Walking Forum
Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: PloddinPedro on 14:11:47, 29/12/06
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Does anyone have good advice on how to keep the water out of full leather boots? My trusty Scarpas (not Goretex lined) always wet out after a couple of hours. I 'm not talking about Lake District bog walking, just ordinary grass and muddy, puddled tracks. Despite my assiduous application of waterproofing after each use, they always let the damp through. I have used only something called "Hydrobloc" provided by a local outdoors shop - it's a translucent waxy paste made by Zamberlan and was supposed to be just what I needed, but it doesn't work. I think I need some heavy duty stuff - any suggestions?
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hiya Pedro. Can't comment on the hydrobloc stuff, but have always found nikwax (the original stuff in a tin ) to be excellent, even through marshy/boggy ground. I can't remember an incident where an application of nikwax lasted anything less than a full day, even when wading through the odd stream. Check out their website.
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It has to be NikWax in a tin -- plenty of application and buffing off on dry warm leather - then you can build up a super finish that will keep most wet out -- but never ever ue on wet leather -- or you trap the wet in the boot and it will rot.
Gortex boots not always the best idea - I have a fantastic light weight pair of Merrell boots -- supposedly waterproof goretex lined -- but the fools put holes in them for ??? effect ??? I use Nikwax liquid with sponge applicator to make these better in the wet and if its really wet I use another pair of boots!!
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Yes, Nikwax here too on my Scarpa SLs, not too often though as you'll over-soften the leather, I use it intermittently with normal shoe polish and no leaks - and on my 2nd pair now (previous ones were suade/fabric/goretex).
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I love the Scarpa leather boot and I only ever use dubbing, and I have never had any problems with them getting wet? I give them a good amount of dubbing, use the wife’s hair dryer to warm it up so that it soaks in to all the nooks and crannies. Leave them over night in a cold room and then give them a good buffing.
Never had wet feet!