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.
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.
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.
OP here. An update, after my disappointment with Scarpa Delta GTX, had a flirtation with Merrell, still got those, but now only used light and relatively dry use. Went back to Scarpa but downgraded to the Ranger II Activ GTX which are on the same last, uppers look to be the same construction, but a different simpler sole. So far going well, really well, more than double the miles that had the second pair of Delta's crying enough.
Having said that looking at Alt-Berg to try and support a UK manufacturer, probably going to be my next boot, not sure yet which one.
Having said that looking at Alt-Berg to try and support a UK manufacturer, probably going to be my next boot, not sure yet which one.
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