View Full Version : GTX or not GTX, that is the question?
I've just had a pair of Meindl Borneo's...
http://www.ryedale-rambler.co.uk/borneo.jpg
...and am delighted with them. They are the plain jane leather version, not the goretex version (I think they are called Burma's), anyway, I was wondering what your preferences are and why?
Do the none-gtx fans, still prefer plain leather in a 4 season boot as well?
Just curious. ;)
I'm really undecided ... I hate hot feet but I also hate wet feet. I used to think that GTX was mostly a gimmick in boots till I came across the Lowa Combat boots and I changed my mind.
Bottom line though, it depends on how wet you are likely to get your feet, for how long, and how much care you take of your boots. Leather boots worked for years before GTX!
I have Miendl Borneos, superb boots for year round use. If its that wet use Goretex sox. I had a bad experience with lined boots years back ( lost several toe-nails).
For long term wet conditions try vegan hiking boots (I think Highlander sell them) or Lundhags.But I suspect the Borneos will do just fine.
Neil
I've been using the Meindl Burma for about 3 years now and I absolutely love them. Pretty much wear them when ever I'm out walking, I've used from everythng from Hellvellyn to Dartmoor. Don't find my feet get too hot, at least not in this country, I'll let you know about other countries when I get back from Oz in November.
I'll tell you why I ask. First of, let me say my feet get hot in this country, except for maybe the bleakest winter days. In summer, my feet would be in bags of water if I had GTX boots. But next year, I'm off to somewhere cold. Not quite sure where exactly yet, possibly Alaska, think arctic tundra and you're on the right track. Nothing strenuous or adventurous, just a bit of sightseeing. I'm thinking my Borneo's might be OK, but I'm not sure. If I have to look at new boots, I'm wondering whether light, crampon rated, gtx lined might be a good choice.
I hate hot feet but I also hate wet feet.
That amounts to the same thing for me Adi.
If I wanted boots for 4 season use that - by definition - means significant walking in wet and snow, I'd buy leather.
If snow or extended wet weren't a big priority, I'd buy goretex (& suede or whatever) because it's lighter and cooler giving less sweaty feet in summer. I'd expect to get wet feet but it wouldn't be a big deal because I wouldn't be freezing them or doing multi-day wet.
If I wanted to climb with crampons in icy conditions or do day long trips on glaciers / icefields I'd buy plastic shell boots with a removable inner - though they're awful things that are useless for anything else. This is because they're warmer and more rigid for their weight.
If I wanted to do winter walks including day trips in snowy conditions and would need crampons in case of crossing icy slopes or frozen paths, I'd be confident that my 4 season leather boots would take traditional strap fiting, hinged 12 point crampons. I'd rember that a 1/2 or 3/4 shanked walking boot isn't stiff enough to take a modern rigid / lever action crampons though. That's not safe.
Whatever I was using, I'd buy a pair of gtx yeti gaiters that completely enclose the top of the boot and seal tight around it if I expected to walk much in wet or snow. These things are great and effectively up the rating of any boot. I've worn scarpa goretex boots with yeti's on winter day walks in the lakes and wales - even several hours in foot deep snow is fine provided you can dry out at the end of the day. They're marginal with crampons though, good enough to get you out of a jam but the spikes are likely to pull off a time or two.
On a three week trip around Norway, my 4 season leathers got so wet for so long that they were rotten by the time I got back to UK. Reached the point where I dropped them in the nearest waste bin and walked barefoot down High Street Kensington to find the nearest shoe shop !
On a two week safari trip to iceland where we were mainly travelling and doing 1/2 day walks from our jeep my wife and I wore scarpa boots - leather for her gtx for me - no problem.
Hope this helps,
By the way - just went and read up about the meindl's and realised that the burma is a permanent gtx inner in a leather boot. Seems a very silly idea to me. Worst of both worlds, best of neither. Breathability must be pathetic :yikes:
In my last post when I say gtx I'm talking about fabric boots.
