Gore tex, I give up

[T Sunstone]

I'm not talking about wading streams.  The day they leaked we had 3 showers and wet grass.

[Rick Richard]

No problems with Kenetrek or Meindls.

[H1tman7]

Goretex is ePTFE (basically a "teflon" membrane), it has a porous structure that can allow water vapor to escape but relies on surface tension to keep liquid water out.
- if contaminated with oils ePTFE can wet out and water will leak in.
- Gore offers different grades of ePTFE (all boot companies wouldn't necessary be using the same membrane)
- Seams are a likely spot for failure

I know a lot more about the membranes than I do the boot construction side, but If I had to take a guess I would bet that most of these leaking have to do with construction & or contamination form laminate fabrics.

[Montanawidower]

I don't buy, "All Gore tex Leaks"  arguments.  I have too many articles that don't to make that claim.  

Heck, Most modern waders manufactured in the last 15 years are made of Gore tex.  They are water proof.... They do no leak except at seams and punctures.  I have, and do own mutliple pairs.  


The boot issue  IMO is one of wear and tear.   Kinnetrek is located about ten minutes from my house.  I have discussed at length the gore tex problems.  The topic always goes back to how many miles you get, and the fit you begin with.  

This has been discussed extensively in previous posts, but in summary...  Most high end boots leak after a couple of seasons.   If yours don't, your lucky, (or not putting hundreds of miles per season on them like most western hunters.)  If you are buying top end like Lowa, Kinnetrek, Schnees, Meindl, Asolo, etc, they are awesome boots that you are buying for the fit and stability.   But if you can't stomach buying new ones every several seasons, buy something more affordable.  They will probably also last a couple of seasons.  

[Steve O]

Originally posted by Montanawidower:
I don't buy, "All Gore tex Leaks"  arguments.  I have too many articles that don't to make that claim.  

Heck, Most modern waders manufactured in the last 15 years are made of Gore tex.  They are water proof.... They do no leak except at seams and punctures.  I have, and do own mutliple pairs.  


The boot issue  IMO is one of wear and tear.   Kinnetrek is located about ten minutes from my house.  I have discussed at length the gore tex problems.  The topic always goes back to how many miles you get, and the fit you begin with.  

This has been discussed extensively in previous posts, but in summary...  Most high end boots leak after a couple of seasons.   If yours don't, your lucky, (or not putting hundreds of miles per season on them like most western hunters.)  If you are buying top end like Lowa, Kinnetrek, Schnees, Meindl, Asolo, etc, they are awesome boots that you are buying for the fit and stability.   But if you can't stomach buying new ones every several seasons, buy something more affordable.  They will probably also last a couple of seasons.    

Ding Ding...we have a correct answer.

The BOOT is a poor choice for GoreTex. Notice all those fantastic waders MW mentioned don't have GoreTex in the BOOT portion. They have a neoprene sock or rubber boot welded to them. Also notice those waders aren't QUIET like everyone wants; that's because the GoreTex is bonded to a TOUGH (thus noisy) outer layer. GoreTex is fairly fragile, so the garments it works "best" in protect it with a tough (and most often noisy) outer surface. That's why Cabelas "MT50" sucks; it's bonded to a fragile (but quiet) outer layer. So the first time you walk thru some brush the GT is basically shredded. Just kneeling in sand will plug and or tear MT50 (GoreTex) in those glorious silent Rain Suede garments.

Think about it. Every step you take grinds sweat, oils, and dirt into the GT bootie; not to mention with 2-300 pounds of force.

Don't count on GoreTex boots working for a long time.

[Gdpolk]

I've written off all waterproof boots.  Between my hiking and hunting experiences the only ones that are TRULY waterproof don't allow for ANY ventilation and make my feet a sweaty, swampy, stinky mess.  All of the waterproof treatments that I've tried fail to provide adequate water resistance after mild - moderate use in the field.  All products with water resistant/proof treatments tend to hold sweat IN more, even when they have failed to the point they leak.  So, for my use I consider the GoreTex and equivalent technologies to be a loose-loose-loose situation where you loose more money up front, loose expected comfort when it leaks, and loose comfort from improper ventilation and breath-ability when it's not leaking.  These coatings just don't survive the wear and tear that I expect footwear to endure.  This is probably why most waders and stuff use GoreTex coatings up top but have solid rubber boots over the feet area.

