Well, once British made, then Portugal, then India and finally china! What a mess...

In five years Pentland has killed Brasher and now its burying it.

What a shame. The original company was innovative and arguably helped changed the construction ethos of walking boots, then a large conglomerate gobbled them up and it was just a brand on a portfolio.

They are now merrily killing Berghaus as well, poor quality and false price pointing.

Welcome to the wonderful new world of outdoor clothing and equipment- I guess you get the products (and retailers you deserve)!

The same company that bought Hunter wellies and turned them from excellent hard working and long lasting boots in the poorly made substandard rubbish they sell to the fashion victims. Oh dear I really hope this does not spell the end of Brashers as we knew them.

It is sad that you almost no brand name in outdoor gear can be trusted any more. As soon as a reputation is built up the name is bought out and quality dropped as the owners ride the reputation and cash in until the buying public finally catch on.

I have seen this happen to many brand names which originally were a byword for quality. It also applies to the bicycle industry and to shop names as well.

I have had the same pair of brasher boots for nearly 20 years and they are still going strong against another Canadian winter. Hope they continue to last as I'm not looking forward to buying a pair of Chinese made boots to replace them...

With so many very cheap brands of boots on the market now , selling out at well under £100 , the difference between the serious walker and the non serious walker has never been so obvious . What these companies fail to realise is that by keeping the standards and build quality high , they can then justify the higher price tag , and there is definitely a market for that . But when the once-loved high quality companies are bought over , price and quality are dropped hand-in-hand , and the customer base they should have bought simply goes elsewhere . Buying products from China does absolutely zilch for us and our economy .

I went out and bought two pairs of brasher branded boots which are now on offer next to the much higher priced berghaus version. A sad day, yet another Great British company gets thrown on the scrap heap for the sake of share holders

Loved the Brasher Countrymaster walking shoes for the day to day grind of trudging about the classroom. Loved the Boots for trudging about everywhere else.

My feet weep as I will now need to trudge around to find the next best combination.

After wearing brasher boots for the past 25 years and have introdused these boots to a good handful of people along the way i feel that it was inevitable that a great british company would end up where all the other great companies went over the years.
Britain, (no longer great) is simply a little island of absolute no significance to the rest of the world.

My Brashers fit like slippers.
I wear no other make.
My feet are unblistered.
My ankles are supported.

I mourn a future which is Brasherless ....

Bought my first pair of Brasher boots in 1994. Brilliant, still in use, but soles almost worn out with little tread left. Second pair in about 2006/7, very comfortable, but the leather has torn from the suede ankle fitting, and is not repairable. Made in China, I note.
Just tried on the new Berghaus version. Not as comfy, certainly not perfect "out of the box", as the previous boots were. Very disappointed - another good brand dumbed down and spoiled, I fear.
Bought Scarps boots instead.

Should read Scarpa boots!

Ian, it's highly unlikely Berghaus monitor this page. You should contact the company through its website.

Bob Smith
Editor

Bough a pair 3 years ago lighter all leather version which was my most important condition one shoe go eaten by our dog where to find all leather boots not too heavy for every day use if someone can recommend a good boots itwould be much apreacheated

My two week old boots by Berghaus has started to leak, what a disappointment as I though if I paid that bit more they would last a lifetime as promised on the attached label. Rubbish boot and will be going straight back to the shop for a refund.

My feet also weep for the old original Brasher boots.
My God they were comfortable. The perfect boot. I have wasted
hundreds of pounds trying to find a replacement to no avail.
The narrow Vibram soles that many boot makers use are a scourge on the industry as they are not wide enough on the toes.
Vibram do make a wider sole that Anatom use for their boots.
However the Anatoms are a bit too stifff and have very little shock absorbancy.
Chris Brasher designed a wider boot for a reason. For comfort.
I am writing a letter now to Berghaus and am offering to send them a pair of my old Brashers to show them what a perfect boot looks like.

I bought a pair of Brasher boots in 2001 and paid £280 in a little shop in Hawkshead, lake district. I have since looked at other boots but nothing comes close to them, they stay dry and are not even wearing out yet and get so much use.
Brasher are for sale at Sports Direct which is not a good sign and we were in Blacks in Keswick this week where they were selling 3 in 1 Brasher branded jackets for £54.
I am really getting fed up of shoddy companies buying up great brands. Karrimor Jackets used to cost £100`s but are now a sports direct company costing £40!.

I can only endorse everything that has been said above. I used to buy Hillmasters without even trying them on in the shops they were that dependable. They never let me down, basically they were a high quality, low maintenance boot. That will go down the pan now that Berghaus have their mark on them.

Why do companies constantly think they can improve what already works so well? Just let the walking fraternity decide what is best and leave them to get on with using what they love most!

