As a Canadian follower here are my two-cents: 1. You need winter and summer boots. 2. Change your socks regularly. 3. Change out your synthetics for wool. Sweat is your enemy. Adjust your speed to your environment to avoid sweating. 4. Layer properly. A 3 layer system work best. 5. Coton Canvas outer layer is excellent for windproofing your layering system. Stay strong patriots.
Bang fackin on dude! Done heavy concrete in minus 25 c weather and "outbacked" in way worse. If I may add my only specific addition would be a pair of " COFRA" green concrete boots. - 40° all day long! Thanks for this concise list my fellow🇨🇦! And oya FJT
I learn much from you brother. Here is what i know. Bunny boots are good to -30f and below. But will blister when exsposed to petro chemicals. Black mickey boots are petrolium resistant for fueling vehicles in the cold. Black is for say -20 as the rubber stiffens on them when colder. Notice the white bunny is a more pliable rubber. The screw valves are for when you are in planes open when in the air closed on the ground. Spent near 30 years homesteading Alaska. Lived in the bush. Ran a bush army surplus store in a gp medium tent. Many times at -50 in a 20x20 plywood shack, wood heat only. Raised a family there. You give great knowledge love your channel. No bs just facts. Old now 70 but i lived freedom poor retirement but good life.
JBER here and yea bunny boots are magic only issue is having to change socks every couple hours. the first time I wore them in approximately -20 weather I didn't change my socks all day and had some pretty bad trench foot.
@@Candy-fz8ll we wore bunnies as needed for shorter periods when below -50 when warmer say 0 to -40 we wore shoepacks with liners,double insoles and heavy wool socks , 100% wool when available. Another option was surplus mukluks with doubling and socks. We carried an extra full set of clothes in the snowmachine sled or truck. The creek over flows were the issue. We reduced sweat by reduced activity. When it is -40 f and below one should stay in the warm. Always, always remove ALL liners and inserts from boots, every night. One thing about the cold, get lazy and nature WILL make you suffer or die. My 20 x 20 plywood cabin took 40 cord of wood per winter. My first winter i cut and split 3 cord, wiped my hands ans said *that will be enough" LOL! What I learned that year.!
The Finnish army still issues summer and winter rubber boots. They work really well when you're in the swamps, which are very common in Finland. Also during winter you can't really go by foot anyways with all the snow we get, so they are compatible with military skis
Gortex has a shelf life. It works for a little bit, but eventually water will penetrate if soaked long enough. Sucked in Afghanistan when the snow melt and your feet are cold and wet and learned Gortex will not work in those conditions, including the seal skin socks they issued us, which they didn't tell us how to use. Btw, deployed with 25th ID from Hawaii, so imagine the learning curve we had to do in the cold mountains of Afghanistan.
Nah, Goretex (or other similar multi layered waterproof, breathable fabrics) will “wet out” eventually, which means it needs to be refreshed every few years with a wash-in product (I use NikWax products). Just like anything else, maintenance is important.
Actually it is not the water leaking through. Gore tex is absolutely 100% waterproof. Its the sweat and the condensation from your body heat thats making you wet on the inside. Like dude said, you gotta refinish it with a DWR coating. That allows the water to stay lifted off the membrane so your sweat and body vapors can escape.
Cold weather training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin then on to Norway. We had -40f some days. The key with either black or white is sock changing. 2 large safety pins just below your nipples on you long johns. Take what’s on your feet off & put on the large safety pins. Then put dry on your feet after inspection. Then rotate say every 3 hours. Adjust time for your conditions. Your body heat drys the socks out. Worked great & I stayed warm. Semper Fi do or die.
Alternately which probably would not be as secure as your safety pin method which actually sounds pretty cool, is what Kevin Owens suggested and I think it was the first podcast that he did with Mike Glover for fieldcraft survival and it was a technique he learned in the British army. You take those wet socks and you Loop them through your top shirt or jacket inside right underneath your armpits and he said that body heat which is a fairly warm area of your body will dry those socks out in an acceptable amount of time.
Old trick i've learned from norwegian army for freezing temperature and walking in snow. You can wear a light silk sock next to your skin, then put your feet in a plastic bag used for freezing food (some companies even make plastic socks for this same purpose) then put on a heavier wool sock and finally your boots. Perspiration will build up in the plastic bag ofc but will eventually stop, while your heavier socks and boots will stay dry and maintain their insulation properties. During night you just remove everything and use the heavier socks to sleep while body drying the light silk ones. This will also extend your time in the field as you'll need to change socks less.
Neo overboots (or some kind of overboot) are gems. Kept my combat boots mostly dry, which meant my socks and feet were pretty much dry. I still change the socks any chance I get, a dry foot is a happy foot. Rucking all night with them on was never an issue. Canadian veteran advice.
-10F? Arctic? glad I go winter camping in -40c with no tent. Mind you I am Canadian The best part about winter camping is you can hear everything for ever, and nobody is around. Good talk about wet weather, I moved to the rain forest in BC and didn't understand what wet really was until then.
Old school Army, we were issued the old green rubber overshoes that you were supposed to pull over your combat boots. Trick was wear 2 pairs heavy socks and just the boots. Some guys would pack a pair of lightweight tennis shoes for pt and wear those inside the rubber boots
Gaiters are severely underrated. They will keep your feet dry a bit longer (water still wicks in from the laces and your pants) but add a lot of insulation value and keep dirt out.
You can wrap abd tuck your laces in the tops of your boots to keep them out of the way of the ground, along with tucking your pants in to keep them off the ground
@@nef36 Yes, but I'm not talking about laces and pants touching the ground and wicking water in, I have had water seep in from the entire exposed parts of my laces and also coming down my legs. The tip of the laces tends to send water in all directions as they whip around, not directly into your boots.
I also have extensive time wearing bunny boots and Mickey Mouse boots for over 30 years and my dad for over 50 year in Alaska. Mickey boots are generally worn from 20 to -15 and bunny boots from 0 to -55 as long as you’re active. The key is as soon as your feet start to feel cold switch your socks and you should be wearing warm wool socks. Also do not use any kind of foot bed liner.
5:34 there’s a Canadian motorcycle RUclipsr goes by “Fortnine” and he just covered this about jackets. Gore Tex is either waterproof OR breathable, it is never both at the same time. Pretty good video, I imagine the same principles apply to boots. The solution for boots is more socks… not more on your feet, more in your pack that you KNOW are dry, no matter the weather.
As a man who likes to track white tailed deer in the snow in the mountains of New England, I can attest to putting 14 miles on a day in some rubber boots. The sock game is extremely important. It’s a regional thing. There are many men in New England to do this and either muck boots or lacrosse Rubber boots are highly preferred.
I worked construction in Alaska for 15 years mostly outdoors. I would buy insulated gortex redwing boots and they would be as good as rubber boots for exactly 1 year. They would then leak like a siv and I would buy a new pair.
I wear some ex army leather boots by a brand from here(altberg defenders) and although they're not "waterproof" their proofing has never failed me especially with the fact I rewax them relatively often. I've got 2 pairs for casual day to day and a work pair for the horrible conditions there and with ankle deep mud and my trousers over the boots I've never got water in them, same with rain, worst I've had is some wet above where the boots are soaking through my trousers and some cold around the boots from water being cold. Take care of your boots and they'll take care of you.
Brother man I love ya but Gortex winter boots are meant to be warm dry and to help prevent sweat by not being a tight non air permeable layer pressed against your foot, it’s got small ridges so it allows airflow and heat to come off your foot while being very water resistant. Nothing we can wear is truly water proof. The current system I we get at cold weather training is two Danner Gortex rat boots, and a soft rubbery outside fluffy rest boot. When they got wet we swapped boots and socks under a tarpaulin then we used MRE heaters inside our boots for drying while they hung outside our packs under the gortex over white pack covers. It worked fine in those temp. The only difference is the main boot issue when the temperature is around -40°F. We get a different over boot of sorts.