Your Borneo's look like a really nice boot Martyn :biggthump - you should have no problem with them for your planned trip. Take a look at the yeti gaiters though.
tenbears10
16-08-2004, 08:03
I'm with Alick. My thought has always been that a good leather boot doesn't need a gtx liner and as neil said a much more versitile set up is gtx socks for when you need. Gatiers are a must in heavy snow or even Hi leg boots will get soaking from the top down.
Fabric gtx boots are better in summer imo as they should be more breathable than just fabric or leather.
Bill
On our little jaunt across Islay with JeremyH I wore goretex lined boots, thinking it boggy and a good idea - however the rain was so heavy that water was penetrating my trousers and running down my legs into the boots. The goretex here stopped the water escaping and meant I needed to take off the boots to empty then and ring out my socks.
Leather or non goretex lined boots would have allowed the water some escape and if worn with sealskinz would have been better on that occasion.
Fortunately I carried spare socks and foot powder (like a good exsoldier) otherwise things might have gotten a little painful and in a real situation possibly deadly!
TheViking
16-08-2004, 13:46
Hi...
Leather.... :wink: It usually gives more support to the foot. A leather boot also breathes better than GTX. If you give it enough Werner's, it'll be waterproof enough to walk for hours in high, wet grass. :-)
This summer when my dad and I were hiking in Sweden my our feet got wet the first day and nearly the rest of the trip, but it didn't bother me that much.
When we got to the first camp at afternoon, I just sat them to dry near the fire. BUT remember not to put it too close to the fire, cause the leather can crack! :wink: :shock:
Brynglas
16-08-2004, 17:46
I definitely prefer good quality leather boots which, if looked after properly, even in prolonged wet conditions will remain waterproof and breathe properly. I have a pair of the Lowa mountain combat boots which have a Gore Tex lining and I have to say are an excellent boot, however I'm not completely sure how effective the lining is as I keep the boots well proofed. I got these boots from work so I didn't have to part with any cash for them. Scarpa leatherboots fit my feet well and I've used scarpa deltas for years with absolutely no complaints. For winter climbing I'm still using leather four season boots which have seen me through several Scottish and alpine winter seasons again with no complaints.
I've never really got on with fabric/suede boots even good ones like KSB 3's and Bergaus storm boots , they're ok for just kicking about in but I've never been happy with the performance as hillwalking/trekking boots. Also leather is easy to look after and you can see when it starts to deteriorate, which isn't the case with a gore tex liner.
The best boots I've had for winter conditions when you dont want a totally stiff four season mountain boot are those made by Lundhags, I had a couple of pairs which I used as combat boots and they were fantastic, they were also really good for wet conditions Dartmoor, Scotland, Brecon Beacons etc. as the leg is quite high and they have a rubber foot. Penrith Survival is selling them I believe and I can defeinitely recommend these over a top end pair of GTX lined boots whether they're leather or fabric uppers.
Hope that this helps :-P
By the way - just went and read up about the meindl's and realised that the burma is a permanent gtx inner in a leather boot. Seems a very silly idea to me. Worst of both worlds, best of neither. Breathability must be pathetic :yikes:
In my last post when I say gtx I'm talking about fabric boots.
Your Borneo's look like a really nice boot Martyn :biggthump - you should have no problem with them for your planned trip. Take a look at the yeti gaiters though.
Thanks for the feedback guys. It seems that GTX isn't a huge favourite around here.
Alick, thanks for the info. I love these Borneo's, they are the most comfortable "out of the box" footwear, i've ever owned - with the possible exception of slippers.
But, they're B rated, which isn't suitable for crampons. In my planned trip, i expect to at least visit a glacier, though not spend any great time there and may also need to cross some icy areas. I was wondering if I could get away with the old style strap crampons on the Borneo's? What do you think?
