Recharging gortex

[sirmissalot]

I tried searching this but couldn't find much.

I've got a pair of Danner Jackals, maybe 3 or 4 years old. I really love these boots. Only problem is last year I found out the gortex has apparently lost its mojo... completely. In wet grass like from early morning dew they get completely soaked through. So my question is, is there a way to "recharge" the gortex? I know someone makes a spray thats supposed to help, but I can't imagine it works 100%. I suppose its just time for a new pair of boots, just sucks these boots aren't really that old.

Thanks for any input.

[quadrafire]

I think in a boot you are SOL. It is likely a break in a seam somewhere. I have had the same problem, in one foot only.

[washelkhunter]

You might try seamsealer on the seams and once that has dryed, say 24 hrs shoot the boots with heavy duty campdry silicone spray. Soak em thoroughly.

[sirmissalot]

I can try a seam sealer, that seems like it would be tough though inside the boot. It could be a seam but its both boots, and seems like it just soaks through thre entire boot. I wish cabelas still had a good return policy, a pair of boots should last a lot longer than a few years, especially from a good name like Danner.

[washelkhunter]

HAHAHAHA! Inside the boot? Thats funny. The best you can do is hit from the outside. That spray does help repeal water. Should be enough to.get.ya thru another season.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

It's a fundamental problem with gortex.  Too much flexing causes cracks in the membrane which then allows leaks.

[Eli346]

 I found some stuff at Cabela's a few years ago that actually restores the waterproofing in their Dry-Plus rain gear. I'll try to find the box as I know that I had enough left over for another washing but haven't used it again. It didn't get them up to brand new status but they work pretty well considering they're over 10 years old. I'm not sure if it would work for Gore-Tex but I'll look into it.

[huntnnw]

GORETEX is junk!!! its a brittle membrane and with time it just crumbles. I wish these boot co would start trying the other things on the market now.

[MikeWalking]

I think in a boot you are SOL. It is likely a break in a seam somewhere. I have had the same problem, in one foot only.

yep.  You can try waterproofing from the outside but it sound like it tore somewhere.   Be Warned about waterproofing. Some shops will not resole a boot that has been heavily waterproofed with any product they didn't put on.  Learned that the hard way.


I have Gortex rain wear that is over 15 years old that still works great although it will soak through where it stretches tight over the knees or pack straps press a wet shell against it.

[TangoU]

I think you're SOL for gore-tex boots.  I've never had much success with gore-tex boots staying waterproof over a few years.  I'm not sure why they break down, but the seams must come unglued or otherwise fail. 

Compare that to my 20+ year old red wing work boots which are still waterproof, even after many re-soles.

[Bean Counter]

I have a pair of Danner Acadias ($250). They're heavy and uncomfortable, but they're also stable, and the Gore Tex seems to still hold water out. I wouldn't be surprised if quality of construction makes a difference 

[follow maggie]

It's been my experience that the better built more expensive boots w/ goretex last a lot longer than cheap boots. I have a pair of Gore-Tex Matterhorns that I've worn everywhere for 6 years and they're still waterproof. Had a pair of Danner Pronghorns w/ goretex and they lasted just over one season.

[huntnnw]

i think my meindl boots will stay waterproof longer than my other boots due to how stiff they are and dont crease

[MikeWalking]

It's been my experience that the better built more expensive boots w/ goretex last a lot longer than cheap boots. I have a pair of Gore-Tex Matterhorns that I've worn everywhere for 6 years and they're still waterproof. Had a pair of Danner Pronghorns w/ goretex and they lasted just over one season.

My second pair of Vasque Sundowners W/Gortex went through two pairs of soles  with the Gortex never failing.  The first pair? Me feet started getting wet and I realized the soles were coming lose, let water in between the sole and the Gortex and pressure will push it through.  That's when I learned a hard lesson.  I took them to a highly recommended boot repair guy.  He refused to re-sole them because of the waterproofing I had put on the leather.   He said it would weaken the glue.