From MN and have had a little experience in cold weather conditions I'd like to share. Years ago, our form of winter camping meant a sleeping bag, a fire, and the snow. In bad weather we'd wake up in snow, and I mean within it. I laugh to this day when my brother arose to discover my other brother had fallen asleep with his bag not tucked under, and a literal snow bank had formed overnight in the windy storm and it literally continued into his sleeping bag. Dumb kids, great times. During deer season on cold years when it's below 0 F in the mornings we learned to dress down to the minimum and walk out to the stand (we hunted 600 acres up in norther MN which is where we still hunt). If we didn't dress down, you needed to walk slooooowly, and even then chances are you'd break a sweat. If you broke a sweat you had two options. You could either sit for a short while (1-2 hours) then move to warm up, or you could end the morning hunt early by going in. We used to still hunt which meant we'd sit most of the day in a stand. Take off your cold weather boots, put on your boot covers, or put them over your boots, put on your sleeping bag that you sat in, stuck your hands in a muff with hand heaters, and enjoyed God's wilderness. If you continued to sit after having sweated, you'd get what we called the chills. If you didn't move, build a fire to dry out, or head back into camp, you could end up in trouble. I was near Mille Lacs Lake in early Feb of 1984, a dumb teenager in a canvas fish house, with no car as we were dropped off, ice fishing and a very wind storm blew through. As it was told later, the jet stream from high altitudes was forced to the ground. I truly don't know the actual temperature, but I will tell you that our small tank of propane propone froze. We had friends on Mille Lacs who brought their frozen big tanks into the fish house (a no-no) to keep the gas flowing. I believe propane freezes around -40. (Pro tip from a MN guy, in the winter never use butane stoves, always use propane, due to each gas' working temp, but know both will freeze it it gets too cold. Pro-pro tip, all lighters are butane, so always keep them warm in your pocket.) We had a Coleman lamp suspended from the ceiling, and there must have been enough moisture in the stove fuel, because it too froze. Our heat and light options were a couple of tea light candles which we never used as we were too miserable to get out of our sleeping bags and were also afraid to move as the gale wind would have flipped over the portable homemade fish house. So, we huddled together as the house rose off the ground and crashed back down countless times as we attempted to laugh it off. Hey, if you don't have your humor, what else is there? Anyway, days later my buddy and I admitted to each other we thought that was it. Over that evening I lost feeling to my waist down, and we both ended up with frostbite. Our fears were not unfounded, as people did die, and I believe it was around 15 or so dead between MN and the Dakotas, which suffered the same weather system before we did. My Dad and uncle had dropped us off and were in town hanging out in a hotel, but they could not get the car started till mid morning the next day. Pretty much everything was frozen or was too cold to operate that night. Recently I went ice fishing into Ontario with a friend and it was a blast, however it was also cold. The warmest it got was -23F. In the morning it was closer to -36F. If you had exposed skin as we snowmobiled to our location, it would literally burn like a heat burn, and it hurt like you wouldn't believe. But we didn't die, and we had fun! From previous experiences The very coldest I ever actually hunted was back when I was a kid, for mice and rats (no kidding) and it was -58F. I thought there was a bear outside the barn groaning only to understand the horses in the barn were moaning, presumably from the cold. Frostbite would quickly set by handling the gun without gloves, and the hunt was short, no rodents were moving that night. What I (sort have) learned from those years of experience (I can be a slow learner 🙂) is to never get into a sweat, have layers, plan for a heat source, or keep moving. If your feet are wet/pruning, stop and change your socks after drying them. As for foot gear, if the insides are going to get wet your first defense is having pairs of socks to swap out, and use wool. Even thin wool when it isn't terribly cold is better than cotton as it wicks away moisture better than cotton. I've heard that drying wet socks under your coat over your shoulder is a good technique but never tried it, always chose other methods of drying them out. As for boots, I've owned Mickey's but if your body isn't generating heat you hands and feet WILL get cold, so extreme cold gear is a bit of an oversell. Stay dry, add layers, and like the muff or boot covers (boot insulators) and a sleeping bag, if you can keep any breeze off you body (same as being in a shelter or building) it will really help. I truly didn't have the luxury of good gear but I did try my best. Our family provided a very loving and simple upbringing, and in that upbringing, I fell head over heels in love with the outdoors. I did ok, learned a powerful respect for nature, and had (and am still having) the time of my life, I wouldn't' change a thing. But if telling about my experiences to this group of people can help a person make better informed future decisions, that would make me happy.
Ok heres the deal on cold weather boots, Rubber is more dense than bone and flesh and therefore it will make feet cold before the feet will make rubber warm. I have learned to remove my boots in deer stands if I expect to remain static for any length of time. The best boots for extreme cold are the military Mucklucks(sp?). they are canvas and absolutely not waterproof, but in extreme cold moisture is not a problem. They breath, and proper size allows for multiple layers of wool sock. One downside is that they dont provide a solid base for snowshoe straps.
It gets down to -20 in my area in the winter and boy scouts used to take us "polar bear camping"when we were younger. The main goal is just to stay dry when it gets that cold.
I wore the white boots when I was in Alaska up in the chugach mountain range all the way down to 50 below zero with no problem. They do soften your feet up though so in the summertime you've got to rebuild all your calluses on your feet.
I've lived in extremely cold climates with lots of sub-zero. In winter, I 'd wear waterproof snow boots with special rubber compound for the soles and they're actually not as heavy as you think. There's lot's of room to wiggle my toes. I go a size up compared to summer boots. I'd wear two pairs of socks to fill that airgap. It's better if the boots are just slightly loose versus tight. One pair are thin wicking socks that go right against my feet, and the second pair are super thick wool absorbent socks. If your feet perspire too much and you don't change your socks, you will lose your toes. The last thing you want is to get the actual boot liner damp, because you can't change that like your socks.
Goretex is the ideal material for going out on a mostly dry day where you may get stuck in an errant shower. It breathes ok when it’s dry, and will keep you completely dry long enough to find shelter.
If you're doing any physical activity the goretex will just make your feet sweatier than regular leather or synthetic boots. Then if the goretex boots do get wet they're a bear to dry out. You can make leather fairly water resistant by cleaning them each day and oiling and waxing them every other week or month depending on use.
The first episode of Survivor Man with Les Stroud was in a tropical rainforest. He wore gortex boots and cursed himself the whole time for not wearing rubber boots instead.
Old 0311 here, and of ALL the boots I've ever had that COME CLOSE to 'waterproof and breathable' were made by Rocky. The pair I have, I purchased probably 20-years ago...they are a VERY HEAVY GoreTex with 500-g of Thinsulate...and while your feet will get 'damp', they will also stay warm...and as ANYONE who has ever worn wool jackets or pants in 30-ish temps knows, wet doesn't matter that much, when you are staying warm. Regardless of all the 'new age fabrics', you just can't beat wool for pants and jackets...and if you can find a boot that holds heat-while-wet like wool does, GET IT! That's what you are trying to accomplish (like using Wigwam merino socks)...the best socks made, regardless if they are $20 a pair or not).
For extreme cold weather I recommend anklet pantyhose with thick wool dive oversocks, the pantyhose with keep them warm and allow the sweat to be wicked away by the wool socks. You still need a good boot. Use to work in the north dakota oil fields.
You are right gortex is not 100% water proof but for mildly wet conditions such as an hour or two in snow or rain exposure my feet stay dry...I have walked through deep puddles of 3-5 inches deep and my feet stay dry. If I planned on spending 4-6 hours in snow or out in a duck pond or heavy rain then I would not depend on Gortex to keep my feet dry and would wear some type of rubber boots. So it depends on the mission & conditions
I use non-waterproof footwear down to near-freezing, and below I use goretex boots, but I wear two pairs of wool socks with a plastic bag in between. Goretex is completely useless in warmer weather - your feet are going to get wet, and your best bet is ample drainage in non-waterproof shoes. But in cold weather a completely waterproof barrier near your skin will keep your feet warm. Try it out if you don’t believe it.
Yeti Goretex gaiters by Berghaus designed to pair perfectly with the soles of Scarpa boots, but I’ve used them over my preferred pair of leather walking boots by cutting slots in the tread and they’re still good for trail walking in very wet and muddy conditions and even wading streams and shallow rivers.
Someone finally said it @4:20 mark... GTX in boots just doesn't work. The breathability gets overwhelmed way to easily from your own sweat and you end up getting wet feet from sweat rather than the outside elements. GTX can not breath effective enough to work in that manner, plain and simple. As always, good stuff Randall.
Pack boots with removable felt liners a size up from what you usually wear, wool socks and you can take the liner out and dry them even put them in your sleeping bag at night so you always have warm dry boots to put your foot into in the morning. Agreed you either have wet feet from sweat or from moisture a good sock and knowing your limits are key starting to feel a hot spot stop take your footwear off apply moleskin duct tape etc mabye a dry pair socks and keep on trucking
I spent a year in Fairbanks for work. Being for om Texas I was worried about the cold. -50 wasn't the problem, it was the months of no sun. Anyway, i couldn't find any bunny boots my size, so I bought some Baffin boots that were good down to -40. I sat outside right at -40 for a few hours and my feet were sweating. New years eave watching fireworks and the wine in our glasses froze but my feet were warm.
If you're dealing with mud, slop and water (puddles or moving), then Muck boots are the go to. If the lousy weather/conditions/terrain shown, then my goto is a pair of Kennetreks or Crispis, well seasoned with SnoProof, insulated or not depending on temps, but never more than 400 gram, and good old fashioned gaiter. If really cold and dry snow, issued mukluks work well. At least they worked for me at McMurdo.
As a kid in MI, we played all day long in the snow with shin-high boots that had rubber lowers, nylon uppers, and about 3/8" thick wool liners that went all the way up. We'd take the wool liners out and dry them and our wool socks near the fireplace overnight. Never had any issues with cold feet, even if everything was soaked by the end of the day, even on the below 0 F days. Never see those style of boots around anymore.
Mix a tube of silicone with mineral spirits and brush it on suede or fabric. Leather, best you can do is oil/wax mix. Mucks are awesome in Wisconsin. Not just for duck hunting. Wisconsin is mostly marsh land.
I just bought a pair of mid cut Go Ruck mac-v2s a few days ago and I’m already in love with them, been wearing them everywhere and on trails and so far I have zero complaints. Learned about em from the video y’all put up the other day. Thanks
Lots of options, I been looking into 18 century ideas, Im from CA and the Eskimos/Iniut people and Muckaluks, moksins. For my Rucking I use a good part of work boots, I worked pipeline for years and you stomp around in work boot from 10 to 18 hr days. Winterize them double up your socks, wear light pair and heavier pair like wool, if your mobe around, should be a problem. How many centuries have people wore socks with animal skin wraped around their feet, with with zome sort of animal fat water repelant. So many odeas, thanks for the video.
