Gear failures

[bluewombat]

Just thought I would give people a bit of a heads up on a problem I have had with 3 pairs of trousers recently. I did email the manufacturer a week or two back to advise them, so far they have not replied so I am not sure if they are taking any action or not. The gear brand in question starts with Mac and ends with Pac. I like their gear and have used it for years without previous gear failures.
Over the last 3 months I have bought a pair of Rockover shorts, a pair of Traverse tights and a pair of yoga pants for my wife. In each case they have a drawstring waist. The drawstring is a little different in that the ends are joined at the back inside the waistband rather than at the front. The join is made by sewing the ends inside a small tube of material. Unfortunately this join is not particularly strong. The drawstring on each of the items I mentioned has failed with what I would consider a very normal or even gentle tightening. To repair it requires unpicking the waistband and resewing, which is a bit of a bugger when it is the only pair of shorts in your pack and you are camped under Mt Hyperion
So if you are going to buy something like this it is probably worth running a couple of extra lines of stitches across the join at the back to avoid inconvenient interludes
bw

[ninjapuppet]

I had the Rockovers, but pants instead of shorts. check out my quick blurb on it here
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5689#p68793

They were the 2nd lightest pair of pants i'd ever own, but you gotta baby them.
I didnt have any problems with the drawstring part, but
1 - it developed a 10cm hole at my left calf above the gaitor (dont know why, because i didnt do any bush bashing)
2 - Small rip at my lateral R thigh from abrasion with my pack
3 - ripped big time on my butt when i sat down. That was the last straw and they were promptly replaced after that.


If you're wanting to hear about other gear failures Ive got a super long list for you, because after each big trip I write a diary to reflect on all my gear and how it went. Macpac as a brand, are generally on the low end in terms of gear failure!

[blacksheep]

Hi mr wombat,
sorry for this inconvienience, We have changed the waiistband elstic construction method on our drawstring pants now. The previous method could see the cord come undone as you say, and all current production no longer will have this issue.

ninja, if ever you have a problem with our products please return them. We stand behind our gear, and if there are issues we want to hear about them so see the store manger or send an e-mail. That way you have any issues resolved, and we learn from the feedback and can follow up with material suppliers/ designser/ QA departments.
thanks

[ninjapuppet]

I meant "low end in terms of gear failure", as in least gear failures... not low end as in low ... quality. sorry for any mis-understanding.

I actually did returned it to the chatswood store but the shop attendant said its not covered under warranty which I accepted.
She then recommended me the nemesis pants, which have been bomber thus far.

Last edited by ninjapuppet on Fri 02 Sep, 2011 5:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Rule 1: point 4

[bluewombat]

Hi blacksheep
glad to hear you guys have spotted the fault and taken steps to rectify it, not a pretty sight a bunch of walkers who can't keep their shorts from falling down
bw

[sailfish]

Probably a fairly common failure is zippers. The 2 way screen zip on a tent nolonger zips up. The zip remains undone after zipping. Because it's 2 way the other zip will do it up fine but it's anoying that it only works one way now. I figured the little metal thingy the guide the zip together has maybe worn and isn't squeezing the 2 sides to engage each other anymore. I got the zip together manually and squeezed very carefully with some pliers which seemed to work. Alas, 1st trip after that and it failed again. Any solutions other than sewing in a new zip?

If I do sew in a new zip, where can I get one?

Ken

[photohiker]

Ive had a couple of failures this week.

1. Innov8 Terroc 330's

Terroc330-sm.jpg (96.63 KiB) Viewed 9098 times

This is the third failure in the heel for Innov8 for me, and I don't think I'm going to buy any more of them. Basically, I haven't gotten good use out of the sole before the inner lining has failed. Never had a heel lining fail before buying this brand, so I guess they are either not suited to my feet (or use), or perhaps they just went one shade too light on the lining.

