Trainers/walking boots suck these days!

Dis86 · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:06

As i say, they suck! I've tried most major brands of walking/hiking footwear and whereas the uppers tend to do well (with a few exceptions) I'm finding soles wear out really quickly.
I've gotten maybe 300 miles out of my last pair of salomons and maybe 400 from my current berghaus which now need replacement. I have a pair of 20 year old karrimor boots which have sadly lost any waterproofing and one of the sides has opened up but the soles still have plenty of meat after literally 1000s of miles of pretty heavy terrain.
Is it deliberate obsolescence or have we just forgotten how to makes soles that don't wear out rapidly? Anyone able to recommend some footwear that lasts?

grudas · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:10

Decathlon seems to always have decent “odd” brand footwear

hornetstinger · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:15

I noticed soles are more plasticky than rubber.

djcj · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:20

I've had a few pairs of waterproof merrell over the years, and the quality has definitely gone downhill.

adidan · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:20

Have you tried Mammut?

Dis86 · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:34

djcj said:
I've had a few pairs of waterproof merrell over the years, and the quality has definitely gone downhill.

Yup. Stopped buying them. They're one of the ones where I find the uppers just melt.

Dis86 · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:38

adidan said:
Have you tried Mammut?

Sadly I can't get away with the fit. Always find the heels too low on their trainers.

Rroff · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:39

Same, used to use Merrell for everything but many of their offerings now are a joke compared to what they used to be.

Salomons are alright but don't have the durability for serious use.

EDIT: Meant Columbia not Salomon but same difference.

Demon · 5 Jan 2025 at 15:43

I tend to eat uppers, I generally have vibram soles which never seem to wear out.

What I've found is that all the gore-tex style uppers don't fair well for me with rocking terrain, more stress on the seams and just a slight knock on something jagged and they look tatty and start falling apart well under 500 miles, my last Saloman boots lasted only 300 miles before they looked tired..

We switched to Grisport for more muddy trekking with the dog, I've got the Fuse, the Mrs has the GLide, both leather and vibram soles and remind me of my old trusty berghauses that lasted forever, and considering they still look brand new after 300 miles, I'm finding them a good pair.. But that is just as it suits where we walk, the leather with less seams is more durable for me.. and with the occasional fasciitis, I need the extra support they offer (used with inserts).