Check out my more detailed rant (and others) at www.theramblingwalker.com

After a lifetime in boots (army and climbing) I discovered Brasher countryman walking shoes just before Brasher sank without trace. So much for the power of brand loyalty. I am so angry that I will never buy any Berghous product again. (In any case I will hardly want to since most of their footwear looks like the sort of thing a 15 year old would think "fashionable"

I've walked the length of the UK and am soon to complete a walk across France. For the first few expeditions I was plagued with blisters. Then I discovered the Brasher Hillmaster. Perfect. Blister-free. My second pair has just been honourably retired. I have tried on rival brands (eg, Scarpa, Meindl) in shops but none gave the instant reassurance of a Brasher. After some trouble in finding an outlet (many shops, eg. Cotswold and Landmark that stocked Brasher do not stock Berghaus boots) I've now bought the Berghaus Hillmaster from Go Outdoors. We'll see how they compare. Fingers crossed that the old Brasher quality is maintained. And alas the excellent Brasher Countrymaster range for everyday use seems to have been discontinued. Come on Berghaus - please fill this gap in the market.

Sad to read that Brasher/Berghaus are now just another commodity made in China, gone the same way as so many other brands (Dyson, Burberry etc). 10 years ago my first pair of Supalites lasted me for 3+ years of 20-30 miles a week. My next pair leaked after 4 weeks, just a day into the Pennine Way.
In the absence of any UK made boots, if anyone's looking for "Made in Europe" boots then Grisport fit the bill. I've gone through a few pairs of those and something like the Crusader is on a par with a Brasher Hillmaster in terms of quality and lifespan.
One downside though is that Grisport don't provide any guarantee, and leave that to the seller, so you have an uphill struggle if your boots leak after 9 months, as I know from painful personal experience. Contrast that with Berghaus who offer a "lifetime" guarantee regardless of the seller. Here's what Berghaus told me about what that guarantee means:
"Daily dog walkers who subject their boots to constant wet/dry/wet/dry conditions or people that use them daily for work are considered 'Uniform Users' 6-12 months would be reasonable.
General intermittent use in mixed conditions users could expect 1-3 years depending upon how they are used and cared for.
Occasional users and weekend Hillwalkers could expect over 5 years depending upon how they are used and cared for."

The retort is always around the need to keep good margins to maintain profitability, because they can’t invest and drive a charismatic brand development, like, innocent, or nike, or keen, or patagonia to maintain desire and great end user experiences, therefore they reduce the quality after exhausting the cheap supply. Buy german or Italian quality brands, you know them! British management for you, they adopt business', it could be any product, they are not passionate about it. Yes sad and a now uncharismatic brand berghaus eats a subtle purposeful one and now more mediocraty. you could put Karrimor on there for sure and not know the difference. Its about passionless money grabbing. No Vision?

Same here - will never buy Berghaus again. They absolutely threw Brasher away first by crap quality and design and then by just stopping making anything worth buying.

Totally agree, stopped buying brasher when noticed quality was going after takeover. Now I see Berghaus travelling the same route. As soon as you see China, forget it.
Have switched to Rab for clothes and Merrel for footwear.
So far so good. Merrel American, Rab UK Yorkshire.

I am still using my Brashers boots that I got in Australia in 1994. The tread is almost gone now. I was hoping to replace them on my upcoming trip to UK but then I stumbled across this thread. This is so disappointing. The Brasher were the only boots that I have been able to wear out of the box without blisters.

I totally agree with all . I deliver vehicles all over the country , this usually means a long walk to train station , the brasher are the only ones I can use comfortably, and so good looking ( the shoes not me ) does any one still have stock ?..

I chanced upon this thread. If your looking for a quality boot and one that is made in the UK (not all the range I'll admit) then have a look at Altberg.
I've a pair form the early 90's that I wore straight out the box and did Nijmegen marches in, with 2 blisters, they are my slippers now (walk to the shops in them).
I've taken Altberg boots across the world since then. Most squadies use them as they are based next door to Catterick and you can have them fitted to you perfectly - they even do custom fits and orders!
I have 4 pairs and whilst boots are a personal thing; for myself they are the best.

I've had a pair of Supalites for a few years. They are superb and are by far the most comfortable walking boots I've ever had.
They're fully leather-lined and remain 100% water-proof after many walks. I was astonished at how light they were when I first bought them and so inspected them closely. As a result of looking carefully at the construction, I saw that the materials - the sole unit, the leather lining, the foam between the sole and the upper, and so on, are all about as lightweight as it is possible to get away with. The fact that they've lasted so long is testament to the quality of these materials and the way the boots were put together. They're Chinese-made. I wish Brasher all the best, under Berghaus and don't see why the merger should necessarily lead to a downturn in the quality of the product.

IMO Brasher made the best shoes and boots I ever wore so I was really annoyed to hear that Berghaus took over. Anyway I have a pair of Berghaus Explorer boots which I bought some 14 years ago so I can compare them. These boots are still like new because they are unwearable for more than 2 hours at a time. I only use them for going to the shops in winter if it snows.

