No such thing as dry feet?
 

The first boots I bought cost me IR£70. Before a month was out the zipper got stuck in the lining and was unmovable even with a pliers. Got the zipper replaced another IR£12. Then it happened again. The next pair had a drawstring instead of a zip. But after a while a hole developed in the heel. Both of these were Falco Boots. Both also totally not waterproof. Both leather. So I decided to splash out on a pair of Daytona Leather GoreTex boots. The ones the police in Ireland use. IR£225!!! But they're not waterproof either. Although I've never had a problem with the zip. I treated them with "waterproofing stuff" guaranteed not to soften the leather. But no good. So I spent another IR£40 on Porelle Dry socks. They've been very good. Serious rain still gets thru - but this is after 7 hours in the rain. (I doing courier work 8-9hrs a day) The plain jane goretex boot liners - do they work? What about overboots. The only ones I've seen might be fine for riding on a bike but would disintegrate if you did any walking in them.

Maybe normal working/hiking boots with a plastic bag when necessary might be better than all these high tech expensive stuff.

So my question is: anyone any experience of goretex bootliners or overboots of somekind that work?

I've had good luck with a pair of Sidi's, not sure which model, but they are supposed to be waterproof, goretex lined, and they are waterproof so far.

However I think that eventually any leather boot given the conditions you are in day after day, is going to leak. Even the Goretex is going to get dirty, sweaty, and then it will leak too. Reapplying waterproofer to the leather on a weekly basis will help.

Never used Goretex socks so can't comment, but note that they will need washing more or less daily, and washing with water repellent will help as with any Goretex garment. I would expect them to be very pricey for the use you'd be putting them to. They won't last well for the price.

I have a pair of Derriboots which I have had for many years - and they are absolutely waterproof forever - one piece rubber! Fishermen like them... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

They are quite useable for riding, in fact years ago we sold hundreds of them as riding boots and never had a complaint. Thick linings help a lot. And they're British, only UK£30-35, should be readily available here in the UK somewhere.

Check out http://www.sprys.co.uk/derri/

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

hi
Its the same as most motor cycle clothing if you get wet and cold on a motorcycle these days your wearing the wrong kit although what the motor cycle clothing industry has reguarded as waterproof is unbelievable.
There is a small boot maker in Ricmond Yorkshire,England I have had two pairs of his boots now warm waterproof the best my first pair I had for 6years after 3 years they started to leak I sent them back to be rebuilt they came back like new
the second pair I had were custom made
I am motorcycle courier so the boots get alot of use (60,000 miles year)and they are 100% waterproof try their website www.altberg.co.uk
cheers
nobby

Gmarch

I too have had to put up with the terrible rain here in Dublin. I have always worn German Para boots the have never leaked. So long as they get a real good coating of normal boot polish once a week they are fantastic. Of course you do need to ensure that the top of the boot does not become exposed allowing the water to run down into them from the top. I usually buy them in Belfast for about £40 sterling and the usually 2 to 3 years.



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Sorry, that last sentence should have read...They usually last between 2 and 3 years...

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I too used the german para boots, never got wet feet if kept well coated in nik-wax or similar.

10 minutes into my last rainy run, my socks were soaked. After 2 hours of more rain, I stopped in at a bike shop in a small town on the way, it was a small bike shop, but I just wanted a coffee and a chat. Like a good sales man the nice bloke rummaged around the back of the counter and pulled out two black things with a lot of velcro to hold them together. These things with no name (and a new pair of socks form a shop down the road) made the rest of the trip quite enjoyable http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

I don't know what you call them but they just slip over your toes, leaving most of your soles exposed, and velcro around your calf. Bonus is you can wear your fave, but slightly boots and when packed they take up no room. Down side is you look like a bit of a "silly person". I don't know how well they stand up to continued use or heavy off road, but for $25NZD (under 10 UK pounds) they paid for themselves in one trip http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

The "two black things with a lot of velcro" ar also know as "gaiters" and come in a number of configurations. I've used them for years on bikes and they work well.

You can get them at mountain stores, and sometimes in bike shops.

For bikes we want the ones that cover the feet, not just the ankles, although the ankle ones are great if your rainpants are a little short as they will cover the gap. Usually go from knee to ankle.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I recently bought a pair of tourmaster boot covers made of waterproof nylon with taped seams. They slip over the toe leaving part of the sole and heel free.They have elastic around the heel area and a piece going under the arch of the boot to hold them snug, they fasten down the back with velcro and snaps, and are about 16 inches high.
For the money about 18 dollars they are pretty good and do the job. I have ridden in heavy rain a couple of times so far.
I got them for long trips in the rain as I dont have my trusty para boots over here with me and don't have the money to buy a fancy pair of goretex type riding boots at the moment. I wouldn't think they would stand up to lots of stop go city riding and wouldn't want to use them for that as I think they are best suited to keeping feet dry for long rides in the saddle which I'm about to do. They'll save me getting wet feet and miserable and thats worth more than I payed for them!

Just back from rain-every-day Yukon where we all had damp feet until we crossed really deep rivers - which was fair enough...
On my MX boots I needed to apply Liqueous wax stuff (works on damp boots) or Snow Seal grease (to pre-warmed boots) every day, but, all things considers, damp feet was pretty acceptable. the other guys with hiking boots used overboots and gaiters which held it back some more.
I never got to try out my neoprene (?) Seal Skins in the true wet, but they ar said to keep it out too, until you go deep.

More equipment impressions (and a smashing vid!) from the trip here soon.

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

Try Sidi"On Road" motorcycle boots. They are bone dry always. I waded into trout streams routinely to wash up during or after my riding day. They have a sewn in Sympatex waterproof liner. They are comfortable from day one and still look new after 15K with lots of offroad. My son has a pair and had to launch a boat this summer. He stood in the water for 45 minutes.No leaks. Soaking with gas doesn't faze them. They are simple, good looking and rock solid. Sole is lugged with a heel. Italian made, not Chinese. Throw the rubbers away forever, honest.You will forget your feet. Bill.

I always have dry feet. I use goretex socks that I bought for under ten pounds ýn an Army Surplus store. They are just fantastýc and have kept my feet dry durýng whole days of rýdýng ýn the raýn. That way you can wear any boots you lýke.
Kýrsten

I just came across a great pair of waterproof socks a week or so ago which were recommended to me by a friend. The last 2 days has seen them throughly tested and they have passed the test. They are called sealskinz and info can be found at the following internet address www.sealskinz.com

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Besides the expensive boots and less expensive socks has anyone thought about installing (self-made?) rain and wind deflector-shields?
On my Transalp my feet have no protection from the elements what so ever. And after 30.000k's the Toureg boots are soaked within minutes.
On the Honda Deauville you can buy these little shields in option. My neighbour has them and they really do the job. I figured it can't be hard to make some yourself in plastic or aluminium.
Think it might be a longer lasting option then socks or boots.
Anyone any thoughts or experience?
Of course they won't make much a difference when rivercrossing.

Unless you drive through really fast!