Gear

For the first 6 months I loved my Brasher Hillwalker boots (£90 I think), they were comfy etc.

But now I am so angry at Brasher I am trying to refrain from using expletives in this thread. I have been told that after I'd say less than 30 full days hill walking that 'general wear and tear' is responsible for:

- Them leaking (both boots same place)
- The sole having wearing so badly it affects the way I walk
- The whole boot (both) warping over so the inside of my foot doesn't have sole underneath it
- Sheer lack of ankle support

So I'm not going to get any discount, a free pair, or any help in getting a new pair of boots. I was told this after Xmas so I couldn't get a new pair of boots for Xmas. I am now going to have to buy a new pair of boots which I really can't afford (I'm 17).

In all fairness to Brasher the nice lady who replied to my intial email was lovely. But my old pair of £45 'Lomers' lasted longer and in better condition than these. There is no way that any boots at this price should wear this badly after such little use.

I am bitterly dissapointed with the boots and Brasher themselves. All I have left to say is that I will never buy Brasher again and that I would hope I have convinced anyone else reading this not to buy any of their products.

If anyone from Brasher reads this please feel free to contact me.

I was talking to a store i deal with who sent back a pair of AT20's to brasher as after 3-6 months (can't remember exactly) the sole had worn so much there was not tred left.

They responded by saying that they could do nothing about this as the boots had been worn on the wrong surface!

classic, i think he was going to frame it and put it up in his shop!

Haha that is quite amusing. I was under the impression Brasher was very good at customer service. I think otherwise now.

No way should a decent pair of boots do that.

I've got at least a 1000km use out of my Meindl Burmas/Borneos (the ones with GTX in em, can never remember which is which) and they look none the worse for it except that they're due a good waxing. I expect (or hope for) them to be good for another 1000, and hopefully be suitable for re-soling when the time comes.

I've had my ridgemasters for 6 years now, and in that time they must've done a 1000 miles. They're still going strong and show no sign of wearing out.

Ive got the hillmaster classics GTX. Mustve had them about 6 or 7 years no probs. Cant comment on their customer service although I am increrasingly getting sick of dealing with appalling customer service myself, and not just outdoor companies.

Sounds like you have a bad pair, ive had some old brasher freelites that i have used for work since their retirement and are still going strong, sole is worn but ok, and no leaks

I've done 120 Munros plus assorted other stuff in my Hillmasters; they're still waterproof, lots of tread left and as comfy as a pair of slippers. The uppers do look as if they've been sand-blasted, but that's because I'm a clumsy walker. If yours have performed as badly as you say they don't seem typical of Brasher and I'm surprised that they are not more sympathetic.

hit em with the sale of goods act
i had a problem with a pair of TNF hedgehog trail shoes in the summer and when the store was uncooperative just read them the law

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=badv073-1011.txt

pay particular attention to the
IMPLIED TERMS AND REMEDIES FOR BREACH

Sale and supply of goods: the implied terms

bit and they should soon realise that you're right...if you still have trouble with them return them so the store where you bought em and complain loudly and write letters to their head office sooner or later you will win

remember the customer is always right

hope this helps

andrew

p.s. i find copying letter to magazines like TGO and Trail and stating this in the letter helps as well
:)

"remember the customer is always right"

You've not been posting on here long have you Andrew?

"p.s. i find copying letter to magazines like TGO and Trail and stating this in the letter helps as well"

I don't recall ever seeing any of your letters published, do you have references to any?

You must have been really unlucky with those boots. I've had my Brashers for about 6 years and I've lost count of how many miles. They show very little sign of wear and are the most comfortable boots I've ever had. Must admit I do make sure they're always cleaned, including the soles, and re-proofed after every use though.

hi stu may i suggest that copying a link to this particular thread and indead this thread in a letter of final correspondance to brasher and point out the circimstances and actual wear and tear that the boots have gone through, if that fails vote with your feet and wallet and find another company to supply your next pair of boots.

It may help but your claim but please post the reply you receive as we all want to know how they deal with it.

As a point to note Jo (my wife) had a pair of Berghaus GTX's with approx 150 miles under there sole. They started to leak and although the rest of the boot was in excellent condition sole/upper material etc I decided to return them to berghaus 30 months after they had been purchased as the G'tex which is "G'teed to keep you dry" had obviously failed. 2 weeks after they were returned a new pair and the current model arrived as a replacement, I think maybe B'haus have realised that for the actual cost of the boot it is worth replacing them and retain a customer for the next boot purchase.

Drew

I've got a pair of Braher Supalite XCR and so far (8 months) they have been fine. Although I have not worn them a lot as i don't think they are very robust. I agree with your comments about Lomer boots though. I think they are a superb product.

I was in Ambelside jusr after Christmas and picked up a pair of Lomer boots reduced from £68.00 t0 £25.00 from the Hawkshead shop. They are the thid pair I have bought. The first paiir are coming to the end of their life after about 7 years use.

Stu - you did not say what you were doing in them - for instance just rambling or scrambling?

My gf has just retired a pair of Hillmasters after several years use - so can't say they are bad boots?

Regardless of the quality of their boots in general, any customer should be careful dealing with a company that treats its customers in such a manner - it is disgusting.

My boots (Garmont) have lasted over 8 years and countless miles and I reproofed them for the first time a month or two ago... not because they were leaking, rather because they looked a bit old and I felt sorry for them :S Any boots that cost near a £100 should behave in a similar way and if they don't, we the customer appreciates knowing about it...

Glyn M... you don't work for Brashers do you?

the goat is among the pigeons now!!!!!!

I have a pair of brashers for my daughter, they don't fit her yet and after reading this i am gratefull that she outgrows her boots before she can subject them to excessive wear and tear!!!

I do pity the poor fleabay customer though who buys them off me for £20 once she is in a size 5

Cheers Cruxster and Andrew I am definitly going to be writing to them again. Barking Mad - well I have done general munro walking with a little scrambling but frankly they shouldn't give out after 30 days of hard scrambling. I'm not going to let them get away with this too easily.

"Glyn M... you don't work for Brashers do you?"



ha ha... no

When i worked for YHA shops i was told that Trading standards stated that footwear has an expected life of 3 months.

not sure where that wisdom came from but if true it does make you think!

so why do manufacturers g'tee it for 12 then?