Lemoneyewash
16-08-2004, 19:16
Got the unlined Meindl Nepal's and they're fine, so far in everything I've put them through but I bought a pair of grade 1+ GTX lined German Alpine Corp (sp??) boots from a surplus centre somewhere in N.Wales a couple of years ago which have been absolutely tremendous. The sole is definitely stiff enough to take a crampon.They cost me a bargain £60, were virtually unused and, I'm certain are made by Lowa. WELL worth a look at if you can find any I promise!!!
There are 'flexible' crampons available which may be suitable.
I found that Lowa Mountain boots are great for one day use any more than that and you will start suffering and evenually get immersion foot, unless you can dry your feet and boots each night.
I prefer for prongled periods the Lowa Super Camp which is the mountain boot without a GTX liner but instead a leather sock liner.
You can't beat a good well looked after pair of leather boots. :biggthump
There are 'flexible' crampons available which may be suitable.
yeah, been looking around at a few of the flexible variety...
Stubai Trekking Universal (http://outersports.com/stubai_trekking_universal_.htm l)
Troll T10 (http://www.ellis-brigham.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/141109||@Crampons@b|0|user|1,0 ,0,1|21|)
Grivel G10 New Classic (http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/Grivel-G10-New-Classic-Crampon.htm)
Opinions? I like the look of the grivel g10, but they're all so damned expensive.
yeah, been looking around at a few of the flexible variety...
Stubai Trekking Universal (http://outersports.com/stubai_trekking_universal_.htm l)
Troll T10 (http://www.ellis-brigham.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/141109||@Crampons@b|0|user|1,0 ,0,1|21|)
Grivel G10 New Classic (http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/Grivel-G10-New-Classic-Crampon.htm)
Opinions? I like the look of the grivel g10, but they're all so damned expensive.
I have been a fan of Grivel for years, but the Troll ones look interesting. This will not be much help because to be honest any of the three will do the job quite happily.
Alick, ... Borneo's... they're B rated, which isn't suitable for crampons. In my planned trip, i expect to at least visit a glacier, though not spend any great time there and may also need to cross some icy areas. I was wondering if I could get away with the old style strap crampons on the Borneo's? What do you think?
Easy Martyn. I've got some crampons of the type you're thinking about. They adjust in length and width, and buckle over the boot with neoprene (no - not the wetsuit version :wink:) straps. They're perfectly serviceable so I'll dig them out and you're welcome to borrow them. If you stamp around on a few old planks and try front pointing around a telegraph pole or something :yikes: that should tell us how much abuse is needed to make them pull off.
I expect your boots will be fine for what you describe and your recommendation's handy because my own scarpa fabric boots are about due for the bin.
Cheers
Easy Martyn. I've got some crampons of the type you're thinking about. They adjust in length and width, and buckle over the boot with neoprene (no - not the wetsuit version :wink:) straps. They're perfectly serviceable so I'll dig them out and you're welcome to borrow them. If you stamp around on a few old planks and try front pointing around a telegraph pole or something :yikes: that should tell us how much abuse is needed to make them pull off.
I expect your boots will be fine for what you describe and your recommendation's handy because my own scarpa fabric boots are about due for the bin.
CheersThat sounds great Alick - send em over so I can play, I'll let you have em back in short order. Many thanks.
The Borneo's are a great boot, especially if you're a bit hobbit footed (broad) and I hope I can use em for my trip. They do flex which makes em comfy walkers, but maybe theyre just stiff enough to hold this sort of crampon.
Cheers Buddy. :biggthump
bushblade
24-08-2004, 22:24
By the way - just went and read up about the meindl's and realised that the burma is a permanent gtx inner in a leather boot. Seems a very silly idea to me. Worst of both worlds, best of neither. Breathability must be pathetic :yikes:
In my last post when I say gtx I'm talking about fabric boots.
Your Borneo's look like a really nice boot Martyn :biggthump - you should have no problem with them for your planned trip. Take a look at the yeti gaiters though.
