February 6, 2001


Can I make my old, worn boots as waterproof as they used to be?

I've been an avid trekker for many years, and now I've crossed over into snowshoeing and winter backpacking. I have a pair of five-year-old Scarpa SLs that I love, but they've gotten so scuffed up over the years that Nikwax really doesn't help them very much. Is there any way I can make them as waterproof as they used to be back in the day (and therefore useable on snow trips)? If not, what would you recommend as a good boot for three-night backpacking trips in the dead of winter in Yosemite? Your advice has outfitted most of my gear over the last four years! Thanks a bunch.

— Victor Vuchic San Francisco, California

I can't imagine the SLs could be THAT scuffed up, but maybe you've been toe-kicking granite boulders for five years. What you ought to try is a non-aqueous wax-based waterproofer, something like Sno-Seal ($4 a can). Use it per directions: Warming the leather slightly (a hair drier works nicely), then rubbing the Sno-Seal in. Reapply every three or four trips.

Still, I'm not sure the SLs are really the ticket for snow travel. They're a little low-cut, and non-insulated. So even if your feet stay dry, they're going to get cold.

My first choice for extended winter hiking/camping is a pair of light plastic boots, such as the Koflach Degre ($255). Now worries about wet feet, and the insulation in the boots will ensure your toes stay toasty. But I concede that plastic boots are somewhat limited in their usefulness —- a pair of Degres won't do you much good if you want to do a backpacking trip in Yosemite in July. Thus, you might look into a pair of heavy leather backpacking boots -— something such as the La Sportiva Makalu ($235) or Salomon's Super Mountain 8 ($245). These are very sturdy boots that should work fine on a long weekend in the snow.

If you do get leather boots, consider purchasing a pair of super-gaiters, which will help keep your feet warmer and the boots drier. One good choice: Outdoor Research's X-Gaiter ($90), which are an insulated and extend to the lower edge of the boot but leave the bottom of the sole exposed for traction. They may even make your SLs more winter-worthy. For plastic boots, OR's Crocodile gaiter ($53) would be fine.