My solution has been to get two sets of hunting boots.  I have some nice Danner's WITHOUT the coatings that I hit lightly with Scothbrite periodically for dry hunts and I use Muck boots for wet conditions.  In my experience, the Scotchbrite treatments don't last worth a hoot either but provide minimal water resistance to keep from heavy dew, a very light rain, or an accidental and SHORT step in a puddle from instantly soaking through but it still allows for my shoes to breathe well.  It's certainly NOT effective against anything more than minor exposure to water but that minor resistance offers adequate protection for most of my hunts.  When I know it'll be wet, I grab the Muck boots which are absolutely waterproof but don't fit as well, don't support my ankles as well, and seem to let in more ticks.  I buy all of my hunting boots one size too large and with no or minimal insulation.  Then, I layer in wool socks as needed to combat the cold as the seasons progress.

[Pointer]

I don't think any of my GoreTex boots have ever leaked and I've several pairs over the years. I currently have Meindl, Rocky and Wolverine. The Wolverines are 10 years old and have had no issues

[Firstlight]

I have purchased many pairs of high end gore tex boots, which eventually all leak.

Even my $400. North Face Gore Tex jacket let's water in through the shoulders after a long day in the rain.  I do live in a temperate rainforest so it gets really wet here.

I maintain the gear by the book but I've come to the opinion that gore tex is way over rated and after 1-3 years, you get wet.

I've had the best results with all leather boots that I treat with a natural beezwax waterproofer.

Most of the expensive logger boots for the guys who spend everyday in the woods around here are using non gortex - all leather boots.  Just have to treat them when needed.  Of course these will be heavier...  Danner Super Rainforest works well...    http://www.danner.com/super-rain-forest-8-black.html  
Viberg makes a nice hunting boot    http://workboot.com/collections/hunting

then theres the calk boot loggers use...you can remove the spikes   http://workboot.com/collections/logger/products/viberg-105

[md126]

I have Asolo Powermatics and they have been awesome for several years. Bomb proof and waterproof

Use them locally and have taken them elk hunting a couple times out west and never had any issues whatsoever

[Doc Nock]

What I was told is that in boots and in clothing, the material is "welded" into a shape of cut pieces...and over time, those welds break down and leak.

I had Danners when Danner still ran it... sent back, got replacement that did the exact same thing.... his reply was" Well, you said they were comfortable".

True, but I didn't pay the extra for comfort but for those boots to be water proof... Comfortable boots can be a lot cheaper. These leaked walking in snow... Dismal experience!

Same with Gore rain jackets... in 2 yrs, which I take care of my stuff, the "seams" let go and leak like a sieve!

Seems the overall consensus is a few have great luck, more have dismal!

When it is wet and a little above freezing, if I want to keep my socks dry, I wear seal skins.  Most of the time I wear canvas ankle highs just like when I am on wet foot canoe trips.  Since the water is usually over my knees on the streams that I cross, if am fast the seal skins do their job, if I am not just getting my feet wet when it is above 40 degrees is no big deal, so the water runs in and the water runs out.  We were all born wet and spend the rest of lives trying to stay dry. When out in the rain or walking in the water, just call it a pre-bath condition.

[Silent Tracker]

My Danner boots of 2 years also gave out this past weekend in heavy rain. I also had oiled them with heavy Mink oil which like the one compadre said will clog the pores. I'm thinking another dose of Montana paste and a dose of beeswax might get me through the rest of the season. Next time just leather and plenty of ole mink oil each season.

[reddogge]

I think I'm on my fourth year of my Meindle's and they do not leak. These are the Perfekt Hikers, not hunting boots. the best boot I've ever owned.

[David Mitchell]

I have had no issues.

[bowslinger]

I have owned Danner, Vasque, Red Wing, Asolo, and Cabela's brand boots with Goretex or other proprietary water proof linings.  I have had several boots last 4 to 7 years without leaking.  I use nickwax or guide gear water proofing, but have also used silicone, mink oil, Obenhauf's and other water proof treatments.  The times I have had failure was not fabric issues, but water soaked through my pants that wicked down my socks into my boots.  I will not buy a pair of boots without Goretex or other form of waterproof liner.  I have only had one or two pair of boots fail in many pair purchased.  I am a geologist and have spent many years the field with various steel-toe and hunting/hiking boots and have had good luck with waterproof boots.  Personally, I prefer Italian-made boots for quality and fit.