Lowa Tibet Frustration

[TJRICHARDS2]

I purchased a pair of Tibet GTXs in April of 2015. I hiked with them throughout the spring and summer. Oregon bow season cam around and it got pretty wet a few day. Halfway into bow season I walked a couple hundred yards through wet grass feet were soaked. I took them back and they were replaced under warranty. No issues with the replacement until I was on a hike this June. Rain started as I was walking on a goat trail with wet grass over it. Again feet were soaked. I took them back the next day and received a second replacement. Both pair were water tested by the retailer and shown to leak. Two hikes and two weeks into receiving the second replacement I again found myself walking through grass that was wet from dew and my feet were soaked. Those boots are again back at the retailer being water tested for s third time. Needless to say, I am done with the Tibets. I know they are not getting wet through the top of the boot as my ankles are always dry while my toes are soaked. Also, on this latest pair I noticed there was significant moisture under the insoles.

My question is, has anyone else had similar problems with these? The retailer swears by them and says no one ever returns them. I must just be lucky. Also, if it is not already apparent I am switching boots. The retailer has been great so far throughout the process and I will be getting a replacement from them. The boots I am interested in are the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes, Crispi Idaho and Hanwag Tatra. What are your experiences with these? I have not tried the Hanwags yet because they do not have my size in stock. So far the Crispis are the most comfortable. However, the Kenetreks are also very comfortable also. I am most concerned about durability. The Crispis worry me a bit because I have found full leather like the Kenetreks to be more durable. My second concern is warranty. I have obviously had to use Lowas warranty more than once. Has anyone had an experience with Crispi or Kenetreks warranty? Okay, I think that is all for now.

Thanks

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I have the same problem with my tibets. I can walk through a creek but the minute it rains my feet are soaked.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TEmbry]

I guess the snow sealer I use eliminates that for me. Only pair of boots I've worn since 2014 with hundreds of miles on them and the only time I've had wet feet is from sweat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[xcutter]

I haven't had any trouble with my Lowa EVO Extreme's leaking but the rubber rand is peeling off up around my toes. Haven't had them a year yet. They are very comfortable so I'm going to use them through October then send them back under warranty. A lot of money for boots and have them fall apart. I'm sure Lowa will make it right.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I guess the snow sealer I use eliminates that for me. Only pair of boots I've worn since 2014 with hundreds of miles on them and the only time I've had wet feet is from sweat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What product is that? I would like to try it on my boots. This will be my second year with mine and I was hoping to not have to "deal" with wet feet.

 

[5MilesBack]

What product is that? I would like to try it on my boots.

Sno Seal. I've been using it for decades.

 

[Mtslackcountry]

I own kenetrek mountain extrems and lowa's. The kenetreks leak like crazy as do the lowa, just not as bad.

 

[TJ]

I guess the snow sealer I use eliminates that for me. Only pair of boots I've worn since 2014 with hundreds of miles on them and the only time I've had wet feet is from sweat

Sno Seal. I've been using it for decades.

This is what I use also.
Yes, they will get wet from soaking down from my pants through my socks if walking in wet brush.

That is why I use gaiters when the conditions warrant it.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I am not sure about the OP but I know my Lowas are good boots but last year it rained a day or so and than snowed a couple inches and while I walked across the creeks just fine it was walking through the brush that soaked my boots. My question and maybe it will help the OP is in regards to gaiters. I have a pair but they are ancient (i always wear them) so if I upgrade my gaiters will I have this same problem or will it help?

 

[TEmbry]

Last treatment I used was purple cap Nikwax.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I use Sno Seal also, and have had very good luck with it.

To the OP, Crispi Idahos are very comfortable. I had a pair, and had a few issues with them but in talking to the US Dealer, Crispi has made some changes in the new boot to address the issues I was seeing.

