I bought a pair of Raichle boots a couple of years ago. I originally bought them to walk the week-long Overland Track in Tasmania. They mouldered in the closet for a year and a half and then went with me on my trip to South America.

These boots have been through the paces, and I am really disappointed — belay that, royally pissed off — that boots as expensive as these have failed to keep the pace. It’s disgusting and a rip-off and a con act on consumers.

My previous boots were a pair of all-leather clodhoppers. The complaint with all-leather boots of course is that they break in round about the same time they wear out. This is partly true. But it is also true that you can resole them and the uppers will last you a decade if you treat them right.

Here’s what my Raichles look like now. The eyelets have rusted. This reflects shoddy materials, a good pair of hiking boots should be using quality rust-proof fittings.

Notice how the sole is rapidly coming undone. And these are supposed to be Vibram soles!

I’ve been doing a lot of hiking in dry, rocky conditions. If a hiking boot can’t handle walking on rocks, that’s just pathetic. Either that or it should come with a label: “Only for use on mud or grass. No rocks allowed or warranty void. Since we’re a Swiss manufacturer that means you aren’t allowed to use your boots in our native country, mountainous and rocky Switzerland.”

More sole damage. Pathetic.

The leather ankle cuff has separated because of the humidity and sweat and if I don’t wear long socks chafes badly against the skin. This ankle cuff is actually poorly designed because it does not fit close against the skin, making it a catch-all for loose dirt or rocks that get thrown up.

This shot is damning. Can you in good conscience make a boot that is going to perform this poorly?

You can look at the complete photo gallery here.