"i bought a pair of raichle scouts 2 years ago, and have used them for a few serious treks and a lot of weekend bushwalking. i bought them because they were the only boots that properly fit my feet and my orthotics (insoles) and were a reasonable price. they've never given be any hassle, and the waterproofing has been amazing (i've walked through creeks and come out the other side with wet legs and dry feet).
obviously i haven't had them long enough to attest their longevity, but they have been super comfortable so far."
"My leather Raichle boots are awesome. Unbelievably sturdy and supportive. Over 10 yrs old.... but on a recent hiking trip the soles just fell off... from not a hint of a problem, to no sole on either shoe in the space of half a mile. Very weird. That said, they lasted way longer than my vasque sundowners and i must have put 1000s of miles on them. The leather uppers are perfectly worn in, and have 1000s or miles left on them... so off to the cobbler I go! Still waterproof and so comfy (surprising for such sturdy boots). "
"9 years, back country hiking in the Smoky Mountains, Idaho, Scotland, Andes Mountains and Amazon Jungle. My most comfortable and durable shoes. Still 100% waterproof. I'd never buy any other brand."
"My pair fell apart after two hours of hiking. The bottom separated from the sole of the boot. both boots showed signs of complete separation. Had to use gaffers tape to secure bottom to boot for the hike out.
Cannot recommend Raichle hiking boots!"
"Used them for many treks long distance under extreme conditions. Many of my friends wear them. Overall, they offer great ankle support but they will fall apart. Make sure you carry shoe goo on you if you wear these boots!!! They will fall apart on you. The company has not given me any response to consumer complaints. Might be since their dealers are spread all over the world and not many speak english. Oh well, I lived and learned.."
"Unlike other raters, I've had no trouble with the durability of my boots. I have abused these boots and they show no sign deteriorating. I've put a few hundred miles on these boots and I've got every reason to believe I'll be able to put a few hundred more on them. At the rate things are going, I'll toss them when the Vibram soles wear too thin, not when the upper falls apart."
"The absolute best hiking boots I've ever had for anything short of mountaineering. Ive had my current pair for 3 years and have hiked countless summits, (12,000ft+), rocky terrain, desert heat, water, sand, even some snow. After these three years the vibram sole is worn through to paper thin and they are ready to be retired. I've never had a boot outlast its sole. The leather stitching above toe/base of laces area came loose a year back, but was easily reattached with weatherstrip adhesive (invisible repair) and boots were back in service 100%. I cant say how much i cherish my Raichle's after all they have brought me through! Now ive just got to find a new pair i like!"
"Best boots I have ever owned! I have worn three different pairs out in six years. I work in the woods and use them for work boots as well as do a ton of backpacking. In 1997 I wore a pair of Montagnas on the PCT through all 1700 miles of California. Held up awesome, and that was the second set of soles on those boots. Since then I have owned other lighter pairs and by far give my foot the best fit and most support. No problems ever with boots falling apart. I have owned Merrell (shoddy), Garmont, Solomon, La Sportivas, and Alpinas and Raichles are the best of the Bunch."
"I bought my pair of Raichle hiking boots over 10 years ago... they have been more than worth the money I paid for them.. I have hiked all over the country, worn them through all kinds of conditions, beat them up in mud, desert conditions, rivers, snow etc. They have provided the absolute best ankle support I have ever had from any other boot... the soles just gave out this year right as winter hit.. and what a winter it has been.. anyways.. I tried to find another boot that gives me the support, comfort and durabilty and I finally gave up ... I love my boots so much that I glued the soles back on and wore them through this winter.. they weren't the most attractive footwear but they worked! I made it through the winter and the leather uppers are still going strong.. I LOVE MY RAICHLE HIKING BOOTS! In fact, I love my boots more than any other footwear I own and will often wear them even when the weather and situation does not require them... that's how good the support is! Does anyone know where I can get another identical pair? Many of my local vendors do not stock them.. but I just can't find anything else that works for me."
