 I love both Merrell and Brasher footwear for its comfort.
Sadly, both companies seem to make stuff that doesn't last. My Brasher Supalites caved in completely (and painfully) after less than 500 miles. My lovely Brasher Orapas are coming apart at the seams after less than 12 months' wear.
Merrell's Strider sandals are worn through after less than a year, and my Chameleon Stretch squeak like mad, send me flying in the wet, and they haven't replied to my letter.
I would say that Scarpa are going to end up with prety much all of my (considerable) footwear budget for the forseeable future, but unfortunately their stuff doesn't wear out quickly enough to allow me the pleasure of replacing it every 9 months.
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<tattered toe-bump>
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 Suppose it's a personal thing but I'm a real fan of Salomon - comfy and lasts for years and years. They're still tready and grippy after so many years that they're so stinky you have to beat them down with a stick.
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 My Merrill Reflex's are over 3 years old, and have JUST fallen apart in the same place as Jon's. They have worn down their grip and I have replaced the laces, but they have been comfortable and lasted well, including still providing good support and comfort across the Carneddau when I did the 3000-ers last year.
Horses for courses I guess, but my Reflex's were a good buy, and I intend to get another pair to replace them if I can.
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 After weighing and comparing the Merrill Chameleon Ventilator Low and the Merrill Exotech - I heartily recommend the latter, principally because they're much lighter.
I went through four pairs of Exotech (and one pair of boots) walking the 2,650ml Pacific Crest Trail in 2002, and I think that's not too bad.
(Journal and gear review here: http://homepage.mac.com/simon.willis/site/pct/pctmenu.htm)
The Exotechs started breaking down at the heel strike point and under the ball-of-big-toe after about 600 miles, but the first pair lasted 700 before I ditched them. The last pair survived snow in Washington and are still in use on the hill on wet-and-muddy days.
The Reflex are said to be of "similar" construction by the folks at Merrill.
Sadly, I think the Exotech has been discontinued. (I believe Merrill had some legal problems with the design in the US but could be wrong). However, you can still pick up pairs in bargain bins - an excellent shoe at a discounted price - I just got as pair at Blacks for £45
Simon
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 Interesting to see the point about Merrells not lasting. I've just had wearing out problems with some Merrell leather boots - 2 years moderate use and now the heels are going.
The worst thing is their customer service response - they reminded me that my contract is with the retailer and that the warranty is only one year! As if anyone buys a pair of boots for one year only. Contrasts poorly with Garmin who replaced a GPS after 5 years. Very annoyed and won't buy Merrell again.
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 you could buy a pair of garmin etrexs and wear those on your feet!
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Nice suggestion. Probably better than using a boot to navigate, anyway
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 Just completed my 4000th mile in the same pair of AKUs, all on the original soles :) Of course they could probably walk another 4000 on their own now the way they smell.
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 PHEW! A little too much info on the smell front there Dave!!
Marcus, how many miles have you done in them? My Scarpa's have lasted and lasted, but as you say, it leaves me to kit fondle rather than having the deep joy of buying new gear...
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The Merrells lasted about 10 miles before squeaking and about 150 before generally breaking up. By comparison, I did approx 1000 miles in a pair of Hawkshead (yes really) "Fell Sports" shoes last year before the soles wore through. They're currently half price (£21) online so I'm going to buy another pair.
The Scarpa Heliums have done about 250 miles so far including some scrambles and still look and feel brand new. Moreover, they're comfortable - did the Y3P in them on Sunday with nary a blister nor even a hotspot. If Mr Townsend is reading this I have to say that I have no trouble at all with the wide heels!
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I got Meindl Magic gtx about a year ago which I have worn only for low levelish walks and not used that much and I think I have looked after them really well. They have now frayed at the tops and a lot of the stitching has come apart and they are totally no longer waterproof - on the first day of Hadrians Wall from Bowness to Carlisle my feet were sodden and the shoes took 4 days to dry out. Fortunately I had taken boots along as well....
They were my first pair of approach shoes and were comfortable and I am really disappointed that they have not performed better. Now I am looking for another pair and it won't be Meindls this time.
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This thread is putting me off ever buying a pair of Meindls.
Have done about 400/500 miles in my Scarpa's so far and they're as good as new. Mind you they STILL rub on the outside of my big toe and give me blisters. But then every other boot I've had has done that so maybe I have to accept that I have deformed feet...
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brought a cheap pair of £12 trainers for bashing about in the woods om my course.
same time a friend brought merrals the £12 quid trainers lasted longer than the merrals and are still going strong as my kayak shoes
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