Crispi Boots Leaking

[Cab]

Anyone have any experience dealing with Crispi customer service? I just had my boots for 14 months and now the waterproofing has broken down. I emailed them to see if they would repair them but I have a feeling this is a lost cause and I'm out the $300 I spent on them. I have to say I'm not overly impressed by the boots so far and if the customer service is poor then I don't see a reason to buy any more boots by them.

[Timberstalker]

What's their warranty duration?

Have heard good things of Crispi boots.

Good luck and report back.

[Cab]

What's their warranty duration?

Have heard good things of Crispi boots.

Good luck and report back.

1 year warranty but I think there is wiggle room depending on whats going on. I won't blame Crispi as much as I would blame goretex, it's their component that is failing.

[follow maggie]

I don’t think there’s any fixing goretex.

[spoonman]

My brother had a pair that are 11 months old and are leaking bad. He called Crispi and they told him to send them in and they would test them. Theyll either fix them, repair them, or give him a discount on a new pair.  I'll post later when I find out what happens.

[MtnMuley]

Crispi has been great to deal with. Which model do you have? Also, I'm not sure I've ever had a leather hunting boot for 14 months that was still waterproof without relying on waterproofing treatments.

[huntnphool]

Crispi has been great to deal with. Which model do you have? Also, I'm not sure I've ever had a leather hunting boot for 14 months that was still waterproof without relying on waterproofing treatments.

 Yeah but when you never get out of your Toyota you don't have to worry about it!

[Clearcut]

I’ve had my Guide GtXs for 4 years now.. just had the soles an Rands redone this last winter.. the leather is cracking pretty bad in Wear spots . All from wear an tear but they have never let me feet get wet . I’d be curious to hear model your running? I just started using a new pair of guide GTXs an as far as my feet go idk if I’d ever venture away from this boot .. they’ve been everything I could ask for an have kept me dry

[Cab]

I have the Valdres Plus GTX, as someone that works and makes footwear for a living I was not impressed by the boots. They weren't bad they just had some flaws to them that I wouldn't expect in a $300 boot. I've had numinous leather hunting boots have the waterproofing last more then 2 years so I was a little surprised.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I picked up a pair of the Wyoming GTX's a few years ago right when they started getting sold in the US again. I wore them for 1 day and they were some of the most painful boots that I had ever worn. The plastic webbing on the top created pressure points on the top of my foot that I have never experienced in a different boot.

Customer service was great and they took them back and refunded me. I wear lowa tibet or lowa renegade now depending on season/terrain and never have looked back. The renegade's are so comfortable I wear them 100% of the time outside of hunting too, but I walk through them in a year.

I kinda doubt that they will replace a used boot that is out of warranty. 1 year is a lot of time on a boot depending on the amount of miles you put in them.

[Cab]

Finally heard back from Crispi this is all they said :

Hi Jason,

Thanks for reaching out to Crispi. Unfortunately the Gortex liner is something installed during production, and isn't something we are able to repair or replace on the boots.

Thank you,

AKA you are SOL  I work in footwear and I can tell you I am not impressed with this brand, never getting another pair of boots from them.

[crowinghen]

Finally heard back from Crispi this is all they said :

Hi Jason,

Thanks for reaching out to Crispi. Unfortunately the Gortex liner is something installed during production, and isn't something we are able to repair or replace on the boots.

Thank you,

AKA you are SOL  I work in footwear and I can tell you I am not impressed with this brand, never getting another boot from them.

Wow  That is terrible customer service

[Cab]

Finally heard back from Crispi this is all they said :

Hi Jason,

Thanks for reaching out to Crispi. Unfortunately the Gortex liner is something installed during production, and isn't something we are able to repair or replace on the boots.

Thank you,

AKA you are SOL  I work in footwear and I can tell you I am not impressed with this brand, never getting another boot from them.

Wow  That is terrible customer service

I thought the exact same. No oh that sucks sorry to hear that here's a 10% coupon code or anything. just we can't help you......too bad oh well

[JeffRaines]

Contact goretex.

Anything that has goretex in it has a lifetime warranty through gore. Now, they may determine that it’s wear and tear, and that’s something else altogether, but it’s worth a shot.

Secondly, since crispi didn’t even bother to give you this information, I’d forego spending anymore money on their boots.

