking in snow regardless of the location. I also have worn the same pair of Limmer Walkers everyday at work for the past 3 years. If I was going to thru hike the AT, I would definately use my Vaque Trail Runners.

Slo-go'en

12-07-2009, 23:53

My "off the shelf" Limmers are over 20 years old, have been re-soled 3 times and are still in great shape. Truely a life time boot. Put a lot of miles on those boots and my sore knees are proof of that! I would not recommend doing a thru-hike with them.

I only wear them now when I want bulletproof feet and nothing sticks to wet, 30 degree incline, granite slab like those old Vibrum lug soles. Like when I did some of Maine, fall of '08, but they beat up my knees so bad I had to quit after 75 miles and most of that was slack packing. Guess I'm just getting old...

Spirit Walker

12-08-2009, 13:41

One problem with the Limmers - they are already heavy dry. Once they get wet, they get really heavy and it takes a week or more to dry out. The extra weight is hard on your knees.

On my first thruhike I wore Italian leather boots. They lasted the whole way. Problem was - I had blisters for the first month or more, even though I had spent over a month breaking them in - and then in New England, when it rained constantly, I ended up with a new set of blisters. I wore a hole in the leather on the inside and was rubbed raw. The boot itself held up fine. I don't think it was worth the pain though, or the damage the extra weight did to my knees.

On my second thruhike I wore Vasques, which lasted for about 1500 miles a pair. They were lighter and I had fewer problems, though they still gave me bad blisters. Now I wear running shoes or light boots, depending on location and season.

Lyle

12-08-2009, 14:08

emerald

12-08-2009, 14:39

There are now several weights of standards.

peakbagger

12-09-2009, 09:03

I used custom Limmers for about 5 years, the first three they were great for rock hopping in the whites. After the third season, I wore out the vibram soles ( did I mention I did a lot of rock hopping), so I had them resoled. The last two years were not as good as they got skinnier after the resole ( a common complaint). They were still okay for day hikes, but when I did week long section hikes, they would cause blisters along the side of my feet. I finally had the choice one day of hobbling off the trail from a shelter in PA or switching to Tevas for two more days of hiking. 30 miles later and two days of hiking throuhg stretches of PA rocks, I decided that Limmers were overkill for AT hiking. I switched to trail runners and have never looked back. Despite common logic, I tend to twsit my ankles far less with trail runners than Limmers and when I do, its a lot less major.

They are still probably the best for full time trail and hut crews and back country rangers, as they are almost impossible to wear out. Many local contractors use them. My pair are stored away in a closet and they still look close to new when they are greased.

Fatman Running

12-09-2009, 13:12

I had a pair of Limmers that I bought after my second thru-hike. Both my AT trips were off the shelf Fabiano Mountain boots and they were excellent. Why I bought the "Limpers", I can only remember thinking that I owed this to myself. They were custom made. Very high quality, but I would not spend the money again. Especially seeing the $625 price tag!! Over-rated. I now use a lighter boot, even with heavy loads, and this works out fine for me.

Digger'02

12-09-2009, 13:44

BS on the lifetime warranty. in 92 i hiked with a guy whose limmers sole was peeling off prematurely. he sent the boots to limmer from Va, when we got to NH where he lived we went to the limmer place, got his boots and he had to pay $50

Well, I can speak for anyone else but I recieved excellent service. It may have been due to my time on Hutcrew.

And I'll echo the Swiss analogy. Limmers are deffinately not high-tech, but from an overall satisfaction standpoint i do like them.

Digger'02

12-09-2009, 13:44

can't speak...I can't speak. (or type?)

Ender

12-09-2009, 13:52

yeah i dont think I'll be going with limmer just yet, i have been hearing good things about scarpa, I think i'll do some research into them.

Marmotnj, I'd like to make a friendly suggestion... you're going about looking for boots in 100% the wrong way. Boots are all about fit. What you should be doing is *not* looking to find a good brand, and then shopping for their boots. What you *should* be doing is going to a store, trying on all the boots they have, and picking the brand that fits you most comfortably. Then, from *that* brand, pick the boot that matches your hiking style/trip/whatever.

It doesn't matter if it's the best made boot in the world... if it doesn't fit your foot, you are going to hate it. Pick a shoe that fits.

emerald

12-09-2009, 14:03

The last post makes perfectly good sense provided we're not discussing custom boots and most hikers don't require custom boots. That said, I never had boots that fit like my Limmer customs and they are more durable than most boots.

I bought a pair of standards upon reaching Pennsylvania 1/2 way to Katahdin and broke them in en route, hiking just under 50k my 4th day out, but wouldn't recommend it. Though they served me well, they were never the same once resoled and hurt my toes on steep descents. They were fitted properly when I bought them. Today, I ordinarily do require a larger size.

In the early 80s I bought a pair of customs. They went wherever I went including a summer and fall with GMC, 3 MCC projects and they served afterwards as work boots for years. Now I go through a pair every year. They were also resoled once and fit as well as before. Sadly, I wore them out.

Sleepy the Arab

12-10-2009, 19:59

I've got two pair, with about 3000 miles on each. Resoling does become necessary around 1500-1800 miles.