In most cases fabric boots are no more breathable, there is so much more plastic and rubber between the layers of material that you don't see. These are in place to stiffen the boot where needed and protect the gore tex membrane from being punctured, and in most cases will have a rubber rand too. If you cut open a fabric boot, it will most likely have a plastic toe section, a plastic heal section, plastic liners under all metal parts (to stop the eyelets pulling out of the material) these then have a layer of rubber underneath to protect them puncturing the liner. All these bits of plastic and rubber are NON BREATHABLE so the whole boot together in some cases is less breathable than even a gore tex lined leather boot.
I have only ever had one boot with goretex liner....and it convinced me to never never never ever buy another pair. I alsolutely completely hated those boots. Hot as hell, sweaty...like wearing a marsh on my feet which really do not sweat excessively. I despise goretex boots to the very depth of my soul....hate is too loving a word for those boots.
My wet feet in standard leather boots have always come from either wading too deep or from snow or grass dew. I wear a decent pair of tall gaiters (goretex ones but who's telling) in snow and short fabric ones in dust and leather boots...no issues.
Finding a decent boot without goretex is getting harder and harder. I currently wear off-the-shelf Limmer standards (made by Meindl I believe). Great boot with no "miracle" fabrics or other such BS.
http://********.free.fr/guest/LimmerWalk.jpg
These Limmers are my standard 4-season boots, except for pure snow and ice work where I wear double plastic mountaineering boots that take a rigid crampon. I cannot remember who made mine but they are great boots as long as I am on snow or ice...on dirt they are killers.
steven andrews
25-08-2004, 09:55
I have just bought Meindl Borneo Pro's too. I really like them so far.
I had a bad experience with goretex lined boots, on a two month rural tour in Northern Ireland wearing Matterhorn boots. I got water in the top of the boots when crossing a deep stream. I had a nightmare trying to dry them out as I had to wear them everyday. I'd just about get them dry - then I'd have to cross another stream. I had wet feet for seven weeks.
The guys with issue BCH were better off as they could dry their boots overnight when back at camp.
Also, every pair of goretex lined leather fireboots that I have been issued have ended up leaking within a year.
No goretex footwear for me, thanks!
Had leather and GTX over the years, and they both have their merits.
BTW Where's the option for leather boots + GTX socks?! Not that I've tried that option.
I only prefer GTX in winterboots. During summer I'm around with normal leather boots or lighter. When I'm up in the mountains (Dolomites, Slovenjia, etc.) I also take GTX-boots, it's safer, because of weather changes, ...
In my memories of my winter in Scotland GTX was also my prefered boot material. I just wasn't used to this amount of rain :dunno:
I've got a pair of these, you won't be disapointed with them, al though i have membrane boots(altberg,matterhorn & lowa)for work, i prefer non-membrane. Agood buy, you can wear them straight out of the box, and they bed in straight away.
Rob
I always used to think that a Goretex liner for a boot would be a good idea - keeping out the wet and so on - but then I tried a pair of Lundhags and I realised that I simply didn't need Goretex anymore.
gregorach
10-12-2009, 11:21
Well, I've been a big fan of goretex-lined boots for years. I've found in the past that no matter how well proofed your unlined boots are, they soak through eventually. I don't have a problem with hot or sweaty feet.
The only place I have ever liked a Gore-tex shoe or boot was around town on a rainy day.
If I had to actually walk a great deal with a GT boot, my feet would be like raw beef afterward. I once took a pair of GT boots on a 3 day hike of the Nepali Coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It rained everyday and the hike was long, muddy and up and down a lot. My feet were raw, bloody stumps.
It totally amazes me the amount of Gore-Tex boots there are for sale. They are just about the most uncomfortable boots I can think of. My feet were wetter inside the boot than it was in the rain. My feet would have much more comfortable in plain leather or leather/nylon hikers.
