Lowa Boots noise

[Gil Verwey]

In September I am going on a trad DIY elk hunt in Colorado. I purchased a good pair of Lowa boots. I have been breaking them in for a while now.

They sound like I have a squeakey dog toy glued to the bottom of each shoe. Every step I take my two dogs follow me around and want to play with my shoes.

I have to imagine that this will not help my elk hunting this fall.

Has anyone else had this problem with Lowa's and what did you do to solve it?

Thanks
Gil

[bicster]

I have a pair of leather Scarpa's that did the same thing. I finally got Montana Pitch Blend and it took care of the noise. Now 2 years later I need to reapply because the squeak is coming back.

[bicster]

By the way, 3 Rivers sells it.

[Slasher]

My scarpas were like that till they broke in... But good leather takes a bit...

[YORNOC]

Two possibilities, is it the leather or is there a small hole in the sole? I had a pair of Meindle sheep boots that squeaked, sounded like leather on leather but ended up being an airhole in the sole. Found it by immersing the bottom in soapy water, then flexed the boot and looked for bubbles. Found it easily and a dab of silicone took care of it.
My 13" Schnees squeak like crazy from use. When leather gets worked against another pice of leather it takes on a shine and is like rubbing wet fingers on glass. Like bicster said, easiest thing is pitch blend or petroleum jelly, etc. Taking some sandpaper to the smooth leather works too, but not for long.
The annoyances we have to deal with, eh?

[Tutanka]

I have three pairs of Lowa's, I have never had the squeaking problem from any of them.  All that I do to them is treat them with Nix wax.  A few weeks ago I purchased the leather care products from Scott Teschner, these products hold up a lot better than Nix wax.  Most of the people that I hunt with also wear Lowa's with no problems.  

Personally I would avoid taking any sand paper to the boots, if you are unhappy with them return them for another pair.

[Ringneck]

No squeaking on mine either.

[Missouri Bowman]

I had a pair of boots that had a defect in the heel of one boot that sounded like a clicker. Took them back for an exchange and they said it was a defect.

[Phil Tuccillo]

I have had that w/ a pair of LOWA's and my MEINDLE Denali's. I sent them both back.

[YORNOC]

Tutanka, why avoid the sandpaper? Worked fine for a bit. Doesn't damage the boot in any way. I can see if you are planning on returning them...., but otherwise curious to why not. 350 grit scuffs the surface just enough to get rid of the squeak. No leather damage...????
Again, just curious on that one.
I'd rather pitch blend them myself, but in a pinch the paper works and you can keep a piece in your hunting gear. Also works to put a fine edge on a dulling knife or broadhead too.

[Montanawidower]

I had that issue with my  Lowa boots last fall.  I found it was the smooth black leather of the tongue rubbing against the lace up walls.  I used a fine rasp and some boot dressing (I think it was some schnee's left over from another set of boots) and solved it pretty easily.  If its a hole in the boot sole, that would be a much different beast.  Hope that helps.  

Jeff

PS  I couldn't even shift my weight while standing without a squeek!  Pretty annoying mid hunt.

[GrayRhino]

I had the same problem as Montanawidower, but with my Danner's while out on a moose hunt.  I used chapstick to lubricate where the leather to leather contact was, and it helped for a while.  I recommend the original flavor.

When I got home I applied a beeswax boot dressing and never had another problem.

[Tutanka]

YORNOC, I would not use sand paper because if they were my boots I would return them.  I spend a lot of time in steep rocky terrian, out of the three pairs I have bought this year one to two of them won't make it to the end of the year.  Lowa will replace a pair of boots if has a defect; however, if you alter the boot in any way all bets are off.  I am extremely hard on my footwear and Lowa is the only boot I will wear, and trust me I have been thru many.  But for the money that you pay for a pair I would not mess around with a sqeuaky pair.

[Gil Verwey]

Thanks for all the great info. I am going to check where the noise is actually coming from. I assumed it was the leather. I don't see a whole in the sole, so I am going to double check the tongue also to see if it is making the noise.

I use the Austrailian Leather Seal on my work and riding boots. I used to use Montana Pitch a long time ago. I think I will try that again.  

Thanks again
Gil

[YORNOC]

Tutanka..yup, I would have to agree with that!

[PowDuck]

I have a pair of Rocky work Wellingtons that squeak. I found the squeak to be inside the boot on the insole. The rubber was squeaking against the boot when I took a step down. I had to put some silicone lube on them to get it to stop.

Sounds like you're still trying to locate the squeak Take your insoles out and see if it still makes the sound.