bkrownd
01-06-2009, 23:28
I am returning to the quest for "waterproof" boots after a three day outing in a very wet sphagnum bog rainforest in non-waterproof boots. The conventional wisdom as I understand it is that it's very difficult to completely seal the goretex bootie, so most boots will eventually leak a bit and some will be hopelessly leaky due to poor manufacture. I have an old pair of "waterproof" gore-tex lined boots that are good enough for one day out in the rain, and better than nothing, but they've never been truly waterproof and are breaking down and inadequate for a return trip to the bog.
Our leader seemed to be dry and happy in LL Bean Cresta hikers, sloshing through the same soup that the rest of us were. (with the help of gaiters, of course) I was a jaded skeptic (cheap and lazy, really), but I'm inspired to find something better because I'm hoping to get wet and muddy more often this year and work for longer periods in even more wild and remote bogs. However, I'm looking for a tough 8"-10" hunting or work boot, not a low hiker like the Cresta.
Yeah, I know the True Answer to standing in water is rubber Wellies, but I'm looking for an adequate compromise boot that will feel good in all conditions for all-day trekking and be tough and supportive in the roughest terrain.
What I'm hoping for here is input on the quality (or lack) of sealing of gore-tex "waterproof" boots from different manufacturers. Is there anything to look into besides gore-tex and gore-tex-alikes, short of solid rubber? You hear so many different opinions from so many different people, who knows what to believe. I just know that the words "gore-tex" don't necessarily mean a whole lot on their own.
I've been browsing the Danner web site again, which has a number of models that look exactly like what I'm interested in, but short of plunking down the $300 and giving the boots a month-long workout myself I have no idea how "waterproof" they'll actually be. A plus with Danner is that they'll also resole or rebuild their boots. Anyone here have experience in the wet in their work and hunting boots? Any other good manufacturers to look at? I think Red Wing is a no-go since they only seem to want to do business through their brick-and-mortar dealers and I'm not going to book a flight to visit a dealer. LL Bean has a couple of other models, but I'm not going to assume anything about them based on the Cresta. The origin and quality of some of Cabela's boots is mysterious, as well.
Our leader seemed to be dry and happy in LL Bean Cresta hikers, sloshing through the same soup that the rest of us were. (with the help of gaiters, of course) I was a jaded skeptic (cheap and lazy, really), but I'm inspired to find something better because I'm hoping to get wet and muddy more often this year and work for longer periods in even more wild and remote bogs. However, I'm looking for a tough 8"-10" hunting or work boot, not a low hiker like the Cresta.
Yeah, I know the True Answer to standing in water is rubber Wellies, but I'm looking for an adequate compromise boot that will feel good in all conditions for all-day trekking and be tough and supportive in the roughest terrain.
What I'm hoping for here is input on the quality (or lack) of sealing of gore-tex "waterproof" boots from different manufacturers. Is there anything to look into besides gore-tex and gore-tex-alikes, short of solid rubber? You hear so many different opinions from so many different people, who knows what to believe. I just know that the words "gore-tex" don't necessarily mean a whole lot on their own.
I've been browsing the Danner web site again, which has a number of models that look exactly like what I'm interested in, but short of plunking down the $300 and giving the boots a month-long workout myself I have no idea how "waterproof" they'll actually be. A plus with Danner is that they'll also resole or rebuild their boots. Anyone here have experience in the wet in their work and hunting boots? Any other good manufacturers to look at? I think Red Wing is a no-go since they only seem to want to do business through their brick-and-mortar dealers and I'm not going to book a flight to visit a dealer. LL Bean has a couple of other models, but I'm not going to assume anything about them based on the Cresta. The origin and quality of some of Cabela's boots is mysterious, as well.