Scarpa SL M3 Men's Mountain Boots

I bought a pair of SLM3s back in June 2009. I made my purchase after carefully researching 4-season, crampon-compatible boots and finding nobody had a bad word to say about these. I'm a keen Munroist and I did around 50 Munros that summer season, in all weathers. I didn't get off to the best of start with the new boots though, as they were much more rigid and supportive than my old Ranger GTXs. My first walk (double Munros 'Cruach Ardrain' and 'Beinn Tulaichean') ended with my feet in pretty bad shape - probably a bit ambitious for brand-new boots. I had to 're-teach' myself to walk in these stiffer, heavier, much more supportive boots as I found myself not lifting my feet high enough and was forever tripping on embedded stones on paths. I also had to invest in orthopedic insoles, better socks and even use sock liners for long expeditions like South Shiel Ridge. That said, with this preparation, the boots have performed flawlessly since then, be it summer or winter. I've even had the joy using them with C1 crampons and scrambling up a frozen waterfall in them on Ben Ledi. I've never had a blister, fallen, turned my ankle, or had wet feet through failure of the boot itself (I did get wet feet after an 8 hour battering on Arran once, but I reckon that was my waterproofs giving in). Sadly though, after only a couple of years, I find myself in the unexpected position of looking to replace my SLM3s. The soles have many miles left in them, the outer leathers are still in perfect condition but the inners are disintegrating. Where the black leather meets the boot liner just above where your achilles is, the stitching has failed on both boots. I returned them to Scarpa when I noticed it starting on one boot and they said they would attempt a repair. I was a little disappointed when the boot was returned with little more than some sort of sticking plaster covering the split seam. This peeled off almost immendiately... Anyway, now the other boot has failed in the same way and the rough edge of the black leather at the split makes the boots to painful to use for long walks. I don't want to mark the boots down too much as they've been brilliant until now and they have taken a pounding but I've looked after them and they should've lasted longer. I may replace them with the new Scarpa SL Activ.

Could not ask for more, brilliant value for money, extremely comfortable, sturdy and reliable, all in all this is a quality boot that's built to last and a pleasure to ware, will not be buying any other boot anytime soon :)