Poor quality boots

[GeoffWood]

During 2023 I bought 3 pairs of boots all of which turned out to be a disappointment.
I wanted a light weight boot for dry and easy walking - they all failed within weeks due to wear exposing hollow heels
OK, they were not expensive boots (Regatta, North Ridge) but one pair bore the Vibram brand which I previously trusted.
Can anyone recommend a sub £100 boot that has definitely got a solid heel?
I have looked at Merrell Moab boots but they also might be hollow heels Vibram too
I have (and am happy with) my Meindl and Altberg boots for harder walking

 

[Chris]

What sort of mileage and terrain are we talking?

 

[Toddy]

Son2 likes the Merrell Moabs, but he's not exactly heavy on his boots. They seem to last well though, the uppers still in good nick by the time he eventually wears through the heel....and the local cobbler says that those are repairable/ cut off and a new piece of sole fitted in.
By the time Son2's worn them that far though, he's had enough of them and is ready for a new pair.

Might be worth asking the local repair place if he thinks your boots are worth repairing ? Pretty sure under twenty quid is cheaper than an entire new pair.

M

 

[MikeLA]

I like the Merrell moabs. It’s worth trying a pair on. Very comfortable and lightweight but we are all different. Go and try a pair.

 

[GeoffWood]

What sort of mileage and terrain are we talking?

Peak District, but low ground rather than Moor walking.
The ones I bought last year didn't last 3 months until the hole in the heels appears. The Regatta ones were sent back.

 

[lostplanet]

Have a visit to a decathlon store, they have a variety.

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[DocG]

Different style could be Clark’s “Active Air” (I think) boots. Built on a wide last so I came down a size. They are very comfortable and have a reasonably grippy sole. Not sure about resoling. Available on eBay for about £60. NOT nasty weather wear unless you have sealskins inside. Very pleasant footwear for easy terrain IMHO. Great for mooching around in forests too. Shoe style was available in shops before Christmas; boots more of a rarity in my experience.
Just my 2d worth.

 

[Chris]

Peak District, but low ground rather than Moor walking.
The ones I bought last year didn't last 3 months until the hole in the heels appears. The Regatta ones were sent back.

I have some Moab shoes and they have done me well. Current pair are about 18 months old now and I wear them every day, no issues so far.

 

[GeoffWood]

I have some Moab shoes and they have done me well. Current pair are about 18 months old now and I wear them every day, no issues so far.

Thanks, that's good to know. I think that I will get the Merrell Moabs

 

[GeoffWood]

Son2 likes the Merrell Moabs, but he's not exactly heavy on his boots. They seem to last well though, the uppers still in good nick by the time he eventually wears through the heel....and the local cobbler says that those are repairable/ cut off and a new piece of sole fitted in.
By the time Son2's worn them that far though, he's had enough of them and is ready for a new pair.

Might be worth asking the local repair place if he thinks your boots are worth repairing ? Pretty sure under twenty quid is cheaper than an entire new pair.

M

Thanks for that.
I never thought of getting them repaired!
We have a very good shoe repair man in town. I'll see what he says

 

[lostplanet]

If you like your Issue gear, Maybe someone can comment on the longevity of these boots. I have a pair and comfort scale 10/10 but only worn 10 times or so. come in medium and large fits.

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[Tantalus]

Have to agree with you on the state of "Vibram".

What used to be the last word in tough soles has degenerated into some kind of crowd pleasing money scamming company -Make them cheap so that people need to buy a new pair every 6 months. - whose only relationship to its traditional roots is the yellow sticker (if it doesn't fall off, and some of mine have...).

 

[Nice65]

I was looking for the same thing as you, but I wanted waterproof. Rather than getting into reviews and comparisons of fancy walking boots, I started looking at the sort of shops that sell stuff for people that really use it, gun shops, agricultural suppliers, even workwear suppliers. I reckon Hoggs of Fife make some good value stuff, also tried on a few pairs of Aigle. I settled on some Le Chameaux which aren’t at all what you’re after, but seeing Michelin and not Vibram on the sole was pleasing. Vibram have gone way downhill, the North Face and Karrimor of the boot world.

My Bates lasted for years and years, only just giving up now, bought 2013. Bates are cheap (ish) and my GT8 have been amazing.

Buy once/ last a lifetime / indestructible clothing

When the wind swings round to a Northerly or Easterly (as it just has) and there is an extra nip in the air, I wheel out a 1990's vintage Swedish army M90 cold weather coat. For such a lightly padded coat, it is amazingly warm and it keeps your body heat whwere you want it ! It is long and tough...

bushcraftuk.com

5.11 make a decent boot. I’ve had a pair of Fast Tac for a while and they’ve been good so far. Light, reasonable looking, and cheap.

5.11 Fast-Tac 6 Inch Desert Boot (Dark Coyote) | Free Delivery Available

Whether you need a rock-solid reliable, yet cushioned boot for patrol duty or deployment, the 5.11® Fast-Tac® 6" boots fit the bill. The Ortholite® footbed

tactree.co.uk

Vibram soles are replaceable, Google throws plenty of options.

 

[daveO]

My Scarpa Trek boots are only 3 years old and the soles have fallen apart. The previous pair of Scarpas lasted over 8 years of the same use. Apparently it will cost £100 to resole them but the cobblers use Vibram replacements so it might be just throwing money away again.

 

[GeoffWood]

Might be worth asking the local repair place if he thinks your boots are worth repairing ? Pretty sure under twenty quid is cheaper than an entire new pair.

M

Checked today. Our local repair man can replace the hollow heels for £16
The job is his to do now

 

[Toddy]

Sixteen quid's an expense but it's still cheaper than buying another pair of boots to wear out just as quickly

I think there is too much built in obsolescence these days, and rather too much toleration for it as well.

I hope the repair lasts longer than the original did

M

 

[walker]

I have a pair of lowa desert boots as issued to the military in Afghanistan in the early years .

 

[TLM]

A pair of Lowas lost their sole by what looked like depolymerization which is slightly strange as in case of PU that most often requires certain catalysts. The sole material seemed to have changed into a sticky goo on one side and both promptly fell off.

 

[GeoffWood]

Update - got my boots back from the repair man on Saturday. New heels and a seamless repair £15.20.
Job done

 

[RumTom]

I wondered if anyone has tried the Bison Bushcraft boots? They're too expensive for me but they tick all the boxes for me - natural materials, made in the UK, designed for woodland, repairable. I'd be interested to hear if they're actually up to the job.