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Defective La Sportiva Baruntse?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:47 pm
by ty454
I have a weird problem with a "brand new" pair of Baruntses that I bought earlier this year. I bought them from Whittaker Mountaineering in March...confirmed the size was correct and basically put them away until the past couple weeks, where I've now started wearing them around the house and even on the treadmill for incline hiking. Basically they've never been worn outside.

I recently started noticed a clicking or popping in the sole of my right boot, just under the ball of my foot. When walking on flat ground, it doesn't do it every step, but generally after I stop walking and start again. However, when I'm on an incline it pops on every single step, and it's loud - you can hear it 15ft away pretty easily. It is also very annoying because I can feel the popping in my right foot on each step. It's gotten worse the more I use them too. There's nothing visibly wrong with the boot, you can't see anything moving or any signs that it's come apart anywhere. Has anybody ever heard of something like this? Google told me something about a possible shank break and the guy at Whittaker mentioned a rollbar in the sole that could possibly have an issue.

So now I'm in a quandary. I've talked with Whittaker and I have to wait til Monday for mgt to be in-house for further help. It's been 6 months so counting on their warranty might be a stretch. Will have to wait until Monday for anybody at La Sportiva to see if they might be of any help - has anybody dealt with them and how was the experience? Not to mention I only have 4 weeks to solve this. It's just rather annoying given that they're basically a brand new $600 boot and I have to get this all sorted out in addition to getting the rest of my gear together.

Re: Defective La Sportiva Baruntse?

PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:56 pm
by Dane1
Not sure what is happening at Whittaker's but all the La Sportiva folk are at OR show in SLC and doubt anyone will be around Monday to help. More like midweek I would suspect. If they haven't been out doors I would box them up and send them back to Whitaker and simply ask them to replace the boot.
Easy enough process.

Pretty simple and VERY durable boot. I would have to wonder what the popping is.

Re: Defective La Sportiva Baruntse?

PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:42 pm
by ty454
Thanks Dane. I talked with both La Sportiva and Whittaker, and La Sportiva would prefer I first attempt to resolve via Whittaker. It appears Whittaker mgt won't be back until tomorrow though, looks like you called that one. I'm hopeful we're able to figure something out, will post up what the resolution is.

As for the popping, I don't know but it's extremely obnoxious and distracting. I haven't used them in the field yet, but if they were doing that all up the side of a mountain I'd go so far as to call it a safety problem due to the distraction! My wife's pair of Baruntses don't do it. Perhaps it's related to the larger size (46) of my boot and the higher unsupported cantilever force placed on the sole when transitioning to the forefoot portion of the stride while under load and on an incline. I figure all geared up I'm about 250lbs.

Re: Defective La Sportiva Baruntse?

PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:33 pm
by Dane1
I'm not far off that weight with kit and i am 45 and have used two pairs of Baruntses. Never had a problem. Likely one of the MOST durable La Sportiva boots and most durable new doubles out there.

Weird issue, send them back to Whittaker. Let them deal with La Sporiva.

Re: Defective La Sportiva Baruntse?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:49 pm
by ty454
Figured I'd give an update - I ordered a new pair of boots from Whittaker, and once I receive the new ones I'll send these boots back...upon which time they'll send to La Sportiva for analysis. Unfortunately it means I'll have an extra $625 on my CC for a while, but hopefully they'll end up issuing a refund in a couple weeks.