Gaerne Explorer Boot... waterproof?

[dgamboa]

Anybody that has experience with the Gaerne Explorer boot I would apreciate your comments. Are these waterproof?

Thanks

Diego

[burnout1]

Hello,
I don`t know about the gaerne boots but heard that Sidi Vortex boots should be quite water proof. Well they are not proof as if they had a Gore tex membrane, but since a lot of its material is a kind of Teflon, they should be better than others. Ask back in a store.

I myself wear Alpinestar Tech 8. They are not waterproof, but very comfotable and safe for enduro use. Safety is more important than "luxury" in my point of view.
Have a nice trip anyway.

Burnout

[Mr. Ron]

Hello. I've been researching boots and am also interested in the Gaerne Explorer. I haven't tried a pair, but the dealer advised me that this boot offers NO water protection apart from it's stitching and whatever you treat them with. I must say, the price is rather atractive compared to the $250 USD Sidi Discovery. In the end i think i'll settle on the Discovery; you get what you pay for I've travelled with Sidi Vertabrea, not water-proof. Although it's not too bad on my air-head with the heat coming off the cylinders my wet feet are still warm, but the next morning is hell! I'm trying to hold out for a pair on E-Bay. There's a pair of new Explorer's up for auction in Florida, with a buy-it-now price of $115 USD.
Good luck!

[Ian]

No experience of the Gaerne Explorer but I have a pair of Gaerne trials/dual sport boots I've used on and off for years in trials, on tracks and the road. The quality? I had to have them resoled but then I did buy them in 1983 and still use them.

However, I now use a pair of the Viberg dual sport boots (http://www.workboot.com/), which have been fine so far and look as though they'll probably outlast both my bike and me...

[jackaroe]

The Sidi On Road Sympatex are waterproof, comfortable, and durable. I love them. If the Gaerne Explorer boot was water proof I would surely buy them. To bad they are not.

[jsrhk]

Hi there,
Just thought I throw in a bit of info. I use Oxtar boots which seem fine and are reasonable price. My understanding is that Oxtar's manufacturer, Jolly Scarpe, supply boots to other 'names' in the motorcycle boot world such as BMW, Dainese, Heine Gericke, Triumph. This means their quality is up to scratch.

My own boots only started to show a leak in rain after about 10 months use. I travel to work on the bike about 2-3 days per week and only ever don't ride when the weather is too hot and humid (I live in Hong Kong).

all the best,

john

[kyjenkin]

Here's what I found while looking at these boots. I guess it's the 2009 models that are waterproof. From Renegaderacing.com

2009 GAERNE EXLORER WATERROOF Adventure TOURING BOOT! This Boot is designed to be very comfortable and waterproof. This boot covers adventure touring, dual sport and atv riding. This new explorer boot is built for abuse but has lightweight construction with all the finest details like Top Grain Leather, drytech breathable liner, new design buckles, internal shin guard, as well as an all new lug sole. Gaerne DRYTECH is a Waterproof Weather Membrane fitted between the outer leather and the lining. This allows perspiration to pass through but will not allow water to penetrate, keeping the Rider warm and dry. The Explorer is reasonable priced too. Avail in Adult sizes of 9-12 in Black only. Read what one customer had to say about these great boots!"They worked, in all kinds of weather and terrain; they were comfortable and did not leak a drop in the heaviest rains in Alaska or standing in a river in the Yukon panning for gold."

[goodwoodweirdo]

As I type, I'm wearing Gearne balanced Oiled in brown leather.... great boot... 1000kms in the rain over 2 days and they stayed dry, driven down to Syria and even at +40 they where comfortable. Atlas mountains +5d still had warm feet. Wore them everyday for 6 weeks without problems.. still able to wear them for several hours walking. There are other boots that offer more protection around the ankle and shin side but at the cost of walking and comfort. They are not a motor cross boot, eg the ankle protection is on the inside of your leg, no additional protection on the outer edge, just double leather pad and buckles.

The leather and fixings have stood up very well to the normal bashing, no problems with fixings, just tighten them every so often… Treated the leather every couple of months or depending on how many shoe cleaners I pass ….

I fitted mountaineering inserts for added comfort …

Very happy with them, fully recommend them as a touring boot, not if for extreme off road use. Lastly a quick clean and you can wear them under jeans and still look respectable.


Cheers
Matt

[Archangel007]

Thats the one reason I chose the Sidi Discovery over the Gaerne Exlplorer - the Sidi's were waterproof!!

Apparently as kyjenkin said, they now have made the 2009 model waterproof.

Go try on a pair - the most important thing after safety and protection is fit and comfort - you might like them!

Cheers,
Tricky

[Neil]

Hiya!

I was hoping to get some info for myself on here but it seems I can offer soemthing back, the Gaerne Explorer boots look like a poorly made version of the TCX Infinity (Previously made by Oxtar).


Now the two boots are about the same price (in the UK) so if you're looking to spend that much on the Gaerne then shouldn't be any difference for you.

The reason I'm bringing this up is: I bought a pair of Oxtar Infinity boots 4 years ago, they've kept the water out until this winter where the stitching is coming undone. I've worn mine almost every day for those 4 years and they're comfortable for walking, in hot and cold weather and yes they're waterproof. I'm interested in getting another pair unless other people have a better (cheaper) boot to suggest.

Also, a heads up on the fact that Hein Gerricke also sell their own version of the Infinity boot. Check it out!

[edteamslr]

Are they going to Africa with you then?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by edteamslr

Are they going to Africa with you then?

Haha! I'm going very anti-biker to africa, I'm going in casual casual clothes and considering something on the lines of


Rocky Temperate Weather Desert Boot / Diadora Stone 3 Pro (only like these Diadora's because they're nice looking)

[78Suz]

I have been using a pair of the 2 buckle Gaerne Explorer boots for 3 seasons. Thay have a gore tex liner, which will eventually wear at the creases. Mine are reasonably waterproof, but are helped by by some leather waterproofing compound at the toes and side seams. Very comfortable and are wearing well, except for the expected decline in waterproofing. Any gore tex lined boot will wear like this-it is only a thin plastic like film after all. Leather boots like these will all need waterproofing eventually

[huguesfrederic]

I have wore these boots probably 7 days and the stitches are letting go the boot is disintegrating on me. Probably not waterproof anymore. Very bad purchase and built quality. The most expensive boots ever 43$ per day!

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by huguesfrederic

I have wore these boots probably 7 days and the stitches are letting go the boot is disintegrating on me. Probably not waterproof anymore. Very bad purchase and built quality. The most expensive boots ever 43$ per day!

Why are posting these complaints on OLD threads from 2004 ... over and over again?

If you got bad boots ... just send them back and get your money back ... don't bitch and moan here on 3 or 4 different threads ... the exact same post and about a different Boot. No one cares.