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.

mnfisherman18 wrote:

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

For standing in water, odds of staying dry are always going to be better with rubber.

In and out of water is one thing, but standing in water…

i didnt think anything came out “waterproof” any more. water resistant…yea!

Bearcat89 wrote:

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.

YEP Gore Tex is real! Then treat and clean them for me couple of times a year. I believe Bear as he is in large amounts of water every day.

Red Wings or Irish Setters Gore-Tex treat them well I get several years out of them!

I should state that when I said my boots last a year, that is solely due to the fact the water I’m in is concrete slurry and dries boots out like no other. So every couple weeks I treat them with mink oil heavily and my gortex boots stay leak proof.
As far as red wing / Irish setters, the red wings i always recommend are made right here, the Irish setters are made in China and I do see the large quality in difference. Back in the day I’d recommend Irish setters often. But now I can’t because I see the quality difference with other guys boots at work.
And these boots are a little steeper then you want, they will push 350 but I highly recommend them for both work, hunting and even just hiking. My work boot and my good boot are both red wing gortex.

Appreciate all the responses! My example about standing water was a little extreme, but it would be nice to have something that can at least make it through a half hour walk through various puddles/dew/etc. which mine can’t at this point. Will check out the Red wings.

The 2 things that I have done to help the situation is clean them often. Dirt is hard on stitching.
The other thing I use is Nikwax on my boots. Both the Tech Wash and then the TX Direct.

I agree with Bearcat. I wore Gore Tex Red Wings for 30 years. Mink oil every 3 months. Would get about 15 months out of a pair.

X2 for gortex, cleaning and mink oiling leather. A little bit of care goes a long ways.

Of all the leather waterproof boots I have had over the years the only pair that I had issues with leaking were some Rocky’s I had years ago. My feet would get wet walking in wet grass. I have been running danner pronghorns for 10yrs or more and no issues. I don’t stand in water for a prolonged period but they have gotten wet plenty from deer hunting and ice fishing.

I got a pair of Zamberlan boots, the Sierra 700 GTX I believe, and they haven’t let me down. I also have a pair of Danner 600 hiking boots that have been great as well, no wet feet so far. That includes morning walks through dewy grass and hunting in the rain.

You’ll love the red wings. I’m always in slop over the top of my foot but under my ankle. I walk the river in the boot, I hunt in mine and so on. They are my daily. I have a work pair and a good pair. Tell the red wing guy your in the union and you’ll get 10 or 15 percent off, doesn’t matter what union, just a union. Plus free laces and boot cleanings for the life of the boot. I just ask for a few pair of laces at the purchase time and do all my own treatments

I’ve had great luck with a pair of Crispi n a pair of Kennetrek. Never have had a wet foot in either, and have done nothing to them, going on 5th year. Watch Camofire and Black Ovis, both run some pretty decent deals. Red Wings are good, I still have them but having to oil in a bit of PITA.

27eyeguy wrote:

I’ve had great luck with a pair of Crispi n a pair of Kennetrek. Never have had a wet foot in either, and have done nothing to them, going on 5th year. Watch Camofire and Black Ovis, both run some pretty decent deals. Red Wings are good, I still have them but having to oil in a bit of PITA.

I wanted to get crispis last year, but they were not impressive when I tried them on. Especially for 500 bucks. Oiling red wings every few months takes 2 minutes and should be done to any leather boot. Same as spraying crispis once every season or any other waterproof style boot. Oil or spray, otherwise they will leak after time