On the topic of dry feet….

[WapitiTalk1]

Way, way back in the day (before some of you were born), it was wonder bread bags, over a pair of wool socks, squeezed in a pair $19.29 rubber bottom Sorrel boots from the Libby True Value hardware store (I was styling) that kept the toes dry for a spell, before the condensation inside a plastic bag reared it’s ugly head. Modern day, for true waterproof boots (rubber Lacrosse boots not allowed for this mission). What do you have, have you found, that are actually waterproof boots?  I currently have one pair of dunk em in a cold mountain stream pair of hunting boots that answer the call of duty.  How about you cats?  What boots have you found to be waterproof? 

[PsoasHunter]

My first pair of truly waterproof boots were Danner pronghorns.  I still remember how amazed I was that I could truly walk through puddles over the tops of them and stay dry, after years of "Waterproof" boots that were cheap and definitely not waterproof while I was broke in college and grad school. They lasted a few seasons before seepage started.  A $90 pair from cabelas also held water at bay for a few years, which I was really surprised at.

[Stein]

Me too, Cabelas cold weather boots I only use about 7-10 days a year and have had them for 8 years.  I end up in water every year without fail and have never had a drop in them.  They are  the only boots I have owned (rubber aside) that haven't leaked within a year or so.

[huntnnw]

NONE! and sadly the bread bags on feet would be more effective for me. In the last decade I have tried more highend boots than I can count.If had to guess its around 12 pairs and all have leaked severely within months of owning them. Knock on wood,but I have a pair of Lowas now and I went the whole hunting season in super wet conditions and had dry feet!

[Sundance]

Three come to mind- xtratuf’s with bama socks, Schnee’s pac style boot with rubber lower, and any high quality full leather boot with a full rand. For leather boots I put three coats of Obenauf’s grease on and let them dry for 1/2 day before I apply each coat. Anything synthetic won’t hold up over time/exposure and more Gore membranes can be overwhelmed in one day of hard use.

[huntnnw]

if you are using obenaufs grease its not designed as any sort of waterproofer. Its a leather hydrator. You have to use obenaufs silicone spray 

[HntnFsh]

Any of the Miendles I have worn have kept my feet dry. Also a pair of Zamberlain I had many years ago were incredible. Dry and comfy. Then I set them to close to the wood stove! Those were by far the best boots  ever wore.

[huntnnw]

Any of the Miendles I have worn have kept my feet dry. Also a pair of Zamberlain I had many years ago were incredible. Dry and comfy. Then I set them to close to the wood stove! Those were by far the best boots  ever wore.

think I went through 5 pairs of meindls that lasted 8 days to 3 months of being waterproof

[vandeman17]

My crispi’s with nikwax has kept my feet dry every hunt. A few years back on a September elk hunt there was an area I went into every day that had a high ankle creek to cross that was about 15 yards wide. I walked through it twice per day with water almost over top of my boot and socks never got wet. I was impressed

[Alex4200]

Hopefully I am not highjacking this thread, but last couple of times I saw discussions about dry feet/waterproof boots it got me thinking. I think most comments are based on differences in expectations of performance. By that I mean, some just want a boot to keep their feet dry while hunting a mountain trial in damp weather. Others want to stay dry while walking in tall wet grass. Are you trying to stay dry in a true day long downpour that requires full on rain gear, think monsoon season. Or are you spending an extended time in a marshy swamp like area that has water depth of several inches where you are hoping not to top the boot with your next step. Anyway, it might be helpful to add comments here that describe what kind of conditions where you boot kept your feet dry.

[huntnnw]

when I have gaitors on with my Kuiu chugach rain gear and wringing my socks out and dumping water out of boots cause it was raining in the mountains is not acceptable when these boots claim 100% waterproof.  I understand the difference of walking thru knee high hucklberry patches after a rain storm and having water soak my pants and run down legs and fill boots with water. When my pants are not wet and there is wet slush or low vegetation that is wet and my feet get wet thats not okay when they advertise waterproof. I wish someone would line more boots with stuff other than Gore.. its junk, it was never made for heat, durability or to be creased.

[johnbmyersii]

I wear schnees heavily oiled with bear grease and first lite brambler gaiters, have never have had a problem with this setup, even hunting the pouring rain walking through calf-high wet grass. Waterproof pants.....that's another story.

[ghosthunter]

My best pair has been Danners. Comfortable out of the box and keep my feet dry in regular hunting conditions.

[Jingles]

I'm in ankle deep flowing water everyday with a pair of Danner's  and feet stay dry and warm and have been wearing them all winter and 100 % satisfied

[Alchase]

The only boots I have owned that have stayed waterproof are:
Asolo GTXs
Merrell Thermo

Boots that leaked:
Danner Pronghorns - (two pairs) Loved the Bobbed sole, both pairs had sidewall blowouts while hunting.
Miendles - Leaked after one deer season, during Westside Elk hunt.
Vasques GTXs - Started leaking on day 5, of 7 days of rain.
Colemans - Leaked first day

[syoungs]

I'm going into year 4 on my Lowa Tibets. Best boot I've owned so far, never had a wet foot in them. Couple those boots with some outdoor research crocodile gaiters, and I'm confident in any situation, including wading across creeks deeper then the boot is tall.

[Huskerwannabe]

I thoroughly enjoy my Crispis. Never had any water in them and they breath well. 

[pianoman9701]

I'm going into year 4 on my Lowa Tibets. Best boot I've owned so far, never had a wet foot in them. Couple those boots with some outdoor research crocodile gaiters, and I'm confident in any situation, including wading across creeks deeper then the boot is tall.

  10 years on my Rangers. Had them factory restored two years ago for $99 - good as new. I use beeswax. My feet stay dry even two or three seasons ago when it rained every day.

[Browndawg]

I used Danner boots for years until I had a couple pair not last more than a year. Granted, I was hunting the coast range, and when I told the guy at the factory store in Portland that, he said "Well they don't make a leather submarine". I switched to Crispi about three years ago and still still run the same pair. They are as comfortable as Danner. I should note that my Crispi boots are for archery season, so it's a lot drier. I still have three pair of Danner Pronghorns that I rotate in and out depending on how the conditions are. 1200 gram insulation in one pair are for the cold/snowy days. 600 gram for the cold in the morning but not too cold in the afternoon. Zero grams for warmer weather back ups. If one pair get soaked, I just grab a dry pair. There is nothing worse than soaked feet while hunting.

[huntnnw]

I'm going into year 4 on my Lowa Tibets. Best boot I've owned so far, never had a wet foot in them. Couple those boots with some outdoor research crocodile gaiters, and I'm confident in any situation, including wading across creeks deeper then the boot is tall.

what I have now and have been the best boot Ive owned. I keep hearing the same comments from many people on these boots

[C-Money]

The only hunting boots that truly keep my feet dry are boots that have the Gore-Tex label on the boot. I've had Gore-Tex boots in Danner, Wolverine, and Rocky...all kept my feet dry. I have been lured into buying boots with copies of Gore-Tex, and I was rewarded with wet feet. I don't buy hunting boots unless they say Gore-Tex.

[GASoline71]

I have a pair of Irish Setter "Rainier's" that have kept my feet dry and warm for nearly 25 years.  I've had them resoled twice and they just keep performing. 

Gary   

[blackveltbowhunter]

It seems like consistency or rather, a lack of it, is a common denominator in all of the boot brands. My experience is if its not rubber or neoprene its time to failure is ticking as soon as it comes out of the box. I never get boots in general to last longer than 2 seasons (especially if i am active shed hunting) so if they make it that far I consider it a success. I also believe from anecdotal evidence foot shape and how you walk plays a factor, as I have swore off both tibet and kenny mountain extremes, as pairs leaked within day one, yet crispi boots in general have been good to me, and plenty of opinions say they should not be. I have had good luck with hanwag, zamberlin, and early meindle as well. All leather boots will saturate eventually.  If multiple days of wet feet are planned, and rubber boots are out, I buy a half size up and run a few pairs of thin wool socks topped with sealskinz. That is the closest i have gotten to multi day dry feet when everyday is wet with no option to dry.

[Bullkllr]

Anybody else just keep 'em greased decently and tough it out? I'm not a "new boot" guy, but I've been through a bunch and I don't think I've ever seen a pair of leather or synthetics that would keep me dry through a wet side fall/winter. Wet feet eventually became a way of life. "Just keep moving, you'll be fine"

[Cougartail]

When your feet sweat like a 400lb woman on a treadmill staying dry isn't an option. Staying warm is what I work for.

[pianoman9701]

When your feet sweat like a 400lb woman on a treadmill staying dry isn't an option. Staying warm is what I work for.

