Discussion
Basically what is a reasonable life expectation for a decent pair.
Reason for asking, is that I have a pair of Scarpa boots, have been looked after, cleaned, waxed, leather fed regularly. Slight Bit of cracking around one lace point but they are still very watertight, very comfortable, uppers still reasonable nick.
However although the outsole is wearing, and presumably could be reshod,the midsole at the heel is starting to crack and I question if it's then worth replacing the outsole.
The boots are almost 3 years old, at about 1500 miles per year, let's say they've done about 4,000+ miles.
So, opinions please, even if they are of the kind which says, 4,000 miles, what do you expect, get some new boots bought you tight git!
Reason for asking, is that I have a pair of Scarpa boots, have been looked after, cleaned, waxed, leather fed regularly. Slight Bit of cracking around one lace point but they are still very watertight, very comfortable, uppers still reasonable nick.
However although the outsole is wearing, and presumably could be reshod,the midsole at the heel is starting to crack and I question if it's then worth replacing the outsole.
The boots are almost 3 years old, at about 1500 miles per year, let's say they've done about 4,000+ miles.
So, opinions please, even if they are of the kind which says, 4,000 miles, what do you expect, get some new boots bought you tight git!
Thread resurrection.
Well I bought those boots, and considering the life and comfort of the old pair, bought the same again.
The old pair I'm still wearing for knocking about, dog walks on the local field and common, gardening and so on, they are now well and truly shagged, but still waterproof, but won't be long before the soles look distinctly trampy. Must be getting on for 5,000 miles now.
So the new boots, frankly, pissed off. They are these Delta GTX
Just as comfortable, waterproof, the one slight reservation I had over the previous ones has been corrected, namely grip on icy paved surfaces was lethally non existent, but only 800 miles in they are starting to show the same fault that has ended up completely stuffing the old pair.
Namely the mid sole area, lighter grey in the photo, the surface is starting to spall off, and on the heel at the front of the heel where the grey mid sole narrows down and is bonded to the sole etc, it's showing little cracks and will separate before long. Rest of the boot looks like the photo, apart from some wear on the sole, but plenty of life left.
Taken it to a cobbler with a good reputation, and his opinion is that as soon as the outer surface is starting to spall then it's just a matter of time, water will have got in and just keep using them until, like the old pair, they look like something the local tramp wears. Obviously out of warranty, only a couple of months maybe, but distinctly dischuffed if I have to buy a thick end of £200 pair of boots every 18 months.
Any comments? Alternative options to cobbler comments?
Recommendations for other manufacturers, must be waterproof, personally prefer leather uppers, 3 season, sole midstiffness. Unfortunately I like the last that Scarpa use as a good fit.
Grump.
Well I bought those boots, and considering the life and comfort of the old pair, bought the same again.
The old pair I'm still wearing for knocking about, dog walks on the local field and common, gardening and so on, they are now well and truly shagged, but still waterproof, but won't be long before the soles look distinctly trampy. Must be getting on for 5,000 miles now.
So the new boots, frankly, pissed off. They are these Delta GTX
Just as comfortable, waterproof, the one slight reservation I had over the previous ones has been corrected, namely grip on icy paved surfaces was lethally non existent, but only 800 miles in they are starting to show the same fault that has ended up completely stuffing the old pair.
Namely the mid sole area, lighter grey in the photo, the surface is starting to spall off, and on the heel at the front of the heel where the grey mid sole narrows down and is bonded to the sole etc, it's showing little cracks and will separate before long. Rest of the boot looks like the photo, apart from some wear on the sole, but plenty of life left.
Taken it to a cobbler with a good reputation, and his opinion is that as soon as the outer surface is starting to spall then it's just a matter of time, water will have got in and just keep using them until, like the old pair, they look like something the local tramp wears. Obviously out of warranty, only a couple of months maybe, but distinctly dischuffed if I have to buy a thick end of £200 pair of boots every 18 months.
Any comments? Alternative options to cobbler comments?
