I walked the CF from Estella to Finisterre this Sept/Oct in brand new Hoka One One Mafate Speed II, with cushioned sole and Vibram for durability, and loved them. The only problem was that the rolled-over lining on the side of both shoes - where they meet, so to speak - started disintegrating after less than two weeks. I rang Cotswold Outdoors, where I bought them, from Spain to ask what to do about this and if this sort of damage was covered by the warranty. They advised me not to try to fix it, that would void the warranty, and send the shoes to them for inspection when I came home. So I did. I have now had them back saying they are not defective because they are a running shoe and not meant for 'long walks in desert terrain'. ?? The part of the shoe which is disintegrating never even touched anything, as I walked in tights most of the time. Nothing rubbed at this part of the shoe, it just developed large holes that eventually let sand in, because I was advised not to fix it with superglue or needle and thread. Has anyone else have this happen? I am not best pleased right now so I shall wait until tomorrow before I write a reply or send an email straight to Hoka One One to ask them if this is acceptable wear. The photos below were taken after 15 days of walking.
Hi Nidarosa,
Let me say at the outset that I am no expert when it comes to the various performances of different types of footwear but I do know a bit about the Law relating to purchases.
You apparently have bought footwear that the selling shop states is for running, not walking. Now, once again, I don't claim any expertise in this field but I would suggest that to run in a footwear would cause more stress in the footwear than if you were to walk.
Therefore, the response made by Cotswold is a Red Herring of the first magnitude, in other words 'ignorable'
Do not respond by sending a letter to the manufacturer. Although they 'made' the article, your argument in Law, has nothing to do with them (as far as you are concerned)
You have protection under the Consumer Act in the UK in that you purchased a product which was not fit for purpose, pure and simple.
As you have stated, the inferior part of your footwaer is nowhere near that part that was in contact with the ground surface.
This is what to do. Send a letter back to where you bought the shoes. Tell them that you do not accept their response. In the letter tell them that you have 'WALKED' in the shoe for two weeks. Tell them that in so doing, you must have caused LESS stress on the product than if you had ran. Ask them to explain their opposing hypothesis, if they can. Include a photo as you have done on here and sit back.
If they maintain that they are right then send them a 'Letter before Action' This is a necessary letter that you must send to a retailer or organisation that tells them that you will take them to the Small Claims Court. Don't worry about the formulation of such a letter. There is plenty of advice on Google. Do a search on Google and you will come up with a letter that can be adapted to suit your circs.
Do not accept any sum other than the price that you paid. Do not accept a discount because you have used the shoes.
How do I know all this. Because after a flight on BA they wrecked my luggage and then offered me £17 as compensation (even trying to ignore the £40 I paid for them to carry it. After doing exactly as I have outlined above, I got the cost of the case plus the carriage fee. They 'rolled over' after they received the 'Letter before Action'
PS. Ignore the 'warranty' offered by the manufacturer. This means very little. Your legal argument is with the retailer and, should they offer to take the shoes to the manufacturer, desist. THEY are responsible. If THEY wish to send the shoes they can do, AFTER you have got YOUR money.
PPS, Sugar!!! I've just reread that you bought the shoes in Spain. I'm sorry but the above info. only applies to UK. Maybe someone on here can advise as to what the deal is in Spain, Sorry .