Taking an average, how long does the waterproof abilities of your goretex clothing or boots last? The clothing seems to last a while, but I get on average 2 years of waterproofness out of a pair of gore-tex boots even after taking care of them extremely well. I have owned 2 pairs of Danner pronghorns which seemed to leak right out of the box anda pair of Cabelas outiftter boots which are starting to leak entering their third season. SO whats the difference, isnt gore-tex, gore-tex, why does it last a couple years in one boot and 2 months in another?
Hmmm, I am on year 5 of my Irish Setters (Red Wing) boots and the Gore-tex is still holding up as well as day one. The outside of the boots are defiantly showing wear but they are still waterproof.
IMHO, it has nothing to do with the Gore-Tex, but the construction of the boots. I had a pair of Danner Pringhorns, though comfortable, they leaked after my first big hunt. I returned them and bought a pair of Meindls and will never by a pair of (leather) boots of less quality for hunting again.
It is not the gortex, I have 6 pair of Danner and by no means are they less quality. Idk if it is the Pronghorn's for you all or what I have beat my Danners to death and still waterproof after hundreds of miles. I have no experience with the Pronghorn's unless that is Danners price point boot or something. They stretch test the leather and measure thickness before they even consider making a boot out of the leather. Shank is 5 times stronger than Rocky's or similar store bought boots and most if not all can be re-soled. I would have contacted Danner if leaked within 1 year of purchase.
$169.99 for the uninsulated pair from Cabela's. Not their price point boot. I will say that they were extremely comfortable, but after coming back from a shed hunt with my feet cold and soaking wet, they lost me as a customer. That was in the spring and I hadn't worn them since September the year before in Alberta.
Dan I assume you stored them properly right? They were cleaned after last years use? It's essential you clean boots and not leave them soiled so the leather weakens. Sorry to hear about that but I can see why you weren't happy. For the record I literally have worn my soles to nothing and still 100% waterproof hell they even lean outwards due to my slight bulleggedness. sp? lol
Yep. But it may have just been that pair of boot. Maybe I got a lemon. Like I said, they were extremely comfortable. Maybe saying they lost me as a customer went to far....I'll probably buy another pair when the time is right, but after wearing Meindls I don't know when that will be.
I wore my 1996 Rocky's tonight....in the pouring rain for 3hrs. I've worn them for hunting only since I got them, beat them pretty hard, and never cleaned em. I did have them resoled last year (Rocky sent me a free sole since my old ones literally fell apart in chunks last year) and they are still 100% waterproof. Can't complain about that! I think the older boots were made better than the newer ones are. I've had 3 pairs since I started hunting in 1985. I bought my newest pair last year....they are good and warm, and waterproof (so far - time will tell), but they aren't nearly as comfortable as the old style were. Good sole though, they grip like crazy. I know alot of people don't like Rocky's, but I've had nothing but good luck with them, and never had one leak yet - with avg of 10+yrs on each pair.
Use GoreTex socks, much cheaper, around $20 uninsulated and around $40 insulated. I have had a pair of each for more years than I can remember and they still work although the top has torn on one pair from pulling them on. BTW, I never wear leather boots, only Muck boots.
