When to switch to a Gore-tex

[Jayboflavin04]

Thinking bout going on a trip in a couple weeks. When do you folks switch from a non-waterprook trail runner. To a gortex type boot?

[Jack Tarlin]

Not everybody switches.

I'm not willing to pay the premium for Gore-Tex in a shoe because I'm not entirely sure it's worth it, especially on the A.T. If conditions are wet enough, your shoe is going to get soaked thru regardless if its marketed as "waterproof". Gaiters might help a bit, but if it's wet enough you'll STILL get wet.

I think you should wear whatever you're most comfortable in.

[bigcranky]

I switch for winter hiking if there is snow on the ground, or in the forecast, or if the trail is really wet and cold and muddy and raining. I wear tall goretex gaiters, and my feet stay warm and dry in all kinds of nasty conditions. Some winter days when it's cold and raining, the only dry parts of my body are my feet.

Note that this applies only in my experience in winter in the Southern Appalachians.

Happy birthday, Jack.

[Kerosene]

I'd only switch when you have a good chance for snow, or you want a bit more warmth than a highly breathable shoe without going to an insulated boot. You will also want gaiters if there's a chance of the drifting snow being higher than your boot tops.

[Phreak]

I wear gore-tex trail runners year-round.

[Wise Old Owl]

I wear gore-tex trail runners year-round.


Which ones and why? Solomons are waterproof trail runners and are not Gortex...

[Ramble~On]

:-? I think the difference between non Goretex footwear and Goretex footwear is about $50-$100. When either gets wet, it's wet.
I'm not anti Goretex..I like the stuff but when it comes to shoes/boots...I've never noticed a difference.

[Kerosene]

I wear gore-tex trail runners year-round.Yea, but you're a Phreak! ;)

[Phreak]

Which ones and why? Solomons are waterproof trail runners and are not Gortex...Let me correct my original post - I wear waterproof trail runners all year long.

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX - I don't see any reason to have different shoes for different seasons if one model will do the trick.

[Phreak]

Yea, but you're a Phreak! ;)
Good point. :)

[Jayboflavin04]

I am looking at the TNF Hedgehog mids......seems like the right balance. Combo with my OR low gaiters.

[Doooglas]

Not everybody switches.

I'm not willing to pay the premium for Gore-Tex in a shoe because I'm not entirely sure it's worth it, especially on the A.T. If conditions are wet enough, your shoe is going to get soaked thru regardless if its marketed as "waterproof". Gaiters might help a bit, but if it's wet enough you'll STILL get wet.

I think you should wear whatever you're most comfortable in.\
Nonsense.
I'm a retired fish farmer turned rainforest guide in Costa Rica. I know about as much about being wet as a bass does.
Non goretex boots are useless.
Currently I wear Haix airpowers and Vasque Clarion gtx,s.
Neither get "soaked through":rolleyes:

[Kerosene]

The problem isn't that GTX boots get soaked through -- well-made boots won't have this problem, which makes them great for day- and weekend hikes.

The problem is that the GTX liner decreases breathability. Those of us with sweaty feet just end up soaking the boots from the inside, and the liner dramatically increases how long GTX boots take to dry out (literally from hours to days). For long-distance hikers on a wet trail like the AT, your boots are going to eventually get wet, and stay wet.

I've worn GTX boots for decades, but I recently decided to go with a more breathable boot, at least for warmer temperatures.

[Chaco Taco]

I just made the switch for cold weather. Got the Merrell Moab GTX, really nice

[YoungMoose]

Not everybody switches.

I'm not willing to pay the premium for Gore-Tex in a shoe because I'm not entirely sure it's worth it, especially on the A.T. If conditions are wet enough, your shoe is going to get soaked thru regardless if its marketed as "waterproof". Gaiters might help a bit, but if it's wet enough you'll STILL get wet.

I think you should wear whatever you're most comfortable in.
i agree with jack

[Tipi Walter]

\
Nonsense.
I'm a retired fish farmer turned rainforest guide in Costa Rica. I know about as much about being wet as a bass does.
Non goretex boots are useless.
Currently I wear Haix airpowers and Vasque Clarion gtx,s.
Neither get "soaked through":rolleyes:

"Non goretex boots are useless." About says it all.

