Quayside Boots Problem

[CJ13]

We have Quayside Boots bought in May 2009. For the first 2 seasons they were great, but last year SWMBO complained that her soles had lost grip & refused to wear them. I didn't use mine last season, but when i tried them this spring it was like walking on ice- the grip had gone to the point that they were dangerous.
The boots have been very lightly used & well looked after- they look almost new. Since we bought the boots we've moved our boat to the Med, but the boots are stored in a foot locker, below waterline.
I've returned the boots to the retailer, who has contacted Quayside, who aren't interested. Quayside claim that the boots must have been exposed to a heat source, which they haven't. I have an older pair of Musto Deck Shoes which although the soles have hardened a bit, have retained thier none-slip.

Am i being unreasonable in expecting the soles to retain thier grip for longer than 2 seasons?
How would you proceed?

 

[ghostlymoron]

For £120 I'd expect them to last 10 years at least.

 

[markhomer]

think quayside have ceased trading , though dont take this as gospel ,

 

[mhouse]

Its a comon problem, mine are 5 years old and are as good as ice skates if not worn. Its best to wear them once in a while and scuff your feet along a good concrete path and hey presto grip restored.

 

[wotayottie]

How would you proceed?

In a similar situation I took an angle grider with a 60 grit sanding disc to the soles and removed the shiny hard skin. Worked well.

 

[Resolution]

In a similar situation I took an angle grider with a 60 grit sanding disc to the soles and removed the shiny hard skin. Worked well.

+1 except that I just used a rough sanding block.

 

[Norman_E]

I also found that Quayside deck shoes lose grip in two years, and sanding the soles helps, but does not fully restore grip as the material used hardens over time. I just won't buy them again. I notice that there are plenty on sale at boat jumbles, which may indicate old stock sold off as job lots.