When I was in the US Army, I was given some experimental Gore-Tex military boots and had to report my experience with them. I did like them on rainy days around the barracks but for field use they ate up my feet. Too hot, too cold, too uncomfortable and on and on. The US military played with the GT boots with several models and finally gave up on Gore-Tex boots, no one actually had much good to report on them!
NO Gore-Tex boots!!!!
i got these http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/c-205-salomon-boots.aspx in november there great feet have been warm and dry in the snow so far i can drive in them there comfy a bit pricey but ya feet can be as important as your hands so worth the investment i felt i got the light grass coz the coulor was quite bushcrafty but only avalible in womens sizes up to 5.5 the mens are black with red decal still the same boot
The only area where I would wear a GTX-lined boot would be in any kind of swamp or the scandinavian Fjell.
Water will still enter enter the boot from the top, but it will dry out very much faster than one with leather lining.
In our shop, more than 90% of the employees wear leather-lined ones and abut the same majority of customers choose a GTX-lined one.
"waterproof" being the conditio sine qua non for them, whether they need it or not.
BorderReiver
11-01-2010, 12:37
Well, I've been a big fan of goretex-lined boots for years. I've found in the past that no matter how well proofed your unlined boots are, they soak through eventually. I don't have a problem with hot or sweaty feet.
I've found that no matter what I do, GTX boots always leak after not much wear.:confused:
I couldn't find a pair of Borneo boots the last time I needed them and got a pair of Meindl GTXs. To be fair, they have kept my feet warm in the current freeze and they haven't leaked yet after three months of daily use. Fingers crossed.
Still prefer the plain non GTX type boots though.:)
Lordyosch
11-01-2010, 15:47
I've recently bought my first pair of non-goretex 3 season boots. I've had a few pairs of GTX boots in the past and they were fine until the membrane pierced or water went over the top of the boot.
I spent 27 hours travelling by coach through Spain and Portugal with one dry boot and one very soggy GTX boot. I had to periodically remove my sock and wring it out, replace it in the boot to absorb more water. The result on arrival in Lisbon was pretty horrible!
My current boots are Meindl's (my first pair of Meindls) they're superb. Reversed leather to which I have applied the Nikwax for suede. Been out in the snow every day and I've not over heated or got soaked. Top stuff indeed!
As my winter boots I have Salomon SM9s for crampon use, they're not GTX either but I guess If its cold enough to be wearing them, there isn't going to be too much liquid water about anyway.
Jay
on the subject of boots, what do people think of Danner boots ? any good ?
what do people think of Danner boots ? any good ?I had a pair many moons ago. They were really pricey and excellent but a bit on clodhopper side for my taste.
Nigel.
Glosfisher
19-02-2010, 19:54
I'm really struggling to find a pair of non-Goretex three season boots that will fit my narrow unBritish feet!
Anyone any suggestions?
littlebiglane
20-02-2010, 07:33
on the subject of boots, what do people think of Danner boots ? any good ?
I think I saw a pair for the first time a month or two back - Kevin Endicott was sent a sample. Seemed really pricey on full RRP - which was up near £200. They were really, really light (mil version) with directly moulded sole and were leather lined - which was a nice touch. They seemed to be well made but I have not tried them. I doubt Kev would be selling them anywhere near their RRP if he was to stock them.
littlebiglane
20-02-2010, 07:37
I'm really struggling to find a pair of non-Goretex three season boots that will fit my narrow unBritish feet!
Anyone any suggestions?
Lundhag Scout's?
I walked upstream in these, on Dartmoor, for about 10 minutes in water up to low shin and my feet were still dry at the end of the day. It was a day of sloshing across peat bogs and feather beds too.
If you really want proper, 4-season, consistently and reliably waterproof boots, buy plastics. 1000s of mountaineers with dry feet are not wrong.