Recommendations for other manufacturers, must be waterproof, personally prefer leather uppers, 3 season, sole midstiffness. Unfortunately I like the last that Scarpa use as a good fit.
Grump.
I'd look for 1500-2000 miles, and waterproof for no more than 150. Just my experience with boots in general. Scarpa's have a rep for falling apart (check out Amazon reviews). I've only ever had one pair of Scarpa's, very comfortable, but fell apart. 5000 miles and still waterproof? You're in world record territory.
Waterproof for 150 miles max. Couldn't even contemplate living with that.
The point is that, looking back albeit with rose tinted specs, you used to have leather walking boots that provided you looked after them could go back to the cobblers for resoling several times. The modern boots may be more comfortable out of the box, need less beddingbin, and these modern Vibram soles are excellent, but if the uppers outlast the sole , mid sole etc by a considerable margin, and suffer defects which render them essentially not repairable it's yet another bit of throwaway society consumerism gone mad.
I do accept that my 5000 mile pair is exceptional and indeed exceptionally scruffy to boot.
The point is that, looking back albeit with rose tinted specs, you used to have leather walking boots that provided you looked after them could go back to the cobblers for resoling several times. The modern boots may be more comfortable out of the box, need less beddingbin, and these modern Vibram soles are excellent, but if the uppers outlast the sole , mid sole etc by a considerable margin, and suffer defects which render them essentially not repairable it's yet another bit of throwaway society consumerism gone mad.
I do accept that my 5000 mile pair is exceptional and indeed exceptionally scruffy to boot.
gazza285 said:
I was complaining to the wife the other day that my new North Face boots had started leaking, with a split in the sole also developing, turns out I've had them nearly six years.
Going to try some Alt-Bergs next...
I have to say I've not been that impressed with my Alt-bergs. I got them about 2 years ago and have been meticulous about maintenance - 'deep oil' treatment every 6 weeks and re-wax every 1-2 outings.The leather is cracking around the crease lines and they're not comfortable underfoot, even with a better insole being purchased. I wear them a few times a month, mostly on trails. The wear on the tread is quite swift I feel - mainly under the toes, where I push off - and I am thinking they will need a re-sole soon. But if I do 200 miles a year it's a lot and I feel for this use, they are not lasting very well. I think they were around £200 too. They're also not very waterproof - I don't know how 'proof' they can be, being leather, but with all the wax I apply, I'd have hoped for better than this. I've had wet feet a couple of times.Going to try some Alt-Bergs next...
The ones I had before that - La Sportiva, lasted me 15 years, with more walking and less maintenance. They were leather and goretex lined, so fully waterproof and so comfortable.
I wouldn't go with Alt-bergs again, which is a shame, as they're a local company and I bought them on the reviews I read.
SpydieNut said:
gazza285 said:
I was complaining to the wife the other day that my new North Face boots had started leaking, with a split in the sole also developing, turns out I've had them nearly six years.
Going to try some Alt-Bergs next...
I have to say I've not been that impressed with my Alt-bergs. I got them about 2 years ago and have been meticulous about maintenance - 'deep oil' treatment every 6 weeks and re-wax every 1-2 outings.The leather is cracking around the crease lines and they're not comfortable underfoot, even with a better insole being purchased. I wear them a few times a month, mostly on trails. The wear on the tread is quite swift I feel - mainly under the toes, where I push off - and I am thinking they will need a re-sole soon. But if I do 200 miles a year it's a lot and I feel for this use, they are not lasting very well. I think they were around £200 too. They're also not very waterproof - I don't know how 'proof' they can be, being leather, but with all the wax I apply, I'd have hoped for better than this. I've had wet feet a couple of times.Going to try some Alt-Bergs next...
The ones I had before that - La Sportiva, lasted me 15 years, with more walking and less maintenance. They were leather and goretex lined, so fully waterproof and so comfortable.
I wouldn't go with Alt-bergs again, which is a shame, as they're a local company and I bought them on the reviews I read.