2. Salomon Fastpacker GTX light hiker boots.

Fastpacker1-sm.jpg (96.75 KiB) Viewed 9098 times

Fastpacker2-sm.jpg (107.76 KiB) Viewed 9098 times

This was disappointing and surprising to find. I've had these boots since late June last year and they haven't done that many km. They are a very comfortable boot, fit like a glove if you have the right shaped foot. I've been using them in wet conditions and longer day hikes, hardly at all over summer. Used them a couple of times this month and just noticed this failure yesterday. Initially, I thought I had grazed a sharp rock, but upon closer inspection I found other fractures of the upper on the forward crease-lines. Bought in Adelaide and the shopkeeper tells me there is a pretty solid 1 year warranty so hopeful to get a no hassle replacement. Unless there has been a known bad batch or materials upgrade not so hopeful that a new pair will be immune to the same problem .

[ULWalkingPhil]

I recently purchased a pair of so called, best hiking socks you can buy, That's what I was told at store of purchase.
Horizon Socks, they where on special for apx $35.00 . If I remember correctly I think RRP is apx $55.00. These socks have already fallen apart after only a few uses, I've got socks I paid half of what I paid for these socks a year ago and there still like new.
I'm going to look for my docket and see if I can get them replaced with something better.

[SteveJ]

I purchased an Exped pillow for way too much money, it has only done 3 trips and one entire side has hundreds of tiny leaks as result of a major material failure, it will be going back and has soiled my trust in Exped gear if their quality control is so ordinary.

Steve

[Dale]

I purchased an Exped pillow for way too much money, it has only done 3 trips and one entire side has hundreds of tiny leaks as result of a major material failure, it will be going back and has soiled my trust in Exped gear if their quality control is so ordinary.

Steve

I had the same issue with the ultra light Exped pillow - the inflatable one that weighs 50g. I went through two of them They both leaked within a couple of nights. The concept was great - the pillow was comfortable and amazingly low volume. Anyway my Downmat has never had an issue. Fingers crossed...

[ILUVSWTAS]

I recently purchased a pair of socks I think RRP is apx $55.00.

Now there's your problem!!

[SteveJ]

I took my faulty Exped Pillow back and it was replaced (Mont in Canberra) without question, very impressed with the shop/service, the jury is out on the pillow

Steve

[Liamy77]

Hi mr wombat,
sorry for this inconvienience, We have changed the waiistband elstic construction method on our drawstring pants now. The previous method could see the cord come undone as you say, and all current production no longer will have this issue.

ninja, if ever you have a problem with our products please return them. We stand behind our gear, and if there are issues we want to hear about them so see the store manger or send an e-mail. That way you have any issues resolved, and we learn from the feedback and can follow up with material suppliers/ designser/ QA departments.
thanks

I actually did returned it to the chatswood store but the shop attendant said its not covered under warranty which I accepted.

this sounds a bit contradictory to me..... if you stand by the product and have changed your production due to a design/material/production fault as you have stated- then this should have been backed up at the store dont you think?

[blacksheep]

Hi mr wombat,
sorry for this inconvienience, We have changed the waistband elstic construction method on our drawstring pants now. The previous method could see the cord come undone as you say, and all current production no longer will have this issue.

ninja, if ever you have a problem with our products please return them. We stand behind our gear, and if there are issues we want to hear about them so see the store manger or send an e-mail. That way you have any issues resolved, and we learn from the feedback and can follow up with material suppliers/ designser/ QA departments.
thanks

I actually did returned it to the chatswood store but the shop attendant said its not covered under warranty which I accepted.

this sounds a bit contradictory to me..... if you stand by the product and have changed your production due to a design/material/production fault as you have stated- then this should have been backed up at the store dont you think?

yes. I would expect an issue like this to be resolved by the store manager- either sourcing a sewing repair or if required, replace the item. is the issue resolved for you now?

[Liamy77]

still life doesn't always work out text-book fair..... proven by setting out for a walk on a looovly bright sunny day....- and gettin rained, hailled and wind-blasted all afternoon !

he seemed happy enough with the service at the time though i guess.... and the new macpants as mentioned are "bomber" (i think this is a positive description and does NOT mean the new pants exploded painfully around the nether-regions!?)

i believe all manufacturers should try to follow your example of pride and improvement of quality products.
theres also the lesson of - dont necissarily believe all that a store sales kid tells ya

[Snowzone]

still life doesn't always work out text-book fair..... proven by setting out for a walk on a looovly bright sunny day....- and gettin rained, hailled and wind-blasted all afternoon !

theres also the lesson of - dont necissarily believe all that a store sales kid tells ya

Or what the weather promises.