For me it's unlined leather boots with rubber bottoms, like Lundhags;
http://shop.lundhags.se/images/prodimages/400/1010170.jpg
http://www.lundhags.se
I wear them all year around, have several pairs in different sizes so I can alter the number of socks according to ambient temperature. They are quite light, dry very quickly, and forms to your foot like lether boots should. Most I bought second hand, by the way.
Before I wore rubber boots - heavy, sweaty and not so stable, but waterproof. Then I tried Meindl GTX, Tundra & Taiga - heavy, sweaty, took ages to dry and the second pair hurt my feet like h*ll...
And the first pair sprung a leak after only a couple of years...
When the inner lining on my second pair came loose I chucked them in a closet and seldom wore them again:(
A couple of weeks ago I got them out with a pair of scissors and gave them a good cut!
The inner lining was hardly glued on at all in one boot and not at all in the other. Under the linings I found some perforated rubber and plastics, ca 130 grams per shoe, which I tore out. Once again, in one shoe nothing was really glued in but was just stuck in place!
So, this is what your typical, breathable GTX shoe keeps inside.
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy144/MickeS/Div/MeindlTaiga001.jpg
This is the contents of one shoe...
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy144/MickeS/Div/MeindlTaiga002.jpg
No wonder they don't "breathe" very well and take ages to dry if wet.
i wouldnt reccomend meindl goretex boots, as meindl are an excellent waterproof boot to begin with ,, with exclent breathable propperties,, adding goretex,, slows the breathable process in summer,, and your feet will sweat more than normal, unless your intending to use them as a winter boot only go for it,, otherwise get the none gtx version,, theyre every bit as waterproof,, without the sweatyness,
Chinkapin
18-03-2010, 03:57
Just an aside here. I live where it gets very hot in the summer and I am a big advocate of a thick pair of wool socks in a boot even then. When I'm out walking, my feet do not feel hot or uncomfortable. When I take my boots and socks off at the end of the day, my feet are dry. They are not wet and sweaty. The wool wicks away all of the moisture.
One caveat, the socks must be of a good high quality virgin wool and not have a bunch of spandex or anything else added. Also, they must be thick. Obviously your boot needs to be sized accordingly.
Laurentius
04-04-2010, 20:08
Goretex and there equivalents suck, but then so does everything else.
Never mind all this scientific stuff about water penetration, the facts as I have discovered are if you are out long enough in a rainstorm it's gonna get through.
In a survival situation what is going to matter is how fast you lose heat.
Buffalo shirt wins that you never feel wet on the inside no matter what, but it is just too warm for general exertion. Vinyl is waterproof for sure. I have an swiss alpenflage poncho, but it is a bit too bulky. Waxed cotton is the business in a forever downpour, but it is not really packable.
Well never mind the top half, given this weekends downpours I figured so far as my legs are concerned at least skin is the best and wore my shorts. Better than waiting for my trouser legs to dry out.
Laurentius
04-04-2010, 21:08
Goretex and there equivalents suck, but then so does everything else.
Never mind all this scientific stuff about water penetration, the facts as I have discovered are if you are out long enough in a rainstorm it's gonna get through.
In a survival situation what is going to matter is how fast you lose heat.
Buffalo shirt wins that you never feel wet on the inside no matter what, but it is just too warm for general exertion. Vinyl is waterproof for sure. I have an swiss alpenflage poncho, but it is a bit too bulky. Waxed cotton is the business in a forever downpour, but it is not really packable.
Well never mind the top half, given this weekends downpours I figured so far as my legs are concerned at least skin is the best and wore my shorts. Better than waiting for my trouser legs to dry out.
Aristotle
04-04-2010, 23:03
Wrong Topic
Chinkapin
07-05-2010, 02:29
I never buy gortex boots, because you can buy gortex socks and wear them with ANY boot that you have. Same amount of protection, (1 layer of gortex) and loads cheaper.
