I am very puzzled. 1½ years ago I bought a pair of Raichle nova xcr ls trekking shoes. I have used them moderately, but nothing really hardcore. I noticed the bottom layer of sole had started peeling away on the right shoe, so I brought it to be fixed. The repair-guy found out that the middle layer had started going soft, so any repair wouldn't really hold.

So now I've got a pair of 300 dollar trekking shoes, that are almost done for after only 1½ years of moderate use. Wondering if it's really normal to wear out a pair of trekking shoes in that short a time?

I am a student on a very tight budget, so I simply can't afford to make the mistake of buying a shoddy pair of shoes again, and I can't live without trekking shoes

So, do any of you have any good suggestions for trekking shoes in the 300-dollar range, shoes that can stand a lot of differing weather from frost, snow and ice to lots of rain, and sun?

Solomon adventure shoes (with contra-grip) seem to work for scrambling up rocks
and hiking cross-country here in central Arizona.

For snow, you'd want the gortex (insulated) version if Solomon makes them.

They seem to be an extremely comfortable shoe and are really light.

I would try contacting the manufacturer - that seems too soon to wear out the shoes.

I personally like Asolo TPS, they are on heavier side, but comfortable and durable with excellent grip on rock. Asolo's lighter boots like Stynger, I find less grippy and not as durable... If you are concerned about money, buy TPS - I still have my pair from 6 years (thouroughly abused through mud, rock and snow)...

Not sure what you mean by trekking shoes. Here in the US, the most expensive hiking boots would not cost $300. Raichle seems like a good brand; a Swiss company I believe. I've got a pair of boots made by Raichle (in Romania) under the REI brand and they are well made. I hike a lot and a pair of boots lasts about 5 years or so; never had any come apart on me. Asolo is also a good brand (Italian) and I've had good experiences with their boots (also made in Romania).

For years, I have used Merrell Pulse hiking shoes. The tend to last me about 2 years, but they are pretty easy to find for less than $100. I should also mention that they are my everyday shoes as well as my hiking shoes, so they get a lot of easy use in addition to hiking.

Edit: Merrell doesn't appear to make them any more. From the web site, it looks like the Radius is about the same shoe.

Buz Groshong wrote:Not sure what you mean by trekking shoes. Here in the US, the most expensive hiking boots would not cost $300. Raichle seems like a good brand; a Swiss company I believe. I've got a pair of boots made by Raichle (in Romania) under the REI brand and they are well made. I hike a lot and a pair of boots lasts about 5 years or so; never had any come apart on me. Asolo is also a good brand (Italian) and I've had good experiences with their boots (also made in Romania).

Well, my problem is, I live in Denmark, and a decent pair of the cheapest hiking shoes (ankle-supporting, durable goretex boots) will easily cost 200 dollars. Because of all our taxes

Thank you for the suggestions, will check out some of those brands when I get the dough for new shoes. Keep the suggestions coming though, my foot is very wide compared to its length, so that restricts my choice on boots a lot, so I would like some different options

I had something similar with Lowa Tibet GTX shoes.

GTX busted on both sides & sole detachment on the tip (the rubber that goes over the shoe) after 40 days of hiking...

I had a refund and bought a different brand of shoes.

BrunoM wrote:I had something similar with Lowa Tibet GTX shoes.

GTX busted on both sides & sole detachment on the tip (the rubber that goes over the shoe) after 40 days of hiking...

I had a refund and bought a different brand of shoes.

Did you still have the reciept though? I would be downthere complaining tomorrow, but the thing is, in come crazy brain-fart I threw away the reciept, and in Denmark the rule is "got a reciept, we'll help you, you haven't, go **** yourself"

The same thing with The Wal-mart Superstore here in Arizona.

If you don't keep the receipt, you're completely screwed!

Perhaps we should all congregate on the Republic of Northern Beerwah, where there's NO
TAXES.

Lothraina wrote:Thank you for the suggestions, will check out some of those brands when I get the dough for new shoes. Keep the suggestions coming though, my foot is very wide compared to its length, so that restricts my choice on boots a lot, so I would like some different options

hmmm, most Italian-last made shoes are pretty narrow, hopefully Asolo makes wide versions of their shoes...

lcarreau wrote:Solomon adventure shoes (with contra-grip) seem to work for scrambling up rocks [...]

+1 for the Salomons.

Lothraina wrote:

Buz Groshong wrote:Not sure what you mean by trekking shoes. Here in the US, the most expensive hiking boots would not cost $300. Raichle seems like a good brand; a Swiss company I believe. I've got a pair of boots made by Raichle (in Romania) under the REI brand and they are well made. I hike a lot and a pair of boots lasts about 5 years or so; never had any come apart on me. Asolo is also a good brand (Italian) and I've had good experiences with their boots (also made in Romania).

Well, my problem is, I live in Denmark, and a decent pair of the cheapest hiking shoes (ankle-supporting, durable goretex boots) will easily cost 200 dollars. Because of all our taxes

Thank you for the suggestions, will check out some of those brands when I get the dough for new shoes. Keep the suggestions coming though, my foot is very wide compared to its length, so that restricts my choice on boots a lot, so I would like some different options

The Raichle's that I've seen here in the US don't really fit a wide foot well. Asolo's do better. And for what it's worth, if it supports the ankle, we in the US call it a boot rather than a shoe.

squishy wrote:

welle wrote:

Lothraina wrote:Thank you for the suggestions, will check out some of those brands when I get the dough for new shoes. Keep the suggestions coming though, my foot is very wide compared to its length, so that restricts my choice on boots a lot, so I would like some different options

hmmm, most Italian-last made shoes are pretty narrow, hopefully Asolo makes wide versions of their shoes...

Asolo's are super narrow aren't they? I'd recommend Garmont for wider feet, but they also fall apart quick...

Actually Asolo's fit wide feet quite well, better than most.

Lothraina wrote:

BrunoM wrote:I had something similar with Lowa Tibet GTX shoes.

GTX busted on both sides & sole detachment on the tip (the rubber that goes over the shoe) after 40 days of hiking...

I had a refund and bought a different brand of shoes.

Did you still have the reciept though? I would be downthere complaining tomorrow, but the thing is, in come crazy brain-fart I threw away the reciept, and in Denmark the rule is "got a reciept, we'll help you, you haven't, go **** yourself"

I had my receipt, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten myself a refund

On your original question; what's available locally?

Overhere the big brands are Meindl, Lowa, Hanwag (all German), followed by La Sportiva, some Scandinavian brands, etc.

Lolli wrote:Bestard.

Betch!