Hunting boots & waterproofing

[87th PVI]

Has anyone ever used any of the boot waterproofing products on the market?
My Rocky Bobcat hunting boots used to be waterproof & for two seasons, I could walk across the creek without a drop getting to my feet.
I got them pretty muddy at some point in the off season this year & machine washed & dried them without giving it a thought... Apparently that destroyed the waterproofing.
Saturday my feet were wet just walking in to hunt in the morning from the dew on the plants. When I got home & took the boots off, my feet were soaked. This is NOT gonna be ok when Dec rifle season rolls around!

[CL3]

LL Bean Hunting Shoe; works for me!

[archer1214]

If they are all leather I use several coats of mink oil. If they are canvas, or whatever they call it, I usually get a can of spray on tent waterproofer, and give them 2-3 coats, letting each coat dry atleast 5 or 6 hours before the next coat.

[customloaded]

Problem #1 is the boots are Rockies!

When I was younger I used spray on boot sealer to make them waterproof. Didn't work. Used bread bags will keep your feet dry. Boots will be wet but feet will be cold and dry.

On a serious note, I like Irish Setter boots for hunting.

To help with moisture repellent, try shoe polish after the already mentioned mink oil. The polish will seal up the holes in the leather and the mink oil will soak the leather creating an "OIL" barrier filling in the spaces in the leather.

Hope this helps and I further hope you are doing well,

CL

[87th PVI]

They are Gore-Tex & rubber. Worked great for the first two years, till I washed & dried them. Should've just rinsed them in a creek like any other time.

[Hawk]

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...ing-boots.html

BTW,
Placing plastic bags in your boot will keep outside water from getting to your socks, but it will increase and hold in the moister generated by your feet sweating. You'll soon find yourself with cold and wet feet purely from the sweat. Of course you can help mitigate this with wool socks or wicking sock liners. An old skiers trick is to spray your feet with antiperspirant to help reduce the sweating, which in turn helps keep your feet and socks dry.

[telopyros]

Nothing wrong with the brand, you just removed the coating. Check in scotch guard by 3m or a similar tent waterproofing product. keep the leather well oiled and you should be fine.


I still use my danner boots from the army and still are waterproof and free to boot...no pun intended.

Side note...muck boots or the likewise in other brands are GREAT for this, I have a set and fit extra bulky wool socks with liners plus the insulation on the boot itself work out great. Never get wet, you could hunt from a creek!

[A-5]

Muck boots don't do briars very well

[telopyros]

Muck boots don't do briars very well

Never had an issue, now on that note never really hit a big patch either, I am not that far from you either.

[A-5]

Briars on neoprene boot is no good, I absolutely love my mucks. My bro in law bought a pair for 6$ at a consign shop