7:34 p.m. on December 18, 2002 (EST)
I recently got a pair of women's Zamberlans. they are waterproof, very expensive, and they are very structurally comfortable- some of the most I've worn. Because they are Gore-tex though, they don't breath well. My feet always end up wet (and I don't have a foot sweating problem!) I've tried wearing different types of socks, but it hasn't really helped. I have a special insole i have to use that is kind of foamy, i think it might be absorbing water. I am thinking of coating it in latex waterproofer. but i still don't know how to fix it. Any suggestions, experiences like this? What have you done for goretex boots?
Thanks!
6:35 a.m. on December 19, 2002 (EST)
Ed G
30 reviewer rep
1,216 forum posts
why don't they breath well BECAUSE they are gore-tex?
I have always heard and experienced just the opposite.
My feet used to swet like crazy in boots made of leather uppers without the gore-tex bootie. I switched to boots that have gore-tex booties and a combination of split leather and nylon uppers. The feet swet no more.
I also believe in taking off the shoes and socks when taking a break and "letting the puppies breath".
9:08 p.m. on December 19, 2002 (EST)
I have used Gore-tex boots and had a few problems with feet sweat. It usually occurs when I'm doing winter hiking for some reason. I also do not have a foot sweating problem in general. One good thing is to take a break every now and then and let your feet dry. Also, wear non gore-tex boots. I have started using Montrail Vitesse trail running shoes that are non gore-tex. In the winter I use these with a Gore-tex sock I got from REI.
8:54 p.m. on December 29, 2002 (EST)
Gore-tex + full leather uppers = sweaty feet
At least that is my experience. I found two solutions- only get gore-tex boots that are split leather/nylon and breathe better, or get non-gore-tex leather boots and use gore-tex socks when it gets really wet. I'm not sure why, but using the gore-tex socks does not make my feet as wet...
9:21 p.m. on January 13, 2003 (EST)
steve t
7 reviewer rep
124 forum posts
Julie,
Don't know of any great fix -- you've a fundamentally low breathability boot situation. Suggestions:
1-use a poly pro liner sock underneath a thicker smartwool or similar; 2-carry an extra pair of wool socks and alternate them every 1-2 hours. One dry pair on and one wet pair hanging (and drying from your pack); 3-spray you clean feet with antiperspirant spray at the start of each day (I've never tried this, but have read about it working for some people). Hope this helps.
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