How long are your boots lasting?

Okie-hunter

Lil-Rokslider
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May 9, 2024
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How many months are yall getting out of your boots?
I really like the feel of my Lowa Renegades. However, my first pair lasted less than 12 months before stitching in the toe started ripping out. REI warrantied them on 2/5/25 and I ended up with the newer model “evo” version. I just got home from a turkey hunt and the leather behind the toe box has a 1/2” rip all the way through the leather. I’m not the easiest on boots but I’m also not wearing them every day or climbing the Rockies every weekend. I treat the leather when it starts looking like it needs it (3-4 times on this particular pair). I guess I’m just wondering if my expectations are too high for these boots?
 
This photo was from this morning. I got this pair of Raichle Montagnas in late 1993 or early 1994 and used them on a hike across the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in March 1994. I only hiked in them part of the trip as we skied about a quarter of the way. They had a lot of use the first few years. I usually use lighter boots now.

IMG_3260.jpeg
 
I got this pair of Raichle Montagnas in late 1993 or early 1994 and used them on a hike across the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in March 1994. I only hiked in them part of the trip as we skied about a quarter of the way. They had a lot of use the first few years. I usually use lighter boots now.

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I guess this is a classic example of “they don’t make em like they used to!”
 
For reference, here’s the rip in the leather on my 14 month old Lowas. It was a muddy one this weekend and these boots stayed damp most of the time but I don’t feel like they should be ripping at only 14 monthsIMG_2010.jpeg
 
Lowa renegades fail at the toe seams consistently. Lots of guys like them because they are comfortable out of the box, but it comes at the cost of durability. It looks to me like your boot has likely gone through several wet/dry cycles without good care so they start to crack and dry rot.

I have gotten up to a few years out of their more robust boots with near daily wear.
 
I’m coming up on year 3 of my Crispi Briksdal MTN boot and have noticed some peeling on the rubber rand and a seam beginning to blow out on the back. The outsole is holding up but I fear this may be the last spring bear season for the Briksdal. They are super comfortable and became my goto boot once the original lapponia was discontinued. I’m not certain on the mileage of them but it’s well over 250 I’m sure.
 
It looks to me like your boot has likely gone through several wet/dry cycles without good care
I live in Oklahoma. You can go for a morning walk in the spring through ankle high grass and your boots are saturated from dew. So yes they get wet but they’re only ever air dried and have been treated multiple times. I also try to minimize mud on them when stored. I guess it’s just disappointing because I’m sure with them being 14 months old Lowa will give me the middle finger.
 
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