Now that all Brasher footwear has been replaced with a little Brasher cardboard label, I had to find another brand. I tried a pair of Meindl Kopenhagen shoes, and I must say I like them very much, they are easily as good a Brasher IMO. Now all that remains to be seen is how well they wear - only time will tell.

i bought a pair of Brasher Hillmaster recently for the first time based on their reputation and now regret it. Any distance over 5 miles gives me sore soles of my feet. I shall go back to Lowa which have always been really comfortable on any distance, but not very waterproof after prolonged exposure to wet conditions.

My Brasher shoes were so brilliant, I have smallish, feet which are wider at the front and most women's shoes wouldn't take an ortho arch support and didn't allow for wider feet. I could wear Brasher shoes straight away, they didn't rub and were waterproof as well.

Had both feet operated on and a year later after final op, was looking forward to buying a couple of new pairs of Brasher shoes having only one pair left.

I was and am dismayed Berghaus took over Brasher and do not make any shoes. Brasher shoes were deep enough, adjustable, and beautifully engineered.

I've tried other shoes with no success, if anyone has any luck with shoes, please post your results. Devastated.

So here we are, Berghaus Brasher with Vibram soles that can kill people on wet rocks - thank you NO! Why do people allow makers like Brasher to disappear and substitute for expensive shit made in China? It's such a shame...

I am still wearing a pair of Brasher country master GTX 2 shoes,they are falling to bits but I can’t find anything to replace them.
Why if Berghaus do not have a line of hiking shoes like country masters did they not take on such a popular line.

I'm speechless..... I love my leather Brasher Boots. A trusty friend.... so sad the demise of Brasher!

Absolutely devastated that the brasher brand has disappeared, I and my partner bought our first pair 15 years ago and are still going strong, with many walking miles in the lake-district. souls and leather still in top condition

I have only just found out that Berghaus have bought Brasher! So did my research on the net to try and find a pair of original brasher boots, I found a pair with the brasher name on the boot but when I received them they where made in China, souls and leather completely different and sorry to say no where near as good as the original ones ....

Gutted........!!!!!!!! My advised is keep away from this brand as its gone from top to bottom of the market

They have killed the womens Brasher boot, it is no badly made now and no longer fits I have worn size 4 brasher lightweights for 20 years and bought three pairs over the years my new boots are too small and uncomfortable

So what are people's thoughts on replacement walking shoe/boots?
My Hillmaster II GTXs are the most comfortable shoes I've ever put on my feet and until they split on the welt last year, we're waterproof too.

I like you, was gutted to find out that they'd been bought out by Berghaus.

Looking at their replacements, I doubt very much I'll be parting with my hard earned cash for them, for one main reason, 'Event waterproof'!!

I've had three pairs of 'waterproof' footwear using 'Event' and not one has lasted more than a couple of months before leaking. Whether this is the 'Event' material itself, the quality of the manufacture or a combination of both I can't say, but either way I'll be steering well clear.

Yes had a pair of brashers, UK made. Lasted years until the sole wore thru. Looked to replace them in 2015 and found they were now being made in China and the complaints were so high good outdoor shops had stopped stocking them. I will only buy British. I looked around and discover Altburg, Britsh company who have some boots made in Italy. My Altburgs are still going string, are waterproof and British. Just try them

Having been a loyal fan of the Brasher Supalites I bought a pair after the Berghaus takeover. The sole came right off shortly afterwards (the lower insert piece). And they leaked like a seive. The uppers seemed fine and I treated them regularly with wax.
As many users are fiinding, this is an example of poor quality control, apathy for the end users, and cost cutting by changing manufacturing techniques oor materials.
I will never buy anything from Berghaus again. they have ruined a beautifully designed product.

Just thought I would add my experience, I bought a pair of Meindle boots a few years ago, they were very comfortable and appeared good quality.
However the lace loops which were of a fabric started to break, I contacted Meindle and was informed the cost to repair .. £50.00. I was amazed that a pair of boots would fail for such a basic feature. So now I only buy boots with metal lace studs. And have now purchased Brasher boots, let's hope these outperform other brands.

Now that we cannot rely on the Brasher make any more, has anyone any recommendations for alternative brands and models?

I fully endorse the Altberg recomendation, particularly if you can visit the factory and excellent fitting room in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Prepare for a short wait in a queue behind Catterick Garrison's soldiers, including Gurkhas. That alone is a strong recommendation.
Happy Christmas to Bob and everybody.

I bought my first pair of Brasher boots in 1991 and have had a few pairs since. The best boots I’ve ever had. I bought a pair of the Berghaus/Brasher Hillmaster boots and still recommend them. Still comfortable and well made. Not as comfortable as the Kendal-made Brashers that I still have to compare with. The reason is the Chinese ones are about 1 inch higher and that makes it a little less comfortable as you can feel it. Still a good boot though and I’ve had them over a year now. I do NOT recommend the Altbergs compared to Brasher, as some do. The Altbergs are very uncomfortable when I’ve tried them on, in store, numerous times. Each to their own of course. I still have to yet find a boot as good as the Brasher or Berghaus/Brasher.

My wife has recently bought a pair of Berghaus Hillmaster boots. The label says they are made in Vietnam.