Author Topic: Todays personal dilemma!  (Read 2289 times)

gunwharfman

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Todays personal dilemma!
« on: 10:43:31, 23/10/20 »
I bought a pair of Salomon Ultra X's, wore them and the leaked so sent them back. The firm I bought from agreed and they replaced them with a brand new pair, it was my choice because I liked the boots so much. So my second pair of Salomon Ultra X's arrived and I wore them and they too leaked. I sent them back and have just received a reply from the company to inform me that yet again the agree with me and have asked me what do I want to do now?

I want a pair of boots, not a refund, but it just seems a bit ridiculous to suggest that they send me a third pair of Salomon Ultra X's so I'm in a dilemma as to what I should do next?

I want a pair of 'fabric' type boots, (I already own a full leather pair) which are comfortable to hike in and to have a 'good enough' waterproofing confidence in them. I know by personal experience that the Salomon Ultra X's are ideal for me but should I even contemplate a third pair?

I really don't want to go through another period of compare and contrasting all other brands of boots (it gets to be rather boring after a while) but if my situation demands it that's maybe what I will have to do?

ninthace

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #1 on: 10:51:26, 23/10/20 »
Isn’t the definition of insanity to keep repeating the same thing and expecting a different outcome?  Perhaps  the answer is waterproof socks.  In my experience, all fabric boots leak, it is just a question of how long before they do.
Solvitur Ambulando

kinkyboots

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #2 on: 11:16:27, 23/10/20 »
I want a pair of 'fabric' type boots,

WHY? You know exactly what the eventual outcome will be before you even look at any.

Do you never learn anything from your previous expensive mistakes?  :(

My advice for what it's worth which i know you will ignore is to get a full refund and put your wallet away until you see some sense.

Birdman

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #3 on: 12:15:22, 23/10/20 »
If you have found shoes that you find really comfortable but they leak, I would just accept it but be selective what you use them for.


I always hike on full leather boots that are waterproof when new, but after about 500 km the first leakage starts and it will get progressively worse over time (we have had this discussion before). I will then still hike on them for many more miles as long as they are comfortable, just not on very wet multi-day adventures. They are definitely far from being a write-off at that point!


If I start a long adventure that is likely to be very wet, like the Kungsleden or the Cape Wrath Trail I start off on a new pair and will have dry feet the entire hike. Once they start leaking badly, I demote them to day-hiking boots or I use them for multi-day adventures in relatively dry areas until the soles are worn out.


So I typically have several pairs of the same boots in various states of wear. The newest boots are used for wet multi-day adventures. One notch below can still be used for multi-day with occasional wetness (provided that the thread is still OK) and even for quite wet day-hikes, depending on how bad the leakage is (my feet can stand it for one day). The lowest tier will be for dry walks on easy terrain and even for going shopping in town.


The philosophy is that because boots are expensive, I avoid using the least worn ones as much as possible, not to wear them out but save them for walks where waterproofness and good thread are really required. If not, I can use lower tier ones. This way I hope to get as many miles as possible out of my £££
My travel and walking reports: https://www.hikingbirdman.com/

richardh1905

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #4 on: 12:28:46, 23/10/20 »
My experience of fabric boots is that they always disappoint when it comes to waterproofness. Either accept that you will sometimes get wet feet, buy some waterproof socks, or go for leather, an extra line of defence against the wet.
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

Islandplodder

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #5 on: 13:36:20, 23/10/20 »
I work on the same system as Birdman. I like my boots lightweight and often wear trainers, and if they leak a bit it isn't the end of the world, and I have a 'good' pair for when they are needed. I also have a very good pair (altberg tetheras) which will last for ever because they never get beyond the front door, which is where I decide I'm not carrying that weight around all day. 

gunwharfman

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #6 on: 15:34:36, 23/10/20 »
I know that you are all right of course, I could have just lived with it and I could have done so with different boots but the waterproofing claim which isn't always just bugs me! I only use this type of boot in the warmer months, I use all leather for the winter.

I've written back to 'sportsshoes.com' and suggested I might go for a pair of Keen Targee III's. I had a pair of Keen Targee II's once before and like the Salomon Ultra X's they too were always super comfortable to walk in. From memory the Keen IIs had two slight advantages, the padding at the top of the tongue was a little bit of a better design and the toe end was a better bumper. However the Ulta X's has better lacing lugs, just felt a bit stronger. I await their reply.

