Actual waterproof boots-do they exist?

[okie archer]

I appreciate all the responses. Looks like I just need to spend more money on better quality.

 

[WapitiBob]

I appreciate all the responses. Looks like I just need to spend more money on better quality.

Not really, hydraulics will force water thru the gore-tex the second the leather gets saturated at the toe box hinge point. Doesn't matter how much you spend. Nylon mesh hikers will wet out in minutes when walking thru wet grass/shrubs.









Waterproof requires rubber. These made it thru a few wet days, the first to do so in the last 25 years.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Lowa crispi kenetrek out of the box are really well waterproofed. All require waterproofing maintenance and you should look up a couple videos on the methods. Kenetrek doesn’t want you to impregnate the leather in their process but the video from lowa suggested it when I owned the lowa renegades, and i had my buddy do it to his kenetreks when I did my lowas and they were both like Rain-X.

Had to laugh too, used the “crispi cream…”

 

[Rack Daniels]

 

[MtsPSU]

I appreciate all the responses. Looks like I just need to spend more money on better quality.

I really like my Schnee boots. Expensive but watch for sales—like any day now. I treat them and always wear goretex gaitors.

For what it’s worth, I wore Danner Canadian for 30 years and they never let me down but switched for a lighter weight boot.

Mark

 

[emgarci]

I have 3 pair of Crispis, all have proven to be completely waterproof, but I treat them regularly with Crispi waterproof cream/spray. They are the Wildrock (400 g insulation), Idaho, and the Wyoming. The Wildrock is all leather but treated regularly with the Crispi cream. The Idaho and Wyoming are roughout type leather/and a waterproof membrane combo. They are regularly treated with the Crispi spray.

This Crispis worked out better for me than Danners. I’ve made the switch

 

[SAJ-99]

Bought another pair of Kenetrek today on 4th of July sale. Old pair were very waterproof for the first 10yrs, but started to show some leakage with age. Nothing last forever and they served me well. Time to move to the "backup" position. Mostly I start to think "Is this the last pair of boots I ever buy?".

 

[mtmuley]

Bought another pair of Kenetrek today on 4th of July sale. Old pair were very waterproof for the first 10yrs, but started to show some leakage with age. Nothing last forever and they served me well. Time to move to the "backup" position. Mostly I start to think "Is this the last pair of boots I ever buy?".

25% off has me thinking. My boots are good but a heck of a deal. mtmuley

 

[1942farmall]

A long time ago, in land far away, where tags were as many as stars in the sage scented night sky, and hunting was still a way of life, Cabelas sold a boot called the Guide series, or outfitter series.

It was the best boot on the planet, hands down, and only about $170.00

Air Bob soles, gore tex lined. They would last an entire season and still be waterproof at the end, even when pretty worn out.

Just an incredible value, and great product.



Then the bean counters decided to "new & improved" them. And if course the new and improved were worthless pieces of crap.


Wish I had known they were changing, I would have bought up a semi load full.

Pretty sure you're referring to the old Cabela's Mountain Hunter boots that came in two shaft heights. The 12"tall, which is what I have, were about 179.00. I still have my original pair that I bought in the early 80's and I'll be damned if I can't still cross streams and have dry socks after close to 50 years.
I always treated them at the end of each season with snow seal.
I did notice the last time I wore them that the right boot sole is peeling a bit.
I'll probably take them in for soles.

 

[peterk1234]

I really like my Schnee boots. Expensive but watch for sales—like any day now. I treat them and always wear goretex gaitors.

For what it’s worth, I wore Danner Canadian for 30 years and they never let me down but switched for a lighter weight boot.

Mark

Give years

25% off has me thinking. My boots are good but a heck of a deal. mtmuley

I'm tempted as well. My beartooths are getting a rebuild right now but I would love a pair of boots with 400 gram thinsulate for late season. Keeping hoping Schnees has a sale. Just might have to slip on a pair of Mountain Extremes and see how they fit.

 

[glass eye]

Knee high sealskinz socks will keep your feet dry even if your boots get wet.
I hunted waterfowl in New Zealand wearing crocs and sealskinz socks, walking in rain drenched grass and puddles and never had wet feet over a 2 week period.

 

[redhaze]

Has anyone tried the Meindl boots?

 

[belshawelk]

I wear Kennetrek Mountain guide. I have to cross my creek 3-6" deep every day to hunt one area I go to. Never once wet feet. Last year my hunt was 2 solid day of pouring rain, sleet, snow. I hunted non stop and never got wet. Many times in deep snow. To me they are worth the money.

The only boots I ever ruined was putting wax on them to waterproof. No more way for feet moisture to escape. Never again.

 

[hank4elk]

Check manufacturer for what THEY recommend for treatments, on THEIR boots.
I tossed half a dozen pairs of old boots a few years ago. Danners, Meindl's, Redwing. Just old tired and dry.
Reminds me to send in the Kenetrek Grizzly's for refurbishing and a D-ring replacement.
Did an old pair of Lowa's a few years ago and well worth it.
3 pairs of Lowa's here now. 1 Vasque hiker, 1 Kenetrek pac boot.

Feet get wet here in NM, and rarely from water. I go through merino socks...

 

[peterk1234]

Just stopped by the store. Was originally debating an insulated boot but decided my use for them would be limited. I only really have problems when it's 35 degrees or less and I'm not moving for long periods, basically when whitetail hunting. I got heated socks last Christmas and I've yet to try them out, so that will be my insulation.

But I've been wanting to also replace my Schnees Kestrels. They have been on my feet for a few years now. Still has a little tread left but I've been wanting something with more tortional rigidity. Enter the Hardscrabble. So far it fits like a glove.

I gotta say, the tongue being part of the outer (one piece) feels like it allows me to snug the boot around my foot much better than my Kestrels and my Beartooths. I feel much more locked in so far.

Fairly light, as light as the Kestrel but a much more substantial boot. Provide great support and it's also waterproof.

I hope it continues to feel good on the foot. This is enough boot to even take some pressure off my Beartooths, which get used a lot.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Has anyone tried the Meindl boots?

Meindl in my picture on page one. What you wanna know?
They’re more affordable than some of the others and yes on the quality. They do fit big like the German company suggests. Toe box is large which is nice in the winter. Buy em. Need treated out of the box though

 

[Boarmaster]

I thought my boots started leaking. I found out they weren't. My over the calf liner (wicking socks ) were wicking water from the top down. I switched to a crew length and now no problems. Sounds strange but it happened to me…..

 

[Boarmaster]

Has anyone tried the Meindl boots?

Yes, I love mine.

 

[kansasdad]

Has anyone tried the Meindl boots?

My number one choice.
Kenetrek insulated for cold days

 

[MtsPSU]

Just curious if there really is such a thing as a waterproof lace-up boot or is it a myth? Thinking about a boot for elk hunting among other hunts. I'm not meaning walking through creeks with boots fully submerged. Just a good boot that won't get your socks wet if walking through wet grass or if it's raining.
I realize you get what you pay for so I'm asking for suggestions.

The Schnees sale is underway.

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