Leather Boots and Water Proofness

[Kevin Hansen]

Just as I've gravitated away from fleece and other synthetics and moved towards wool and cotton, I'm finding myself thinking of moving away from Gore-Tex lined boots and going with an all leather boot. One of the makers I'm looking at advertises their double and triple vamp construction as water proof. In their words it isn't 'stand in the middle of a stream water proof', but the boots will most certainly keep your feet dry during a quick creek crossing, walking in wet grass, or slogging through wet slushy snow. I want to believe it, but I'm dubious and cautious about leaving Gore-Tex behind as I have mostly had good luck with it.
Any of you have first hand experience with the water proofness of non Gore-Tex boots?
Thanks.

[Lefty]

I use sno-seal with good results on leather boots.

[highplains55]

you need to try the leather sealer from Kennetrek as this stuff wont break down the glue lines ,do your research.i used to use MT pitch blend but gonna try this new stuff.

[Orion]

Looks like you might be considering Russells.  I have a few of those.  Can certainly cross a creek or walk threw dewey fields to a stand without water getting in.  However, a half-day walking in continuously wet conditions and the water will eventually soak through. They dry out.  I've found Ubenhauf's is a good leather treatment/sealer.

[Kevin Hansen]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Orion, PM sent.
Anyone else care to share thier experiences with non Gore-Tex boots?
Thanks.

[Hummer3T]

toilet seal wax them, and they are then waterproof

[knobby]

I agree with Hummer. The toilet seal wax really works.

[Bjorn]

All leather non GT boots are great, they breathe and your feet stay cool. I have not tried to stand in water all day long; but for wet grass, mud, and downpour conditions they are fine. I find the better commercial products all work equally well. I will try the toilet seal wax. As an aside GT will often let in water if the liner gets compromised in any way.

[Kevin Dill]

I'd like to see someone do a performance study on Goretex in boots after 1, 2, and 3 years of wear. I have little faith in its breathability after much wear, but I have no dispute with waterproofness as long as the liner isn't damaged.

I own a pair of triple-vamp Russell HCH boots. I love them, but they're NOT the boot for frequently wet conditions. No boot conditioner will totally exclude all moisture from leather. After several days of wet exposure, the leather gets wet and you'll deal with it. I have treated new Schnee's with the finest leather dressings available. After 6 days in the wet of Alaska bush, the leather absorbed moisture and was clammy. On a 7 degree night, they froze hard...for two of us.

The perfect boot for all conditions doesn't exist. Picking the best boot for your hunts is the real trick.

[Bladepeek]

I'll stick with my GoreTex thanks. I had a pair of Meindl hikers that I used to run in every morning in Germany. Resoled them 3 times over a 14 year period. When the 3rd set of Vibram soles was worn down, I could still stand in the shallows at our lake and they were dry. With a pair of wool socks on it sure seemed to me they still breathed. The seams got to looking pretty ratty so I gave them a decent burial and bought a new pair from Cabala's.

I wear the uninsulated hikers for everything except cold weather sitting. For that, I have a pair of insulated high top Meindls that keep me toasty warm. Both are water-proof and I never get the sweating I get from rubber boots.

I've always wanted to try a pair of Russles, but wouldn't expect them to be water-proof.

[bentpole]

Nothing beats Rubber for waterproofness. They also come in a variety of insulation weights. Early season I wear a pair of LL Bean Maine Hunting Boots uninsulated for early to mid season. I redo them with Mink Oil every now and again. As it gets cooler here I switch to my LaCrosse 1200 rubber boots. If I did purchase a leather pair for winter and cold weather hunting it would be a pair of Schnees. My 2 cents.

[Matt Fowler]

Montana Pitch Blend is the best leather conditioner and waterproofing dressing I have found.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I agree with Kevin Dill.  I have had great luck with all of my Russells and Schnees.  But no boot is perfect for all conditions.  I use Sno Seal and Montana Pitch Blend.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Originally posted by Matt Fowler:
Montana Pitch Blend is the best leather conditioner and waterproofing dressing I have found.

DITTO I also use Huberd's boot Grease.

[Dave Lay]

i also have no faith in goretex after alot of bad experiences,   and have gone almost totally to quality leather boots or pac style boots, montana pitch blend has always done well for me..

[Tajue17]

Originally posted by knobby:
I agree with Hummer. The toilet seal wax really works.

you talking the wax ring for the toilet flange?

[Easykeeper]

I've had a lot of leather boots over the years, none have ever been water proof like a rubber boot.  I think it's probably unreasonable to expect them to be.

I always buy Red Wings, mainly because they come in extremely wide sizes, but they are also very good quality.  I usually buy the Gore-Tex lining and it works for a while.  The Gore-Tex gives out a lot sooner than the leather boot part, at least in my experience.  The GT usually wears out in the areas that do the most bending, right around the top of the sole at the ball of my foot.

I just accept that the best I can expect from a leather boot is "temporary water resistance", not wading, not standing in water, but walk through a puddle or wet grass to to my stand type of water resistance.  I put up with that weakness for the comfort of leather, I hate the feel of rubber boots after a while, too sweaty.  If I have to wade, I take rubber boots and change into leather at my destination...yeah, it's a pain.

[Burnsie]

I used a pair of Keen hikers in Colorado this year that were supposedly lined with "Keen-Dry" technology.  Walked in rain and/or wet grass and underbrush pretty much all day everyday of the trip.
Feet were soaked within the first hour of the day.  Got a lot of people pointing me in the direction of Meindl boots thoroughly treated with Obenauf's boot treatment. I have the boots and have them treated,  but haven't put them to the test yet.

[tracker12]

I haven't worn a pair of leather boots deer hunting in nearly 15 years and have no plans on changing.  I have never found a pair of leather boots that kept me 100% dry in all conditions. I'll stick with my LaCrosse uninsulated and Muck insulated for cold days.  

Now for out west I wear a pair of Italiam made Vasque for dry days but go back to rubber if it is raining or snow.

[huntmaster70]

If you want waterproof boots get rubber- don't rely on leather