Meindl Dovre glue failure & rubbish service!!!

Not a new story - had the soles fall off two pairs of Meindl boots 10+ years ago. There seem to be two types of soles - one has coloured layers & in my experience are OK (except boots aren’t goretex) & the other looks to be an injection moulded foam that breaks down internally & falls off! - the glue doesn’t fail the sole crumbles…


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This happened to the right boot of my last pair of Hanwags in less than 12 months. I sent them back to the supplier and 3 weeks later got a new pair.
 
Happened to the original soles of first boots below and after some 5-years of languishing within a darkened cupboard having only been worn a couple of times. Paid £50 to Bramwell for a re-sole. Note the green stripe that denotes use of an aftermarket sole:
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These ones have been fine so far:
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K
 
I don't think boots are made to last like they used. My Lowa's soles disintegrated and was told it was due to lack of use. However my Danner's are still good some 30 years later.
This is their explanation. Take from it what you will. In my case their criteria didn't fit.
 
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This happened to the right boot of my last pair of Hanwags in less than 12 months. I sent them back to the supplier and 3 weeks later got a new pair.
Hmmm, maybe I'll stick to the idea of chainsaw boots.

Or Altberg? Made in Yorkshire.
 
I'm on my 3rd pair of Meindle Kibo's, forst pair are about 18 months old, I wear them daily and have founf them great, really comfy right out the box, I've never had the Dovres but can't complain about the Kibo.
 
Not a new story - had the soles fall off two pairs of Meindl boots 10+ years ago. There seem to be two types of soles - one has coloured layers & in my experience are OK (except boots aren’t goretex) & the other looks to be an injection moulded foam that breaks down internally & falls off! - the glue doesn’t fail the sole crumbles…


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Looks like damage caused by excessive loading to me 😉
 
lots of firms sent their boots out to china to be made and china did what it does " make stuff cheaper " unfortunate that pure greed in the brands fuelled their demise .
There isnt anything another man cannot make a bit worse and a bit cheaper. substitute Bit for a lot when we talk of Global trade .
 
Hmmm, maybe I'll stick to the idea of chainsaw boots.

Or Altberg? Made in Yorkshire.
I think I was just unlucky because I have mates who have worn them hard in the forces and swear by them. My left boot was like new.
 
I switched to Lowa 4 years ago. Incomparably better.

I really worry that they’ll end up going the same way though. It seems a pretty common trajectory for brands.

Got a set of Lowa's, leak more than a church roof.

New set of the Crispi's that everyone is buying now through work. Seem fine but only had for 2 months.

Think the Meindl Artic range are still OK, had a set for 2 years no issues and down to -10°c

What goes first is the soles and there is no point getting new ones put on now due to cost.

Sounds crazy but better to rotate between 3-4 pairs vs. wear one pair everyday.

Boot driers can be a killer of boots as well.

Just wear Meindl Dovre for yardwork now :rofl:

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Happened to the original soles of first boots below and after some 5-years of languishing within a darkened cupboard

I recently discovered a pair of little used winter boots had crumbled in like fashion. Also stored in a dry wardrobe. Seemed inexplicable.

Took them to the local cobbler and he said he was familiar with the failure: His take was that the foamy plasticiser between sole and tread needs to be regularly flexed [by wearing] else it denatures to this crumbly stuff.

Any other feeback like that from shoe repair folk?
 
No boot likes being flexed across the toe box as nicely demonstrated by Caberflexer’s picture above. It’s the primary killer of the bond between rand and boot upper. Either the former splits or the glue let’s go.

Don’t need to be a cobbler to call that one out.

K
 
I recently discovered a pair of little used winter boots had crumbled in like fashion. Also stored in a dry wardrobe. Seemed inexplicable.

Took them to the local cobbler and he said he was familiar with the failure: His take was that the foamy plasticiser between sole and tread needs to be regularly flexed [by wearing] else it denatures to this crumbly stuff.

Any other feeback like that from shoe repair folk?
Christ almighty! So boots fall apart through not being worn enough! I have heard it all now - sounds like a Monty Python sketch….
🦊🦊
 
No boot likes being flexed across the toe box as nicely demonstrated by Caberflexer’s picture above. It’s the primary killer of the bond between rand and boot upper. Either the former splits or the glue let’s go.

Don’t need to be a cobbler to call that one out.

K

Not to worry, all these things are just tools and ultimately disposable like rifles, scopes, knives, vehicles, etc.

Helps when they are free (or taxpayer funded) as well :thumb:
 
Not to worry, all these things are just tools and ultimately disposable like rifles, scopes, knives, vehicles, etc.

Helps when they are free (or taxpayer funded) as well :thumb:
Taxpayer funded or not that’s no good reason to neglect meaningful boot maintenance!

After hosing the larder floor; best time to remove mud from boots, show them the same TLC you would your Sako’s barrel and the wildcat moderator attached to it. Namely remove, dry and apply lubricant.

K
 
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