Wet Feet!

Well where better to start than your locomotion units! With all this wet weather lately I'm sure countless outdoor shops around the country will be flooded ( pardon the pun) with customers complaining about their waterproof footwear leaking.

When i say wet I mean the slight dampness one can get around the toe area after a days walk in wet conditions not a sopping through sock that could drown a horse.
I do feel rather sorry for the owners of the damp feet as they are probably unaware that this is a common problem and happens more frequently than people imagine. Or perhaps it's just that most folk who go out in the torrential rain might expect to get a few wet patches on the feet and put up with the minor discomfort. After all their boots are perfectly fine most of the time except for when the heavens open up and release the very wet stuff.

Personally I have have never had a pair of truly waterproof boots except for a pair of black steel toe capped wellies i once owned. others include-

Leather boots treated with wax and well maintained - leaked when very wet.
Leather boots with a well known brand of waterproof membrane, waxed and maintained - leaked when very wet.
Fabric and leather boots with the same well known membrane proofed and well maintained - leaked when very wet.

I just feel for the staff of these outdoor shops( i used to be one) when Monday morning after the weekend down pour comes around and there's at least one customer already waiting in the car park boots in hand ready to let loose a barrage of complaints regarding the usually still dirty and often smelly boots.

Now perhaps I'm too tolerant or more likely my expectations may be a little more realistic than this band of trench footed consumers who's lives have been ruined by their leaking footwear. Just remember most boots have a big hole in the top to allow your toes entry and this alone means that this boot will at some point get wet inside.
Im not saying everyone who complains is wrong there are bad or faulty boots out there but just be realistic with your expectations and learn to put up with some small issues if the problem only occurs 95% of the time is it such a big deal?

In my experience a leather boot with a waterproof membrane is going to be the best type of boot for keeping your feet dry most of the time. I would expect to pay at least between £120 and £200 for this type of boot depending on its intended usage.
Just look after them and care for them properly!

Always clean them after use and let them dry out a little before applying a care product. never dry them with a heat source or in direct sunlight it ruins the leather.
Think of it like your skin, after all it was once belonged to another mammal. Clean it , dry it gently and moisturise. simple!

If your life has totally been ruined by leaking boots i truly am very sorry!

Bye for now.