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Short version: My boots are shot. Need new ones. Any advice??
Long version: I purchased my current pair of hiking/hunting boots about 12 years ago (1995 or 1996) from the Dartmouth Co-op in Hanover, NH. They are heavy duty hiking/mountainering boots, made in Italy and are pretty much bomb proof. I've hunted, hiked and traveled in them extensively for the last 12 or so years, having replaced the Vibram sole a couple of times from normal wear.
Normally, I would come to terms with the fact that boots wear out, but not these, and not in the manner they did. You see, I spent a ton of money on them - almost $300. They were handmade in the Italian Alps and exude quality through and through.
What has failed, however, is very frustrating. Its the rubber midsole that holds the sole onto the actual boot. Last winter, on the last day of hunting in Georgia, I stubed my toe on a rock while coming down the mountain and the front half of the sole on my left foot was all of a sudden detached and dangling. Looks like the rubber just gave out.
Now, it strikes me its repairable, but every cobbler I've taken it to (at least 6) has told me to send it back to the manufacturer since they can't work on this custom ribber shaped piece. The problem is that back in the early and mid 90s, Merrell was a proud American company headquartered in Burlington, VT and manufacturing nearly all its shoes in the US (these and a couple of other moutnaineering models were the exceptions and made in the Alps). The year after I purcahsed them though, Merrell was purchased by a holding company out of Chicago who proceeded to shut down all domestic manufacturing, shipping production off to China and imposing 90 day (as opposed to lifetime) warranty on their shoes. These should carry a lifetime warranty, but alas no one at Merrell has any idea these days (if you can even get through to them).
So, having tried to repair them and failed, I am giving up and in the market for boots. Two different models have caught my eye (I'll never pay as much for boots again).
Also, any thoughts on the traditional LL Bean Maine Hunting Boot? They strike me as primarily a marsh and bog duck hunting boot. But I don't know. Used to have them as a kid, would wear them in the snow. How much grip do they have? Is it enough traction in the woods and hills/mountains?
Any other thoughts/recommendations? Any thoughts on folks who might be able to help me with my boots?
Long version: I purchased my current pair of hiking/hunting boots about 12 years ago (1995 or 1996) from the Dartmouth Co-op in Hanover, NH. They are heavy duty hiking/mountainering boots, made in Italy and are pretty much bomb proof. I've hunted, hiked and traveled in them extensively for the last 12 or so years, having replaced the Vibram sole a couple of times from normal wear.
Normally, I would come to terms with the fact that boots wear out, but not these, and not in the manner they did. You see, I spent a ton of money on them - almost $300. They were handmade in the Italian Alps and exude quality through and through.
What has failed, however, is very frustrating. Its the rubber midsole that holds the sole onto the actual boot. Last winter, on the last day of hunting in Georgia, I stubed my toe on a rock while coming down the mountain and the front half of the sole on my left foot was all of a sudden detached and dangling. Looks like the rubber just gave out.
Now, it strikes me its repairable, but every cobbler I've taken it to (at least 6) has told me to send it back to the manufacturer since they can't work on this custom ribber shaped piece. The problem is that back in the early and mid 90s, Merrell was a proud American company headquartered in Burlington, VT and manufacturing nearly all its shoes in the US (these and a couple of other moutnaineering models were the exceptions and made in the Alps). The year after I purcahsed them though, Merrell was purchased by a holding company out of Chicago who proceeded to shut down all domestic manufacturing, shipping production off to China and imposing 90 day (as opposed to lifetime) warranty on their shoes. These should carry a lifetime warranty, but alas no one at Merrell has any idea these days (if you can even get through to them).
So, having tried to repair them and failed, I am giving up and in the market for boots. Two different models have caught my eye (I'll never pay as much for boots again).
- These $139 Kangaroo upland hunters from LL Bean (Bonus, because they are made from Kangaroo - like the .50 BMG they are banned in California).
- These $129 Gore-Tex Kangaroo Upland Boots from LL Bean (they are banned in Cali too!)
Also, any thoughts on the traditional LL Bean Maine Hunting Boot? They strike me as primarily a marsh and bog duck hunting boot. But I don't know. Used to have them as a kid, would wear them in the snow. How much grip do they have? Is it enough traction in the woods and hills/mountains?
Any other thoughts/recommendations? Any thoughts on folks who might be able to help me with my boots?
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