Cabelas Axis Gore Tex lined boots, with medium weight wool socks, and a good ole walmart shopping bags as a boot liners, I have found work great in that kind of weather. Whether I am hanging on the back of a garbage truck for a 12 hour residential route in every weather condition and season, or tramping through the woods deer hunting. I prefer ground hunting and tracking versus using a tree stand or blind. As a retired Vet who enlisted in 1980 and tramped around Europe during the Cold War and finished up retiring in 07, I have learned that Uncle Same never will issue the best gear for the environment. Civilian Hunting clothing is always leaps and bounds above the military, what works sells, what does not goes away quickly. I bought in 1993 a pair of "Windstopper fleece pants and jacket and used them as thermals when spending weeks in the weather under my Uniform. The Military started using fleece post 911. In 1984 I bought a pair Hotfinger snowmobile gloves {black leather outside} and wore them in the winter for 6 years before they failed. When the temp got down to 100 below, I never suffered frost bite and continued the mission. Muck boots or rain over boots will get you killed when stealth is required and traction in post shtf world. Just like your clothing, layer your foot wear, the lighter the better, more bang for the buck. Do not layer the same thickness socks as you pointed out. Moisture wicking layer followed by warmth, then vapor barrier. In extreme cold those rubber or neopreme boots will trap moister from sweat and your feet will freeze (frost bite). Look up the history of the Micky Mouse Boots issued by the military for decades and how they would fail. In the 80's we were issued Sorels with a 1 inch thick wool removeable boot liner. They were clumsy, after a few years we went to Mukluks with alot more agility. Love your channel.
Stationed in Vicenza, we jumped into Graf twice a year. Summer Graf and winter Graf. Both were hella wet. Dry feet were super important. Once it rained for an entire week while we were in the field. ZERO dry clothes or socks, goretex soaked through, and we were used to being wet. We ended up with immersion foot. Stuff happens sometimes despite the best equipment and training.
I saw a video where a Mexican cut one of the half gallon milk cartons from a Mexican store up to use under shoe/boot insoles. The inside of the carton had that insulated silver coating on the inside. Might try that in cold wet weather.
Hooah! idk...I'm a 48 y.o. former airborne 11B & I love my Bellville goretex (we've got muck, wellington, timbs as well) & my back ups are the super 'grey man' NIKE ACG boots are very much water proof up to the 4.5" gusset as are 'villes; ur feet will sweat in em; frequently changing quality wool sox will assist. U are correct (although I have adequate luck with gore tex, that u have to trade off breathability for resistance to moisture; it is what it is...) just my assessment (although I've never been exposed to more than -30ish & not for prolonged time).
We did a ruck march in the 90s in full wet weather gear. To include the green rubber boots. It was by FAR the worst rucking event I ever participated in. One trick we used to do though, was put old running sneakers inside those things. That worked OK. Since that time though, I go with two types of outdoor boots: My GR1s, which are worn any time its above 40, and my LL Bean hunting boots, which I wear when its cold. I have them oversized, and use a couple pairs of socks inside them. I also have a pair of mukluks, which are nice when the snow is very deep. But, its usually the first two, 95% of the time.
I have an old pair of GI intermediate cold weather boots, and I've maintained them for almost 20 years. They keep me warm & dry and used these as cold as -30F, no problems. But I do have a pair of near-new bunny boots which I'd use with my snowshoes. Northern MN gets very cold and occasionally buried deep in snow.... At least I know I'm ready.
Southern idaho here. Its single difits in the winter and triple digits in the summer. Earlier this winter i was working outside in ankle deep mud all day and my usmc danner ratt boots kept my feet nice and dry. They seem to be ok for all seasons, a little hot in the summer, a little cold in the winter for a while, then they fet cold
Dinner marine corps rap boot. Temperate cortex. I got a surplus pair for a $100 I bought them for work extra leather over the toes so I don't burn a hole through the boot.. I've worn them deer hunting here in missouri Snowy wet conditions. I've never noticed my feet wet when i'm taking them off. But they have been damp nothing but a change of socks won't fix.
I used to work in a manual carwash environment 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. That will teach you how to keep your feet dry. I tried purchasing a pair of $200 gore-tex hiking shoes, with breathable uppers. Worst pair I ever purchased. Wore out within a month, uncomfortable, seams still leaked, the gore-tex breathing holes wore out and leaked within a couple weeks, and feet sweated to no end. A pair of good sneakers and good socks worked perfectly, from 25 degree and 120 degree days.
Respectfully disagree. Goretex is waterproof AND breathable. It is a one way permeable membrane. That is exactly the point. Unless you received a Chinese nock-off? Can your feet sweat more than the membrane allows for vapor transfer? Yes. Change your socks. Wool works wonders compared to cotton. Generally, the amount of sweat from your feet will be far less than the amount of water that non-waterproof boots will suck up. All that said, I also ran jungle boots or equivalent for most of the warmer months. Leaving the goretex for winter. If you find that you are just dead set against goretex... or perhaps, you work around potential fire hazzards... then a good pair of leather boots with a regular coat of mink oil will serve you well. Whatever you choose, I encourage everyone to test their boots under the same conditions that you expect them to perform. Best of luck, Phil
@michaelw2288 Also true. But, If you are in such a prolonged wet environment there is little that can help. I would suggest a good pair of Teva sandalls.
idk man my danner and vans gore tex boots have been incredibly solid for years and hundreds of hundreds of miles and i intentionally step in puddles and cross streams. I have a winter pair and a summer pair. I cant imagine wearing muck boots on a 40 mile ruck
Kennetrek mountain extremes are amazing. Walk for days and dry. Use their wax. I’ve had mine for three years. They still look brand new. I won’t be walking far in rubber boots there’s not enough support I completely agree. Yes, there is a trade-off between Support breathability and waterproof. The mountain extremes are the best boots I found to do all three. I’ve got the uninsulated type and my feet stay warm down to 0°.
The coldest I have ever been in was in west Virginia in the oil field. It was -14 we wore muck boots and they did wonders. And last winter we saw -20 in pa for a few days. But we stayed inside so I don’t count that.
The boots I ended up buying from my local Surplus store (Thank you A&B) has the fancy shmancy Gortex liner for $80, I could see myself buying them again. Now, by no means are they water proof, but they are reasonably water resistant for the area I live. The most the high plains deserts have to deal with, at least in my lil section, is snow and, unlike torrential down pours, that warm, water logged snow in the middle of melting sloughs off the boots fairly well with minor bleed through. That's just my two cents.
In the winter get waterproof and warm boots, in the summer light trekking shoes are the way to go for comfort such as LOWA zephyr (just don't buy cheap chinese copy or you will regret it, not even close to real thing!). Waterproof socks are also a thing today, might not be as breathable though.
If you're sloshing anound in puddles and getting feet submerged you need molded rubber boots. No stitching, no goodyear welt, no laces. Muck books, sanitation boots, rain boots - they're almost all the same. I've found medium weight wool blend socks with polartech outer-socks work best for me. If not actally repeatedly walking through puddles, Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 GTX are my preferred. No Goretex is perfect but if your boots have Goretex the rest of the boot is probably about as good as you're likely to find in that boot maker's line-up. I learned long ago when wearing leather boots - wear them a couple days, then switch to a different pair of boots and let the first pair dry a couple days. Wear the same pair every day and they just wont last.
Gortex is better than nothing because it's at least very water resistant. I find where gotext most often fails is in areas where there's a lot of wear or friction (typically where the shoe bends and creases). One thing I've done is take out the gortex lining of the army issued cold weather boots (i hate those boots) and use the gortex lining like a sock in my desert or moderate weather boots. I can keep the liners in my pack and have them as an option in the field.
The Australian Defence Force issued us Zamberlan Civettas for winter in Iraq & Afghanistan. Even though they are pretty good - I took my old-school Kastinger (Peter Habeler - Suoerlicht) mountaineering boots. These boots are stitched tongue-flap, two-layer leather, spruce sole boards and stitch-down soles. With sno-seal dressing, there’s nothing quite like them!
I live and work outside where its -40f to -60f during the winter in Alaska and I can 100% say you should be using vapor barrier socks to stay warm in the winter. Rubber like muck boots will crack and fall apart where I live
No matter the waterproof boot choice, you have to understand that wet feet can come from other factors. Sweat and condensation seem to escape everyone. Hot feet, thin water proof boot equal condensation inside when outside temps drop. Much like a single wall tent condensation will happen. Same principals that apply to rain jackets apply to boots and that is drawing sweat away from the skin and changing layers that are wet as a result of sweat when needed. Allowing your feet to sweat through a base layer into a second layer and/or changing socks out often helps keep feet dry and the boot dry inside. Even having extra boot liners help. So before you blame Gortex or some other Dry Tech, be sure you aren't soaking them from the inside.
I used to work pipelines rain or shine most of the time in water over my boots. I wore RedWings they were goretex and breathable. They were spendy about a hundred and seventy bucks but at the end of the day my feet were a little sweaty but essentially dry. I changed socks and I was good to go. They weren’t leather they looked like some kind of burlap but not? I wear a pair hunting till this day.
