Do my Mammut boots need extra water proofing?

[roman331]

hi, I bought a pair of Mammut art.mt.crest Gtx boots, and while im aware that they have an inner lining of Gore-Tex, I was wondering if I need to apply anything to the outer leather to help with water resistance?
I read somewhere on a forum that it will help with the longevity of the leather.
If so, what should I use?
thanks.

[slparker]

Short answer: No. They don't need extra waterproofing, the goretex bootie does that effectively.
I had a pair of the previous generation of these boots a couple of years ago. You can add an aftermarket proffing product, I used nikwax, which helps prevent the leather from wetting out and protects the leather from cracking/splitting etc. I was told by the salesman that snoseal (beeswax) etc is not recommended as it 'clogs the pores' in the goretex bootie.
In practice I don't know that it makes a whole heap of difference. Whatever you put on the leather will wetout eventually and the goretex does a pretty good job of keeping the water out and the water in if you have sweaty feet. I used nikwax regularly and the uppers stayed in pretty good nick apart from the usual rock abrasion. It was the midsole that failed in the boots, not the uppers.

They were good boots, very comfortable and supportive but got sweaty on hot days; but then what boot doesn't?

[Scottyk]

If you want your boots to last ages and not crack then use snoseal.
If you want boots that breath a bit then don't get ones lined with gortex.
Gortex lining is a waterproof barrier but it is not really breathable when it comes to boots IMHO, so use snoseal and get a long life out of your new boots.
I have to say I don't like gortex lined boots for this reason. Snoseal was invented to waterproof normal leather boots and it will if used properly.
Gortex lining is a marketing thing, the sooner more boots are made without it the better.

[slparker]

I've used leather only boots, textile +leather boots, leather+textile+goretex boots and Leather+goretex boots. Guess what? On a hot day neither of them breathe sufficiently to prevent sweaty feet. Why? because they're boots not sandals.

[Strider]

Short answer: No. They don't need extra waterproofing, the goretex bootie does that effectively

Before it wears through, anyway...

[slparker]

Short answer: No. They don't need extra waterproofing, the goretex bootie does that effectively

Before it wears through, anyway...

because goretex lined boots are the only boots that ever wear out?

i had a pair of boots like the OPs. The sole wore out before the goretex liner did. I've had two pairs of goretex trail runners. Sole wore out before the liner did.

I've had leather lined leather boots. Sole wore out before the liner did. I've had 'cambrelle' lined leather boots. Sole wore out before the liner did.

Are you wearing socks?

[Strider]

Short answer: No. They don't need extra waterproofing, the goretex bootie does that effectively

Before it wears through, anyway...

because goretex lined boots are the only boots that ever wear out?

i had a pair of boots like the OPs. The sole wore out before the goretex liner did. I've had two pairs of goretex trail runners. Sole wore out before the liner did.

I've had leather lined leather boots. Sole wore out before the liner did. I've had 'cambrelle' lined leather boots. Sole wore out before the liner did.

Are you wearing socks?

Haha yes Im wearing socks. My experience with GTX liners is limited to approach shoes which admittedly see more regular use than bushwalking boots. They just never seem to last long enough to warrant actually swaying a purchase decision toward GTX. Not to mention I've finally realised they were the cause of my sweaty, smelly feet and have vowed never to buy GTX footwear ever again.

[slparker]

Yeah, they're strictly a winter only option IMHO. Mind you, I feel the same about waterproof leather boots too (sans goretex). If it won't let water in it won't let water out...