Hiked the Laurel Highlands Trail last month and my boots fell apart at mile 38

I was 6 miles from the finish at Ohiopyle when the sole on my right boot just peeled off. Not a slow tear, it flopped like a fish. I had an emergency roll of duct tape in my pack, wrapped it around three times. Finished the last stretch feeling like I was walking on a loose tire. Those boots were 2 years old, maybe 300 miles on them. I expected better. Now I'm shopping for something with a stitched sole, not just glued. Anyone else have a pair fail on them like that mid-route?

3 comments

3 Comments

skyler_jackson2724d ago

Duct tape and 6 more miles. Man, that's a rough way to finish. What brand were those boots that gave up after 300 miles? I'm asking because I see a lot of folks swear by certain names but the glue jobs are getting worse and worse. Did you check if the sole was just glued on or if there was any stitching hidden under there before you bought them?

lee84723d ago

Yeah, those 300 mile boots thing is a real problem. @skyler_jackson27 I had a pair of Merrells do the same thing last year, the sole just peeled off clean like a sticker. No hidden stitching at all, just glue. I checked after the fact and it made me MAD honestly. Did you ever find out if that brand uses any kind of welt or stitchdown construction, or is it all just adhesive nowadays?

corablack23d ago

Did friend of mine have that happen with @lee847's same Merrells, sole peeled off mid-hike in the rain.