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Re: Waterproof Boots ???

>Greetings All - now, jus' how important is it to have them thar "waterproof" 
>boots.  Let's face it - in a downpour your feet are going to get wet.  Most 
>streams that can't be "jumped" are probably going to be deep enough to be 
>over your boot anyway.  (ok, sometimes i spend ridiculous amounts of time 
>trying to find that strategic dry foot crossing point - the trailhead of 
>Castle Ridge up Mt Jefferson comes to mind as there is almost an immediate 
>non-bridged stream crossing).   Will most properly treated water resistant 
>boots let you get away "dry-footed" with those quick couple steps to get 
>across a stream ?  i usually try to avoid prolonged marshy areas whenever 
>possible.
>
>And there have got to be tradeoffs - true waterproof boots are likely 
>heavier, don't breathe so they'll be hot and sweaty, and no doubt will cost 
>more.   I've seen Goretex advertised as breathable and waterproof.  Anybody 
>know if these "live up to their billing" ?   What types of leather are 
>better, worse, or to be avoided.  i noticed that there are different 
>waterproofing agents recommended say for the suede leather in the Osolo 
>AFX530 and the shiny red leather of the Osolo Posiden.   Are seams, the 
>leather itself, or the area where to sole connects to the leather the most 
>critical part of "keeping your feet dry" ?
>
>Does anyone think that practically any serious hiking boot when properly 
>treated is reasonably water resistant and that boot selection should be made 
>on other criteria such as comfort and Tread - Tread now there's another 
>issue.  After slipping on a tree root and falling off Mt. Adams landing on 
>my head, tread on the sole of the boot certainly has got to be an important 
>safety issue.  Are there particular designs and materials in the 
>construction of boot tread/sole that are worth being aware of  ?
>
>greg nyce - AT Hiker from Downingtown, PA - getting closer to completing the 
>AT in the Mid-Atlantic states with each passing hike 
>

I've tried gore-tex waterproof boots and, yes, you can stand in streams for
the first week.  After that they leak like a sieve, and you can't waterproof
those fabric uppers.   Hard to beat Sno-Seal on heavy-duty leather
backpacking boots, like Raichle Montangas (what a deal at @ $265/pair these
days!).