Why don’t people wear Goretex boots in the Sierras?

Goretex shoes keep water out, but they also keep water in; for a pretty long time. And I've yet to come across a river/stream crossing in the Sierra that was lower than the tops of my shoes. So now you've got to take your boots off. And now you've got to either cross barefoot- which can be sketchy, or carry wading shoes.

One pair of fast-drying shoes with thin socks and you're good to go; nothing can slow you down! Charge the rivers!

Hiking with wet feet won't hurt you, you just have to get used to it. If it's just from a stream crossing, I'd say my socks and shoes are dry in under an hour anyway.

Otherwise, have fun in goretex shoes; just know you'll likely need another pair for crossings and that if you do soak them, they'll likely be wet for a while.

What your saying makes perfect sense…but in keeping with ultralight philosophy, it's a redundant system.

We really have been over this topic MANY times. Search the forum channels.

Goretex boots are expensive.
Goretex boots are too heavy.
Gaiters will NOT keep any water out: they are for keeping dirt and gravel out.
GoreTex boots are water buckets: water that WILL get in can't get out.
Goretex boots leave you feet all wet and pruney even on dry days.
Goretex boots WILL get soaking wet and freeze overnight, worse than joggers.
Carrying extra footwear is excess weight.

If there is a little bit of snow, don't worry about it.
If there is a medium amount of snow, try breadbags or Goretex socks.
If there is a lot of snow – reconsider the route.

Cheers

Goretex boots are OK, up until the time that they get soaked. Once they are wet on the inside, it will take at least a full day open in warm sun to dry them out. They are fine as long as the stream water level is below midway on the boot. I found they worked OK in wet grass in Alaska.

Once they get wet and stay wet, then a mildew odor takes over. Shall I go on?

–B.G.–

I disagree.

Gortex running shoes are great in the desert, they keep dust and fine dirt out. At the end of the day your feet are clean, but stinky. But they are are not so good if it is hot.

Other than that, not as good as other options.

I did try the Gortex socks this year for full-on snow hiking. Worked great. Thanks to Will on a great article on winter footwear.

Hi Adam,

Maybe experiment with goretex socks+liner socks and shoes that drain and dry well? I've never hiked weeks at a stretch over melting snow, which looks like what NoBo PCT hikers are facing this season (165% snowpack). I'm guessing footcare will become a big issue.

I find goretex boots work well for snowshoeing and springtime hiking, but are too hot when things warm up. As mentioned already, once they wet through they're a challenge to dry out.

Good luck!

Rick

You're going to get tired of changing footwear for every creek you can't jump over.

Your feet won't be cold when you're walking over 20 miles a day.

> We really have been over this topic MANY times. Search the forum channels.

If it were possible to perform an intelligent, focused search of the forums, perhaps more people would.

Then again, maybe not.

You know, I've seen mixed results with Gortex anywhere the dirt gets pretty darn fine. The issue is that for whatever reason, very fine dirt/sand can get caught in between layers in the shoe, causing a buildup. I am not blaming Gortex here – rather, the issue is the shoe construction itself.

Anyhow, the net result was cutting away some of the material allowed the fine sand to be released from the shoe, allowing it to breath and obviously, put less pressure on the foot. But then again, any advantage offered by Gortex in terms of moisture protection pretty much gave up the ghost right there.

Dirk

It's a loop. Because there are no stickies the same question gets asked again and again. Because the internal search sucks it is not even easy to reprise what you said a week ago. Now for the harder part . You may like this churn because it is an invitation to speak. Merely human . But also kind of like Groundhog Day or Knowing or Next.The larger question is what would happen if it were fixed? How many no longer post because it is a rut?How many love the Nube Invite?

I agree that the search function is very poor. If the topic has a unique name (ie exodus, trailstar, etc) it is a little more manageable. Try to search on something like trail runner, tarp, etc and it is just a waste of time.

Brad

I only agree to a point about Goretex not keeping your feet dry. If the shoes or boots are made correctly the Goretex membrane will indeed keep your feet drier, until the membrane begins to wear and get holes in it, at the flex points. I wore a pair of relatively new Montail Torre GTX boots on a 5 day trip in the Adirondaks and it rained everyday, most of the day too, and we also hiked up flowing creek-beds to summit some of the high peaks. I walked through A LOT of water, My feet stayed dry for the most part, maybe slighly dampened from sweat, but in no way were my socks ever wringing wet. I've had good luck with Gortex in many of my trail runners too, until I'd get about 200 miles on them, then they begin to leak somewhat. I'd say Goretex footwear is probably a little warmer too, which is bad when its hot, but good when its cold.

