I’ve bought a lot of footwear over the years in my search for comfort, but my Ganter Kathy boots are among the purchases I’ve been happiest with. In fact, I liked my brown pair so much that I went to rather extraordinary lengths to get another pair in black!
I first appreciated just how comfortable these boots were after my first ankle replacement. When I came out of my surgical boot, I initially wore Skechers trainers. They were wonderfully comfortable, but I didn’t feel they offered me enough support.
The Ganter Kathy boots were a different experience. The leather was beautifully supple, the genuine sheepskin lining kept my feet lovely and warm, and the boots felt supportive while still accommodating the swelling around my ankles.
They were comfortable straight out of the box, too, which was particularly welcome at the time.
I loved my brown pair so much that when I wanted them in black, I ordered them from Germany and had them delivered to a friend’s house because the retailer wouldn’t ship to the UK. By the time I’d got them home, they’d cost me around £160!
And now, would you believe it, they’re available on Amazon UK!
So, are Ganter Kathy boots really worth the money and trouble? Here’s what I’ve discovered from wearing mine.
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Beautifully Supple Leather and Genuine Lambskin Lining
One of the things I love most about my Ganter Kathy boots is the quality. Everything about them feels beautifully made, from the supple leather to the gorgeous lambskin lining.
And when I say lambskin-lined, I don’t just mean a little bit of fluff around the ankles! The soft lambskin lines the inside of the boots, while the removable insoles have a cork base and a cushioned, woolly felt-like covering. I’ve checked both my pairs, and they’re identical.
I actually prefer the cork-based insoles with their soft, woolly felt-like covering. They provide a lovely combination of cushioning and firmness underfoot, without feeling excessively soft. For me, that’s important because I want my boots to feel supportive as well as comfortable.
They’re wonderfully cosy, but it’s the combination of softness and support that really impresses me.
I’ve tried plenty of footwear that feels lovely and soft when you first put it on, only to discover that it doesn’t offer the support my troublesome feet need.
The Kathy boots manage to give me both.
There’s also something rather special about their appearance. They have a slightly old-fashioned, vintage style, yet somehow they still look fashionable. I think that’s part of their charm.
To me, these are luxury boots, not because of a fancy label, but because of how beautifully they’re made and how comfortable they feel.
K-Width Fitting: Roomy Toes Without Slipping Heels
One of the things I appreciate most about my Ganter Kathy boots is how well they fit my troublesome feet.
Both my brown and black pairs have a K-width fitting, giving me plenty of room across the front of my feet without feeling loose around my heels.
If you’re wondering what K-width means compared with other shoe fittings, I’ve explained the different width letters in my guide to wide shoe widths.
That’s a combination I’ve sometimes struggled to find. Just because I need extra width around my toes doesn’t mean I want my heels sliding about every time I take a step!
What particularly impressed me was how comfortably the boots accommodated the swelling around my ankles after my first ankle replacement.
The leather felt beautifully supple, yet the boots still gave me that reassuring feeling of support I’d been missing with my Skechers trainers.
Of course, everyone’s feet are different, and I wouldn’t suggest that any particular boots are suitable for everyone recovering from ankle surgery. I’m simply describing how well the Kathy boots worked for me.
For someone who’s spent years buying footwear through trial and error, finding boots that are both roomy and secure is a real pleasure.
Laces and Side Zip: Handy When My Ankles Are Swollen
One of the practical things I love about my Ganter Kathy boots is having both laces and a side zip.
When I first put them on, I adjust the laces until the boots feel comfortably snug. After that, I generally leave them alone and use the side zip to get the boots on and off.
It’s so much easier than having to undo and retie the laces every time, particularly when you’re in a hurry.
But having both fastenings really comes into its own when my ankles are particularly swollen.
On those days, I can loosen the laces to give myself a little more room, rather than struggling to squeeze my feet into boots that suddenly feel too tight.
I found that flexibility especially useful after my first ankle replacement, when swelling around my ankles was a problem.
It’s a simple feature, but when your feet and ankles don’t always behave themselves, being able to adjust the fit makes a real difference.
How Well Have My Ganter Kathy Boots Worn?
One of the reasons I rate Ganter footwear so highly is its durability. I’ve owned several pairs over the years, and the quality has consistently impressed me.
My brown Kathy boots are a good example. I used to wear them regularly for my evening walks, so they’ve certainly had plenty of use.
And how do they look now?
Honestly, they still look like new!
