Johnny wrote:
My experience with Alfa? I also tried to contact them several times in the last decade. And I never received any reply. Not exactly what I am looking for in a customer experience. I do not think they have any reps here in North America. I am pretty sure spare parts would be very hard (impossible) to find. I wouldn't want to have to send my boots to Norway for 10 months for costly repairs.
Well I have received responses to the few questions I had when I contacted Alfa via e-mail. Its true though that I did not receive emotional support, a free massage, or anything like that. But then again, I never sent them a bottle of wine so I guess it would not be a fair comparison to make Johnny!
There is a rep, or at least an importer based in Québec. I believe that is who La Cordée goes to or used to go through to place an order. I forget whom he is. I think he's the same person who imports Sporten skis.
Unless there was a serious defect in the boot that merited an exchange, I would not bother dealing with Alfa, being so far and all. For most minor repairs I think you would be better off visiting the local cobbler. They are mountain walking shoes after all!
Oh one thing that has bothered me with Alfa is that the US sizes on their size chart does not correspond with the US sizes in their boots. You have to use the EU sizes with them.
Have a look:
For example, my size EU42 Trac APS shoes have UK8 and US8.5 printed inside. Now, if you look on their size chart for EU42, the corresponding sizes are more like UK8.5 and US10. Another thing to keep in mind is that the US sizes are different for men and women (about 1.5) and there is no mention of that on the chart or anywhere on their website...
Here are a few other examples:
Curiously, their size chat its spot on for their EU46 boots: