>>2271729This guy's right. Lowa even has a resoling service. While I think a lot of the European direct attach (PU, EVA) have had more issues in the last decade, since the US is always slow to change on these matters, their boots have helped bring the lighter hikers we have today. Zamberlan, Lowa, Meindl, Aku, Alfa, Hangwag, Altberg, Vasque, Prabos. I have read somewhere that the EU started forcing more biodegradable materials, so the polyurethane life may have declined.
US only has Thorogood, Red Wing, and Danner with a direct attach machine since it costs about a million bucks to have one.
Aus alone has Mongrel, Redback, and Rossi. Blundstone went overseas about a decade back, and Rossi is about to join them from the looks of it.
>>2270991Problem I see with complaints toward Vibram is lack of grip. Some of their outsoles are duds and get sectioned out, and a lot of their outsoles still get fitted on ancient boots like Red Wings Iron Rangers and thus associated with luddite wear.
Problem is that if you want a more durable boot, you want a harder rubber, which in turn gives less grip. A softer, such as a blown rubber like the Vibram Christy on a lot of those moc toe boots or what is on Lems boulder boots gives better grip, more comfort, but a shorter lifespan.
