Gear

As I said 12 years on and no major issues with the Yeti's. Two tiny holes caused by my boot lace hooks ( spinnaker tape solved that problem!) A couple of companys refurbish them, one being in Portobello. Certainly no zip issues. But tommorrow as it looks dry and warm I shall wear my light weight Berghaus boots a pair of breeks and stomp up the Fiacaill and onto the Cairn Gorm plateau. Looking forward to that.

When I was at Uni the more experienced members all had them. That was old model and used with scarpa boots with the groove in the sole.

They never worried about bogs or snow in them just waded through. I think anything will wear if in contact with the ground. If you have the groove then it will wear with the sole. I am not sure if that will happen quicker or not but I knew these guys for a few years and they had used them for a few years before I knew them. one guy had his and his boots for about 4 years and both were good. Caveat is that was a good few years back so not sure how good newer models are.

I have heard of people glueing them into place, cutting off the thin forefoot strap if their boots have no groove for it. Even as far as cutting a groove into the sole to take that extra little strap. Up to you whether to try it but many do use them a lot more don't. Personally too expensive for me and I have stopped wearing boots. Also they really do effectively waterproof your boots and lower leg. Combined with a longer length jacket you used to be able to get awaywithout waterproof trousers for longer too.

As many have said, they were designed for traditional boots with a welt which meant that the rand sat neatly and didn't stick out thus catching rocks , snow etc. Fashions brought out bendy boots and too many people trying to use them on non suitable boots eg the Scarpa Bionics, a leather mdoern styled boots.

Hence the development , the Trionic with  the attack sole which had a little groove at the toe of the boot to match a rib on the gaiter. Too much flex in the boots meant that there was now a thin rubber strip across  the for part of the boots, sitting in a thin groove. All this worked but bendy boots allow the tough rubber to move.

Modern boots that are nice and stiff work well but really need a lip on the toe, like a crampon bale ledge.

Yeti's have never become less useful, boots have become less suited. Whe I was at college in the erly '80's the whole O Ed dept araldited out yetis on in November and took them of at Easter. Leathers to start with then moving on to plastics.

The army surplus/gear shop in Brecon has some great issued but as good new ones in stock. 30 quid for the goretex ones.  try before you buy as narrow mid solded boots don't allow a decnt seal. I was really upset when I found that my Scarpa Cristallo's wouldn't accept my 1981 yetis.