Upland boots leaking

I have had a bunch of US made Danners (Grouse) because they fit me good and aren’t insanely expensive ($250-ish). If I get 2 years of somewhat heavy use and no leaking, I consider that pretty good. Hard for me to expect a sewn leather boot to be 100% waterproof very long. I’d say 5-6 years is pretty good and retire those for dry hunts. Get a new pair for the wet hunts.

Keep an eye on their Black Friday sale, it’s usually pretty good.

 

Snow seal and a hair dryer.

 

Depends on the leak. If it's the leather getting permeated with water @Out of focus method is correct. (Although, I throw them in the oven, but either way works.) If it's where the sole meets the boot itself (which it definitely may be) then you can "caulk" the seam with shoe goo.

 

SAA: If your upland boots are leaking water you're probably not hunting in the uplands...

Real Answer: Anything wearable that is waterproof should be considered long-term disposable. If it bothers you get new ones. The "fabric" waterproof layering just isn't nearly as rugged as the rubber soles or Kevlar exterior fabrics.

 

While I get leather lace ups for rocky, and steep, country or dry climates, if waterproof is truly required, rubber knee boots are the only way to go. With the variety available these days, most can find a comfortable model.

 

I'd try this first. It's a low cost alternative that you might have to repeat every 12 months. Eventually you'll need to buy new, but this is just buying more time.

 

I caulk anything that has stitching. Doesn't look great but it is effective. On a 6 year old boot, what do you have to lose?

 

5-6 years??

Probably dry rotted. Hard to get rubber boots to that long, let alone a fabric barrier.

Snow seal works really well on leather like said. A combination leather fabric boot I don't know what to use except something like a fabric sealer. Nikwax works well on clothes to restore goretex. Don't know if it would work on boots or not. There are a few other waterproofing sprays out there that you might try.


I look at boots kinda like tires, it's not always the miles but the age. Nice thing about leather is you can keep them conditioned, that really keeps them going. The fabrics and liners breakdown over time, so does thread. I have been trying to get boots made out of large sections of leather, less to break down that way.