My ariat sierra insulated work boots were more than plenty warm enough for -20 with wool socks, coated with mink oil my feet have never got wet from the outside, 10 hour shifts its musty in there but it breathes enough from the top
For Goretax you're supposed to retreat them after a while, also the whole point is to avoid moisture build up in your shoes. Not ideal for anything under -10 degrees by the way.
When I was young and dumb one February I decided to change out my oil pan gasket on my Cherokee under a tarp outside laying on the ground in -15°F. The wrenches were so cold they hurt to hold onto after a minute.
I think the problem is really expectations. If you want waterproof and breathable you're SOL. I dont really see respected boot companies advertising both qualities in a pair of boots because they know its a one or the other deal. That said I've had a pair of Carolina 8" gortex loggers for around 7 years now they are my daily work boots and they are waterproof. I can stand in water as deep as the sewn tongue and not get wet. They are not breathable and the steel shank and composite toe make them heavy as hell. But they are the best boots ive ever owned. They are rugged and durable and they do what they say on the box. I knew waterproof boots dont breath beforehand so i chose a pair of uninsulated boots so i could wear them year round. For really cold weather i wear wool socks, but sometimes even that's too much. I've worn them in snow, rain, 115°f days in factories and in the single digits as well. great boots. But roughly 3 lbs each so eat your Wheaties. I work at a major shoping chain and walk about 10 miles a day in them. If you dont need safety toes that lightens the load alot. The only problem i had was the lases breaking when i use to be a fulltime welder. I replaced the lases with 550 cord with heat-shrink aglets on the ends and they are tremendous laces. The military style boots have always had shitty aglets. heat shrink the ends and they will last forever. Great video, keep em comming.
I hated gortex when it became popular years ago. Had Chippewas I greased and they never leaked even stepping in water. (And they don't claim waterproof) I got a pair of rockies and hated them. Supposedly waterproof and never were at all even new. When I waterseal decks or anything, I spray my leather boots down and don't have much issues.
What about the rubber Dunlops,they are a cold weather boot and an excellent one for rain.They are an extremely popular boot with all oil and gas,pipelines,and various other industries.They are steel toed.Wear Bamba socks with them.
I was in similar conditions to this video in the Arctic. 60 miles map and compass a long time ago. Plus a lot of 100-200 mile backpack trips. I don't have any confidence in "Water proof GoreTex" boots. At minimum, under those condition, water will get in through the seams. Gore-Tex is only good for light splashes, but then why bother with GoreTex if that is what it is good for? I own a pair of *non-Gore-Tex* Timberlands. Traditional All leather. Minimal seams. I still have a can of old sno-seal. I made it a point to only buy non-Gore-Tex boots.
- Wearing the right gaiters year round solves more problems than it creates. - Best summer boots might be canvas or cordura uppers and leather lowers. - Best winter boats I've been able to find are only insulated on the soles, which allows them to breath and not get too hot, thereby creating sweat. - Correct socks for time of year and weather conditions is important. I have 6 to 8 pairs, in 4 categories of "system", depending on time of year. - Goretex is indeed a scam. It doesn't work, it's in just about every freaking boot, and all it does is make your feet hotter. One Nickles worth from the mountain west.
Apparently the goretex material is no longer used for environmental reasons so its just the same material as other hiking gear, i have goretex trail runners i gor on sale and they are very waterproof apparently the breathability is fine as long as they are dry. I never wear boots its just too hot in australia, staying cool is a priority as it impacts your altheltic ability
Randal FYI we get temps like that in Ohio. -29F is not that unusual. Used to be that cold in the 80s from like 80-87 every winter. The windchill is obviously colder than that. It's sad to see the frozen critters that died from the cold :/
Goretex definitely won’t keep your feet dry and will only keep rain out of a rain suit for a short while. It only breathes when it is wet. If you can find a rain suit with Event lining instead of goretex you will find yourself much dryer and cooler. Boots wise I love the Aku pilgrim, Solomon boots used to be great but they have slipped big time.
I tagged along my friend last week while he bought his first hiking/rucking boots. The first thing I said was whatever you buy do not buy Goretex. After spending 15 min with a salesman he went with a pair of Goretex boots even tho I openly said don't by them in front of the salesman. Let's joust, say I was really disappointed. Personally, I am a treated leather boots man my self (they are also a 3rd of the price).
The ICWB were ok. When I worked outdoors north of the arctic circle, I wore Lacrosse boots (the Mickey Mouse boots were not good got athletic endeavors).
-40° as long as im moving a good pair of wool socks and leather boots / leather lined, coated in wax, bonus if i have an insulated insole, im good to go. Living northern as well in / around the rocky mountains its amazing what you get use too. 🤷♂️ The rain sucks but like you said change socks as often as possible, again wool is your friend. I hate gortex, will not waste my time and money with it, ever again.
I used to love a pair of $300 goretex solo hikers until one day they just fell apart after 7 months, when I contacted the company they thanked me told me to buy a new pair. Buy decent boots or used, I refuse to pay over $100 bucks. I now buy used bates, rocky, etc cheap at summer garage sales.
@@elumiluce mickey mouse boots sucks balls in winter time unless theyre warm to begin with when you put them on. If ya take them off at night, theyll make your feet freeze the next day....sleep with your boots and cloths in your fart sack with you. Also, once froze to the ground on an ambush training....had to roll back and forth to unstick myself, causeing my gortex pants to rip. Had my eyelids freeze open during morning pt runs, balacalava also froze to my head from sweat, and ive wore a sock on my pecker to keep it frome freezing to my pt's. Back during the icestorm of 98, they closed post due to weather (-30 degrees), but left us out in the field for a week...forced to sleep 2 dudes to a fart sack to stay alive. We all ran out of water, and using snow lowers your body temp, so we all got. so dehydrated our piss turned orange and shinned at night because ft drum is clowdy during the days, blocking the sun but clear at night releasing any trapped heat. Like the Korean War, cold will kill you faster than the Army has time to care about your problems. So, get tough or die. Soldiers from Alaska complain how cold Ft. Drum is. Ive got tons of stories
The combination of lake effect snow and deep swamps is pretty fun, the sensation of your foot plunging through an ice sheet into frigid swamp water is unforgettable. I’m from greater Rochester area so we get a bit less snow than Tugg Hill or Watertown but the environment in the winter is the same and arguably wetter. People who aren’t from here who consider themselves good 4 season hikers are not prepared for our environment.
Good stuff! Yup i'm in that 1% here hahhahahahaha, the Mickey Boots do work alright in the severe cold, I still just use a Leather Boot with Wool socks though. The US-made line of Danner Trophy or Canadian model boots are good for the deep snow and severe cold too, but they are insulated so you have the sweat mitigation to deal with.
As a Alaskan who grew up in a rain forest I'm curious of a operator/infantryman/warriors Take on xtratuffs boots And grundens rain gear how functional is it with gear
Try Baffin Bay Impact (black rubber around bottom regions)..I've use them in Northern Minnesota up at Ely where we hit a week of -40F. HE'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT - you can not have both waterproof and breathable. So, these Baffiins are for LOW or NO exertion (they state so). They ARE TOASTY warm being motionless at -40. They claim, i think, -129F !!!
I am intetested in a pair of the micky boots but cant seem to get any info on sizeing . I have never seen them come in my regular boot size. Do you have any info on this you can give me ? Thanks. Stay safe.
As a Canadian follower here are my two-cents:
1. You need winter and summer boots.
2. Change your socks regularly.
3. Change out your synthetics for wool. Sweat is your enemy. Adjust your speed to your environment to avoid sweating.
4. Layer properly. A 3 layer system work best.
5. Coton Canvas outer layer is excellent for windproofing your layering system.
Stay strong patriots.
Thank you
Bang fackin on dude! Done heavy concrete in minus 25 c weather and "outbacked" in way worse.
If I may add my only specific addition would be a pair of " COFRA" green concrete boots. - 40° all day long!
Thanks for this concise list my fellow🇨🇦!
And oya FJT
I learn much from you brother. Here is what i know. Bunny boots are good to -30f and below. But will blister when exsposed to petro chemicals. Black mickey boots are petrolium resistant for fueling vehicles in the cold. Black is for say -20 as the rubber stiffens on them when colder. Notice the white bunny is a more pliable rubber. The screw valves are for when you are in planes open when in the air closed on the ground. Spent near 30 years homesteading Alaska. Lived in the bush. Ran a bush army surplus store in a gp medium tent.
Many times at -50 in a 20x20 plywood shack, wood heat only. Raised a family there. You give great knowledge love your channel. No bs just facts. Old now 70 but i lived freedom poor retirement but good life.
🇬🇧👍❤🇺🇸✨🌲
Was stationed at ft Wainwright and bought property in Delta jct for 20 years was there. White beta bunny boots are good to way colder than 30- zero.
JBER here and yea bunny boots are magic only issue is having to change socks every couple hours. the first time
I wore them in approximately -20 weather I didn't change my socks all day and had some pretty bad trench foot.