 

[airlocksniffer]

My first pair of Tibet's leaked and were replaced under warranty by Lowa. My current pair is still waterproof. I'm considering changing away from Obenaufs though. It seems like a good conditioner but doesn't really shed water all that well. I used to use Sno Seal but have read it lowers the breathability of the boot. Getting my feet wet from the inside or outside results in the same thing. Lowa recommends water based conditioners and repellents and sell some branded stuff (I think it's made by Grangers) on their website.

 

[PMcGee]

Lowa has their own leather conditioner and waterproofing spray now.

 

[EC4reel]

I had the SAME issue. On my third pair, all under warranty, right now. Rain no problem, but wet grass and creeks soak thru. What I have noticed is that there is an internal stitch aligned with the heel. This stitch has failed where your heel rubs the splits opens goretex liner. To add to the problem on the outside of the boot, the material in the small flexible area on the heel is permeable and wicks water right inside. If you have pronounced or sharp Calcaneuses (heel bone) this failure happens quickly. I'm not sure how to fix, or even minimize it. Double socks seemed to stretch out the life of pair #2. Unfortunately for me the Tibet "fits" my foot so nice its hard to switch to a different maker, never had a blister. I'm praying this set has better stitching. If this sets fails I'll be forced to switch.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

So for you guys that sent a pair back how do I go about that?

 

[robtattoo]

I had the SAME issue. On my third pair, all under warranty, right now. Rain no problem, but wet grass and creeks soak thru. What I have noticed is that there is an internal stitch aligned with the heel. This stitch has failed where your heel rubs the splits opens goretex liner. To add to the problem on the outside of the boot, the material in the small flexible area on the heel is permeable and wicks water right inside. If you have pronounced or sharp Calcaneuses (heel bone) this failure happens quickly. I'm not sure how to fix, or even minimize it. Double socks seemed to stretch out the life of pair #2. Unfortunately for me the Tibet "fits" my foot so nice its hard to switch to a different maker, never had a blister. I'm praying this set has better stitching. If this sets fails I'll be forced to switch.

I'm like you with a bony heel. I generally wear through any boot liner in this area in 6 months. My Lowa's fit me like they were made for me & I was super reluctant to mess around with sizing, just for an extra pair of socks. After 5 months of 5-days-a-week wear, sure enough the liner wore through & I was getting a damp spot from the flexible heel/ankle joint. I considered returning them, but they fit soooo well.
I decided to say "screw the warranty" & dosed the hell out of 'em with Sno Seal. I heated the boots & applied it as per the instructions. 5 times.
Since then, they still fit perfectly & my feet are bone dry.
Give it a try. Nothing can replace a pair of boots that fit well, especially when it's taken a few years (& more than a couple of bucks....) to find them.

 

[orelkaddict]

Does nobody grease boots anymore? Boots get grease straight out of the box before they leave they house. I wear my Lowa's 7 days a week outside all day for work and again outside for fun. I hear this same story more and more from people about various brands and when I ask about grease they look at me like I'm crazy

 

[Jason Snyder]

Does nobody grease boots anymore? Boots get grease straight out of the box before they leave they house. I wear my Lowa's 7 days a week outside all day for work and again outside for fun. I hear this same story more and more from people about various brands and when I ask about grease they look at me like I'm crazy

Lowa boots are made from chrome tanned leather, which should be treated with waxes, not oils. Boots like White's or Nick's are made from oil tanned leather and can take an oil based treatment.

What kind of grease are you referring to? I use SnoSeal because it is compatible with chrome tanned leather and Gore Tex liners. Oil based treatments like Hubbard's are not compatible with either material and will shorten the life of them.

 

[tipsntails7]

I guess the snow sealer I use eliminates that for me. Only pair of boots I've worn since 2014 with hundreds of miles on them and the only time I've had wet feet is from sweat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree, this is why I always get LL anyway, they seem to fit me better and I lather the boot with sno seal. Have never had an issue.

 

[camping1601]

Noticed in this from Lowa they say not to use oil and wax products. Sounds like the side affect is blocking breathability and compramising the support of the boot. How To Clean a Boot | Lowa