[MtnMuley]

Really?? Terrible customer service? They have a 12 month warranty and after 14 months you have a water leak and they sent you that response and you call that terrible customer service? Wow

[JeffRaines]

Really?? Terrible customer service? They have a 12 month warranty and after 14 months you have a water leak and they sent you that response and you call that terrible customer service? Wow

I would reserve my judgement until we know more - yeah if he's a guide, then I can see the waterproofing breaking down after 14 months of hard use.

However, I would be quite pissed off if I bought a pair of boots for 300 bucks and I didn't get more than two seasons out of the waterproof liner.

I would also consider that bad customer service - I get their warranty runs out after 12 months and thats all fine - they could have at least mentioned the warranty that goretex carries and gotten him in touch with them.

[Tbob]

So I had a pair of Thor’s start to leak pretty bad on me. I emailed there customer service and they just told me to send them in and they will check them out and get back to me. They said that after testing they agree that the boots were leaking and said they would just send me a new pair. They are on the way (no charges).
   They never asked me about when or where I bought them or even for anytype of proof of purchase. Sorry to hear about your experience with them, but for me, it was easy as that!

[T-Dozzer]

Well that's sucks. I love mine for what its worrh.
Kenetrek did the same thing to me.

[grundy53]

Mine started to leak.  I  cleaned them and then treated them with Nikwax. Didn't leak after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[hollymaster]

Mine started to leak.  I  cleaned them and then treated them with Nikwax. Didn't leak after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

This. I don’t think most guys clean and maintenance there boots. 

[NorseNW]

Mine started to leak.  I  cleaned them and then treated them with Nikwax. Didn't leak after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Unfortunately I'm just learning this lesson but it makes sense.  I'm curious with your success did you use the Nikwax cleaner and the waterproofing?  Not sure what my hangup is but I'm always skeptical of the "cleaners" and if they are really needed.

[pianoman9701]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

[grundy53]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[grundy53]

Mine started to leak.  I  cleaned them and then treated them with Nikwax. Didn't leak after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Unfortunately I'm just learning this lesson but it makes sense.  I'm curious with your success did you use the Nikwax cleaner and the waterproofing?  Not sure what my hangup is but I'm always skeptical of the "cleaners" and if they are really needed.

Yes I used the cleaner/conditioner. Not sure if it was necessary but it didn't hurt.

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[pianoman9701]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I believe you. You probably didn't have a manufacturing flaw like CAB did.

[MtnMuley]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I believe you. You probably didn't have a manufacturing flaw like CAB did.

14 months in, and you call that a manufacturing flaw?

[jackelope]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I believe you. You probably didn't have a manufacturing flaw like CAB did.

14 months in, and you call that a manufacturing flaw?

I would.  Maybe just plain defect is a better choice of word.

14 months old but how many months of actual use? Not 14. Probably not many. It’s not like they’re the boots you wear to work every day. I’d be dissatisfied at best. Especially at the price. My Meindl’s are at least 6 years old. They were probably worn out 2 years ago but they still don’t leak.

[grundy53]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I believe you. You probably didn't have a manufacturing flaw like CAB did.

14 months in, and you call that a manufacturing flaw?

I would.  Maybe just plain defect is a better choice of word.

14 months old but how many months of actual use? Not 14. Probably not many. It’s not like they’re the boots you wear to work every day. I’d be dissatisfied at best. Especially at the price. My Meindl’s are at least 6 years old. They were probably worn out 2 years ago but they still don’t leak.

My Meindls leaked too cleaned and Nikwax and they quit leaking. However to your point I wear my hunting boots to work every day. Crispis spring, summer, and fall. Meindls in winter. I've actually never had a boot that didn't start leaking eventually.

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[pianoman9701]

Nikwax won't do a thing for the separation of the Goretex fabric from the boot. It's like trying to stop a leak in a boat with a napkin. I'm really surprised at the lack of customer service on this issue. For this reason, I would never buy a pair of Crispi boots. The rand on my Lowas is starting to separate and Lowa will replace the out and inner soles, and the rand for free, in Germany. All I have to do is get them to CT for processing and it'll take 3 months. Much better response.

Well it stopped my leaking.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I believe you. You probably didn't have a manufacturing flaw like CAB did.

14 months in, and you call that a manufacturing flaw?

I would.  Maybe just plain defect is a better choice of word.

