Boot sealant/Wetside gear

[Carnivore]

Coming back to the wet side for elk for the first time in a decade I've realized that I need some different gear.  I have a few questions for anyone that can help.

1)  Does anyone know a good sealant for leather boots?  My "waterproof" boots are far from it and need resealed.  The product needs to be scent free because I bow hunt.

2)  Does anyone have experience with the new all rubber boots that are made for hunting?  I would love some all rubber boots but I am concerned that without laces and all the up, down and side hills I walk my feet would be sliding all over and be less comfortable than when they are wet.  Are any of these newer boots comfortable enough to hike 5+ miles up and down hills and still keep your feet dry?

3)  Does anyone have experience with good rain gear?  Products need to be quiet and comfortable and not bulky.  There are a lot of products claiming this but very expensive to buy just to try out.

Any help would be appreciated.  I ran out of dry clothes and boots by the end of the second day.

[rasbo]

sno-seal   and goretex

[bighorns2bushytails]

well i use nick's bees wax on my full grain leater boots.  i like it and its supposebly goretex safe.  gutpile was talking about using bear fat.  i think the beeswax is easier to get ahold of 

--bh2bt

[Carnivore]

The bees wax is what i was going to try just because it's natural but figured I would ask first.  I could be waiting a while for bear fat as I've only shot 1 so far in my life.

[MikeWalking]

Found out the hard way waterproofing can backfire. Went to get my $200 Vasques Resoled. Cobbler wouldn't do it. He was afraid that the waterproofing I used would keep the new soles from sticking...Mink Oil one year, Sno Seal the next...When he resoled the next pair years later they had their prefered waterproofing, no idea what it was, worked great though...

[stumprat]

1) Hubberds boot grease

2) no rubbur boots for me

3) Wool

[ICEMAN]

12 individual coats of silicone spray/sealant, then four more.

[ICEMAN]

Oops, forgot to add, bring two pairs, plus a propane fired boot dryer.

[bobcat]

I've gone to wearing rubber boots most of the time if it's raining a lot. Nothing else will keep your feet as dry. No grease to worry about, and dirt left on the boot won't ruin them like it will leather boots. I do have two pairs of Schnee's pac boots, one insulated and one not. They will probably get some use this year, if I don't forget about them. I always grab my Lacrosse rubber boots and forget about the Schnee's.

[MikeWalking]

12 individual coats of silicone spray/sealant, then four more.

Well yeah, on your BAREFEET and you can skip the boots

[WAcoyotehunter]

i bought a new pair of whites this year and they were WET quick in the wet grass/brush.  They had been heavily greased with the whites leather preservative. So, I know what you should not use. 

[Alpine Mojo]

I've used Nikwax on leather boots for as long as I can remember and never had a problem.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I like this stuff!

http://shop.treatleather.com/mpbw-4oz.aspx

[Wanttohuntmore]

sno seal or nik wax.  Just keep applying every couple days use if soaked.  I find wet brush usually wears through the waterproofing after a long day hiking in brush, no matter what you use.  Goretex works maybe 100 miles, but then usually wears through someplace in the boot.  Like many have said, just find comfortable underclothes and learn to deal with being wet.  I wear all synthetics but wool socks.  I'll be switching to wool underwear once the current poly pro's wear out.

[chef bama]

haven't tried it yet, but Boyd Iverson speaks highly of Montana Pitch Blend.
http://www.mtpitchblend.com/]
[url]http://www.mtpitchblend.com/[/url]