Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#205890 - 09/28/21 09:56 AM Waterproof boots
Tom7654 Offline
member

Registered: 05/19/20
Posts: 32
My previous Gore-Tex boots stayed waterproof for several years, until the soles wore out. My newer Gore-Tex boots are only about 18 months old and they already leak! What is your experience with durability? Also is there a good way to make them waterproof again? Silicone spray didn't work, and most other products seem to be mainly for leather (although some mention fabric boots too). I don't want to spend much, I might be better off buying new boots.

Top
#205891 - 09/28/21 10:05 AM Re: Waterproof boots [Re: Tom7654]
UrbanYeti Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/24/21
Posts: 6
Loc: Northern Illinois, USA
Not sure about Gor-Tex but I have been using Thorogood logger boots for many years. They have kept my feet dry when trudging through deep snow for 6-7 hours a day on weekends with no complaints. They are made so they can be re-souled if you have a cobbler near you.

Top
#205892 - 09/28/21 01:39 PM Re: Waterproof boots [Re: Tom7654]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
I think since the boots are constantly flexing in the same places, the W/B membrane wears out earlier than it would, say, in a jacket. I don't think there's any way to repair it, but you could add some water repellance with Nikwax for Fabric & Leather. Waterproof socks could be used to get some extra life out of them, although they're expensive.

My Keen Targhees lasted quite a few years, but were only used on backpacking trips and very occasionally at home. They eventually started leaking. I had several pairs of Lowa boots (Klondike and Renegade) that came apart before the Gore-Tex ever failed.

If you need them for snow camping, new boots are probably in order.
_________________________
Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

Top
#205893 - 09/28/21 04:12 PM Re: Waterproof boots [Re: Tom7654]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
I agree that Gore-Tex boots don't seem to last as long as they used to. I think the main culpurit is shoes are being designed to be lighter and more flexible. As Bill mentioned above, you get flexing in single wear points that cause the waterproofing to break down. More flexible boots will wear quicker like that. I also agree with Bill that it would be difficult to truely reseal that type of failure.

Since this is a hiking forum I will give a shout out to the idea that many (most?) backpackers have given up on waterproof boots. I find lightweight breathable shoes work better for back packing. They let your feet breath. Waterproof boots don't (shouldn't!) let water in but they also don't let water out. If you are hiking long distances getting the sweat out of your shoes is more important for keeping your feet dry. Walking through water? Light weighter hikers dry quickly. If water gets over the lip of a water proof boot it is held in for the rest of the hike.

Obviously you do what works best for you, but I wanted to throw that out there if you hadn't thought of it before.


Edited by BZH (09/28/21 04:13 PM)

Top
#205894 - 09/28/21 05:16 PM Re: Waterproof boots [Re: BZH]
Tom7654 Offline
member

Registered: 05/19/20
Posts: 32
Actually I have switched to breathable trail runners for backpacking. My feet get wet from sweat on long hikes, so waterproof boots aren't very useful to me. But I still use waterproof boots for day hikes and dog walking. It is amazing how wet my feet get from dew on the grass, when walking the dog just after sunrise. :-)

Top
#205896 - 09/29/21 02:19 AM Re: Waterproof boots [Re: BZH]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Trail runners dry quickly except when you really need them to.

In my one experience with a soaked Gore-Tex boot, the result of clumsy water collecting, the boot dried fairly well overnight.

I'm afraid perfection eludes us.
_________________________
Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 199 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum