January 7, 2001


How does a Gore-Tex liner improve a leather boot?

Please explain the difference between waterproof backpacking boots (like the Merrell Guide Waterproof Boots) and Gore-Tex lined backpacking boots (like the Asolo AFX 520 II). Where is the Gore-Tex liner? Is it laminated directly beneath the leather upper or does it line the inside of the boot? Seems to me that waterproof leather uppers present a better first line of defense, since they would repel water at the surface of the boot, while Gore-Tex lined boots would keep your feet dry, but you would end up slogging around cold, sopping wet leather uppers. What's the deal?

— Mike McCaffery Evanston, Illinois

You raise an interesting question, Mike. In boots, the Gore-Tex liner (called a "booty") is sandwiched between the outside leather (or fabric, if the boot is a leather/fabric combo), and the inside liner. The result is a three-layer sandwich -- in principle just like what is found in three-ply Gore-Tex garments. The reason is that Gore-Tex itself is fairly fragile, and needs some sort of fabric or leather layer on either side of it for protection.

It's true that a boot with a Gore-Tex liner should be virtually waterproof, but your point is exactly right: Gore-Tex liner or no, the boot leather is the first line of defense. Plus, if that leather gets saturated, your feet will feel cold and damp and the boot will be heavier. So it pays to give the same attention to wateproofing the leather in a Gore-Tex boot as in a non-Gore-Tex boot. And of course, Gore-Tex isn't a free ride -- it changes the dynamics of the boot's breathability, and in all cases will makes the boot at least slightly less breathable. And herein lies the problem -- if it's not raining, and fairly warm, would you rather hike in a T-shirt or a Gore-Tex jacket?

In fact, for that reason I generally prefer non-Gore-Tex boots. If properly cared for and treated with a waterproofer, high quality leather boots such as the Merrell Guide will keep your feet dry in all but sustained exposure to soaking water -- in other words, a dunking in a creek or lake that lasts several hours. They will also cost $20 to $25 less than equivalent boots with Gore-Tex liners, and in warm and dry conditions, will keep your feet drier and less sweaty.