View Full Version : Life Expectancy of a Set of Boots?
I know it can't be measured in terms of time more like trail miles, but here is the crux of my conundrum. In October of 2009 I bought a pair of Vasque VST Goretex boots from REI. I really like the boot. I have been noticing a bit more discomfort lately so I pulled out the footpads and there has been a TON of wear on them. I went back to REI to talk to someone about it. The lady I spoke with looked at the boots and the pad and said, "WOW! You sure have used them a lot!" I told her I have only about 50 or 60 trail miles on them. She asked how heavy my pack is I told her around 30-35 lbs depending on season and length of trip. I told her I also walk about 3 miles day for training around town usually 3-5 times a week. She looked at the tread and commented that I have really worn them out and she is surprised that the boot hasn't cracked. So predicted I have about 30 miles left on the tread. I asked her if this was normal wear and tear she didn't really seem sure. She had me try on some superfeet insoles and they felt good. That said it seems to me that the boots shouldn't have worn down that much given the amount of time I have put in them.
So I come here for input and advice. Should these boots wear out that fast? It seems like a good pair of boots should last longer than 100 trail miles. Are superfeet worth the investment? Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.
Do you wear them daily?
They wear out quicker because they never truly dry.
How many road miles? 3-5. 3 x =12-15? weekly, plus trail?
Sounds like you walked them off. :-?
The insoles that come with boots are minimal as they have to work for the widest range of feet.
A real foot bed, like superfeet (if they work for you), or the new Orthosoles, will greatly enhance you comfort, and slows the boot breakdown too.
In general, a light/medium hiker about 1000 miles..YMMV, but people who wear them well beyond have lost the support etc, they tend to be mush.
Trail runners/ 4-500 miles
The insole, by the way, should go 1000 miles, one boot or 2 trailrunners.
Take care of your feet, they have to carry you wherever your mind wanders! ;)
You have X number of town miles on them. Toasted...
I had several pair of NB/Dunham trailshoes that had a two layer sole. The very sticky part wore off in about 100 miles on granite. But it was the coolest until then. Almost like climbing shoes.
So it sounds like I should have used an old pair or sneakers for around town walking and saved them for the trail, well that's a lesson learned I guess.
friction with the ground is what causes tread to wear out. If the tread is worn down then I would say you've done a lot of walking with these boots.
Panzer
The Solemates
06-22-2010, 12:17
So it sounds like I should have used an old pair or sneakers for around town walking and saved them for the trail, well that's a lesson learned I guess.
I've never worn my boots while on anything but the trail. They last a lot longer that way. Pavement and concrete tear them up.
So the good news is, I've done lot of walking, the bad news is I have trashed the boots and probably need to get a new pair within the year, live and learn.
Buzz Saw
06-22-2010, 13:03
I have been a fan of Keen boots for a while. They seem to break-in fast and have been very comfortable. I bought the PCTs for my attempt at the AT next spring. Have put 200 trail miles on them and still like new, but am planing on breaking in another pair as spares. My old pair are going on 4 years. Just another option for ya.
Tipi Walter
06-22-2010, 13:15
I go thru a pair of Asolos about every two years. Lately I've gotten two pairs, one for the winter(520s)and one for the summer(FSN 95s). This will lengthen their lifespans, and I think the 520s will last longer anyway since they're a full leather boot.
I don't know if you can even repair glued-on boot soles. Maybe you can. If you want a truly long lasting boot, you may have to look at the sewn welt and repairable boots like the Limmers or others.
Sierra Echo
06-22-2010, 16:24
I have been a fan of Keen boots for a while. They seem to break-in fast and have been very comfortable. I bought the PCTs for my attempt at the AT next spring. Have put 200 trail miles on them and still like new, but am planing on breaking in another pair as spares. My old pair are going on 4 years. Just another option for ya.
My new boots are Keens and I love them!
mateozzz
06-22-2010, 19:42
I was just thinking about this because my Vasque GTX were showing considerable wear and I've got less than 500 miles on them, maybe 50 miles on road or sidewalk. The treads are noticeably worn on the heels, each has a crack in the sole under the toes, and one of them has a crease in the leather that is about to wear through. They'll probably go another couple of hundred, but might get a little slippy as the tread isn't as sharp as it was. I guess their about average from what I hear.
Gray Blazer
06-22-2010, 21:14
Boot Hill at the old Miss Janet's in Irwin, TN.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/100_2463.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=12323&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6217)
Red River Falls
06-22-2010, 23:42
I bought a pair of $100 Merrell hiking boots two years ago, have put 110-120 miles on them, haven't really done any maintenance on them (they are not gore-tex or waterproof). I have been impressed. They are comfortable enough, I have avoided blisters, gotten good traction.
For an inexpensive pair of hiking boots, I have been very pleased with these. Not sure of the name of the particular "model".
Seems like yours expired quickly, partly due to extra wear on the road or sidewalks, although a rocky trail should have a comparable effect, I would think.
8 months times 9 to 15 miles a week in town is roughly 288 to 480 miles. Depending on how hard you walk them you could easily wear out a pair of boots that way. I agree with those who said don't wear them anywhere but on the trail...they will last you a very long time that way.
One place you could save a boat load of cash with a DIY project it would be shoes.
Not that it would be easy. Just sayin.
Perhaps you have bad walking form, too. Maybe your feet twist as you walk and that causes more friction.
Someone above said that depending on how you walk you are inclined to put more stress on hiking boots. As a footwear specialist at REI, a backpacker and distance runner I can tell you that everyone wears on their shoes differently. I have seen 220lb men wear shoes like they are 120lbs and I've seen 130lbs guys wear shoes like they are 190lbs. It all depends on their mechanics. The factory insoles in boots and trail runners aren't worth $0.10 so in my mind superfeet is always the way to go.
Jim Adams
06-24-2010, 16:08
I got 600 trail miles from light hikers, 1400 mile from light boots and 2500 mile from sundowners, all on thrus.
geek
Jonnycat
06-25-2010, 09:12
I was just thinking about this because my Vasque GTX were showing considerable wear and I've got less than 500 miles on them, maybe 50 miles on road or sidewalk. The treads are noticeably worn on the heels, each has a crack in the sole under the toes, and one of them has a crease in the leather that is about to wear through. They'll probably go another couple of hundred, but might get a little slippy as the tread isn't as sharp as it was. I guess their about average from what I hear.
I have the same boot, and the soft rubber is part of the reason I love this boot. Specifically, it has a kung-fu grip on wet rocks of the type I find myself scrambling over where I life.
Fortunately the tread is thick enough to outlast the uppers, from my experience, although if you are putting mainly pavement miles on them this might be different (especially if you are a shuffler).
If you want a stiffer sole try the Asolos (520 or TPS IIRC).