Goretex & cold weather tips

I am a firm believer in Goretex. I am a surveyor in Ky, and I wear Goretex
lined workboots (not hiking style) everyday, without any problems. I am very
hard on my boots: wading through streams, mud, snow, briars, rocks. My last
pair remained waterproof for 18 months of daily use. The soles were worn out
by then. I use mink oil regularly as a maintenance coating to help turn the
water. This also cuts down on weight gained by a waterlogged boot. I have
found silicone and snow seal will wear off quickly in an abrasive environment
such as briars, gravel, rock etc. where mink oil is more like a wax. This
gives a water repelling coating within the leather, not just on the surface
that can be easily worn off.

Every evening, I remove my insoles and allow the boot to dry. If they are
waterlogged or sweatlogged, I will dry then by a fan set on low and wear a
backup pair the next day. I think this is the reason a soldier rotates his 2
pair of combat boots, allowing a longer drying time while "sharing the
wear.". Never use high air speed or heat. This dries them too fast and the
leather will crack prematurely.

Granted, Ky. is not a frigid climate, but my Goretex insulated boots (400
grams) and one pair of Army issue green wool socks keep me dry and warm down
to 0 deg. F when moderately active. A little foot powder on your feet helps
keep you dry too. Never put powder directly into your insulated boots. Once
you perspire, the powder in the boots will clog the dead air space within the
insulation, defeating its purpose. Adding an insole to your boot also gives
more insulation between your foot and the cold ground. Trying to wear too
many socks in a properly fitted boot can restrict blood flow to your feet,
making them colder.

I also believe that a cheaper pair of boots $40-50, contain thinner and
inferior leather as compared to $100+. Read as "you get what you pay for."

YIS,
Adam R. West
SM T421, New Castle, KY
Adamw10331@aol.com

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