They are not the customs, they are off the shelf. The custom made ones are really only if you have weird feet. Mine work very well for me. They may not work for you.

gregpphoto

12-03-2012, 13:57

Listen to Mags. I'll even go one further. They ARE overkill for the AT.

I have no direct personal experience, but friends of mine did have this problem:

The boots were fitted perfectly to the hiker's foot. The boots were broken in, and very comfortable... For about a month, then, as their feet swelled and changed shape, the boots became unbearable. Were replaced with new, cheaper boots in a larger size. Their very expensive Limmers were sent home and finished the hike sitting on a shelf.

That sounds like someone picked the wrong size, not an issue inherent with the boots. If they had gotten them in a larger size to begin with, they wouldnt have that problem. Everyone knows youre supposed to buy boots with your feet already swollen.

I used Limmers this summer while part of a trail crew in the Adirondacks. I saw my friends boots falling apart, since they were all of the nubuck and glued-on sole variety. I and a few others who had full leather, norwegian/goodyear welted boots, we made it. Granted, the sole is beginning to fall off, but the leather is perfect, and since I can resole em..

gregpphoto

12-03-2012, 14:00

As to whether or not Limmers are "heavy" you need only to ask yourself if you are tough or not. Im all for cutting weight, but its become something of a disease amongst hikers these days. Try this: suck it up and hike. So what if they're "heavy"? Its an extra workout! I DAYHIKE in my Limmers because I actually follow Leave No Trace standards. I dont wanna hear it, I know most of you trail runner types, you edge around all the puddles, widening the trail, since you dont wanna get your feet wet in the mud.

bamboo bob

12-03-2012, 18:03

The AT simply does not require heavy boots. Trail runners are way better, lighter, and cheaper. I used heavy Scarpa boots on my first AT thruhike. I learned my lesson.

gregpphoto

12-03-2012, 18:13

The AT simply does not require heavy boots. Trail runners are way better, lighter, and cheaper. I used heavy Scarpa boots on my first AT thruhike. I learned my lesson.

Honestly now, do you walk right through the middle of the giant mud puddles, or do you skirt the sides? The AT, being an improved trail, doesnt require heavy boots merely for ankle support but for ease of hiking. I've hiked in mud for hundreds of yards at a time, sometimes ankle deep which would swamp any low top shoe (sometimes my 6" boots get swamped!). When people go around the mud, they widen the trail, and the puddle along with it.

quilteresq

12-03-2012, 19:10

I got my Limmers in 1987 (off the shelf). Still on the first sole, but I don't hike that much - I will certainly do more hiking on the trail. Not planning on using them much on the trail, but they're perfect for the Whites. Since we live in NH, I can pick them up when I get to Hanover. I figure I need a couple of days at home by about then. I tried lighter weight boots and I even bought a pair of trail runners last year to test. I don't like either in the Whites, although I'm planning on using both pair on the trail - probably use the trail runners to get through VA.

If I can snag a pair before I leave, I might try a newer pair of Limmer lightweights, but they don't have my size at the moment, and since their off-the-shelfs are manufactured in Germany, they don't have a lot of control over when they come in.

There is is currently a five year wait to get a pair of custom mades.

moytoy

12-03-2012, 19:40

Of all the people walking around in Limmer boots I suspect that more of them are carrying L. C. Smith and Parker shotguns than ULA Backpacks.

Different Socks

12-03-2012, 19:48

I wore these boots custom made for my 1992 AT thru. Yes, they are rather bomb proof BUT....they weigh about 5 pounds per foot and the break in time will hurt your feet. I used them only on the AT and half of my PCT hike. After that I have worn ankle high softer boots or even tennis shoes/trail shoes. Much, much happier now and will never buy the Limmers again,

strikermike

12-03-2012, 21:29

Of all the people walking around in Limmer boots I suspect that more of them are carrying L. C. Smith and Parker shotguns than ULA Backpacks.

Ha,,,I am sure you are correct about that. I am quite old school in my choice of hiking boots. In fact I really haven't had a pair I really liked since I wore out my Vasque Whitney's from the 80's. I am sure the Limmer heavyweights are overkill for anything on the east coast in 3 season conditions. But the lightweights might be just the thing for people that want a somewhat stouter boot. I purchased some off the shelf lightweights for a trip to Arizona that I just returned from. I put about 100 miles on them but feel they will need another 100 to truly be broken in. As for weight they are only 3.5 lbs per pair. Yes they are heavier than any lightweight trail shoe on the market but they are about the same as the Wasatch they are replacing. Plus the Limmers can be re soled. I am quite happy with my purchase.

Mags

12-03-2012, 21:34

Wish I was tough enough to wear Limmer boots. Maybe because I don't need (want?) the extra exercise while backpacking. Have to 'suck up and hike'.

Sigh....

I'm doing it wrong. :(

jeffmeh

12-03-2012, 21:57

I have a pair of custom Limmers from the '80s. While I did get a lot of use out of them, and I did tend to carry very heavy packs back then taking out groups, I have since moved to much lighter footwear, even in the Whites. I first moved to lighter, full cut boots, then to low cut trail shoes. Ironically, I have had less trouble with ankle rolls. I cannot see myself going back, but maybe I will strap them on some time for nostalgic purposes.