How to Select a Waterproof Boot?

Answer 1

For those who work and play outdoors, there are few pieces of gear that are as important as a good, durable, waterproof boot. These boots provide the freedom to comfortably go wherever the trail or the job takes you, without having to sacrifice the health of your feet to get where you need to go. The one problem with buying boots is simply that it's such an involved purchase. You need to be able to take into account your own needs, your comfort level, and even try to keep possible future uses in mind to get the most out of your boots. With this in mind, there are a number of things that you should always keep in mind when you go out looking for a good waterproof boot.

For Fun or Work?There is a major difference between boots that are built for the work-site and boots that are built for the trail. Work boots are specifically engineered for comfort and durability in a work situation. They are often constructed with a high-grade leather that is treated to withstand chemical and fire damage, and usually come with a built-in steel toe to protect against carrying mishaps. In contrast, hiking boots are made to be used in a much more diverse set of conditions. Hiking boots don't have steel toes, they are often constructed out of lighter-weight materials, and are built with speed in mind. Where you may spend all day walking on cement in your work boots, hiking boots may take you up a mountain and across a river in the span of five hours. What type of boot you need for your specific purposes will be up to you, but keep in mind that there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" strategy with buying boots. Types of WaterproofingBar none, the most popular type of waterproofing on the market is Gore-Tex. Pure and simple, there are few types of materials on the market today that can offer the same type of breathability and waterproofing as Gore-Tex. A good waterproof boot will have some kind of proprietary membrane to keep your feet dry, and it's really just a matter of finding which type of membrane works best for your needs.