[at-l] RE: GoreTex boots

[Tim.Hewitt@fairchildsemi.com (Tim Hewitt)]

"L. Parker" <lparker@cacaphony.net> wrote:

> First of all, Gore-tex boots WILL keep water from penetrating the boot while
> allowing the vapor/moisture/sweat to escape....IF you wear the right socks.
> If you don't wear some sort of moisture transport socks, then your own sweat
> WILL stay in the boots and I don't care what kind of boot it is.

Didn't work for me, but it wasn't that the Gore-Tex lining leaked, it was
that I generate so much sweat that nothing was going to get it out of my
boots. Wicking socks helped not at all. I loved the fit of the LL Bean
Cresida Hiker though, and got a replacement pair free when I wore the first
ones out.
 
> Second, wear gaiters. If it is above freezing and raining, they should be
> INSIDE your rain pants, those of you who wear ponchos are taking your
> chances...if it is below freezing, they can be worn outside your shell
> pants.

I did, and do, wear short gaiters. They keep rain and dirt/rocks/critters
out of my boots - and they keep my socks clean.
 
> Third, ALWAYS carry dry socks. NO system is foolproof, your feet WILL get
> wet. Blaming it on the Gore-tex is ridiculous.

I only carried one change of socks, which I wore in camp, and hiked out in
my wet (now damp, but still wet) socks in the morning. This worked great for
me - no blisters from wet socks (one heel blister in the beginning that
really only peeled off an old callous, and one little toe blister when my
boots got too small mid-hike).

Since my feet stayed wet in the boots all day anyway, the "dry" socks would
have only been dry for an hour, then I would have had all-wet socks. I wore
my dry socks in camp with sandals when it was cold, and switched socks in
town. When both pair wore out, I replaced them. I went through about 10 pair
of socks on the trail.
 
I'd buy the LL Bean Cresida Hikers again (all leather, Gore-tex lined) but
I'm looking for a lighter alternative now. These are not heavy boots, but
they seem so with an 18 pound pack...

-p
-- 
Paddler
GA>ME Class of 99
http://paddler99.trailstories.com