I was a big fan of REI. Used to buy mtb boots regularly, gradually climbing the price scale over time. Till I got to the top, full leather $300 on sale or so.

I was a big fan of REI. Used to buy mtb boots regularly, gradually climbing the price scale over time. Till I got to the top, full leather $300 on sale or so. I never price compared. Then recently I had a fairly new pair, worn daily for months, but the tread was still near new. Minimal signs of wear, still clean. Keep in mind these are full leather hiking boots. A major seam burst, when I mentioned it REI said, oh, you don't squat in them do you? I said not regularly. Then they denied the return and said buy another pair. Pretty disappointing, I certainly won't be buying there again unless they have the best price.