I've avoided so far having to face the REI return clerk with a pair of destroyed boots by getting my modern boots on ebay - seems like I am able to score at least one pair in my size each year at about 60% off retail with near zero miles on them, then use them for about 500 miles before I feel it's time to replace. I just have a long term watch set up that emails me when a pair is posted in my size.markskor wrote:Tom wrote: if I do not get at least 500 miles out of them, will "return" them to REI and get them replaced with similar.
Do not make the REI rules and if they are willing to sell $200 boots that fall apart after a season or two, will gladly take them up on their return policy.
I used to hike in burly leather boots in the 80s, but those were no more reliable than the modern designs. And with burly, I mean BURLY :
Meindl brand, full crampon compatible, about 3.5 pounds each, double norwegian welt, etc - soles came off before 300 miles, and no replacement soles ever lasted longer than 100 miles.
Nowadays I use La Sportiva Trango boots - no breakin, fit like a glove once you find the size that works for you. So far no failures on any of them, but after 500 miles the cushion foam layer is pretty compressed and loses effectiveness in the front, while the Vibram lugs are worn down pretty badly. I don't have them resoled, because that's expensive and unlikely to earn my trust after my bad experience with resoled boots in the past.
In return I get a light performance boot that feels like a sneaker compared to the old mountain boots without sacrificing support and have proven to last at least 500 miles of hard use. I'll gladly pay the price for boots that work that well, since they are the most important piece of gear the moment you leave paved roads far behind.