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Gortex Boot Life Span

How long should the waterproofing of Gortex boots last? I have been a fan of Lowa boots thru the years. I think I have had 9 different pairs in the past & present, for hunting & everyday use. I have sent 2 pairs back to Lowa to be replaced because I got wet feet just walking in wet grass. The latest pair were Lowa Rangers. The only pair that is total waterproof is the Mountain Boot GTX, probably 7 years old, which is a heavy leather. I just got back from a 1 1/2 hour walk with wet feet with the Creek II boots (maybe 5 yrs. old), had Gortex gators on. I sprayed Obernaut's 16% silicone on them last night & applied SnoSeal with a hair dryer before I left this morning. I usually use silicone spray & AquaSeal on my boots. I hate to think of having to buy $300 boots every 2 years for elk trips. I guess I need to check out other boot manufactures. Any suggestions?

It has been my experience that the "Gortex" liners will wear out in time and sometimes within a few years with a lot of wear. Before Rock'y out sourced their manufacturing their Cortex liners were hard to beat. My Danner liners only lasted two seasons, but the company with reline for a price. My extreme leather boots by Meindl have held up well especially with Obenauf's treatments.

I also use Obenauf's spray but combine it with their water shield paste and apply three applications and also use a hair drier.

Water proof leather boots, NOT!

My best, Paul

I avoid putting pastes, cremes, containing beeswax on my boots because it reduces the boots breathing capability by plugging it's pores. Liquid mink oil is all I use on my leather Gore-tex boots in the last 15 years. Softens, preserves and waterprofs, but it does darken the leather. Very happy with this product.

For some reason the hyperlink above won't work.

http://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Mink-Oil-Liquid-Oz/dp/B000FJQSY8

I get about 1/4 mile before it leaks. It's been the same for 30 years.

Goretex has no business being in a boot. As a boot flexes and stretches it will tear a gortex liner apart in short order. If Goretex actually worked there would be no market for boot waterproofing oils and creams. Obviously I'm not a fan.

You still have to treat the leather weather the boot is goretex or not....with oils and creams, and most of those are waterproofing as well.

Ridge Rock you're doing it right by treating the leather. Early on I think gore-tex works but as some have mentioned it wears out. I use the cream that come in the black jar, and recently Kennetrek's boot cream with decent results.

Good luck!

Two years seems to be the max. I wear my boots a lot and don't expect a third season out of the gortex on any boot.

WapitiBob. X2

WapitiBob X 100! I've had them leak right out of the box, and at best they crapped out after a year or two.

If I'm concerned about water, I use Mucks.

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