Why I Don't Use Gore-Tex Footwear

00:00 Hey y’all
00:12 What is Gore-tex
01:05 My Experience with Gore-tex
02:03 Issues
02:13 Sweaty
02:59 Rain
03:46 Water Crossings
05:59 Snow
06:23 Some things to Consider

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[kurtisf]

In 15 years of backpacking I have had wet feet only once with my gortex boots. The key is to wear gortex gaiters, and in a rain storm wear rain pants OVER the gaiters so the water runs from pants onto gaiters onto boots and never flows under any of the layers. The photo of rain pants and gaiters in the video has them layered wrong and is exactly how I got wet feet the one time I did. Your tread will always wear out before the gortex lining if you take care of your footwear properly and clean them up before storage. Here in the Canadian Rockies it doesn’t get hot enough during the day to dry out wet gear, and temps can drop 25 degrees during a storm, dumping snow on you in July. If you don’t stay dry then hypothermia is a real risk.

[chrispierdominici]

Over 40+ years of mountaineering, backpacking and hiking all over creation, and almost half that much as a guide, Gore-tex is still the pinnacle of linings for waterproof footwear IMO. I've tried other waterproof breathable membranes in boots and shoes and while some come close, Gore-tex is still the best, especially for long-term durability. Their liner will literally save you getting wet feet that can lead to frostbite and hasten hypothermia, particularly in intense Winter conditions or drastic turns in weather.

Water doesn't permeate Gore-tex membranes from the outside unless they're perforated - it's why they still use the "Guaranteed to Keep You Dry" label. If the shoe manufacturer doesn't put it into their shoes properly, especially wrapping it under the midsole, leaks will occur, that's not the membrane's fault, but the manufacturer's - Merrell for example is notorious for doing sloppy installs of Gore-tex liners and thus having leaking boots.

It's also important to distinguish between the outer material being penetrated by water (i.e. absorbing and holding it) and the actual membrane allowing water through. Lots of people mistake the prior for the latter and thus errantly blame the liner, when it's not the source of the problem.

Nothing with a waterproof/breathable liner is going to completely expel sweat fast, no matter how good it is, especially in intense and/or continuous physical activity, like a non-waterproof shoe will. You're trading off some measure of sweat expulsion for preventing your feet from getting soaked from the outside, on top of having sweaty feet.

Gore-tex does a decent job of moving sweat, but works best if you wear a good outer sock and a liner, that helps the process, which also cushioning your Achilles and should also prevent strains or rubbing like you experienced. The boots will dry when you take them off to air out, particularly if you wear the two-sock combo.

Hotter weather will naturally make the process of moving sweat harder for any waterproof/breathable membrane. And you shouldn't have issues with bacterial buildup if you're both wearing the double sock combo and also practicing good foot care, which includes routinely airing your socks out, swapping them regularly for another set and washing them if you're out in the backcountry for protracted periods.

Your feet will flood regardless of what you're wearing if the water exceeds the height of your shoe, especially if you're not wearing gaiters, it's the reality of physics.

Finally, you make think you're doing yourself a favor by wearing trail runners to hike in, but over the long term you're hastening the cumulative damage to your body by causing excess impact and strain on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips, and increasing the likelihood you'll sustain injury along the way. This is particularly true if you hike lots of mile and/or carry sizable loads. Boots are designed for this better than trail runners are.

Saving the weight by using trail runners may facilitate hiking a little quicker in the immediate term on individual hikes, but if you plan to hike for years/decades to come and want to maintain optimum body health over that duration, your body will thank you more if you wear boots. Boots are particularly more valuable on descents because they handle your body and equipment load much better than trail runners will, especially minimizing fatigue and decreasing the risk of injury.

I've lost track of how many rescues I've done over the years of people who've damaged ankles and knees hiking with loads above 20lb while using trail runners. Plus they make a huge difference in handling more technical terrain than trail runners can hope to.

[mojaslovenija]

I am with Goretex + wool combo for the past 40 years. My average hiking year is about 200 days a year (working as a geographer), mostly off the beaten tracks. In the summertime, the morning grass, even the forecast is dry weather is always wet and I can't imagine starting my hike with the wet soaked boots. When my plan is to cross the brooks then I have the additional amphibia neoprene boots but in most cases the Goretex boots are fine. For the muddy and high grass terrain, I use the Aigle Vario Neoprene boots, which are warming my feet even walking in deep freezing water.

[TheyllNeverGetMe]

Gore tex is a must have for all hiking footwear that I have. Hiking in wet shoes can quickly ruin your day and produce blisters. You can avoid the issue you mentioned of water coming in the top by wearing rain pants during substantial rain. This is the system I have successfully used for many years.

[uilleachan]

Goretex works well in lower temperatures, because it works by temperature differential the heat from the foot drives moisture out through the semi permeable membrane, if the temp on the other side of the membrane is closer to body temp the less efficient the process and the sweatier the feet will get. So the colder, well down to a few degrees below freezing, the better for goretex.

[progressivesabroadpodcast]

Writing from Norway where I’m and Outdoor educator working in the field daily and all seasons. My experience with gore-Tex is both positive and negative. Mostly positive. I think the negative experiences were based more on the construction of the gear rather than the goretex material itself. Also, socks REALLY matter. Wool socks + goretex shoes, jacket, pants whatever is a winning combo IF the gear is constructed properly. I literally wear the same gear with wool socks in Norwegian winter or hiking in south Florida (minus long underwear).