I personally have had great results with gortex socks, and can't for the life of me understand why someone would be opposed to gortex socks or boots for that matter. But I always wear a thick wool sock under them, with a silk sock under the wool. The boot I generally wear is a pair of Rockys, although I have a pair of U.S. Army boots and a pair of U.S. Airforce quick lace boots that I love but the damn things squeek so annoyingly that I don't generally wear them.
Had mine for well over 3 years and they have been the best boot I have ever owned, yes they have a goretex liner, and I have never had a problem with them, would not part with them for the world.
I have the Miendl Lhotse.
Superb boot, never let so much as a drop in, and I have used them in splashes whilst wildfowling.
Get the goretex is my advice.
It's what I will buy again next time, but looking at the way the boots have held up, that will be in around 7 years time.
TinkyPete
13-05-2010, 07:29
I go with non gortex as I find that then my feet don't sweat and also they are quicker drying. I work in all conditions and weathers and I still find it the best way of working all you need is to regularly treat with dubbin type stuff (I have 3 different types i can use). Alot depends on the type of boots you wear though i find. I have various boots from Altberg through lowa, scrapa, britons and issue boots, they have all lasted on me and i have very weird feet, one supulated and one pronated (due to a car running over my foot once....long story). Insoles make a big difference to my feet so selection of them is even harder but thats another post too.
Just an aside here. I live where it gets very hot in the summer and I am a big advocate of a thick pair of wool socks in a boot even then. When I'm out walking, my feet do not feel hot or uncomfortable. When I take my boots and socks off at the end of the day, my feet are dry. They are not wet and sweaty. The wool wicks away all of the moisture.
One caveat, the socks must be of a good high quality virgin wool and not have a bunch of spandex or anything else added. Also, they must be thick. Obviously your boot needs to be sized accordingly.
Excellent logic my friend...wool is the forgotten "miracle" fabric ...all us old guys knew this all along. It beats the heck out of poly any day of the week!!
Yes, great advice, I always wear wool inside my goretex boots, so I have no sweat problems, plus I have the goretex liner. Seems a good combination to me, plus you get the best of both worlds
Miendl actually make their own woollen socks, that's what I use. Had nothing but good results.goodjob
iamasmith
31-10-2010, 13:42
..
If I wanted to climb with crampons in icy conditions or do day long trips on glaciers / icefields I'd buy plastic shell boots with a removable inner - though they're awful things that are useless for anything else. This is because they're warmer and more rigid for their weight.
Oh and man do those things bruise your shins. I remember coming down in the snow whilst up in the highlands once and I was grunting through gritted teeth each step of the way... I wasn't all that talkative or friendly on that trip down :)
Well, I've been a big fan of goretex-lined boots for years. I've found in the past that no matter how well proofed your unlined boots are, they soak through eventually. I don't have a problem with hot or sweaty feet.
I agree. My GTX lined Lowa's are the best boots I've ever owned. Wear wicking socks. Waterproofing leather boots with beeswax etc prevents breathing anyway.
superc0ntra
01-11-2010, 11:15
I've used both Goretex lined boots and all leather boots and both have kept my feet dry. The leather ones just took a little more work. So my vote is blank.
The Lord Poncho
03-11-2010, 16:11
No goretex for me! I've had three different pairs of gortex boots over the years (mid cost and fabric/leather)- all leaked within the equivalent of about 20 miles walking. Then i just wax up the boots, and put up with having even less breathability in them. I favour plain leather- slightly more breathable, and less hot, but the real boon is that when your feet get the inevitable soaking (heavy rain running down your legs, falling into/going across a waterbody etc) then they dry out much much quicker. In the military goretex lined boots are generally frowned upon, and the vast bulk of squaddies who buy their own go for the non goretex versions of Lowas/Meindles/Altburg etc.
I honestly think that goretex in boots is 90% a cunning marketing ploy to enable manufacturers to state their boots are 100% waterproof for buyers that don't know much better.