Answer

By GrahamThompson

We hope your hip is recovering well. Before we discuss footwear, I'd also like to suggest you try trekking poles to ease the strain as you start walking again after your  operation. There are many models out there, most of which offer similar performance. Popular manufacturers include Leki, Mountain King and Kohla. I am currently having great success with a new Brasher trekking pole called the Provolution. This has an external locking mechanism that overcomes the problems of jammed internal locks that can be a problem with many poles.

Back to the boots! There is a wide range of products that would be suitable for your use and the one that is right for you will be the boot that fits your feet, rather than the boot that anyone else finds comfortable. Of course there are some boots that are better than others - as long as they fit your foot.

You mention the boot needs to be lightweight. Generally I have found that the lightest boots have often started leaking or in other ways been less durable than mid-weight boots. I would therefore recommend a mid-weight model, particularly as you mention you want them for scrambles and a wide variety of terrain.

You have not mentioned how much you wish to spend but in general the more you pay the more comfort you will get, the better your feet will be protected and the longer the boots will last.  

As a broad rule of thumb, boots with less stitching on the upper tend to be more durable than boots with lots of stitching. Equally, leather boots tend to last longer than boots with synthetic uppers, primarily due to all the stitching required to hold a synthetic upper together.

You mentioned waterproof liners are not essential. I would agree with you as long as the boot has a one piece leather upper. Boots with lots of stitching will tend to leak more easily, so will either need a lot of treatment with Nikwax or Grangers waterproofing products, or will benefit from a waterproof lining. These days most boots have a waterproof lining anyway, but there are some exceptions and these are generally a little lower in price.

Models I would consider include the following with their RRP.  As the fit on your foot is the main priority I would suggest you try two or three models from below to find what fits you best.

Contour Nevada £75
Contour Navigator - £80
HiTec Peak Event - £100
Brasher Hillmaster GTX £110
Brasher Lithium XCR £110
Brasher Borge GTX £110
Brasher Colima £125
Hanwag Peru £130
Lowa Munro £130
Lowa Stirling £140
Meindl Borneo £130
Scarpa New Nepal £140
Meindl Burma £140
Meindl Vakuum £150

Happy boot trying!