Quote:

Last fall my brand new pair of Chota Lightweight portage boots failed on me

That was one of the brands that I couldn't recall offhand. Other's love them and yet yours failed.

I think you have to differentiate between MATERIAL failure and CONSTRUCTION failure.

If your comparing the same materials and the sole starts to come off etc, then that's a MFG/QUALITY control issue.

Like the person who buys a LEMON auto when others rate it a superior buy. Someone didn't do their job assembling it and others failed to catch it.

One of the things I do that seem to help is to put THREAD sealer on ALL exposed stitching. I think it helps prevent fraying which becomes a weak spot.

I also replace the actual foot lace with 550 Paracord. Your NOT going to break that, plus you have the cord/strands for emergency use.

I use CORDLOCKS as well, no knots for me. Works well and you don't have to worry about lace loops snagging on something.