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blendergasket
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blendergasket
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PostSun Apr 12, 2020 1:48 pm 
Hi! I am sick of getting hiking boots that delaminate, or where the soles come off in just a few months. I feel like the ones that are comfortable are not durable, and the ones that are durable are not comforable. I'm seriously considering getting a custom pair of Russell Moccasins, which, from what I've read, are extremely comfortable and will last a very long time. Does anyone have experience with these? I'm considering a pair of Minimalist Thula Thulas or Moccasin Stalkers for the added waterproofness. Not sure if upgrading the soles from the Vasque Newporters to Sierras would be better for better traction in the mountains... I am also considering getting the poron cushion and possibly a toe cap to make them more durable. Does anyone have experience with these? How waterproof are they when they're well taken care of? Are they as comfortable as they're reputed to be? My favorite pair of shoes to hike in are my Vivobarefoot Magmas, but the sole started coming apart from the upper after just a couple months, which sucks given that they were over $200 shoes. I am hoping to "buy once cry once" and get a comfy pair of non-summer hikers that work in situations from snowshoeing to off-trail rainforest wandering to plain old hiking trail hiking and around town use. Any perspectives/experiences would be much appreciated! Thank you!

"He who would understand the Book of Nature must walk its pages with his feet" ~Paracelsus
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Ski
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PostSun Apr 12, 2020 11:23 pm 
blendergasket wrote:
Vivobarefoot Magmas
If I paid $200 bucks for footwear, and the soles started coming off after two months, somebody would be either (a) providing me a replacement pair or (b) refunding my money. There would be no option (c). I paid $110 for a pair of "New Balance Minimus" trail running shoes several years ago and the rand started coming off around the front of the toe in less than 20 miles. REI replaced them without any big hassle. I still haven't really worn the new pair much. I do not believe it is unreasonable to expect footwear marketed in Western Washington for the purposes of "outdoor wear" to hold up under the conditions which are found here. If they want to market their products to posers, they should limit their retail distribution to Manhattan and Venice Beach. Sorry I don't know anything about the Russells. From the pitch on their main page, it does sound as though they probably know what they're doing. That 20-R model looks delightful (although a bit spendy), but I'd want to find some online reviews before I sent in my foot measurements and a check. up.gif

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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Backpacker Joe
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Backpacker Joe
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PostMon Apr 13, 2020 7:18 am 
I think Dante used to wear those shoes.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Ski
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PostTue Apr 14, 2020 5:11 am 
blendergasket wrote:
My favorite pair of shoes to hike in are my Vivobarefoot Magnas, but the sole started coming apart from the upper after just a couple months, which sucks given that they were over $200 shoes.
Your post made me curious, so I sent an inquiry to the company. Here's their response:
Vivobarefoot, in an email of 04/14/20 @ 03:17 PDT wrote:
Hello Ski, Thank you for contacting VIVOBAREFOOT Customer Services. We do offer 6 months of Sustainable Guarantee for all our products, while every product outside it gets reviewed on a case by case base. We believe that your feet work perfectly without padding, orthotics and cushioning. Our shoes have no heel or support, whilst our ultra-thin puncture-resistant sole gives you maximum sensory feedback. The arches of our feet act like springs and, when ‘unloaded’, the intrinsic muscles and ligaments provide arch support. When ‘loaded’ the arch collapses and the ligaments, muscles and tendons provide elastic recoil. A flexible, wide foot-shaped shoe allows your muscles and tendons to load, splay and recoil, putting a natural spring in your step. Supportive and/or rigid shoes cramp your feet and restrict the natural range of movement, weakening the muscles and fascia. Whilst our shoes do have space for orthotics, by inserting them the sensory feedback that can help with balance will be reduced significantly. With this in mind, we are not medically trained, so would be unable to give advice on how wearing our shoes may help you with your specific condition. We would always recommend seeking advice from a GP or specialist if you are considering transitioning to barefoot but whilst suffering from an existing medical condition. I hope this helps, Ski! If you have any further questions or queries, please get back in touch with us again. Have a lovely day! Kind regards Rocco Tucci Customer Services Advisor
huh.gif ========================================================== my experience with the Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure weight and photos ^ I scored this pair of the "Ultra Pure" from another member here with the intention of using them strictly as a camp shoe. For that purpose they worked well. Your "Magna" model looks intriguing, but for that kind of money I would expect more than a 6-month warranty. Let me know how those Russells hold up if you decide to go with them. They do look interesting. In the early 1980s I was doing some trails in a pair of Sperry Topsiders. Those Russells appear to be a step up from what I remember of the Sperry. I stopped buying the Topsiders when they moved production to China - they were junk after that. Just my lousy two cents.

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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blendergasket
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blendergasket
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PostTue Apr 14, 2020 6:35 am 
Yeah, I definitely should have returned them. For some reason it didn't cross my mind. For that price even if they lasted 6 months before the problem started I would be quite frustrated. I have another pair of their shoes, the Ra IIs, which have held up well. The difference is the sole on the Ras is sewn on.

"He who would understand the Book of Nature must walk its pages with his feet" ~Paracelsus
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