Hiking Boots

Thanks a ton!

I have posted this multiple times and because I speak marshian (as in marsh) no one understands or believes me - not in SA and not in the USA.

Waterproofing a boot is not done at the factory - you have to do it. A breathable boot is one that leaks. Goretex et al boots are useless. I cannot understand anyone who swears by them.

In the USA they sell some gimmick from the UK called Nikwax. Nikwax sells to the enviro-idiot crowd by claiming that their products are water based and water proof. A little thought shows that this is a flaming contradiction. And yes, I've tested their products and not a single one works. But they sell. And salespeople swear by them.

I buy all leather boots and then apply the following prep. It takes days and work.

1. Soak the boot in petroleum dissolved silicone - either spray or in a bottle with a ball applicator. Use the whole thing. Will take multiple applications - over days. Let them dry for days. (Do not use Kiwi brand that claims to be better than silicone but non silicone - more junk - I've tested it.)

2. Apply waterproof glue to all exposed welts - the stitches. These stitches will rot or abrade over time, so sealing them in is good. Some boots are glued, skip this step. Use a glue that dries somewhat tacky. In the USA Goop works well. It is sold as Marine or plumbing glue.

3. Apply lots of Snowseal liberally - a mix of silicone and beeswax. I apply it with a plastic bag (my hand on the other side) and then put it in the bag and in the sun - if cold in the windshield of my car - and viola within a day the snowseal is soaked in. Do it again. You may not be able to get this product in SA. Have no idea what you can get.

4. Finally, apply pure beeswax on the outside. This is messy and I keep the boots in a bag until I hit the trail. But within the first day, they are "clean" - the beeswax has soaked in by the warmth of my feet or abraded off.

I can then walk through streams and not get wet. I can walk all day in snow and have dry boots. People are amazed. I don't know why. Silicone and beeswax are waterproof. Leather soaked in them cannot absorb a lick of water.

I find that even after 5 years I still have waterproof boots. The only thing I might do is another soak in snowseal (once) and/or another application of beeswax.

I have to disagree...Nikwax works!

I've got a pair of old school all leather boots with stitched on soles. When I first got them I applied the Nikwax leather waterproofing wax to them. I've used them in very wet and muddy summer berg conditions as well as for a four day trip in Lesotho, spent ploughing through knee deep snow. On neither occasion did I get wet feet; however others on both trips with more modern "waterproof" boots did. I'm a big believer in gaiters as well; as soon as the top of your socks get wet you can forget about being dry inside your boots.

I've also used other Nikwax products to re-water proof sailing jackets which had become completely porous after years of use. Once again great results!

However I second the comment on Gore-tex in boots...it doesn't work, at the very least not under South African conditions.

Just won a pair of Hi-Tec Sierra Lite WP shoes in a facebook competition. Has anyone checked these shoes out before?

At first look I thought they were takkies, but on putting them on I realise that they are actually hiking boots. They claim to be waterproof, but I won't be convinced until they have endured a Berg storm or 2. They seem to be pretty comfortable.

Would be interested to hear others views on them.

Interesting. I'll report back when I have tried mine in rain/snow. I see both are marked as snow/cold weather shoes.

Well, compared to my current Ion Masks (which are about as waterproof as my laptop) they can't be much worse.

Just weighed both of them, their weights are basically identical. From trying them on I have noticed that they are much more grippy than my Ion Masks - but that could be due to the fact that they are new and the IMs have done just over 100km (and are already starting to fall apart).

Almost entirely rubber? That must be as breathable as, well, rubber...

The ones I got are 1.2kg for the pair, same as my Ion Masks.

I wld hate to be in the tent when Para boot gets taken off after a days hiking!