I've always been a Scapa SL man. My most recent pair I've had for only about a year. Recently I wore them in Jordan for 6 weeks, all day every day. The ground was scree and boulders and they took quite a battering. Now the uppers have become very soft. I recently went up to Scotland with a friend who also has a pair of SLs, which he's had for years. I hadn't realised how soft mine had become until I compared them to his. Incidentally, there is no splitting or cracking, the leather is in good nick, just soft. I can squeezed the two sides of the ankle together.
Firstly, what may have caused this? I'm assuming the rugged nature of the terrain, the heat or perhaps (dare I say it) my feet sweating in them for a long period of time. My friend's SLs are smaller than mine; do small boots just feel stiffer? I treat them with Nikwax aqueous wax.
Secondly, is this an issue? They are still very comfortable and generally in a good state of repair. My two main concerns are 1) how will crampon compatibility be effected and 2) will they offer less support? I don't use crampons that often, but now and again in Scotland if required.
If it is an issue, can I do anything about it? Or do I need a new pair?
