Expectation for “Waterproof” Leather Boots

Do leather hiking boots that are truly waterproof exist? As in standing in 3 inches of water for 5 hours waterproof? I prefer to wear hunting/hiking style leather boots because I find them far more comfortable than rubber boots when walking long distances, but ended up with wet feet again this weekend. I currently have Irish Setter Havoc’s which are advertised as waterproof, but have never been fully waterproof (and yes I do wax them and apply sno seal each year). I am not sure if my pair is defective, aging, or my standards are too high for a non-premium boot.

Is fully waterproof a reasonable expectation for a sub $300 leather boot or do I need to go rubber? Specifically looking at Danner Pronghorns or a comparable Irish Setter model, but open to suggestions.

Leather boots may be made water resistant but I’m not sure that they can ever be be 100% waterproof, even after waxing and applying Sno Seal.

mnfisherman18 wrote:

Do leather hiking boots that are truly waterproof exist? As in standing in 3 inches of water for 5 hours waterproof?

I don’t think they exist to that standard. At least not in my experience, anything soaking that long is gonna get wet feet.

The best results that I have got from Sno Seal is to apply a couple of coats and use a hair dryer to melt it in. That way the wax will get into the threads and seams.

mnfisherman18 wrote:

As in standing in 3 inches of water for 5 hours waterproof

If you find that in a leather boot, let me know. I think that is asking a lot of a boot made out of Hide.

Red wing 1412 gortex. I’m in water all day and my feet are always dry. I wear the steel toe version and it’s the best work boot I’ve found for water proofness.. but if you don’t treat leather it’ll leak after it’s worn. Treating it every few weeks is something I do and my boots usually last around a year.

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I have a pair of Schnees and so far they have been great . 2 elk hunts few pheasant hunts hiked through some water today and all was good.