[Tin Man]

:-? I think the difference between non Goretex footwear and Goretex footwear is about $50-$100. When either gets wet, it's wet.
I'm not anti Goretex..I like the stuff but when it comes to shoes/boots...I've never noticed a difference.

When people ask me the difference between gortex and non-gortex, I tell them about 5 minutes.

[Connie]

1+ as soon as the Gortex clogs up, the hikers don't drain as you walk out the water like the mesh ones will do.

I looked up the Merrill Moab Ventilator. They look like my next hikers.

[Spokes]

Follow Winton Porter's rule- go with comfort first then consider Gore-Tex.

I found Gore-Tex, or any other proprietary waterproofing agent, breached after only 10 days on the trail on average. It's was fun while it lasted......

[winger]

:-?Very odd that after all these years of using Gore Tex footwear, that my feet have never gotten wet, go figure.
Currently: Asolo's Fugitive GTX (yes with Gore Tex liner).

[Tipi Walter]

:-?Very odd that after all these years of using Gore Tex footwear, that my feet have never gotten wet, go figure.
Currently: Asolo's Fugitive GTX (yes with Gore Tex liner).

Partially agree! I use the Fugitive as my winter boot and the FSN 95's as my 3 season boot, both gtx. Perfect? Heck no. In the old days you had your leather/nylon hiking boots that let in water like a mesh seive, and so any amount of water would get in, and I'm talking about shallow creek crossings, deep puddles, etc. With the old style hiking boots(Nike Ascents/Nike Approach, etc etc)you'd get wet quick and learned to live with it.

But the Asolos and other gtx boots will keep this from happening, you can cross submerged to about 4 or 5 inches and not get wet socks, just cuz of the goretex. Thing is, if you stand in water or walk all day in wet snow no boot will keep your feet and socks dry except possibly the Sorel type pak-boots, but they're clunkers and aren't so easy to backpack in for many miles.

And no gtx boot will keep water from drippng down your legs and into the boots. I've found walking in wet deep snow to be a failing test for the goretex brand, it just won't keep out the water after about 3 or 4 hours. Maybe gaiters would help, hain't ever tried 'em as they seem a frill.

[Spokes]

:-?Very odd that after all these years of using Gore Tex footwear, that my feet have never gotten wet, go figure.
Currently: Asolo's Fugitive GTX (yes with Gore Tex liner).

Yes, very odd indeed. Just curious- were your boots used on section hikes or in a thru-hike capacity? What was the longest duration these boots were used in total wet conditions? Do tell.

[Okie Dokie]

My experience with Gore-Tex in footwear has been positive...over 8,000 miles backpacking, plus walking an average of at least 3 miles daily outside in all kinds of weather doing my job for the last 16 years...if the water, in whatever form -creek, puddle, ditch - wasn't as high as my boot tops my feet stayed as dry as my perspiring feet would let them...

The one item I absolutely would not compromise on as far is Gore-Tex is concerned is the outer shell of my sleeping bag...carried a Marmot Nighthawk sleeping bag on my thru - 2.5 pounds of wonderful down, 30 degree rating, Gore-Tex outer shell - and have always thought of it as one of the top three investments I've ever made...have hunkered down in it in a rock crevice during an 80 mile-per-hour wind/rain storm in the White Mountains and watched it turn water like a duck's back while I ate peanut M&Ms...

Gore-Tex is a good product...it simply will not breathe as well as it repels...I've seen no products that will...once you really get a handle on what it can, and can't, do for you you can truly put it to work for your benefit...

[Connie]

I think anyone can get one or two, even three nice experiences with Gore-tex.

It doesn't hold up for someone that gets out there a lot more than that.

The people who seem happy with Gore-tex in their hikers shoes or boots never got in water over their shoe or boot tops.

That is "light-duty" for hiking.

I have walking shoes that can do all that. I have DWR bead up water and rub off.

I am happy that Gore-tex brought hiking to the mainstream.

I still think it is only a fashion garment and "merchandising".

