Another year, another boot, another leaker.

[wapitibob]

I'll hand it to Crispi, they emailed me back in less than an hour with a request to water test so an RA could be generated. Will go thru the process and see how that works out.
Water tested when pulled out of the box, and passed. Crispi cream applied, worn less than 25 miles but pretty rough rocky AZ country. First rain and wet grass, socks and feet were wet from the toe box back to the arch. I actually thought these might make it to the 50 mile mark, but no.

 

[doc holiday13]

You have gaiters on? Wet grassputs water down your bootquickly

 

[P Carter]

it seems to me that, without a full rubber boot, the search for true waterproofing is a hopeless one. Kinda like waterproof breathable rain gear. May as well embrace the fact of wet feet and go for quick-drying, yes? Esp. in Arizona. Just a thought - I obviously don’t have a dog in the fight.

 

[ODB]

You have gaiters on? Wet grassputs water down your bootquickly

A good mention... I once had totally wet feet in my Meindls and was pissed, until i realized it was water from tall wet grass wicking down into my boot from the fabric uppers. gaiters solved the issue.

 

[wapitibob]

"... socks and feet were wet from the toe box back to the arch."

Gaiter and the dry, back half of the boot in the pics.

 

[mlevimadden]

My crispi nevadas are going on year 3 and still fully waterproof. The full leather boots are heavier and less breathable on the summer scouting trips but I’ll take the trade off for dry feet on hunts.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

It took 3 pairs (different models than yours) for me to get ones that didn’t leak/rand separate but Crispi gave me no issues and were super helpful. They even let me change models after the first pair.

 

[feanor]

My OG lapponias that are beat down held up just fine this year…and we butchered a bull in a marsh…
QC issues with new stuff I wonder?

 

[butcherboy]

I always wear gaiters. Even when it’s dry, dry, dry. I’ve never had my Meindl’s leak, knock on wood, but there’s always a chance.

 

[Koda_]

If you hike one time thru thorns or trailing blackberries it will ruin the best UL goretex boot. If you hike off trail, get hard leather goretex boots for thorn resistance.
Soft leather is more flexible and comfortable but will only stay waterproof on trails. All that stitching around the high rubber insole is just excessive holes, you want a boot that does better keeping water away from the goretex layer which flexes in a boot and creases and breaks down. Avoid boots with stitches in the body area, especially around flex areas like the toe box. Ive had excellent waterproof luck with Zamberlan Vioz GTX.

 

[SoOreHunter]

I have a pair Salewa Raven 3 GTX that have been really great in the cold/ wet environment. However, after a full day out in calf deep snow with gators, there still is a little moisture in there. So I agree with others saying rubbers. Probably the only way to keep yourself completely dry but then again you deal with sweat... Where I hunt I couldn't use rubber boots. It's a little too side hill/ steep for the boots I've seen.

 

[IdahoElk]

3 pairs of Colorado's with no problems

 

[Beendare]

You know how to fix them….grin

 

[velvet muley]

My Crispi guides have never taken in any water, last year the first 6 days of season was rain everyday and walking through tall soaked grass everyday.

My Crispi Idaho's did get wet years ago in pretty much the same situation, that's why I went to the Guide's with the full leather and have never had an issue.

 

[velvet muley]

FyI, I do wear gaitors.

 

[wapitibob]

You know how to fix them….grin

I put 7 layers on a pair of Salomon x ultra low and they still leaked.

 

[grfox92]

Anyone who says no boots are truly waterproof hasen't worn Kenetrek.

I'm not praising Kene's in fact I won't buy another pair. 2 seasons and the sole is worn slick. Seams on the heals are completely busted wide open to the windtex. They are still 100% waterproof and always have been.


I'm sending them in for repair and a resole. They fit me like a glove and I will continue to wear them, but next I might try Schnees Beartooths, I've seem them go more than 2 seasons without needing a resolve and maintain waterproofing.

Waterproof is one of the most important things for me. I detest wet feet.

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

Hanwag Alverstone II's. Just finished my 2nd September in them with a bunch of miles, big creek crossings, 2 days straight of rain, and my socks stayed dry. My most recent trip was a mountain goat hunt in the most rugged stuff Colorado has to offer. My hunting partner switched to them this year and also loved them. The other guys in our group all had different boots and ended up with wet socks.

 

[fishslap]

Stiffer leather boots like scarpa kinesis pro will stay waterproof longer. It looks like your boots are far more flexible with softer leather. I don’t think they’ll keep the water out in wet grass or snow because the flexing will push water through the gortex membrane.

 

[KurtR]

Looks like a better job of applying the cream would go a long ways. Water just beads off my kennetrak and meindls.