@@Candy-fz8ll we wore bunnies as needed for shorter periods when below -50 when warmer say 0 to -40 we wore shoepacks with liners,double insoles and heavy wool socks , 100% wool when available. Another option was surplus mukluks with doubling and socks. We carried an extra full set of clothes in the snowmachine sled or truck.
The creek over flows were the issue. We reduced sweat by reduced activity. When it is -40 f and below one should stay in the warm. Always, always remove ALL liners and inserts from boots, every night. One thing about the cold, get lazy and nature WILL make you suffer or die.
My 20 x 20 plywood cabin took 40 cord of wood per winter. My first winter i cut and split 3 cord, wiped my hands ans said *that will be enough" LOL!
What I learned that year.!
@@williampratt4791 much respect for your life sir!
The Finnish army still issues summer and winter rubber boots. They work really well when you're in the swamps, which are very common in Finland. Also during winter you can't really go by foot anyways with all the snow we get, so they are compatible with military skis
That’s smart engineering. Anyway I can find some surplus winter boots with the ski-lock?
Gortex has a shelf life. It works for a little bit, but eventually water will penetrate if soaked long enough. Sucked in Afghanistan when the snow melt and your feet are cold and wet and learned Gortex will not work in those conditions, including the seal skin socks they issued us, which they didn't tell us how to use. Btw, deployed with 25th ID from Hawaii, so imagine the learning curve we had to do in the cold mountains of Afghanistan.
Nah, Goretex (or other similar multi layered waterproof, breathable fabrics) will “wet out” eventually, which means it needs to be refreshed every few years with a wash-in product (I use NikWax products). Just like anything else, maintenance is important.
Actually it is not the water leaking through. Gore tex is absolutely 100% waterproof. Its the sweat and the condensation from your body heat thats making you wet on the inside. Like dude said, you gotta refinish it with a DWR coating. That allows the water to stay lifted off the membrane so your sweat and body vapors can escape.
good unit , right side rode with you guys in Iraq
@@starblazer6907what is “DWR” ?
Cold weather training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin then on to Norway. We had -40f some days. The key with either black or white is sock changing. 2 large safety pins just below your nipples on you long johns. Take what’s on your feet off & put on the large safety pins. Then put dry on your feet after inspection. Then rotate say every 3 hours. Adjust time for your conditions. Your body heat drys the socks out. Worked great & I stayed warm. Semper Fi do or die.
Alternately which probably would not be as secure as your safety pin method which actually sounds pretty cool, is what Kevin Owens suggested and I think it was the first podcast that he did with Mike Glover for fieldcraft survival and it was a technique he learned in the British army. You take those wet socks and you Loop them through your top shirt or jacket inside right underneath your armpits and he said that body heat which is a fairly warm area of your body will dry those socks out in an acceptable amount of time.
40* and raining. best training environment you can get. it will let you know who wants to be there and be a part of the team.
🍻
Old trick i've learned from norwegian army for freezing temperature and walking in snow. You can wear a light silk sock next to your skin, then put your feet in a plastic bag used for freezing food (some companies even make plastic socks for this same purpose) then put on a heavier wool sock and finally your boots. Perspiration will build up in the plastic bag ofc but will eventually stop, while your heavier socks and boots will stay dry and maintain their insulation properties. During night you just remove everything and use the heavier socks to sleep while body drying the light silk ones. This will also extend your time in the field as you'll need to change socks less.
Neo overboots (or some kind of overboot) are gems. Kept my combat boots mostly dry, which meant my socks and feet were pretty much dry. I still change the socks any chance I get, a dry foot is a happy foot. Rucking all night with them on was never an issue. Canadian veteran advice.
-10F? Arctic? glad I go winter camping in -40c with no tent. Mind you I am Canadian
The best part about winter camping is you can hear everything for ever, and nobody is around.
Good talk about wet weather, I moved to the rain forest in BC and didn't understand what wet really was until then.
What setup do you use for no tent, i personally use tarp + groundsheet
Old school Army, we were issued the old green rubber overshoes that you were supposed to pull over your combat boots. Trick was wear 2 pairs heavy socks and just the boots. Some guys would pack a pair of lightweight tennis shoes for pt and wear those inside the rubber boots
Gaiters are severely underrated. They will keep your feet dry a bit longer (water still wicks in from the laces and your pants) but add a lot of insulation value and keep dirt out.
You can wrap abd tuck your laces in the tops of your boots to keep them out of the way of the ground, along with tucking your pants in to keep them off the ground
@@nef36 Yes, but I'm not talking about laces and pants touching the ground and wicking water in, I have had water seep in from the entire exposed parts of my laces and also coming down my legs. The tip of the laces tends to send water in all directions as they whip around, not directly into your boots.
I also have extensive time wearing bunny boots and Mickey Mouse boots for over 30 years and my dad for over 50 year in Alaska. Mickey boots are generally worn from 20 to -15 and bunny boots from 0 to -55 as long as you’re active. The key is as soon as your feet start to feel cold switch your socks and you should be wearing warm wool socks. Also do not use any kind of foot bed liner.
5:34 there’s a Canadian motorcycle RUclipsr goes by “Fortnine” and he just covered this about jackets. Gore Tex is either waterproof OR breathable, it is never both at the same time. Pretty good video, I imagine the same principles apply to boots. The solution for boots is more socks… not more on your feet, more in your pack that you KNOW are dry, no matter the weather.
As a man who likes to track white tailed deer in the snow in the mountains of New England, I can attest to putting 14 miles on a day in some rubber boots. The sock game is extremely important. It’s a regional thing. There are many men in New England to do this and either muck boots or lacrosse Rubber boots are highly preferred.
I worked construction in Alaska for 15 years mostly outdoors. I would buy insulated gortex redwing boots and they would be as good as rubber boots for exactly 1 year. They would then leak like a siv and I would buy a new pair.
I wear some ex army leather boots by a brand from here(altberg defenders) and although they're not "waterproof" their proofing has never failed me especially with the fact I rewax them relatively often.
I've got 2 pairs for casual day to day and a work pair for the horrible conditions there and with ankle deep mud and my trousers over the boots I've never got water in them, same with rain, worst I've had is some wet above where the boots are soaking through my trousers and some cold around the boots from water being cold.
Take care of your boots and they'll take care of you.
You’re absolutely right about gore Tex. It’s ok, but doesn’t breathe as well as they claim. Plus, the fabric lining typically stinks! lol
Changing socks often is paramount.
Pending on your terrain, temperature and ones feet, tough sandals can be useful.
Brother man I love ya but Gortex winter boots are meant to be warm dry and to help prevent sweat by not being a tight non air permeable layer pressed against your foot, it’s got small ridges so it allows airflow and heat to come off your foot while being very water resistant. Nothing we can wear is truly water proof. The current system I we get at cold weather training is two Danner Gortex rat boots, and a soft rubbery outside fluffy rest boot. When they got wet we swapped boots and socks under a tarpaulin then we used MRE heaters inside our boots for drying while they hung outside our packs under the gortex over white pack covers. It worked fine in those temp. The only difference is the main boot issue when the temperature is around -40°F. We get a different over boot of sorts.
From MN and have had a little experience in cold weather conditions I'd like to share. Years ago, our form of winter camping meant a sleeping bag, a fire, and the snow. In bad weather we'd wake up in snow, and I mean within it. I laugh to this day when my brother arose to discover my other brother had fallen asleep with his bag not tucked under, and a literal snow bank had formed overnight in the windy storm and it literally continued into his sleeping bag. Dumb kids, great times.
During deer season on cold years when it's below 0 F in the mornings we learned to dress down to the minimum and walk out to the stand (we hunted 600 acres up in norther MN which is where we still hunt). If we didn't dress down, you needed to walk slooooowly, and even then chances are you'd break a sweat. If you broke a sweat you had two options. You could either sit for a short while (1-2 hours) then move to warm up, or you could end the morning hunt early by going in. We used to still hunt which meant we'd sit most of the day in a stand. Take off your cold weather boots, put on your boot covers, or put them over your boots, put on your sleeping bag that you sat in, stuck your hands in a muff with hand heaters, and enjoyed God's wilderness. If you continued to sit after having sweated, you'd get what we called the chills. If you didn't move, build a fire to dry out, or head back into camp, you could end up in trouble.
I was near Mille Lacs Lake in early Feb of 1984, a dumb teenager in a canvas fish house, with no car as we were dropped off, ice fishing and a very wind storm blew through. As it was told later, the jet stream from high altitudes was forced to the ground. I truly don't know the actual temperature, but I will tell you that our small tank of propane propone froze. We had friends on Mille Lacs who brought their frozen big tanks into the fish house (a no-no) to keep the gas flowing. I believe propane freezes around -40. (Pro tip from a MN guy, in the winter never use butane stoves, always use propane, due to each gas' working temp, but know both will freeze it it gets too cold. Pro-pro tip, all lighters are butane, so always keep them warm in your pocket.) We had a Coleman lamp suspended from the ceiling, and there must have been enough moisture in the stove fuel, because it too froze. Our heat and light options were a couple of tea light candles which we never used as we were too miserable to get out of our sleeping bags and were also afraid to move as the gale wind would have flipped over the portable homemade fish house. So, we huddled together as the house rose off the ground and crashed back down countless times as we attempted to laugh it off. Hey, if you don't have your humor, what else is there? Anyway, days later my buddy and I admitted to each other we thought that was it. Over that evening I lost feeling to my waist down, and we both ended up with frostbite. Our fears were not unfounded, as people did die, and I believe it was around 15 or so dead between MN and the Dakotas, which suffered the same weather system before we did. My Dad and uncle had dropped us off and were in town hanging out in a hotel, but they could not get the car started till mid morning the next day. Pretty much everything was frozen or was too cold to operate that night.