It's quite good to deal with a company that has a decent returns policy, and I've never found their prices be to too much either.

watershed

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #7 on: 15:37:34, 23/10/20 »
I too work on the same system as Birdman, the only difference being I use fabric boots.
the Salomon X ultra 3 GTX.


 

richardh1905

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #8 on: 15:59:08, 23/10/20 »
I suppose I am following Birdman's boot rotation too, my old pair split on me on the way up to a wild camp at Hard Tarn - these I repaired using some sailing whipping twine, and are now used as dog walking boots, a few miles up Hampsfell or wherever. For longer walks I have a new pair of leather boots (Hi Tec) - not using them on a day to day basis for dog walks will significantly extend their life.
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

Dodgylegs

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #9 on: 17:16:12, 23/10/20 »
new pair of leather boots (Hi Tec) - not using them on a day to day basis for dog walks will significantly extend their life.
Be interested Richrd how you get on with the HI Tec leather boots.....
I bought some, leaked, went back, replaced, leaked, went back, replaced, fell to bits, returned, refused to replace saying they no longer stocked my size, refund, = no boots!

kinkyboots

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #10 on: 17:41:05, 23/10/20 »
Be interested Richrd how you get on with the HI Tec leather boots.....
I bought some, leaked, went back, replaced, leaked, went back, replaced, fell to bits, returned, refused to replace saying they no longer stocked my size, refund, = no boots!

If you're still bootless it might be worth checking out the Anatom Q2 Classic @ ~£100 or the Anatom Q3 Braeriach @ ~£120 if you can find some in stock locally.

Anatom Q2 Classic 
https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/14-q2-classic-hiking.html 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBu1Xj00bfQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXycy9kTG2M

Anatom Q3 Braeriach
https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/28-q3-braeriach.html
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/anatom-q3-braeriach-boot-review/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn-ShzTRQeY

Dodgylegs

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #11 on: 17:52:18, 23/10/20 »
If you're still bootless it might be worth checking out the Anatom Q2 Classic @ ~£100 or the Anatom Q3 Braeriach @ ~£120 if you can find some in stock locally.


Bought some cheap ones from Sportsdirect due to being desperate (a while ago now), they fell to bits, went back, replaced, leaked badly, went back, got voucher. Problem is finding a size 14, then some to try before buying. After a bit of a troll about found Merrell MOAB Mid GTX fitted lovely, now have two pairs but unfortunately it's my body letting me down at the moment not the boots!! Those Anatoms look good boots but didn't see any in my size.

gunwharfman

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #12 on: 18:09:26, 23/10/20 »
For those of you who that know these things. I emailed Sportsshoes.com this afternoon and then decided to read a couple of online newspapers. Its the Mail and the Independent in particular who are now hounding me with Sportsshoes.com boots adverts! How do they do that?

kinkyboots

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #13 on: 18:20:06, 23/10/20 »

Those Anatoms look good boots but didn't see any in my size.

From what I can see I believe the Anatoms only go up to size 13½.

Not many manufacturers make size 14 and even less retailers are willing to stock and sell them due to the limited demand and tying money up on their shelves.

Altberg do go up to size 14 but it's quite a jump in budget. https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/hiking-boots13

2-3 Season Boots

Altberg Fremington Men's 1412g RRP £184.99 (standard last with 5 width fittings) https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/fremington-men

Best online price £166.49 @ Taunton Leisure
 
Altberg Malham Men's 1344g RRP £189.99(A-Forme last with 1 medium width fitting) https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/malham

Best online price £170.99 @ Taunton Leisure

Altberg's standard last is available in 5 width fittings from Extra Narrow to Extra Wide. If the model of a boot made on the standard last doesn't quite fit or suit your particular foot shape, width and volume it's a fairly safe be that a boot made on the A-Forme or G-Fit lasts will. All Altberg boots can be resoled if and when the need arises.

https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/premier-stockists

https://www.tauntonleisure.com/altberg/boots

kinkyboots

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Re: Todays personal dilemma!
« Reply #14 on: 18:23:47, 23/10/20 »
For those of you who that know these things. I emailed Sportsshoes.com this afternoon and then decided to read a couple of online newspapers. Its the Mail and the Independent in particular who are now hounding me with Sportsshoes.com boots adverts! How do they do that?

I would bet it's either sportsshoes.com selling your info or google spying on your browser usage/search history.

 

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