noisy walking boots

firbyfred

I bought a pair of walking boots a few weeks ago, expensive for me, from Cotswold outdoors.
when I walked in them the left boot made an annoying clacking noise each step, I took them back and it was explained to me that the inner layer of gore-tex was rubbing and I was wearing them too tight, went on an other walk and the boot made the same noise, I took them back and was reluctantly given a new pair, these ones are making exactly the same noise.
I sent an email to the manufacturer Salomon who said they were not experiencing any major problems with their boots and to take them back to the retailer.
I'm not looking forward to taking the boots back this weekend, all I want is a nice pair of boots that don't make a noise.
What are my rights, could I get another make of boots? money back?

Manxman_in_exile

Not sure what you mean by a "clacking" noise? If the boots have a stiff shank is it possible it's just the sole hitting the ground as the foot rolls forward after heel strike?


Cotswold are quite good in my experience but I don't understand how the Goretex lining can make a clack. I also don't know what they mean by wearing them too tight. Do they mean you are lacing them too tightly? (I once had a lot of pain on my inner ankle bone caused by my walking boots and asked my podiatrist for advice. He said "You don't need to lace them all the way to the top. That'll be £50 please". And do you know what? He was right!). You could also try different lacing configurations.


I don't think the fact you have a clacking noise means they are necessarily faulty or not fit for purpose.


(I also have a pair of Salomon walking shoes with prescription orthotics in them. They make an appalling squeaking noise but are dead comfy. So much so I once felt compelled in a museum to apologise for the noise).


I assume you bought them in store. Was the sound not apparent in store or when trying them out at home (inside the house)?

neilmcl

To be fair you should expect to take a certain amount of time to "break in" a good pair of walking boots. I'd doubt you'd notice the "noise" after a while if you're out and about in the "wild" with them.