"These are by far the best boots I've ever had. I've worn them daily to work as a carpenter and then backpacked with 80lb packs in Tetons and Wind Rivers in Wyoming and deserts of Utah. I don't know the model but they are 1998 vintage leather non-goretex hiking/backing boots. After incredible abuse the uppers are in good condition and soles need replacing or new boots. I just tried on new pair of Mt. Trails and support in old boots is notably the same as new ones. Also these boots seem to roll with your stride and feel very efficient and comfortable. After reading reviews in considering new pair I had to write because those who said these don't hold up must not have had this brand or some fluke."
"When I bought my Raichle's over 6 years ago, I expected them to last! These boots have lived up to almost all expectations. I do a lot of off-trail year-round fieldwork, and love to hike, so my boots have taken a lot of abuse. Only now am I shopping for a new pair, because the ankle support has finally broken down to the point that my foot rolls and shifts, giving me blisters for the first time since I've owned them. I've had the stitching at the toe repaired once, and the rubber edges re-glued twice, but apart from these fairly minor imperfections the boots have been awesome! I'm surprised that others have worn off the Vibram soles; mine are still in excellent shape. I would especially recommend Raichle boots for other women with hard-to-fit feet: I have extremely small heels that tend to slip, and these boots are some of the only shoes that keep my heel firmly in place. I do recommend supplementing with Superfeet or other insoles, however!"
"After close to 10 years, and over 2500 miles in the backwoods of the pacific northwest, my Raichle's finally gave out. Not the uppers mind you, which fit like a glove, but the soles have been walked through. Fantastic support, excellent durability, and a fit like no other, these are the best boots I have ever owned."
"I've been working and hiking in my Raichle boots for the last 10 years, in both winter and summer. They have been perfectly dry and given excellent support. They are the best boots I've ever owned, and am sorry that they have arrived at their last winter (the soles are practically worn through)."
"I can't wear these out! I have a pair of old leather mountaineering-style boots that I purchased in 1981. They've been through the Cascades of Washington, the Rockies in Montana and Colorado, and now I wear them here in the Arizona Sonoran desert. These are the most comfortable boots I've owned. I've purchased other brands, but I keep going back to my "good OLD Raichles!""
"I think the actual name for the vintage boot everyone raves about is the Palu. The boot, and its siblings, are no longer imported to America. I purchased my pair in 1997, and have hiked over a 1000 miles in them. They were resoled in 2003, and they are due for another sole now. The break in period was approximately 30 stiff miles.
For the first 3 years, I used them as show boots, I had another pair of Raichle's for hiking in, a lightwieght backpacking boot. However, when I started my geology degree, they became my primary field boot. With repeated waterproofings they hold up well, but don't like stream crossings due to the split tongue situation. In 2003, I sent them for resoling and promptly destroyed the vibram soles hiking on weathered carbonates. This winter the mid sole seperated from the rand and they are going back to the cobbler again. I replaced them with La Sportiva Makalus, however I am sure the Palu's will be sorely missed.
An excellent boot that has been retired by Raichle. I would purchase another pair in a heartbeat."
"I have hiked over 6000 miles in the last 10 years on some tough earth. The last 4500 has been in "non goretex" Raichles(4 pair of spirits(REI brand)& 1 pair Mtn Trekkers. I still have all pairs but one. They have all been resoled,one pair on 3rd round. (I use "Dave Page Cobbler" in Seattle,& specify vibram.) At first I tried all the leading brands(a total of 10 pairs,several of the same make, they just didnt fit. I then tried the different lines of Rachle. I wear a 1/2 size larger in the Mtn Trekker than the Spirit, due to the different "last" from which they were constructed. You should seam seal all stitching on any non gore boots, I use polyurethane and a round tiny brush, then I use aquaseal and snowseal for the rest of the boot. I always wear liners under thorlos and I use low-gaters. The gaters protect the feet,socks,lacing,and the boot. I'm not sure if Raichle still sells in the USA but I highly recommend the product."