I've got an icebreaker polo top that I cannot seem to budge the sweat smell from. I've had several icebreakers over the years and they are usually exceptional with regard to odours but this one although seeming the same quality to the others for some reason is different.
I've tried several types of washing products including bi-carb soda to no avail. Has anyone else had a similiar problem? Does anyone have any other washing ideas?

Vicki

[north-north-west]

Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil next time you wash it.

[SteveJ]

My Icebreaker is 100% stink proof, you must have made the stink from Hell in yours!! I would use Euc oil too ( or the Euc wool wash), if that fails put it on Ebay

Steve

[Snowzone]

My Icebreaker is 100% stink proof, you must have made the stink from Hell in yours!! I would use Euc oil too ( or the Euc wool wash), if that fails put it on Ebay

Steve

It certainly wasn't the walk from hell, just a nice pleasant 6 days in WOJ.

Thanks NNW and Steve. Have tried the eucalyptus oil and while it has given the top an overall pleasant smell I can still pick up the sweat smell in the armpit area. I really don't know what it is with this particular top, I cannot see any difference between this and my other icebreakers which have been on even longer, sweatier walks and never smelt like this one does.

Yes it may just become an expensive rag.

[sailfish]

I have used a solid soap product called Exit Stain I think. This has proved exceptional at removing stains including sweat from fabrics. I have only used it hand washing in cold water and the results depend on the effort and time you’re willing to put in. Do not apply any heat to a stain as that sets it in (so cold wash). OK so maybe you have no visible stain but the point is to remove the bulk of the stinky organic matter. Euci oil is an antiseptic and I guess that is the basis of previous advice, to kill the bacteria causing the smell. So I think that is good advice but better to remove whatever the bugs are feeding on first. My 2c.

Ken

[photohiker]

2. Salomon Fastpacker GTX light hiker boots.

I had a call Friday - full credit from Salomon on these boots, no question.

I've opted to try another pair, hoping that the new pair last better than the first.

Shop was Kathmandu. I don't normally shop there, but they are one of the few selling Salomon in Adelaide. Full credit to them, warranty replacement was handled with no hassle.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I recently purchased a pair of so called, best hiking socks you can buy, That's what I was told at store of purchase.
Horizon Socks, they where on special for apx $35.00 . If I remember correctly I think RRP is apx $55.00. These socks have already fallen apart after only a few uses, I've got socks I paid half of what I paid for these socks a year ago and there still like new.
I'm going to look for my docket and see if I can get them replaced with something better.

Full store credit back on the socks at MD. They first wanted to replace the socks, I said not interested in socks that only last a few outings so they gave store credit, which I put towards a Black Diamond Orbit light. A very bright little light, which appears to be a lot brighter than it's bigger brother with fresh batteries, I always thought that light was a bit low. Now I know for sure it certainly is low.

[photohiker]

2. Salomon Fastpacker GTX light hiker boots.

I had a call Friday - full credit from Salomon on these boots, no question.

I've opted to try another pair, hoping that the new pair last better than the first.

Shop was Kathmandu. I don't normally shop there, but they are one of the few selling Salomon in Adelaide. Full credit to them, warranty replacement was handled with no hassle.

And they're stuffed!

As best I can tell, they have done between 1500 and 2000km on tracks and trails, hardly any bitumen. The outer cloth of the upper has cracked through in areas of creasing. The heels are worn down to the point that I wouldn't want to use them in the wet. Surprisingly, the boots are still waterproof and comfortable.

I guess it's fair enough (ideal even) that the upper and the sole wear out at approximately the same time. These were a $300 boot, but by using the guarantee, I've had 2 pairs for that, and I bought replacements a month or so ago from the US for $150, so $150 per year for a comfortable walking boot is not too bad given the kms I rack up.

No, I'm not going to try my luck returning the boots again to Kathmandu I think I've had value, and I expect that this time, with the sole wear they would rightly claim fair wear and tear.