I think people should be warned against it: you get wet and cold, you are going to stay wet and cold unless the Sun comes out and they can dry out all their clothing, inside and out. If you are out for 4-6 days, or longer, the trip or vacation of a lifetime is over. If you are on a thru-hike, it is over unless you are re-supplied.

[Ol Mole]

Thinking bout going on a trip in a couple weeks. When do you folks switch from a non-waterprook trail runner. To a gortex type boot?

The difference between goretex and non goretex is like the difference between sprinkling and dunking. How wet do you want to get when you are out on a hike? The probability of getting wet feet with non goretex shoes is higher than goretex. Anyone with enough hiking experience must deal with wet feet at some point, with or without goretex. A good packtowel can be used to help dry out alot of the moisture inside the shoe. To each their own, experience will teach you your preference.

[Tinker]

If you want dry feet, use a boot with an all leather upper. Some are sold as "waterproof leather" boots, but will need to be resealed (or "greased") periodically.
Ironically, oil based leather boot sealants contaminate Gore-tex and make it leak, so if you have a Gore-tex liner use something specified for use with the same. I don't use leather boots as a rule anymore. I use breathable trail runners and wear waterproof socks inside them, even in weather down to the 20s (sometimes teens).
Completely waterproof footwear is hardly breathable. I'm a sweaty foot person and my feet have always been hot in Gore-tex. For some reason I haven't felt the same heat in a well waterproofed leather boot (maybe because my most recent Gore-tex boots are also well padded with foam - a good insulator). My Columbia Gore-tex boots began leaking shortly after I finished the Georgia section of the AT in 2006. They were 4 months old. I still wear them in cold weather because they're comfortable, but the Gore-tex has been contaminated by sweat or has rubbed through or torn.

[Tipi Walter]

I think anyone can get one or two, even three nice experiences with Gore-tex.

It doesn't hold up for someone that gets out there a lot more than that.

The people who seem happy with Gore-tex in their hikers shoes or boots never got in water over their shoe or boot tops.

That is "light-duty" for hiking.

I have walking shoes that can do all that. I have DWR bead up water and rub off.

I am happy that Gore-tex brought hiking to the mainstream.

I still think it is only a fashion garment and "merchandising".

I think people should be warned against it: you get wet and cold, you are going to stay wet and cold unless the Sun comes out and they can dry out all their clothing, inside and out. If you are out for 4-6 days, or longer, the trip or vacation of a lifetime is over. If you are on a thru-hike, it is over unless you are re-supplied.

You have some strange remarks:
"It doesn't hold up for someone that gets out there a lot more than that."
** Well, you've just discounted Okie Dokie and his "over 8,000 miles backpacking" in gtx.
** Or Dooglas saying "Non goretex boots are useless," or "never get soaked thru."
** Or Winger's "my feet have never gotten wet."

Or this jewel: "The people that seem happy with goretex in their hiking shoes or boots never got in water over their shoe or boot tops."
** What the heck, are you talking about crossing a knee deep creek and expecting your boots to keep your feet dry? There's a reason we carry Crocs.

And your last comment about getting wet and cold: "people should be warned against it: you get wet and cold, you are going to stay wet and cold unless the Sun comes out and . . . can dry out clothing, inside and out."
** Say what? Is your pack so incredibly light that you don't carry in-camp dry clothing and use the wet stuff for hiking only? You will stay warm in a wet t-shirt under a wet gtx rain jacket while backpacking. And anybody with sense always keeps a whole set of dry clothing for camp and sleeping.

And your last blurb: "If you are out for 4-6 days, or longer, the trip or vacation of a lifetime is over. If you are on a thruhike, it is over unless you are re-supplied."
** Maybe for you, the rest of us hike wet, camp dry. Only a newb would let all their clothing get wet, and only a newb would depend and rely on goretex to keep them dry nomatter what.

** And what everyone seems to forget, even soaked and / or frozen gtx boots will eventually dry, just hike in the things and forget about it. On my last 23 day trip, I went thru a whole series of wash and rinse cycles, 3 days with wet boots and socks, 5 days when they were dry, 2 more days of wet, 8 days of dry. It's called "Backpacking". Out for 4-6 days or longer and the trip is over? Uh, maybe not.

[TimeSnake]

NEVER, unless you enjoy having water trapped inside your shoe.