[PompTheMoose]

Am I the only one who absolutely loves my high ankle, gortex boots xD I've worn them from 115 degree days in summer to snow and ice in the negatives...and I love 'em.

[willardwooten]

I guess by all the comments, I'm one of the rarities who likes and swears by gore tex. Being from Washington I have used everything gore tex, boots, socks, pants and jacket oh also gaiters. My feet are always dry as the water doesn't run down the cuffs into the boot. Last week in 22 degrees and 10 inches of snow I wore a pair of women's med weight leggings with my women's gore tex pants ( I'm skinny ) a thermal top, woolrich fleece and my g-t jacket and was comfortable warm and dry, whether if I was walking or standing around with the wind and snow blowing. My boots are only 8 months old but my pants and jacket are almost 25 years old and are still working.

[mountainmantararua]

Having been in the mountains for over 60 years and still am. I would challenge any body who would tell me that this or that product will keep you dry. I have had the best gear available, including gaiters. and when you are on the 'tops' in driving rain, swirling winds there is nothing that will keep you dry on foot or body. The only dry things are in the centre of my pack ( sleeping bag etc). If the rain doesn't get you the sweat will. Cheers from NZ

[vysterca]

I've been wearing Gore Tex most of my life. The most important thing to consider when wearing any footwear is what you wear between your boot and your feet. I find that the "Technical" sock are the worst. And do you wear 1 sock or 2? I've worn 2 wool socks every day for the last 25 yrs. Summer or winter, doesn't matter. With the technical socks, my feet sweat more, stink more, and just feel uncomfortable. I've worked outside all my life and mother natures wool is the only way to go.

[ryant]

Every hiker I own is gore-tex and paired up with appropriate wool socks that keep air flow within the shoes, i’ve never had any issues in hot or cold conditions. Everyone’s different and finding what works for you may not work for someone else.

I used to work in the industry so I just wanted to note that gore-tex works off of the principals of pores since both the membrane and the fabrics that sandwich the membrane are incredibly porous. if pores become clogged from dirt, mud, slime etc, they don’t permeate (breathe). this applies to all gore-tex, even jackets. they are finicky textiles to work with and require a lot of maintenance which most people do not know or bother. People are always amazed by the capabilities of gore-tex when they see water slip right off their jackets but if they understood the care involved to maintain that performance, it’d easily turn people away.

[aredman]

I LOVE Gore Tex in my boots and trail shoes, especially here in the soggy Southeast. Fortunately my feet don't sweat much even with the Gore Tex liners. Different strokes for different folks. I recommend everyone try out options to see what works for them.

[pahunter]

While I have not been a long distance hiker, I am a hunter and have worked with SAR teams. Because of my experience with cold, wet, mud and snow the Gore-Tex boots are essential for those conditions. Keeping the feet warm and dry are vital in those conditions. They will reduce or prevent cold injuries to the feet. My feet have stayed dry and have not had issues in the winter weather conditions.

[plainsimple]

Have worn leather boots, for the past 70 years, when hiking with dry and wet conditions, crossing streams, snow, etc and have never had a problem.

[kouvanos]

"I haven't actually tested, but i will talk about it like a have experience on it"

That's a trustworthy review right there

[cj_m]

I started backpacking in the early 70’s with leather mountaineering boots. I still wear them, totally breathable. The original GoreTex.

[mikebox]

Great video, that brings up a lot of questions. I've used Gortex since my army days from 86 to 96. then as a civilian hiker camper etc.. since that time. I have been selling outdoor equipment for almost 25 years now. I suggest using gortex only in cold weather. I don't like gortex during hot humid weather. but a lot of people aren't wearing their shoes correctly. My first question is, Where you plan on using them? Make sure you are wearing wool socks with gortex or any outdoor shoe. many people wear cotton socks. remember cotton kills. so best to wear no socks than cottons socks. I will carry a pair of sandals when crossing water. Make sure the insoles are good. usually the ones that come with the shoes are poor. Make sure you are fit, and the shoes are correct in size. many people wear shoes that are too small. Also, I would suggest that you maybe carry a second pair of shoes on these long hikes. I know they add weight. But this will allow your shoes to dry out and recovers from the stress of the day before. Even in the Army we do this. Wear the right shoes for the right terrain, the right season, and stay fit. because an unfit hiker can injure themselves because they change how they step when they get tired.

[bigredog]

"Today I want to talk to you about why I don't fool with goretex trail runners"

Shows clip of walking knee deep in a river

I..I think I know what your problem is

[theoriginalrabbithole]

I couldn't agree more. I swap out for Teva sandals when I cross water but for much the same reasons, I decided to embrace the suck and just be ok with being wet when I was in the Infantry for 8 years, where even if it rains, you never stop doing what you're doing, you just do it wet. I keep my gear in a garbage bag inside my pack with a rain cover over that but no worthless rain gear or waterproof footwear and it works for me. As for the rain jacket and pants? Whether the gear leaks eventually or it's the condensation and sweat, you're gonna get wet anyway, so why bother putting yourself in a plastic bag and without all the Gore Tex, you dry off faster. Keep up the good work. 👍

[christie]

I'm so glad you put that Seinfeld clip in there