My feet sweat a lot when I have been working hard. I found that wearing a thick merino or synthetic sock in the morning when it's cold and then changing to a thinner merino sock when my feet get hot and swollen before or at midday helps cut down on that. Just taking off the boots and airing them out helps. But fresh, light socks make a big difference. Trust the medic on foot care!

[OutHouse]

It seems like consistency or rather, a lack of it, is a common denominator in all of the boot brands. My experience is if its not rubber or neoprene its time to failure is ticking as soon as it comes out of the box. I never get boots in general to last longer than 2 seasons (especially if i am active shed hunting) so if they make it that far I consider it a success. I also believe from anecdotal evidence foot shape and how you walk plays a factor, as I have swore off both tibet and kenny mountain extremes, as pairs leaked within day one, yet crispi boots in general have been good to me, and plenty of opinions say they should not be. I have had good luck with hanwag, zamberlin, and early meindle as well. All leather boots will saturate eventually.  If multiple days of wet feet are planned, and rubber boots are out, I buy a half size up and run a few pairs of thin wool socks topped with sealskinz. That is the closest i have gotten to multi day dry feet when everyday is wet with no option to dry.

I second the bit about personal anatomy. I know fellas with big thick feet and I think the tongue up and down the boot doesn't get the right seal because of the thickness/size of the foot. They have leaking issues sometimes.

[Alchase]

About Greases and waxes, this is straight from the Goretex website:

Wash
Step 1

    Remove the laces, then shake out sand, gravel, and dirt from inside the footwear.
    If possible, remove and shake out the foot bed or insole.



Step 2

    Brush off loose dirt with a sponge or brush.
    Then use lukewarm water with a small amount of liquid detergent.
    For leather shoes, check manufacturer's instructions.
    Don't use bleach.
    Don't wash in the washing machine.

Dry

    Dry naturally at moderate temperatures.
    Avoid direct heat.
    Don't let the footwear stay wet too long.
    Convection-style boot dryers work well.

Re-apply

    Once water no longer beads and runs off, re-apply a durable water repellent (DWR).
    Use a water-based restorative, available as a pump-spray.
    Don't use waterproofing waxes or greases, as they can affect your footwear's breathability.

[fishngamereaper]

I have what I would consider early meindls. 18 ish year's old think...took like 4 year's just to break in ..
Haven't leaked in the slightest... just used em on my North slope caribou hunt... soaking wet for 7 days, bone dry on the inside.
They actually only see harsh environment's. I don't use them early season..only mid and late and or nasty mountain hunt's like central Idaho.

Of course now they'll probably leak...

[pianoman9701]

Propane Peet boot dryers are a godsend in a wet camp.

[hunter399]

Anybody else just keep 'em greased decently and tough it out? I'm not a "new boot" guy, but I've been through a bunch and I don't think I've ever seen a pair of leather or synthetics that would keep me dry through a wet side fall/winter. Wet feet eventually became a way of life. "Just keep moving, you'll be fine"

I agree had lots of boots ,water proof doesn't last long.
They all get wet inside at one point or another.
I can almost handle wet feet. I hate when my pants are soaked up to my bum hole.

[Alchase]

I take a second pair of socks and a another Dry-fit t-shirt in my pack. After hike in, I change out my sweaty wet socks and t-shirt. Makes a world of difference 

[JakeLand]

I take a second pair of socks and a another Dry-fit t-shirt in my pack. After hike in, I change out my sweaty wet socks and t-shirt. Makes a world of difference 

exactly makes a better day of it

[scoutdog346]

I did an experiment because I used to think that my expensive $300 boots were not waterproof not waterproof but then I discovered it was my sweat.

[7mmfan]

I take a second pair of socks and a another Dry-fit t-shirt in my pack. After hike in, I change out my sweaty wet socks and t-shirt. Makes a world of difference 

exactly makes a better day of it

If I'm hiking hard or riding into my hunting location I go in base layers or even in my underwear sometimes. The steam that billows off is unreal. Giving yourself 10-15 to cool off, air out and change socks is great.

[spin05]

Hoffman Explorers. My son and i each have 2 pairs.

[highcountry_hunter]

I did an experiment because I used to think that my expensive $300 boots were not waterproof not waterproof but then I discovered it was my sweat.

Same. I thought my kennetreks were junk because my feet always felt wet. One evening I took em off and felt around the inners with my hand and they were bone dry. Quality socks make a world of difference at dissipating the sweat.