Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX Failure(s)

[OXN939]

Just wanted to put this out there to hopefully save others the experience I had recently.

Last year, I picked up a pair of Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX mids for a hunt in Alaska. Broke them in and they felt great. Problem was, the left one lost its waterproofing after about 10 miles of use. So, I contacted Salewa, as their warranty explicitly covers this. After staying on them over a few "lost emails," I finally got a replacement pair. Same thing- broke them in, tested their waterproofing and they fit great... but this time, both boots completely lost their waterproofing after a few days of use. Basically, I ended up spending a second trip to Alaska freezing my ass off in cold, soaked through boots because of a failure that seems to be chronic with these.

This is definitely partially on me for trusting Salewa again, but it's also a pretty insidious gear failure that gives you just enough confidence to get into a bad place before it reveals itself. Proceed with caution.

 

[Yooper]

I've got two pair of these boots and experienced the exact same thing. It's a shame, too, because they fit my foot like a glove! Truly the most comfortable boots I've ever put on my foot.

 

[Poser]

Good to know. Those are good looking shoes and I’ve consisted trying a pair.

 

[sndmn11]

I have five pairs of Salewa currently, and three they have replaced, and all have been as waterproof as the definition.

 

[VirginiaBeach]

I have had one pair of these as well and the waterproofing (gtx liner I’m guessing) went to about 85% in the first week. I kept wearing them because they were so light and comfortable and they eventually blew out on me on an elk hunt 3 hours from any stores to replace them. Caveat emptor

 

[sndmn11]

@Yooper @VirginiaBeach did you guys have the same model as @OXN939 ?

 

[tgskog]

Have a pair of Salewa Vultur Evo GTX and spent the whole hunt with wet boots. Got wet within two hrs of hiking through snow and stayed wet for the 8 days on the hunt. Super comfortable when dry but if there's any moisture they get soaked. ZERO waterproofness... Brother had Scarpas and his feet stayed dry the entire trip...

 

[Yooper]

@Yooper @VirginiaBeach did you guys have the same model as @OXN939 ?

I believe so. Salewa Mtn Trainer Mid GTX. He didn't specifically mention "Mid", but that's the version I had.

I still have both of my pairs, but I just wear them when I know for sure the conditions will be dry. Still fit perfectly.....just can't justify buying another pair when I know they won't keep my feet dry.

 

[sndmn11]

I believe so. Salewa Mtn Trainer Mid GTX. He didn't specifically mention "Mid", but that's the version I had.

It would make sense to me if they were all a common model. I think sometimes the design gets flawed with a stitch/sew/pinch point in a bad spot that causes the liner to fail.

 

[Yooper]

It would make sense to me if they were all a common model. I think sometimes the design gets flawed with a stitch/sew/pinch point in a bad spot that causes the liner to fail.

Right....hard to say I guess. I didn't find a single point of water intrusion in either pair of mine. Just one day my foot was damp and that day wasn't too long after I bought them unfortunately.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Crazy! This shits happening to me too.

I have had two pairs of these.
The first pair water proofing was fine until I ripped a small hole in the inner side of the left boot.

This new pair I got earlier this year has a rip in the exact same damn spot already.
Right boot stays dry, but the left is shot.
Do you think the warranty would cover that? Do they have you send the old in pair in?

I'm thinking of trying Hanwag now. I spent a good portion of my elk hunt with a soaked left foot because of the damn siding ripping open.
Planned on this pair lasting two seasons at least.

 

[WestKyHunt]

Have the same boots with the same problem. They have been relegated to dry area hunts only

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Lol everyone submit warranties so they give us all new boots when they realize the quality control on these was shit.

My first pair stayed water proof for years.

 

[Bump79]

My Salwea Mtn Trainers have been phenomenal. I actually didn't wear them for the first 3 or 4 years I had them but started wearing them 2 years back. I put on a lot of miles and the waterproofing has been flawless. Even in swampy areas for way to long.

 

[fmyth]

Same boots, same problem. They sent me a new pair and they leaked on day 1. They are now my "AZ hiking boots". They do feel great. Too bad they leak like a sieve.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

My Salwea Mtn Trainers have been phenomenal. I actually didn't wear them for the first 3 or 4 years I had them but started wearing them 2 years back. I put on a lot of miles and the waterproofing has been flawless. Even in swampy areas for way to long.

Seems like it's an issue with the latest run of them.
My last pair lasted two full seasons until the tread was gone.

Bought my latest pair in March expecting the same and the left one already is done.

 

[OXN939]

I believe so. Salewa Mtn Trainer Mid GTX. He didn't specifically mention "Mid", but that's the version I had.

I still have both of my pairs, but I just wear them when I know for sure the conditions will be dry. Still fit perfectly.....just can't justify buying another pair when I know they won't keep my feet dry.

Mine are the mids, too. Looks like we found a QC issue. Not holding my breath, but hopefully someone from Salewa is paying attention.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Bumping this.
The pair I got in March is pretty much ruined. Seams coming apart along the bottom. Submitted a warranty, waiting to hear back.

Switching companies after this pair. My first pair was awesome, but I'm actually paranoid of using these during the rifle elk hunts next month if the weather turns.

 

[Yooper]

These boots fit my foot so well I'm tempted to buy another pair and only wear them about a month before my next hunt, but at this point my experience is they're pretty much disposable after a month or so. Such a shame for a boot that feels so good.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

This is the left boot of the pair I got in March. Loved my first pair, lasted two seasons.
These new ones are trashed at this point. I've put a shit load of miles on them, but for them to just be coming apart so soon shows how shit this run of them was.

Haven't heard back from salewa. Looking at Hanwag right now.