"I have extremely hard-to-fit feet and experience pain with all the "latest new and improved brands". I've fallen prey to all the hype and advertising more than once. Every time I do, I return to my faithful Raichle's. Sales people try to get me into other brands but I've learned to stick with perfect. Ten years ago I started on the Wonderland Trail in a brand new pair of Raichle's. Everyone said don't do it---break them in first. But I have 35 years of experience with Raichle and I know that boot. They fit like an old shoe from the first step. Two of my friends in other brands (broken in) dealt with blisters throughout the hike.
I'm still wearing those boots and they're old but just fine. However, I'd like a back-up pair "just in case"."
"I have faithfully used Raichle Hikeing boots for 22 years. I am sorry to hear that no longer make the montagnas. I dont understand why all these boot manufactures are going to glued on soles, and gortex lining, because it simply dosent last!!! I have been alternating between 2 pairs of Raichle Montagnas that are 15 years old. I need to find a new pair. I need size 12 M I would pay dearly!!! Please help me find another pair of these boots... Thanks ~Dave~"
"I love my Spirit GTX. Fit like a glove and (almost) never a blister. I nik-wax 'em every once in a while, they ain't pretty anymmore, but they're still comfortable & waterproof after 800+ miles. It'll be a dark day in where-ever-i-am when I have to give them up."
"Hi,
I agree entirely with what people have said about comfort. They fit very very well. I have not experienced the duribility however that everyone here is mentioning. I have walked through my soles in one year. I feel very sad about this as I love them and the new price has increased $100 here in Australia, and I can't afford that ( total $450)."
"These boots are the best EVER!!! I've owned mine for 13 years and just today I've noticed where the sole is coming apart. My soul is coming apart to over this. I've never had a blister out of these.I wear them all year around. I really hate to go through trying to find another pair. Maybe I won't."
"These boots are fantastic, I have had my Raichle's for about 2 years now and they have performed extremely well. I really like the ankle support they give and the fit is remarkable. It will be a very sad day when I have to retire my greatest friends. They have tramped with me all over New Zealand both on and off track. They give me the sense that they want to propel me further and with very little encouragement. Regards to durability mine still are in great shape and I'm looking at finding a pair to work in. They took a bit of getting used to having worn Blundstone boots religiously. I highly recommend Raichle boots especially if you have trouble fitting regular boots!!"
"Would love to get a new pair of Montagnas (apparently discontinued years ago).
Mine are over 20 years old--everyday use and at least 3 major backpacks a year.
To replace them I bought a pair of White Smokejumpers (Spokane, WA) at $400.
After a year of use, my right SI joint went south. 6 visits to the chiroprator later it is re-aligned.
Put the White's away, got my old Raichle Montagnas back out,
went for a 2-day trial backpack--3 miles per day with a 35-pound pack.
My right hip is back to 85% functionality.
If anyone knows where a boot identical to the old Montagna is, let me know."
"I'm so glad that one of my personality flaws is, I'm a hiking boot freak! I have a pair of Eigers and a pair of Montagnas, still new in the boxes, because I just can't wear out my original two pairs. I see from other reviewer's that the Montagnas aren't even manufactured anymore, what a shame. There's nothing on the market that compares to Raichle boots bar NONE. I've hiked thousands of miles in my boots over the past 20 years with absolutely zero foot problems. I also agree with previous reviewers about glue-on soles, and Goretex--they're for the birds. They say you can't take your "toys" with you when you croak.... bull, I want to be buried in mine!!!!!!"
"Bought my first pair of Raichle boots in late 1960's and finally had to discard them last year. Mammut USA can order the Raichle boots out of Europe. I am waiting on a pair of Raichle Palu. Wouldn't wear anyhting else but Raichle with a traditional sole as long as I can get them no matter how difficult they are to get."