Recently I went ice fishing into Ontario with a friend and it was a blast, however it was also cold. The warmest it got was -23F. In the morning it was closer to -36F. If you had exposed skin as we snowmobiled to our location, it would literally burn like a heat burn, and it hurt like you wouldn't believe. But we didn't die, and we had fun! From previous experiences The very coldest I ever actually hunted was back when I was a kid, for mice and rats (no kidding) and it was -58F. I thought there was a bear outside the barn groaning only to understand the horses in the barn were moaning, presumably from the cold. Frostbite would quickly set by handling the gun without gloves, and the hunt was short, no rodents were moving that night.
What I (sort have) learned from those years of experience (I can be a slow learner 🙂) is to never get into a sweat, have layers, plan for a heat source, or keep moving. If your feet are wet/pruning, stop and change your socks after drying them. As for foot gear, if the insides are going to get wet your first defense is having pairs of socks to swap out, and use wool. Even thin wool when it isn't terribly cold is better than cotton as it wicks away moisture better than cotton. I've heard that drying wet socks under your coat over your shoulder is a good technique but never tried it, always chose other methods of drying them out. As for boots, I've owned Mickey's but if your body isn't generating heat you hands and feet WILL get cold, so extreme cold gear is a bit of an oversell. Stay dry, add layers, and like the muff or boot covers (boot insulators) and a sleeping bag, if you can keep any breeze off you body (same as being in a shelter or building) it will really help.
I truly didn't have the luxury of good gear but I did try my best. Our family provided a very loving and simple upbringing, and in that upbringing, I fell head over heels in love with the outdoors. I did ok, learned a powerful respect for nature, and had (and am still having) the time of my life, I wouldn't' change a thing. But if telling about my experiences to this group of people can help a person make better informed future decisions, that would make me happy.
Thank you for the lifetime of wisdom in extreme climates!
Yes. Thank you.
Good socks 🧦 are the key merino wool socks are the best in my experience. “Buy once, cry once.”
Ok heres the deal on cold weather boots, Rubber is more dense than bone and flesh and therefore it will make feet cold before the feet will make rubber warm. I have learned to remove my boots in deer stands if I expect to remain static for any length of time. The best boots for extreme cold are the military Mucklucks(sp?). they are canvas and absolutely not waterproof, but in extreme cold moisture is not a problem. They breath, and proper size allows for multiple layers of wool sock. One downside is that they dont provide a solid base for snowshoe straps.
It gets down to -20 in my area in the winter and boy scouts used to take us "polar bear camping"when we were younger. The main goal is just to stay dry when it gets that cold.
I wore the white boots when I was in Alaska up in the chugach mountain range all the way down to 50 below zero with no problem. They do soften your feet up though so in the summertime you've got to rebuild all your calluses on your feet.
I've lived in extremely cold climates with lots of sub-zero. In winter, I 'd wear waterproof snow boots with special rubber compound for the soles and they're actually not as heavy as you think. There's lot's of room to wiggle my toes. I go a size up compared to summer boots. I'd wear two pairs of socks to fill that airgap. It's better if the boots are just slightly loose versus tight. One pair are thin wicking socks that go right against my feet, and the second pair are super thick wool absorbent socks. If your feet perspire too much and you don't change your socks, you will lose your toes. The last thing you want is to get the actual boot liner damp, because you can't change that like your socks.
Goretex is the ideal material for going out on a mostly dry day where you may get stuck in an errant shower. It breathes ok when it’s dry, and will keep you completely dry long enough to find shelter.
If you're doing any physical activity the goretex will just make your feet sweatier than regular leather or synthetic boots. Then if the goretex boots do get wet they're a bear to dry out. You can make leather fairly water resistant by cleaning them each day and oiling and waxing them every other week or month depending on use.
The first episode of Survivor Man with Les Stroud was in a tropical rainforest. He wore gortex boots and cursed himself the whole time for not wearing rubber boots instead.
Old 0311 here, and of ALL the boots I've ever had that COME CLOSE to 'waterproof and breathable' were made by Rocky. The pair I have, I purchased probably 20-years ago...they are a VERY HEAVY GoreTex with 500-g of Thinsulate...and while your feet will get 'damp', they will also stay warm...and as ANYONE who has ever worn wool jackets or pants in 30-ish temps knows, wet doesn't matter that much, when you are staying warm. Regardless of all the 'new age fabrics', you just can't beat wool for pants and jackets...and if you can find a boot that holds heat-while-wet like wool does, GET IT! That's what you are trying to accomplish (like using Wigwam merino socks)...the best socks made, regardless if they are $20 a pair or not).
For extreme cold weather I recommend anklet pantyhose with thick wool dive oversocks, the pantyhose with keep them warm and allow the sweat to be wicked away by the wool socks. You still need a good boot. Use to work in the north dakota oil fields.
You are right gortex is not 100% water proof but for mildly wet conditions such as an hour or two in snow or rain exposure my feet stay dry...I have walked through deep puddles of 3-5 inches deep and my feet stay dry. If I planned on spending 4-6 hours in snow or out in a duck pond or heavy rain then I would not depend on Gortex to keep my feet dry and would wear some type of rubber boots. So it depends on the mission & conditions
I use non-waterproof footwear down to near-freezing, and below I use goretex boots, but I wear two pairs of wool socks with a plastic bag in between. Goretex is completely useless in warmer weather - your feet are going to get wet, and your best bet is ample drainage in non-waterproof shoes. But in cold weather a completely waterproof barrier near your skin will keep your feet warm. Try it out if you don’t believe it.
Yeti Goretex gaiters by Berghaus designed to pair perfectly with the soles of Scarpa boots, but I’ve used them over my preferred pair of leather walking boots by cutting slots in the tread and they’re still good for trail walking in very wet and muddy conditions and even wading streams and shallow rivers.
Someone finally said it @4:20 mark... GTX in boots just doesn't work. The breathability gets overwhelmed way to easily from your own sweat and you end up getting wet feet from sweat rather than the outside elements. GTX can not breath effective enough to work in that manner, plain and simple. As always, good stuff Randall.
Pack boots with removable felt liners a size up from what you usually wear, wool socks and you can take the liner out and dry them even put them in your sleeping bag at night so you always have warm dry boots to put your foot into in the morning. Agreed you either have wet feet from sweat or from moisture a good sock and knowing your limits are key starting to feel a hot spot stop take your footwear off apply moleskin duct tape etc mabye a dry pair socks and keep on trucking
I spent a year in Fairbanks for work. Being for om Texas I was worried about the cold. -50 wasn't the problem, it was the months of no sun. Anyway, i couldn't find any bunny boots my size, so I bought some Baffin boots that were good down to -40. I sat outside right at -40 for a few hours and my feet were sweating. New years eave watching fireworks and the wine in our glasses froze but my feet were warm.
I covered some ground in mucks. They have aggressive tread that rounds up the back of the heel. Helps considerably when going down hill.
My brothers in Christ. It is time to stand up.
If you're dealing with mud, slop and water (puddles or moving), then Muck boots are the go to. If the lousy weather/conditions/terrain shown, then my goto is a pair of Kennetreks or Crispis, well seasoned with SnoProof, insulated or not depending on temps, but never more than 400 gram, and good old fashioned gaiter. If really cold and dry snow, issued mukluks work well. At least they worked for me at McMurdo.
Good stuff man. I wear the same farm boots in the spring and summer. I have an insulated pair for the winter. Excellent in the mud and wet
As a kid in MI, we played all day long in the snow with shin-high boots that had rubber lowers, nylon uppers, and about 3/8" thick wool liners that went all the way up. We'd take the wool liners out and dry them and our wool socks near the fireplace overnight. Never had any issues with cold feet, even if everything was soaked by the end of the day, even on the below 0 F days. Never see those style of boots around anymore.
I know exactly what you are talking about, excellent boots!
Mix a tube of silicone with mineral spirits and brush it on suede or fabric. Leather, best you can do is oil/wax mix. Mucks are awesome in Wisconsin. Not just for duck hunting. Wisconsin is mostly marsh land.
I just bought a pair of mid cut Go Ruck mac-v2s a few days ago and I’m already in love with them, been wearing them everywhere and on trails and so far I have zero complaints. Learned about em from the video y’all put up the other day. Thanks
Lots of options, I been looking into 18 century ideas, Im from CA and the Eskimos/Iniut people and Muckaluks, moksins.
For my Rucking I use a good part of work boots, I worked pipeline for years and you stomp around in work boot from 10 to 18 hr days. Winterize them double up your socks, wear light pair and heavier pair like wool, if your mobe around, should be a problem.
How many centuries have people wore socks with animal skin wraped around their feet, with with zome sort of animal fat water repelant. So many odeas, thanks for the video.
Lems Outlander boots are the best cold to water resistant ratio boots I have owned. Fellow grunt here, love the content man!
