Re: Boots
- From: Alan Dicey <alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:01:59 +0100
Doki wrote:
I'm after a pair of walking boots. I used to go hiking as a kid, and always used to have what I would call "proper" boots - brown leather, rubber sole and no goretex or other "breathable" membranes. However, it seems that most of the boots on sale in the shops have bits of suede and nylon, and almost invariably a waterproof membrane, and some sort of foam rubber in the sole, which always disintegrates on trainers that I've had. This makes me very suspiscious, as I've yet to encounter a jacket that's both waterproof and breathable enough for me to wear whilst riding a bike without boiling in the bag, and I remember goretex jackets 12 years ago or so not being brilliant either.
Many fabric boots are sold with a Gore-Tex or other breathable waterproof liner to make them suitable for the usual British Hiking Conditions. In practice, these liners do not remain intact for very long, usually a few months of use at best.
For bike-riding - I assume you mean pedal-cycle, not motor-cycle - no jacket will be good enough as your level of effort is very high. Carry a light, simple neoprene-coated waterproof and only put it on when it rains - you will get wet from condensation, but not lose too much heat from being drenched with cold water.
"Not so brilliant" is difficult for an external observer to quantify. Modern breathable waterproof membranes are very good at being wearable in the dry or light shower conditions without condensation, yet still keeping the downpour out - you'll get wet from condensation, but much less than from the rain outside. Nothing short of air conditioning will keep you dry in a downpour. Of course they are hot in hot conditions, because the *other* function of Gore-Tex is to keep the wind out.
"Proper Boots" are available from such mundane outlets as Milletts, at very reasonable prices.
So, following that massive preamble: Are these new style boots any good? Does the breathable bit actually breath? Do they actually last - I'll be walking mostly around the dark peak (or, if they last half as long as normal boots, are 2 pairs cheaper)? If not, can anyone recommend a pair of leather boots, preferably with a sticky Vibram sole as I fall over a lot, and as cheap as possible?
The breathable bits breathe, i.e. they allow sweat out in dry conditions. No breathable membrane will magic water away if the outside is wetter than the inside, either because the outside environment is at higher humidity (e.g. hill fog) or the membrane is coated with water.
They don't last. And if you are walking in the Dark Peak, I don't think they are suitable at all. You might investigate a suitable pair of wellington boots - people who work all day outdoors often wear them.
For As Cheap As Possible, definitely start at Milletts.
.
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