Gore-tex warranty

[NorthIDHunter]

I often read about peoples boots (that have Gore-Tex liner) no longer being waterproof and wonder if they send them in to be inspected and then possibly replaced by Gore-Tex, lots of examples with Salomons Then I realized I had never read anywhere someone claiming to have done this. So I figured I would mention it, because I have benefited from the Gore-Tex warranty.

I had a pair of Rocky Lynx Gore-Tex boots that after a few years were no longer waterproof, they were well used and worn but in my attempts to get Rocky to do something a out it, which of course they didn't, I happened across this. https://www.gore-tex.com/support/guarantee-and-returns I contacted Gore-Tex they gave me a shipping address and within a few weeks I was contacted telling me that indeed the boots were no longer waterproof and that they would replace them. They asked me what I paid for them which I couldn't remember, so after a quick Google search I gave them a reasonable price and they approved it. From there I went shopping for a boot that used a Gore-Tex liner and sent them the link with the size and my address and they shipped them to me for just the price it cost me to ship the original boots to them. I got a pair of Danner High Grounds which I might add are not great boots that have a major design flaw, and have heard Danner is doing very little in the way of resolving the issue. Also from what I can tell it doesnt just cover boots it covers any product with a Gore-Tex liner. So since then I have tried my best to buy products that are waterproof and that use a Gore-tex liner so that in the case of needing a warranty I have one. Of course my interaction may have been a fluke and they may be terrible to work with but in my experience it was wonderful.

 

[gbflyer]

I often read about peoples boots (that have Gore-Tex liner) no longer being waterproof and wonder if they send them in to be inspected and then possibly replaced by Gore-Tex, lots of examples with Salomons Then I realized I had never read anywhere someone claiming to have done this. So I figured I would mention it, because I have benefited from the Gore-Tex warranty.

I had a pair of Rocky Lynx Gore-Tex boots that after a few years were no longer waterproof, they were well used and worn but in my attempts to get Rocky to do something a out it, which of course they didn't, I happened across this. https://www.gore-tex.com/support/guarantee-and-returns I contacted Gore-Tex they gave me a shipping address and within a few weeks I was contacted telling me that indeed the boots were no longer waterproof and that they would replace them. They asked me what I paid for them which I couldn't remember, so after a quick Google search I gave them a reasonable price and they approved it. From there I went shopping for a boot that used a Gore-Tex liner and sent them the link with the size and my address and they shipped them to me for just the price it cost me to ship the original boots to them. I got a pair of Danner High Grounds which I might add are not great boots that have a major design flaw, and have heard Danner is doing very little in the way of resolving the issue. Also from what I can tell it doesnt just cover boots it covers any product with a Gore-Tex liner. So since then I have tried my best to buy products that are waterproof and that use a Gore-tex liner so that in the case of needing a warranty I have one. Of course my interaction may have been a fluke and they may be terrible to work with but in my experience it was wonderful.

That’s awesome. Never thought about that. I am pretty good at sending all my leaking Patagucci wear back which they replace with more leaking Patagucci wear, no questions asked.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I think I’ve heard about it once when researching boots but that was one hit from hours and hours of research. Thanks for sharing!

 

[JohnyRingo]

Goretex has a new policy. They will only repay you the price of the product that is no longer waterproof instead of replacing it with another Goretex product. I use PayPal, so in a matter of minutes after deeming my boots (Lowa) were no longer waterproof, I had money in my PayPay account from Goretex. I then went out and bought a different brand of boots (Crispi) with Goretex. If they start to leak, I will send them back and have them replaced. Goretex has been great to work with.

 

[NorthIDHunter]

Goretex has a new policy. They will only repay you the price of the product that is no longer waterproof instead of replacing it with another Goretex product. I use PayPal, so in a matter of minutes after deeming my boots (Lowa) were no longer waterproof, I had money in my PayPay account from Goretex. I then went out and bought a different brand of boots (Crispi) with Goretex. If they start to leak, I will send them back and have them replaced. Goretex has been great to work with.

Oh wow that is incredible really. Makes it so that there is little reason to buy any waterproofed product that doesnt have Gore-Tex. Its like the main complaint of all the guys that wear the Salomon quest 4d 3 gtx boots

 

[JohnyRingo]

Yep. I did get tired of sending Lowa boots back and that's why I am trying Crispis. I have a buddy who has sent back 3-4 pairs of Lowas. I was pleasantly surprised how well GoreTex was to work with. Lowa wouldn't stand behind their product.

 

[Kronos]

Yes, and it's the reason I only use Gore-Tex clothing when it comes to waterproof membranes.

 

[quent]

I read on their web site recently that if your boots don't shed water (beading from the DWR I'm guessing) they wont honor the warranty. That seems kind of stupid imo.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Kronos]

I read on their web site recently that if your boots don't shed water (beading from the DWR I'm guessing) they wont honor the warranty. That seems kind of stupid imo.

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Gore-tex won't warranty the DWR coating because that is a wear item and it's up to you to re-apply it. If the Gore-tex membrane is leaking it will be warrantied.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I'm just wondering how they determine if the membrane leaks, or the seam where the bootmaker attaches the leather to it leaks? If it is a full bootie of Gore-Tex inside the boot, I would understand them saying it's their fault, but why would they replace (or refund) when they can tell you that the bootmaker improperly attached the leather to the Gore-Tex, and the water intrusion is coming through the seam and not the membrane?

 

[Kronos]

I'm just wondering how they determine if the membrane leaks, or the seam where the bootmaker attaches the leather to it leaks? If it is a full bootie of Gore-Tex inside the boot, I would understand them saying it's their fault, but why would they replace (or refund) when they can tell you that the bootmaker improperly attached the leather to the Gore-Tex, and the water intrusion is coming through the seam and not the membrane?

Gore-tex implements stringent standards that manufactures have to comply with if they want to use Gore-tex. This gives Gore-tex the ability to warranty their products. If a company isn't following the standards Gore-tex sets for seam sealing, the company will be at risk of losing its license to use Gore-tex. Unfortunately, the high standards are also the reason Gore-tex products cost more, but on the flip side you won't find many poor quality products with the Gore-tex name attached to it.

ETA: Sorry, I sound like a sales rep for Gore-tex... but this is what I've found out after spending hours comparing gore-tex to other membranes. I like e-vent as a membrane, but I can't find any standards that they implement for manufactures....so it seems like quality of the gear or lack of it is left to the manufactures.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Thanks Kronos, that makes sense. Gore-Tex has been around a while, and other companies have tried to compete and make a comparable product. It's nice to know they will stand behind their product, and as in many other cases you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once..

 

[Stalker69]

Wow, I have tossed so many pairs of boots in the trash because they leak ( all had gore Tex ) I cant believe they will replace them, but iam going to go through my boots I still have ( don’t think any have goretex as I quit buying them because they always leak) and see what they will do about them, if I have any. If not I gave a few pairs to my sons and his buddies that I know leak. Maybe they can get new boots out of them.

 

[Stalker69]

Just contacted them, will see what they say. Man if every body that has leaky goretex can get it replaced, that will be great. But dang it’s going to cost them a ton, if everybody finds this out, and they will actualy replace them. Thanks op !

 

[Afhunter1]

I'm sure they have a charge back policy to the manufacturer. That's why they are so happy to do it. They just send you a check and then send the boots on to lowa, solomon, etc. and demand a refund from them.

 

[tbowers]

Will they work with you even if you dont have original proof of purchase? The website says you need it, i of course dont

 

[Stalker69]

They have sent me all kinds of “ info”. They do need the receipt. And I never got a clear answer if they will cover them or not. It’s up to them to decide after you send your articles to them and they test them as to weather they will replace them. Pain the ass if you ask me, you pay shipping there and iam sure shipping to return them to you when they find a reason don’t to “ warranty” them. I just try not to buy anything with gortex anymore, I know in time it’s going to leak, guaranteed.

 

[tbowers]

What kind of waterproofing do guys seek out other then Goretex? I havent had any issues to date but threads like this get me a little worried sometimes

 

[Piscatory_4]

They have sent me all kinds of “ info”. They do need the receipt. And I never got a clear answer if they will cover them or not. It’s up to them to decide after you send your articles to them and they test them as to weather they will replace them. Pain the ass if you ask me, you pay shipping there and iam sure shipping to return them to you when they find a reason don’t to “ warranty” them. I just try not to buy anything with gortex anymore, I know in time it’s going to leak, guaranteed.

By the time they determine the cause of the leak I assume the boot is pretty much disassembled so it's junk anyway. I sent back some Burris signature binoculars a few years ago, they had fogged up internally. They had a"FOREVER" warranty but they said were unrepairable, so they offered me a lower end binocular at a reduced price. I said send back mine in the condition they were in when I sent them. I got 12x50s instead of 8x32 compacts. I'm guessing they took them apart and said screw it or just said screw it at the get go. I but vortex or Leopold now.

And there are different levels of gore Tex I believe, and different ways to laminate it to liners that will affect how well it works (waterproof and breathability) and how durable it is.

 

[tbowers]

There must be different quality levels of Gore-Tex because higher end boots like Crispi, Meindl, etc use Gore-Tex and you dont hear of to many waterproof issues. At least not like the Salomon 4D's- seems like every pair of those leak