14 months old but how many months of actual use? Not 14. Probably not many. It’s not like they’re the boots you wear to work every day. I’d be dissatisfied at best. Especially at the price. My Meindl’s are at least 6 years old. They were probably worn out 2 years ago but they still don’t leak.

These were only used for hunting, probably a total of about 2 months of actual use. By the way, the OP is a boot designer who's designed for L.L. Bean and Timberland. When he says it's a defect in workmanship, he knows what he's talking about.

[MtnMuley]

I don't know how you guys expect these higher end boot companies to honor warranties longer than their 12 month warranty period. So you buy a new Dodge truck and 2 months after your warranty expires, something goes wrong. Is Dodge going to take care of that on their dime? No.

A warranty is a warranty. No sense bashing a company that honors their warranty.

[pianoman9701]

And I don't know why you wouldn't expect a high-end boot company to at least take a look at the problem to make sure that it wasn't a manufacturing defect instead of regular wear and tear. There's standard testing to confirm GoreTex failure which would put the cost of replacement on GoreTex, not the boot company. My Lowas don't have a lifetime warranty but the company is fixing them nonetheless, because they recognize that I spent a lot of money on my boots and want me to recommend them to others. And again, I would think an accomplished outdoor boot designer knows the difference between a defect and a wear issue. I'm glad you're happy with your Crispis. It's prudent for someone within the industry to recognize a lack of service when he sees it and warn fellow hunters about the possibility that they may not be treated as well by one company as another. You don't have to agree. But I doubt you're coming from anywhere near his knowledge about boot construction. Am I right?

[grundy53]

I actually don't particularly like my Crispi Valdres. But it's because of their eyelet design. I hate the fabric eyelet at the ankle.  I can never get my boot tight enough in the foot. But they have been durable and I wouldn't mind trying one of their other models that has a different eyelet design. But I'll probably try a different brand.  I don't really have any brand loyalty and I like to try different stuff.

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[jackelope]

To clarify I guess, I’m not saying they should or shouldn’t be covered under warranty. I am saying they should last longer and I’d be pissed if I spent that money and they failed.

And dodge trucks usually break down before the warranty expires so your argument there is flawed.

[Timberstalker]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mEB7WbTTlu4

[MtnMuley]

And I don't know why you wouldn't expect a high-end boot company to at least take a look at the problem to make sure that it wasn't a manufacturing defect instead of regular wear and tear. There's standard testing to confirm GoreTex failure which would put the cost of replacement on GoreTex, not the boot company. My Lowas don't have a lifetime warranty but the company is fixing them nonetheless, because they recognize that I spent a lot of money on my boots and want me to recommend them to others. And again, I would think an accomplished outdoor boot designer knows the difference between a defect and a wear issue. I'm glad you're happy with your Crispis. It's prudent for someone within the industry to recognize a lack of service when he sees it and warn fellow hunters about the possibility that they may not be treated as well by one company as another. You don't have to agree. But I doubt you're coming from anywhere near his knowledge about boot construction. Am I right?

I never said I had any knowledge in boot construction. However, I do know that I basically burn through a pair of high end boots every year and it would be laughable to even think about sending a pair back after 14 months. I've also had a brand new pair of high end boots not fit my left foot right straight out of the box. Those boots were in a closet for 3 years, which is obviously outside of their warranty. I went about it differently than the OP and had the boot fixed for the cost of shipping. If the OP is some boot builder of some sort, then he should obviously know that a couple phone calls might be a better effort than he gave. Better yet, you'd think he' d be familiar with Gore-Tex and its flaws maybe even contact them since it seems to be their issue more than the boot manufacturer outside their 12 months warranty. 

[pianoman9701]

OK, thanks.

[spoonman]

So I posted a reply  to your post a few down from the beginning.  My brother just got his"NEW" boots back in the mail when Crispi determined they were defective.  It was a couple week turn around from the time he sent them in to when he got the new pair in the mail. Pretty good customer service !

[pianoman9701]

I worked for a company that was out of products all the time, sent the wrong products, forgot to put products in the order, etc. One of my most common compliments was that I was good at fixing mistakes and a problem solver. When your company is producing defective products, you'd better have good customer service. But, it's better to have good products right out of the gate. From what I've heard and seen, these boots aren't all that great a lot of times.