Cabelas Axis Gore Tex lined boots, with medium weight wool socks, and a good ole walmart shopping bags as a boot liners, I have found work great in that kind of weather. Whether I am hanging on the back of a garbage truck for a 12 hour residential route in every weather condition and season, or tramping through the woods deer hunting. I prefer ground hunting and tracking versus using a tree stand or blind. As a retired Vet who enlisted in 1980 and tramped around Europe during the Cold War and finished up retiring in 07, I have learned that Uncle Same never will issue the best gear for the environment. Civilian Hunting clothing is always leaps and bounds above the military, what works sells, what does not goes away quickly. I bought in 1993 a pair of "Windstopper fleece pants and jacket and used them as thermals when spending weeks in the weather under my Uniform. The Military started using fleece post 911. In 1984 I bought a pair Hotfinger snowmobile gloves {black leather outside} and wore them in the winter for 6 years before they failed. When the temp got down to 100 below, I never suffered frost bite and continued the mission. Muck boots or rain over boots will get you killed when stealth is required and traction in post shtf world. Just like your clothing, layer your foot wear, the lighter the better, more bang for the buck. Do not layer the same thickness socks as you pointed out. Moisture wicking layer followed by warmth, then vapor barrier. In extreme cold those rubber or neopreme boots will trap moister from sweat and your feet will freeze (frost bite). Look up the history of the Micky Mouse Boots issued by the military for decades and how they would fail. In the 80's we were issued Sorels with a 1 inch thick wool removeable boot liner. They were clumsy, after a few years we went to Mukluks with alot more agility. Love your channel.
Extra tough boots with wool socks and wool insoles works well enough on an Alaska fishing boat. My go to for cold, wet and nasty weather
Stationed in Vicenza, we jumped into Graf twice a year. Summer Graf and winter Graf. Both were hella wet. Dry feet were super important. Once it rained for an entire week while we were in the field. ZERO dry clothes or socks, goretex soaked through, and we were used to being wet. We ended up with immersion foot. Stuff happens sometimes despite the best equipment and training.
EXCELLENT discussion and some workable solutions offered up.
Well done!
😉👍
I saw a video where a Mexican cut one of the half gallon milk cartons from a Mexican store up to use under shoe/boot insoles. The inside of the carton had that insulated silver coating on the inside. Might try that in cold wet weather.
Hooah! idk...I'm a 48 y.o. former airborne 11B & I love my Bellville goretex (we've got muck, wellington, timbs as well) & my back ups are the super 'grey man' NIKE ACG boots are very much water proof up to the 4.5" gusset as are 'villes; ur feet will sweat in em; frequently changing quality wool sox will assist. U are correct (although I have adequate luck with gore tex, that u have to trade off breathability for resistance to moisture; it is what it is...) just my assessment (although I've never been exposed to more than -30ish & not for prolonged time).
We did a ruck march in the 90s in full wet weather gear. To include the green rubber boots. It was by FAR the worst rucking event I ever participated in. One trick we used to do though, was put old running sneakers inside those things. That worked OK.
Since that time though, I go with two types of outdoor boots:
My GR1s, which are worn any time its above 40, and my LL Bean hunting boots, which I wear when its cold. I have them oversized, and use a couple pairs of socks inside them.
I also have a pair of mukluks, which are nice when the snow is very deep. But, its usually the first two, 95% of the time.
I have an old pair of GI intermediate cold weather boots, and I've maintained them for almost 20 years. They keep me warm & dry and used these as cold as -30F, no problems. But I do have a pair of near-new bunny boots which I'd use with my snowshoes. Northern MN gets very cold and occasionally buried deep in snow.... At least I know I'm ready.
Southern idaho here. Its single difits in the winter and triple digits in the summer. Earlier this winter i was working outside in ankle deep mud all day and my usmc danner ratt boots kept my feet nice and dry. They seem to be ok for all seasons, a little hot in the summer, a little cold in the winter for a while, then they fet cold
Dinner marine corps rap boot. Temperate cortex. I got a surplus pair for a $100 I bought them for work extra leather over the toes so I don't burn a hole through the boot.. I've worn them deer hunting here in missouri Snowy wet conditions. I've never noticed my feet wet when i'm taking them off. But they have been damp nothing but a change of socks won't fix.
I used to work in a manual carwash environment 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. That will teach you how to keep your feet dry.
I tried purchasing a pair of $200 gore-tex hiking shoes, with breathable uppers. Worst pair I ever purchased. Wore out within a month, uncomfortable, seams still leaked, the gore-tex breathing holes wore out and leaked within a couple weeks, and feet sweated to no end.
A pair of good sneakers and good socks worked perfectly, from 25 degree and 120 degree days.
Respectfully disagree.
Goretex is waterproof AND breathable.
It is a one way permeable membrane. That is exactly the point. Unless you received a Chinese nock-off?
Can your feet sweat more than the membrane allows for vapor transfer?
Yes. Change your socks. Wool works wonders compared to cotton.
Generally, the amount of sweat from your feet will be far less than the amount of water that non-waterproof boots will suck up.
All that said, I also ran jungle boots or equivalent for most of the warmer months. Leaving the goretex for winter.
If you find that you are just dead set against goretex... or perhaps, you work around potential fire hazzards... then a good pair of leather boots with a regular coat of mink oil will serve you well.
Whatever you choose, I encourage everyone to test their boots under the same conditions that you expect them to perform.
Best of luck,
Phil
The permeability of gortex membrane is from wetter side to drier side. If the wetter side is outside, it doesnt breath.
@michaelw2288 Also true. But, If you are in such a prolonged wet environment there is little that can help. I would suggest a good pair of Teva sandalls.
idk man my danner and vans gore tex boots have been incredibly solid for years and hundreds of hundreds of miles and i intentionally step in puddles and cross streams. I have a winter pair and a summer pair. I cant imagine wearing muck boots on a 40 mile ruck
Kennetrek mountain extremes are amazing. Walk for days and dry. Use their wax. I’ve had mine for three years. They still look brand new.
I won’t be walking far in rubber boots there’s not enough support
I completely agree. Yes, there is a trade-off between Support breathability and waterproof. The mountain extremes are the best boots I found to do all three. I’ve got the uninsulated type and my feet stay warm down to 0°.
The coldest I have ever been in was in west Virginia in the oil field. It was -14 we wore muck boots and they did wonders. And last winter we saw -20 in pa for a few days. But we stayed inside so I don’t count that.
The boots I ended up buying from my local Surplus store (Thank you A&B) has the fancy shmancy Gortex liner for $80, I could see myself buying them again. Now, by no means are they water proof, but they are reasonably water resistant for the area I live. The most the high plains deserts have to deal with, at least in my lil section, is snow and, unlike torrential down pours, that warm, water logged snow in the middle of melting sloughs off the boots fairly well with minor bleed through.
That's just my two cents.
In the winter get waterproof and warm boots, in the summer light trekking shoes are the way to go for comfort such as LOWA zephyr (just don't buy cheap chinese copy or you will regret it, not even close to real thing!). Waterproof socks are also a thing today, might not be as breathable though.
Insulated Extra-Tuf boots (one pair socks) with Charcoal Lined booty sock (wicks moisture and provides extra insulation). Alaskan Fisherman Style
If you're sloshing anound in puddles and getting feet submerged you need molded rubber boots. No stitching, no goodyear welt, no laces. Muck books, sanitation boots, rain boots - they're almost all the same. I've found medium weight wool blend socks with polartech outer-socks work best for me. If not actally repeatedly walking through puddles, Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 GTX are my preferred. No Goretex is perfect but if your boots have Goretex the rest of the boot is probably about as good as you're likely to find in that boot maker's line-up. I learned long ago when wearing leather boots - wear them a couple days, then switch to a different pair of boots and let the first pair dry a couple days. Wear the same pair every day and they just wont last.
Gortex is better than nothing because it's at least very water resistant. I find where gotext most often fails is in areas where there's a lot of wear or friction (typically where the shoe bends and creases). One thing I've done is take out the gortex lining of the army issued cold weather boots (i hate those boots) and use the gortex lining like a sock in my desert or moderate weather boots. I can keep the liners in my pack and have them as an option in the field.
Whites negative sixty and black Negative 40. They do work. It's a old tech just super rough boot. Did the army winter sere course
The Australian Defence Force issued us Zamberlan Civettas for winter in Iraq & Afghanistan. Even though they are pretty good - I took my old-school Kastinger (Peter Habeler - Suoerlicht) mountaineering boots. These boots are stitched tongue-flap, two-layer leather, spruce sole boards and stitch-down soles. With sno-seal dressing, there’s nothing quite like them!
I live and work outside where its -40f to -60f during the winter in Alaska and I can 100% say you should be using vapor barrier socks to stay warm in the winter. Rubber like muck boots will crack and fall apart where I live
No matter the waterproof boot choice, you have to understand that wet feet can come from other factors. Sweat and condensation seem to escape everyone. Hot feet, thin water proof boot equal condensation inside when outside temps drop. Much like a single wall tent condensation will happen. Same principals that apply to rain jackets apply to boots and that is drawing sweat away from the skin and changing layers that are wet as a result of sweat when needed. Allowing your feet to sweat through a base layer into a second layer and/or changing socks out often helps keep feet dry and the boot dry inside. Even having extra boot liners help. So before you blame Gortex or some other Dry Tech, be sure you aren't soaking them from the inside.