The leather has held up beautifully, and there’s nothing about their appearance that suggests how much I’ve enjoyed wearing them.
I’ve bought plenty of footwear over the years in my search for comfort, and not all of it has been money well spent. Some purchases have been disappointing, while others have turned out to be worth every penny.
My Ganter Kathy boots definitely belong in the second category.
I should mention that my black pair hasn’t been worn outdoors yet, so I can’t comment on how those have stood up to regular walking. But both pairs feel equally comfortable, and the quality appears identical.
For me, that’s what makes footwear worth paying a little more for. It’s not simply how lovely it feels when you first put it on, but how well it stands up to being worn.
Vintage Styling That Still Looks Fashionable
There’s something about the appearance of my Ganter Kathy boots that I absolutely love.
They have a slightly old-fashioned, vintage look, but somehow they still manage to be fashionable. They’re the sort of boots that don’t need to follow every passing trend to look good.
I wear mine with jeggings, jeans, trousers and culottes, and I think they’d look rather cute with a long skirt, too. They’ve got that lovely vintage character that works with so many different outfits.
I’ve always believed that comfortable footwear doesn’t have to be frumpy. Having troublesome feet is quite enough to contend with without having to sacrifice wearing something you actually like!
And that’s another reason I’ve been so pleased with my Kathy boots. They’re practical, beautifully comfortable and stylish in their own distinctive way.
I liked the brown ones so much that I went to all that trouble to get the black pair. I certainly wouldn’t have done that for boots I didn’t enjoy wearing!
Are Ganter Kathy Boots Worth the Money?
I paid around £95 for my brown Ganter Kathy boots, which certainly isn’t cheap. But considering their comfort, quality and how well they’ve lasted, I think they were worth every penny.
The beautiful leather, genuine lambskin lining and supportive fit make them feel like luxury footwear. And despite being worn regularly for my evening walks, my brown pair still looks remarkably good.
My black pair was rather more expensive, although that wasn’t entirely Ganter’s fault!
At the time, I couldn’t find them available for delivery to the UK, so I ordered them from Germany and had them sent to a friend’s house. By the time I’d managed to get them home, they’d cost me around £160.
And now they’re available on Amazon UK. Typical!
Would I go to all that trouble again? Probably not if I could buy them here instead. But do I regret buying them? Not for a moment.
I’ve spent plenty of money over the years trying to find comfortable footwear, and I’ve learned that the cheapest option isn’t always the best value.
For me, the Kathy boots have been an excellent purchase, particularly because they’ve given me that combination of comfort, support and durability I value so much.
The Bottom Line
I’ve spent years trying to find footwear that’s genuinely comfortable, and my Ganter Kathy boots are among the best I’ve owned.
They’re beautifully made, wonderfully comfortable and have that lovely vintage style that I never seem to tire of.
What really sets them apart for me is the combination of softness and support. That’s something I’ve struggled to find in other footwear, particularly when my feet and ankles have been troublesome.
I also love my Waldläufer H-Lana trainers, although they’re quite different from the Kathy boots. I’ve written a separate review of my Waldläufer H-Lana trainers if you’d like to read about those, too.
My brown pair has had plenty of wear and still looks remarkably good, which says a lot about the quality.
Would I recommend them? Absolutely, based on my own experience, although everyone’s feet are different.
And would I buy them again?
Considering the lengths I went to for my black pair, I think we already know the answer! 😂
Frequently Asked Questions About Ganter Kathy Boots
Are Ganter Kathy boots suitable for wide feet?
The Kathy boots have a K-width fitting, which gives my toes plenty of room while keeping my heels comfortably secure. Both my brown and black pairs fit me beautifully.
Are Ganter Kathy boots lined with real lambskin?
Yes, both my pairs have genuine lambskin lining inside the boots. The removable insoles are different, with a cork base and a soft, cushioned, woolly felt-like covering.
Do Ganter Kathy boots need breaking in?
Mine didn’t. Both pairs felt comfortable straight out of the box, with beautifully supple leather. Of course, everyone’s feet are different, so your experience may vary.
Can you wear Ganter Kathy boots with swollen ankles?
I’ve found them particularly accommodating when my ankles are swollen. The combination of adjustable laces and a side zip allows me to loosen the fit when necessary.
Are Ganter Kathy boots worth the money?
For me, absolutely. My brown pair cost approximately £95 and has stood up beautifully to regular evening walks. The quality, comfort and durability have made them one of my favourite footwear purchases.