"It's a loop. Because there are no stickies the same question gets asked again and again. Because the internal search sucks it is not even easy to reprise what you said a week ago. Now for the harder part …"

Enabling the wiki would be a start. What would be the harm?

That's what works for me. They keep your feet warm, and they are made to get wet. When the snow section is over switch back to regular socks.

I have done the JMT section of the PCT and I can tell you your feet WILL be wet a lot in this snowy year. More from frequent high stream crossings than snow on the passes. The water will be over the top of any footwear, high or low top, waterproof or not. It's just not practical to take your shoes off for every crossing. Learn to live with wet feet.

Drift Warning – I find it easier to search something in BPL by going at it from Google…..

Just include "Backpacking Light" along with your topic in Google and you'll get good results. Much better than the internal search function.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming…..

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.backpackinglight.com%2F+Goretex

And anyone else who decides to give condescending mini-lectures on why one should opt to search the forums for previously hashed over topics:

Let people ask a dam question.

And "correct" them without being such a downer.

Just my two cents. If you have "forum search/utilizing etiquette" you need to pass on, do it in a non-humiliating PM. Forums were meant to interact. If you want people to just hop on, never ask a question & just search archives, your site is dead.

Besides, who's to say a person can't access a search since they're using a mobile device? Or new to forums?

PM them, if you feel you must, but I for one am so flipping' tired of people chastising others regarding this issue. Save the "but it takes up space" argument.

Rant over.

several statements of fact were made… dry, maybe; condescending no.

Google site search is the only way to go with older PHBB and hand coded sites. I found out the hard way.

There are reasons for archives, and its not nostalgia,

"Gaiters will NOT keep any water out: they are for keeping dirt and gravel out."

I have to disagree. For 10 years I used boots + DIY gaiters that were tightened with accessory straps to my boots and they kept my feet dry most of the time. The gaiters were my knee high, kept up with velcro. On crossings, I pulled them up, after crossing, they are at my ankles (the accessory strap still on). If I have to go deeper than my knee, that's fine too but I need to be fast. Short immersion in water just wets the pants but it takes time before the water goes to boots. Since I walk with a dog, going deeper than knee for a long time is not good idea anyway so I try to avoid deep crossings.

What comes to drying up; There are huge differences how well the boots dry between different manufacturers. On my old Meindl's I usually took out most of the water with a towel, then changed my socks. Rest was ok with a little walk and the wet socks did dry on top of my pack. But I know boots that would stay wet until you're back home.

That being said, I do use lightweight, non waterproof shoes nowdays, but only because of their weight. And I DO miss the dry feet, haven't found waterproof/breathable socks that would be comfortable.

+1 Michael Fogerty, Dug Shelby and Antti Petola I TRUST people who question whats supossed to be ONLY WAY and distrust black and white statements. You know lightweight and ultra light backpacking started cause of people who dared to try things different. But that dont mean everything old school and heavy…er is wrong all the time every time. And there are engineers who Im sure believe in goretex boots as strongly as some from down under dont. For a lot of hikes I like goretex and full grain leather and gaiters and all three of these items have kept my feet dry and happy in a lot of wet,cold, frozen conditions and sometimes I like my trail runners and wet feet till they dry. It all depends but it aint black and white. I bet there are people who hike the sierras in goretex boots and gaiters. And maybe some that are happy they did! CHEERS

On a thru-hike you will get used to having wet feet. It isn't likely to be an issue except for the first 500 miles where your body/feet are getting acclimated to the stress. You have a month to sort things out before you hit the Sierra so take one set of boots/trail runners and by the time you reach the Sierras you will know what works for you.

Me personally… I don't carry any more than I have to and I'd never consider an extra pair of shoes/sandals for camp or water crossing. But with a month on the trail you will figure out what works for you and you won't need our advice.

I find gaiters work really well for keeping out water…

…when it is in the form of snow when on skis!!! :D

Gore tex stuff is pricey. Plus its so last decade.