LotusMartin said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
These boots are great. I’m on my second pair now - get nearly 2 years of daily dog walking out of them. I read somewhere that SEAL Team 6 wore them on the mission to kill Bin Laden so they must be pretty good eh?
Might have to look at that offer!!
I have the same problem - Only use boots for walking the dog but I can barely get 6 months out of any of them. tried several brands including Berghaus (on my 4th pair in 2 years - last pair bought in March and have already given up), Brashers, Merrills - all the same.
Cant find anything that lasts
I have the same problem - Only use boots for walking the dog but I can barely get 6 months out of any of them. tried several brands including Berghaus (on my 4th pair in 2 years - last pair bought in March and have already given up), Brashers, Merrills - all the same.
Cant find anything that lasts
Was in Cotswold at the weekend discussing this. They were firmly of the opinion that in terms of durability of the major names it's Scarpa > Meindl > Salomon, ie Scarpa best.
One thing they pointed out about the Salomon 4D 3 GTX is that the way the sole is moulded means these cannot be repaired, particularly considering the presence of the plastic bit between the outer sole and mid sole.
By the way how does the Go Outdoors price match work, is it at the time of sale? I rather got the impression that you had to pay their price and then claim it back within 7 days. Must read Terms and Conditions again but in more detail.
One thing they pointed out about the Salomon 4D 3 GTX is that the way the sole is moulded means these cannot be repaired, particularly considering the presence of the plastic bit between the outer sole and mid sole.
By the way how does the Go Outdoors price match work, is it at the time of sale? I rather got the impression that you had to pay their price and then claim it back within 7 days. Must read Terms and Conditions again but in more detail.
Boots are mostly just about what fits best.
I tried so many when I was replacing my Asolo's. Many of them just didn't fit my feet.
I ended up going to Lowa, and they make a very good boot. If your feet fit them.
However, I'd definitely say I hate wearing hiking boots. I much prefer walking in trail running shoes. I'll only wear boots if the weather is truly terrible, or the ground is exceptionally rocky. I walk a lot more in my Inov8 Roclites and am going to try out Altra Lone Peak 4's soon.
I tried so many when I was replacing my Asolo's. Many of them just didn't fit my feet.
I ended up going to Lowa, and they make a very good boot. If your feet fit them.
However, I'd definitely say I hate wearing hiking boots. I much prefer walking in trail running shoes. I'll only wear boots if the weather is truly terrible, or the ground is exceptionally rocky. I walk a lot more in my Inov8 Roclites and am going to try out Altra Lone Peak 4's soon.
FiF said:
By the way how does the Go Outdoors price match work, is it at the time of sale? I rather got the impression that you had to pay their price and then claim it back within 7 days. Must read Terms and Conditions again but in more detail.
In store it was time of sale. I just showed them on my phone it cheaper elsewhere. They took a note, checked with a manager and applied it. You have up to 7 days to claim at a late date if you notice after purchase. Online I think you have to fill in a form and wait for them to send you a code.Scabutz said:
I just got a pair of these. Anyone else in the market for a pair OutdoorGB have them for £123 but Go Outdoors will price match + 10%. Just paid £111 for a pair.
I read somewhere that SEAL Team 6 wore them on the mission to kill Bin Laden so they must be pretty good eh?
Four of us in our walking group bought the previous model of those. Salomons. They really are comfortable straight out of the box and are great for trail walking and scrambling. I read somewhere that SEAL Team 6 wore them on the mission to kill Bin Laden so they must be pretty good eh?
However, the waterproofing hasn't proven. that durable. Hardly surprising in such a flexible composite boot.
Disappointing to read another posters experience of Altbergs. I've just bought a pair and have yet to break them in.
They were bought to replace the Meindl Burmas I've just binned after 7 years of faultless service. The £80+ cost of resoling them seemed just that bit too much to spend on a pair of old boots.
For this winters dog walking, I'm trying out a pair of Haix army combat boots that I bought on a whim in a military surplus store. They are much higher cut than I'm used to but they look well made.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff