Leaky Tibets?

[JPD350]

Sent my hunters to Lowa a week ago and yesterday I found a brand new pair in my courtyard, I don't have much confidence they will be "waterproof" but I am pleased with their response. However I did not receive the results of their WP testing of my boots which I would have been interested in, they either tested them and they leaked or they didn't want to argue the point and just sent new boots to shut me up, either way I am content.

 

[go4thegusto]

I had both both soles delaminate and fall completely off my Lowas on a shrt hike training for elk hunting. The sole was bonded to a foam material which broke down. I shipped then to Lowa with a note that said "seroiusly?" They promptly replied "out of warranty" and quoted me $100 to glue them on. I told them to throw them away along with another customer and everyone who will listen.

Lowas are like talking your RAV4 rock climbing. Boots for Central Park. Run away........

 

[tipsntails7]

Ti

I had both both soles delaminate and fall completely off my Lowas on a shrt hike training for elk hunting. The sole was bonded to a foam material which broke down. I shipped then to Lowa with a note that said "seroiusly?" They promptly replied "out of warranty" and quoted me $100 to glue them on. I told them to throw them away along with another customer and everyone who will listen.

Lowas are like talking your RAV4 rock climbing. Boots for Central Park. Run away........

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that your experience was different then most. Stuff happens and as many boots as they put out there is bound to be issues your note probably didn't help at all to be honest. If you would have called and talked to them guaranteed try would have helped you out. My Tibets have helped me climb MT Hood, MT Rainer and the twin sister. My ranges have gone to eatern oregon with me for the last 4 years, and my baltoro's have taken me on a ton of miles in the summer in the trinity Alps and yolla bolly's.

With that said no goretex lined shoe I have ever owned lasted longer then 6-8 months of actual waterproofness that's why I own a couple different pairs but all are leather lined. My summer boots breath and fit so much better now and my winter boots are smothered in snow seal and are waterproof.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Lowas are like talking your RAV4 rock climbing. Boots for Central Park. Run away........

Sorry you had a bad experience, but this statement is anything but true. I have several pairs of Lowas and have hammered them into oblivion in Hells Canyon, the Bob Marshall, Mt Rainier, Mt Adams, and Glacier Park.

 

[wapitibob]

I now fill my boots with water after every hunt and leave it over night. If they leak they go back to REI.

 

[justin davis]

The leather lined tibets should hold up to water right?

I have a pair. I apply water proof wax on them. But this year on a wet day they got soaked beyond soaked. I don't know if it was a faulty pair or just leather lined vs goretex? I've had goretex tibets in the past and have really liked them.

 

[MattB]

Lowas are like talking your RAV4 rock climbing. Boots for Central Park. Run away........

From what I have seen Lowas are among the most used boots by sheep guides in AK, so I am going to go out on a limb and disagree with that assesment. Having owned ~6 pairs of Lowa boots over the years and only having my most worn pair leak to where it was noticeable, my personal experience is contrary to yours as well.

Sole delimanition is typically caused either by subjecting boots to excessive heat (i.e. sitting around a camp fire, or using heat to dry wet boots) or due to using water-proofing products that have ingredients which attack the adhesive. That is not to say that you may not have gotten a defective pair of boots, but rather that Lowa sees sole delimination primarily due to mis-treatment rather than a manufacturing defect.

 

[MuleyFever]

Love my Lowas. After 4 years using them here in the rocky desert hills they are still great. I have never had them leak when crossing streams either. I also have never treated them with anything.

Maybe there just not built for eastern ND.

 

[tipsntails7]

The leather lined tibets should hold up to water right?

I have a pair. I apply water proof wax on them. But this year on a wet day they got soaked beyond soaked. I don't know if it was a faulty pair or just leather lined vs goretex? I've had goretex tibets in the past and have really liked them.

Justin I hunt Oregon and Northern California, about as wet a you can get in some places and run leather lined Rangers and tibets. Throw them in front of a heater or a blow dryer before applying. Then use a rag and really work it in good, let sit for a day or two and repeat. I use sno seal and it seems to work really well you've really got to get it into the pores not just a good coat. Obenhaufs is good as well.

 

[justin davis]

Justin I hunt Oregon and Northern California, about as wet a you can get in some places and run leather lined Rangers and tibets. Throw them in front of a heater or a blow dryer before applying. Then use a rag and really work it in good, let sit for a day or two and repeat. I use sno seal and it seems to work really well you've really got to get it into the pores not just a good coat. Obenhaufs is good as well.

Ok thanks. I'll try some sno seal and really work it in

 

[Ironman8]

Justin I hunt Oregon and Northern California, about as wet a you can get in some places and run leather lined Rangers and tibets. Throw them in front of a heater or a blow dryer before applying. Then use a rag and really work it in good, let sit for a day or two and repeat. I use sno seal and it seems to work really well you've really got to get it into the pores not just a good coat. Obenhaufs is good as well.

Do treated leather boots breathe better than GTX boots?

I've got some Asolo Fugitives that finally gave up their waterproofing after 3 yrs of use. My biggest complaint with them was they made my feet sweat just enough to be moist and get cold while glassing. I've considered leather lined Lowas as long as they actually work when treated and still breathe better than GTX lined boots. Otherwise I'll just deal with it and get another pair of Fugitives.

 

[justin davis]

Do treated leather boots breathe better than GTX boots?

I've got some Asolo Fugitives that finally gave up their waterproofing after 3 yrs of use. My biggest complaint with them was they made my feet sweat just enough to be moist and get cold while glassing. I've considered leather lined Lowas as long as they actually work when treated and still breathe better than GTX lined boots. Otherwise I'll just deal with it and get another pair of Fugitives.

Yes leather lined breathes much better than gortex forsure.

 

[Ironman8]

Yes leather lined breathes much better than gortex forsure.

After treating with sno seal?

I remember asking a Lowa rep this and he said that they wouldn't breathe any better than GTX lined. But I trust you guys' experience more...

 

[justin davis]

After treating with sno seal?

I remember asking a Lowa rep this and he said that they wouldn't breathe any better than GTX lined. But I trust you guys' experience more...

I haven't used sno seal yet so not sure on that one. I also base this off of fighting wildland fires in hot temps and long hikes in leather boots (whites). Compared to fellow guys using goretex mountaineering boots and having very hot and sweaty feet.

 

[BackcountryMT]

I haven't used sno seal yet so not sure on that one. I also base this off of fighting wildland fires in hot temps and long hikes in leather boots (whites). Compared to fellow guys using goretex mountaineering boots and having very hot and sweaty feet.

I generally use SnoSeal. Awesome stuff.

Lately I have only used Kennetrek wax, due to warranty BS. Other than my socks soaking into the boots I have never had an issue.

 

[Ironman8]

Tipsntails or anyone else have any comments on breathability difference between GTX lined boots and SnoSeal treated Leather boots? (See posts above if further info needed)

Also, tipsntails, you mentioned leather lined Rangers. They don't seem to be listed on Lowa's site. Are they an old model and now discontinued?

 

[aggieland]

I have a pair of the lowa tibets leather lined and have never had wet feet. Even crossing streams etc, they are 1 yr old but doing fine so far.

 

[tipsntails7]

Tipsntails or anyone else have any comments on breathability difference between GTX lined boots and SnoSeal treated Leather boots? (See posts above if further info needed)

Also, tipsntails, you mentioned leather lined Rangers. They don't seem to be listed on Lowa's site. Are they an old model and now discontinued?

Hey ironman I sent you a pm sorry I have not looked at this thread In awhile. I also just noticed they redesigned the ranger and it looks like they do not offer them In leather lining anymore.... That will really disappoint me if true. There are also lowa's called baltoro that are the equivilant of rangers ( sole is a little less stiff maybe) but for some reason are only offered In the UK. They are leather lined and are similar enough that I may be ok.