I had the same experience with a different shoe brand. First pair were like a dream. I wore them backpacking, I wore them at home, basically every day until they had holes in them and all but fell apart on my feet. I loved them. The next pair were a nightmare. I returned them and got a replacement but they were also terrible. What I was told was that many of the companies relocated their manufacturing a year or so ago. The shoe is sold as the exact same model but there are subtle (or not so subtle) differences.Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:06 pmBought EXACTLY the same model and size of Merrel shoes (last two pair of shoes the same). I swear they cheapened the materials. These shoes killed my feet, causing serious problems.
I went back recently and discovered that the exact same model had changed yet again, this time for the better for me.
Did you have the older ones with the metal snap closure? I always found those snaps a pain to operate in the cold. And they would gum up or rust after a while. But I agree with you that the velcro front closure system is also faulty.Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:06 pmDo not like the new Rocky Mountain Gaiter design- the Velcro front tabs soon do not work because they get full of lint, sand and such.
I've considered making my own gaiters but I'm not sure what the best design is. I've made a quilt, a backpack, a tent, and other items. I didn't make those things to save money. I didn't save money and they took a lot of time. I made that gear to get what I wanted. Sometimes it's the only way.