The double stiched, so called Norwegian make, also Zwiegenäht or Tirolese, the classical sewn on sole isn't only much more durable but also far easier to repair if needed after perhaps 20 years, depending on how much you use them on which terrain of course. It's technically no problem to put a new rubber sole onto them and you are good to go for another decade or two.
These modern looking shoes with on glued soles fall in pieces after approximately 8 years after production, often 6 to 7 years after you got them from the shop, even and especially if you don't use them very often. If you use them really, many of them don't reach their third birthday. And if you bought them second hand or bought over aged stuff from a shop that threw it out for a lowered price you don't have to expect very much anyway.
In my opinion they are a waste of money, totally overpriced for what you get. But so comfortable already in the shop and during the first few kilometres...
The best is to organise in time your holidays like this that you get an appointment with an orthopedic hiking-shoemaker master and buy from him quality boots that are made in your individual measures.
It's worth the effort and longer waiting time, that can be up to a year. But these boots you will surely keep for decades.
In the thread in the Italian forum above are listed also all European hiking shoe makers we know about, that offer to make you boots in your individual measures. And that's usually surprisingly cheap, because you buy directly from the maker and cut out every other usual costs.
And well, shoes that are made in your individual measures tend to fit perfectly. That's not so bad!
I can walk as long as my muscles allow, every day all the year round and never get blisters or other problems, just tired legs of course after a day.
No idea if you have such offers in Britain too.
