Goretex in Boots

[mountnman]

I received my brand new winter Paddy Pallin handbook in the mail yesterday and was looking at the boots, and all of them had a goretex lining. I was wondering what the purpose of goretex in boots is? And whether it would be any good for a person like me who can't be bothered taking boots off to cross rivers and just plows through boots and all!!!

[photohiker]

Probably depends on whether you wear effective gaiters with your boots.

Once the boot fills with water, it will take some time to dry and probably longer than a non-goretex boot. Good leather boots are effectively waterproof and once soaked inside, you will still suffer wet feet for a significant time while they dry out.

You could do what some people do in NZ: Drill big holes in the sole to let the water out!

[Bivouac Gary]

There certainly is always debate over waterproof lining when the big hole in the top cannot be effectively plugged. However one pro-argument I have some time for is that the drying time of the lining is often reduced in leather boots. A saturated leather boot takes longer for the lining to dry as it keeps pulling in moisture from the leather outer. A waterproof liner should prevent that meaning the interior dries separately from the exterior. This is an in hut thing rather than in use. So at home/camp if the bulk of the moisture can be pulled out by stuff with a travel towel or newspaper the lining has a good headstart on drying irrespective of how wet the leather remains.

[Bluegum Mic]

I crossed a river the other day in my goretex lined scarpas. I chose to keep them on as it was a very rocky river bed (and I didn't fancy a fall on my newly reconstructed knee). I was only wearing my short eVent gaiters so I knew full well I was in for a deluge. I simply took them off after, wiped them out with a little piece of shamwow that I carry with me (handy stuff also for wiping tents etc). Fresh socks on and it wasn't too bad. They dried off completely in the afternoon sun at camp. The only thing I've noticed is they are warmer to wear obviously compared to my leather boots but that's only noticeable on a really hot humid summers day. Even then it ain't that bad.

Cheers

Mic

[mountnman]

So we are all in agreeance that Goretex lined boots dry faster? And a wipe down helps too?

[davidmorr]

I'm always amused by the idea of Goretex or other "breathable" materials being used to line a boot or shoe. There seems to be the idea that the boot will breathe and reduce moisture levels inside the boot.

Firstly, Goretex relies on having air both sides of the membrane so that the moisture vapour on one side can be pulled through to the lower humidity area on the other side. In a boot, outside the Goretex is usually leather which will hardly allow moisture through it at any useful rate.

Secondly, to be effective for moisture transmission, it must be kept clean. The tiny pores are easily clogged by dust and dirt. Having seen my feet after a day in the bush, a boot is going to be just about the dirtiest place imaginable.

Thirdly, Goretex is not really an elastic material. The stretches and twists the boot endures are enough to strain the stitching and tear the Goretex. I have had it happen on several pairs of shoes within a trip or two of starting to wear them.

On this basis, why pay for high tech materials when a simple waterproof membrane would do the same job at a fraction of the cost. (The Goretex lining adds $50-$100 to the cost of a pair of boots.)

As for the inside drying quicker, take a couple of big freezer bags. Dry your feet, put on new socks, put your feet into the plastic bags and put your boots on. Works brilliantly. (I was a sceptic at first, but having tried it.....)

[Robatman]

Only thing I'd add is that when it's not wet they do not breathe as well as a non-gtx canvas? boot. I bought some Merrell gore-tex (Moab Ventilator) for summer walking and light day trips and they are sweat boxes!!
Robert

[Orion]

why pay for high tech materials when a simple waterproof membrane would do the same job at a fraction of the cost

This is a very good question. I've never really thought that leather breathed all that well to begin with.

I pay the extra money for Goretex simply because the only available alternative in the lightweight leather boots I prefer (Asolo) is no Goretex. The non-Goretex models are definately not waterproof, no mater how much of whatever kind of snow sealant I've applied. They wet through in spring snow even when brand new. The Goretex models do not. If they sold a boot with a plastic membrane I'd certainly consider giving it a try.

[Turfa]

The value of waterproof boots (Goretex or other) probably depends on how your feet respond to being wet. Some peoples feet erupt in blisters when they get wet & they will benefit from waterproof (& prefereably breathable) boots & good gaiters. Even then it's hard to keep completely dry when you strike multiple wet days or lots of deep slush. And do boots really remain breathable when they are soaked on the outside or covered in mud........I think probably not.
On the other hand some people (like me) do not have this problem & so I prefer to use shoes with lots of mesh so they dry out faster. I'm also fortunate that I do not suffer from cold feet, so even in snow the mesh shoes work well for me.
Like most things about this pastime, you need to figure out what works best for you.......

Someone mentioned the freezer bag over your socks idea. That is one of the best tips I have ever come across.

Cheers,

Chris

[davidmorr]

Someone mentioned the freezer bag over your socks idea. That is one of the best tips I have ever come across.

Someone told me yesterday that Roger Caffin suggests the long thin bags that junk newspapers come in. Unfortunately, the ones we get here are too narrow for the heel of my foot to fit in them.

[Son of a Beach]

I know of some people who've used bread bags and reckoned they were good.

I haven't tried it myself, as my feet generally stay dry anyway, and if they do get wet, it doesn't bother me enough to try the plastic bags.

[Orion]

Plastic bags around your socks? A plastic bag is basically a cheap version of a VBL sock. You need to have a thin sock liner under the VBL and your real sock outside the barrier. Everything within the barrier will be soaked with your perspiration. Stinky, too.

It's a good theory for very cold conditions. But as a way to keep your feet dry while hiking in wet conditions? It doesn't work (unless you're dead and not perspiring).

Well that is unless you're talking about keeping socks dry while waddling around camp in sodden boots. Then the plastic bag thing is a great idea.

[walkinTas]

I cannot stand wet feet. There is nothing more miserable than walking around with wet feet. I have plastic bags around my sock - in my pack - my spare socks that is, so I can put on dry socks when my feet get wet.