Dunlop Volleys - Am I losing my grip?

[johnw]

I suspect that my Dunlop Volleys are losing their grip . Although I mainly walk in boots, I do some bush regeneration field trips occasionally, for which I've found DVs are invaluable. Most of the walking is off track and usually involves rock hopping and wading through creeks for long periods, with slippery consequences. I was on such a trip last Saturday and went A over T at one point on a slippery rock (no injuries to speak of, but could easily have had a worse outcome).

The volleys are probably 2-3 years old and still look in good condition (soles are not yet particularly worn), but they seemed to me to be less effective than previously, or maybe the rocks in the creek were more slippery than usual. What are other people's experience with this?

I note that I can get replacements on special at present for under $22.

Also any opinions about different models? Mine are just the "standard" ones (in basic black) but I've seen the "International" (or maybe "Classic") type for about $44, and various "fashion" and "skate" types. Are any of these better or worse than the garden variety for grip/wear?

[whynotwalk]

Oh John! The best thing about Volleys is this series of ads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lp8cRLUB4Y

It isn't you by any chance??

cheers

Peter

[Ent]

Volleys I assume still use rubber and this hardens and loses it grip over time. A car magazine once published and interesting article featuring design and manufacturing people and there was a strong argument that car tyres should be changed based on age as well as wear as the rubber loses traction with age. Bit frighting as they were alluding to 12 months life and most tyres last three if not four times this amount. I would imagine that you are experiencing much the same effect with the volleys.

Cheers Brett

[whynotwalk]

John ... further to my Volley volley ... some years ago I had an interesting experience in the Cuvier Valley. Walking with a mainland walker, who was wearing Volleys, we ended up having to invent a new game, which we dubbed "Vhere's Volley?" (after the similarly tricky search for the stripey shirted Wally).

My explanation? The acidity of the peaty soils underlying buttongrass confounds the favoured footwear of many mainland walkers. Dunlop Volleys may be cheap and light, but they were never made to stand up to the acidic mud of our moorlands. They deteriorate rapidly on such trips, soon gaping, and leaving the tender mainland feet open to the elements. Nor can Volleys always be successfully extracted along with the foot from a deep mudhole. I imagine a rubber-and-canvas-seeking equivalent of a metal detector could yield an interesting harvest in places like the Cuvier Valley. Hence the fun game "Vhere's Volley?"

cheers again (hoping for a rise!)

Peter

[jwalker]

John, I have a brand new pair (standard black ones) that I am currently using for some abseil work I am doing. I find that I keep tripping over on the ground due to their astounding grip (that and they are a probably a tad long). I reckon if yours are sub-par then a new pair are in order. For $22 you can't go wrong!

[ollster]

I don't have anything construcive to add to this discussion, but I will shamelessly draw your attention to my avatar pic. ------------>>>>>>>>>>

Yes, Volleys at sundown.

[johnw]

Volleys I assume still use rubber and this hardens and loses it grip over time. A car magazine once published and interesting article featuring design and manufacturing people and there was a strong argument that car tyres should be changed based on age as well as wear as the rubber loses traction with age. Bit frighting as they were alluding to 12 months life and most tyres last three if not four times this amount. I would imagine that you are experiencing much the same effect with the volleys.

I'm inclined to agree Brett. I've had similar experience with 4WD tyres noticeably losing highway traction after several years, with plenty of tread left. Can lead to some hair-raising episodes in wet weather .

Great video clip whynotwalk. No it's not me, he dresses better . Don't worry I'm not planning on bringing DVs to Tassie. I've had the occasional incidence there in buttongrass bogs of bootus non extractus, but at least they're harder to lose .

...I will shamelessly draw your attention to my avatar pic...Yes, Volleys at sundown

Love it

...I reckon if yours are sub-par then a new pair are in order. For $22 you can't go wrong!

That's a winning argument. You've convinced me, I hope that sale is still on .

[johnw]

...For $22 you can't go wrong!

Even better. I bought the white/green & gold numbers on sale at "Tarjay" for $20-25 which, oddly, came with bonus spare green laces .