I used to work pipelines rain or shine most of the time in water over my boots. I wore RedWings they were goretex and breathable. They were spendy about a hundred and seventy bucks but at the end of the day my feet were a little sweaty but essentially dry. I changed socks and I was good to go. They weren’t leather they looked like some kind of burlap but not? I wear a pair hunting till this day.
My lower 48 boots are Salomon GTX or Keen Targhees. Oddly, Smith snd Wesson cheapies are great for decent weather rucking, and don’t stink.
My ariat sierra insulated work boots were more than plenty warm enough for -20 with wool socks, coated with mink oil my feet have never got wet from the outside, 10 hour shifts its musty in there but it breathes enough from the top
For Goretax you're supposed to retreat them after a while, also the whole point is to avoid moisture build up in your shoes. Not ideal for anything under -10 degrees by the way.
When I was young and dumb one February I decided to change out my oil pan gasket on my Cherokee under a tarp outside laying on the ground in -15°F. The wrenches were so cold they hurt to hold onto after a minute.
Gortex is waterproof and breathable, but not at the same time. Saturation blocks vapor transfer. It's just stretched out Teflon
I think the problem is really expectations. If you want waterproof and breathable you're SOL. I dont really see respected boot companies advertising both qualities in a pair of boots because they know its a one or the other deal. That said I've had a pair of Carolina 8" gortex loggers for around 7 years now they are my daily work boots and they are waterproof. I can stand in water as deep as the sewn tongue and not get wet. They are not breathable and the steel shank and composite toe make them heavy as hell. But they are the best boots ive ever owned. They are rugged and durable and they do what they say on the box. I knew waterproof boots dont breath beforehand so i chose a pair of uninsulated boots so i could wear them year round. For really cold weather i wear wool socks, but sometimes even that's too much. I've worn them in snow, rain, 115°f days in factories and in the single digits as well. great boots. But roughly 3 lbs each so eat your Wheaties. I work at a major shoping chain and walk about 10 miles a day in them. If you dont need safety toes that lightens the load alot. The only problem i had was the lases breaking when i use to be a fulltime welder. I replaced the lases with 550 cord with heat-shrink aglets on the ends and they are tremendous laces. The military style boots have always had shitty aglets. heat shrink the ends and they will last forever. Great video, keep em comming.
I hated gortex when it became popular years ago. Had Chippewas I greased and they never leaked even stepping in water. (And they don't claim waterproof) I got a pair of rockies and hated them. Supposedly waterproof and never were at all even new.
When I waterseal decks or anything, I spray my leather boots down and don't have much issues.
What about the rubber Dunlops,they are a cold weather boot and an excellent one for rain.They are an extremely popular boot with all oil and gas,pipelines,and various other industries.They are steel toed.Wear Bamba socks with them.
They make sprays and stuff for suede to help with DWR. Found them on channels that talk about taking care of fancy suede shoes.
I was in similar conditions to this video in the Arctic. 60 miles map and compass a long time ago.
Plus a lot of 100-200 mile backpack trips.
I don't have any confidence in "Water proof GoreTex" boots. At minimum, under those condition, water will get in through the seams.
Gore-Tex is only good for light splashes, but then why bother with GoreTex if that is what it is good for?
I own a pair of *non-Gore-Tex* Timberlands. Traditional All leather. Minimal seams. I still have a can of old sno-seal.
I made it a point to only buy non-Gore-Tex boots.
I just use CBRN over boots.
So when the weather does clear up, I don't have to change into a different pair of boots.
- Wearing the right gaiters year round solves more problems than it creates.
- Best summer boots might be canvas or cordura uppers and leather lowers.
- Best winter boats I've been able to find are only insulated on the soles, which allows them to breath and not get too hot, thereby creating sweat.
- Correct socks for time of year and weather conditions is important. I have 6 to 8 pairs, in 4 categories of "system", depending on time of year.
- Goretex is indeed a scam. It doesn't work, it's in just about every freaking boot, and all it does is make your feet hotter.
One Nickles worth from the mountain west.
Apparently the goretex material is no longer used for environmental reasons so its just the same material as other hiking gear, i have goretex trail runners i gor on sale and they are very waterproof apparently the breathability is fine as long as they are dry. I never wear boots its just too hot in australia, staying cool is a priority as it impacts your altheltic ability
Randal FYI we get temps like that in Ohio. -29F is not that unusual. Used to be that cold in the 80s from like 80-87 every winter. The windchill is obviously colder than that. It's sad to see the frozen critters that died from the cold :/
Goretex definitely won’t keep your feet dry and will only keep rain out of a rain suit for a short while. It only breathes when it is wet. If you can find a rain suit with Event lining instead of goretex you will find yourself much dryer and cooler. Boots wise I love the Aku pilgrim, Solomon boots used to be great but they have slipped big time.
Its colder in NC today but the heat is coming..
Eyy man I'm in South Carolina and was going up to NC to uwharrie national forest, you guys can open carry and hike with a AR-15 yeah?
I do it there around squirrel season so I don’t run into deer hunters.
You ever been to Winnipeg, Manitoba ? We get those Arctic temperatres and below every winter.
no thanks
I tagged along my friend last week while he bought his first hiking/rucking boots. The first thing I said was whatever you buy do not buy Goretex. After spending 15 min with a salesman he went with a pair of Goretex boots even tho I openly said don't by them in front of the salesman. Let's joust, say I was really disappointed. Personally, I am a treated leather boots man my self (they are also a 3rd of the price).
The ICWB were ok. When I worked outdoors north of the arctic circle, I wore Lacrosse boots (the Mickey Mouse boots were not good got athletic endeavors).
-40° as long as im moving a good pair of wool socks and leather boots / leather lined, coated in wax, bonus if i have an insulated insole, im good to go. Living northern as well in / around the rocky mountains its amazing what you get use too. 🤷♂️
The rain sucks but like you said change socks as often as possible, again wool is your friend.
I hate gortex, will not waste my time and money with it, ever again.
I used to love a pair of $300 goretex solo hikers until one day they just fell apart after 7 months, when I contacted the company they thanked me told me to buy a new pair. Buy decent boots or used, I refuse to pay over $100 bucks. I now buy used bates, rocky, etc cheap at summer garage sales.
Cannae beat a pair o' wellies when it's blawin' a hoolie.
Wellington boots are just an absolute pleasure to walk in when its those type of conditions.
4 years at Ft Drum....i can tell ya some stories.
I am just south of ya, off the end of lake Ontario on the tug hill, I feal your pain in the winters 😅
@@elumiluce mickey mouse boots sucks balls in winter time unless theyre warm to begin with when you put them on. If ya take them off at night, theyll make your feet freeze the next day....sleep with your boots and cloths in your fart sack with you. Also, once froze to the ground on an ambush training....had to roll back and forth to unstick myself, causeing my gortex pants to rip. Had my eyelids freeze open during morning pt runs, balacalava also froze to my head from sweat, and ive wore a sock on my pecker to keep it frome freezing to my pt's. Back during the icestorm of 98, they closed post due to weather (-30 degrees), but left us out in the field for a week...forced to sleep 2 dudes to a fart sack to stay alive. We all ran out of water, and using snow lowers your body temp, so we all got. so dehydrated our piss turned orange and shinned at night because ft drum is clowdy during the days, blocking the sun but clear at night releasing any trapped heat. Like the Korean War, cold will kill you faster than the Army has time to care about your problems. So, get tough or die. Soldiers from Alaska complain how cold Ft. Drum is.
Ive got tons of stories
@@runningman1156 gotta love the lake effect snow
The combination of lake effect snow and deep swamps is pretty fun, the sensation of your foot plunging through an ice sheet into frigid swamp water is unforgettable. I’m from greater Rochester area so we get a bit less snow than Tugg Hill or Watertown but the environment in the winter is the same and arguably wetter. People who aren’t from here who consider themselves good 4 season hikers are not prepared for our environment.
Good stuff! Yup i'm in that 1% here hahhahahahaha, the Mickey Boots do work alright in the severe cold, I still just use a Leather Boot with Wool socks though. The US-made line of Danner Trophy or Canadian model boots are good for the deep snow and severe cold too, but they are insulated so you have the sweat mitigation to deal with.
I waisted 5 minutes of my life trying to pause on the disclaimer 😂
Keep up the awesome work though!!!🤙
Got a pair of Meindls. German top quality. Are gore tex lined, never got wet or cold feet.
As a Alaskan who grew up in a rain forest
I'm curious of a operator/infantryman/warriors
Take on xtratuffs boots
And grundens rain gear how functional is it with gear
Try Baffin Bay Impact (black rubber around bottom regions)..I've use them in Northern Minnesota up at Ely where we hit a week of -40F. HE'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT - you can not have both waterproof and breathable. So, these Baffiins are for LOW or NO exertion (they state so). They ARE TOASTY warm being motionless at -40. They claim, i think, -129F !!!
I am in Maine and my record cold is actual temp was -26F (this was at noun). Then the windchill was -75F
I am intetested in a pair of the micky boots but cant seem to get any info on sizeing . I have never seen them come in my regular boot size. Do you have any info on this you can give me ? Thanks. Stay safe.