Walking boots that don't leak please?

[TheHorticulturalHussy]

My newish Brasher boots are already cracking after around 15 months. I walk miles each day with DDog through long grass and across fields, morning and evening. I wear 2 pairs on rotation - every 2 or 3 weeks they are washed, thoroughly dried and given 2 separate coats of good boot wax, so I don't think that they should be leaking already.
So does anyone have any recommendations please? Happy to pay more for better quality leather.
Thanks for reading 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

I think you are over washing your boots and that can’t be good for them. I don’t ever wash my boots - rinse off the mud and dirt sure but never wash them.
Aside from that get a pair leather or otherwise that have a waterproof breathable membrane. If you are often in wet conditions I would honestly look at different snow boots with a plastic boot bit - totally waterproof and can be great to walk in.

I don’t recommend muck boots unless you don’t mind replacing a lot. Mine only last about 8 months or so from heavy dog walking. I’m actually out wearing mine right now that are broken exactly the same as the last 2 pairs. Not sure what I’ll buy next.

Yes Merrells are narrow! I quite like my sister's Sorel snow boots which have a removable insulated lining and are nice and wide. My favourite ever winter boots were a pair of Keen Bettys with a zip up the side - they had a waterproof lining and never once let my feet get wet, until the zips went and I've not got round to trying to replace them yet 😬

Neoprene wellies are the only wellies id wear, so comfortable

I was paying £70 a pair , wore every day in work, never once got wet or cold feet

I got a pair of merrells after seeing them recommended on here, and tbh, Have had much better cheaper shoes. Comfortable, yes, waterproof - yes - non slip? Nope. Came a cropper first day out in them, hiking along the causeway coast, wet stone steps and away I went . Tis a shame as I bought them specifically to do next years marathon , thought they would be nicely broken in, which they are, but I dont trust them on wet paths

Ariat are like slippers
Mine have been worn and worn and hosed off and trod through horse shit, mucked out in and they're still fine a decade on
I clean them very rarely

My berghaus boots have never leaked. They're wider/ larger toe box than some, which you may need if you have a bunion. My dd and her bf have Scarpas which seem to be doing well but they look narrow.

I've had a pair of Berghaus goretex boots for over 10 years (only do about 200 miles a year in them but it adds up) and they are amazing. Hose off if really muddy. Never re-proofed them. Never had wet feet. Have used in really foul weather, running water, and deep mud. As long as it doesn't come over the top, I stay dry.

The other thing if you're in long grass, maybe if water is getting in from the top gaiters might help? I've never used them myself but they seem like a good idea in some circumstances.

Mine are ancient Hi tec walking boots which don't leak

Altbergs! Made in the UK and hundreds of cheap ones on eBay. I paid about £35 and have stored them terribly - caked in mud in the car. They’ve done 4 walking holidays and hundreds of other walks over 4 years and they’re as waterproof as day 1.

When you say wash, what are you actually doing to them? If you're submerging them in warm water regularly it will cause the leather to shrink and crack. Just clean with a stiff brush and a damp cloth. Allow to dry and use leather conditioner/waterproofer. My Scarpa's are about 15 years old and still going strong.

Merrells. About 8 years ago I went on a charity hike in Iceland with a group of about 25 people. It was July but the first two days it poured with rain for almost the entire day. I was literally the only person that didn't have to put my feet in wet boots at the start of Days 2 and 3 as my Merrells didn't leak at all. Everyone else's boots did. That's a good enough test for me!

Meindl. Mine are years and years old and have done numerous winters in the country in wet boggy weather and snow. Not a hint of damp feet ever.

I have Meindl boots. Unbelievably comfortable and have lasted me years. DD pinched them off me to do her DofE as she said they were so much more comfortable than her own walking boots. I was surprised to get them back. She’s just bought new Merrel’s in the sales as she couldn’t afford the Meindl’s.

I had some relatively cheap Berghaus boots for years and agree that were great -
no issues. Has to replace them relatively recently but the Berghaus replacements aren’t so great. As A brand I think they’ve done downhill in recent years. I think these days it’s very much hunt around until you find something that works for you.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/neo-d-hyker-waterproof-zip-front-padded-sub-zero-walking-boots-p-ID5#B63

FitFlop are so comfy

Actually my boots were Meindl not Merrills! I knew it began with M but couldn't remember the name and so many people were praising Merrells I thought that must be it. Now two people have just mentioned Meindl I realise that was the brand I had!

My first Merrills started leaking after maybe 15 months of light wear. Second pair doing better. I've got some leather ones made in Yorkshire (Altbergs) which I've worn less but over more years and are watertight.

The Germans know how to make cars and boots. I never even put a single thing on mine - probably the worst kept boots ever! They are SO comfortable.

Also Brashers used to be good at the start but think the quality went downhill. The fit certainly did.

My Waldlaufer (German brand) boots are still waterproof after several years of wear and they are also uniquely comfortable as they are the only ones I could find that were wide enough for my broad feet.

I had Berghaus which were admittedly about 4 or 5 years old which both soles decided to come almost completely away from the uppers on a walk, at the same time. That was interesting

I can second Fitflop boots. These are mine and have remained waterproof for over a year
https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/neo-d-hyker-waterproof-leather-suede-fleece-lined-walking-boots-p-GP3#090
they have replaced my On boots which although (for me) are super comfy lose their waterproofing within weeks and are lethally slippery on wet stone.

I am tempted by the Altberg boots, but shall wait till the Fitflops leak.

I have some fleecy FitFlop Wonder wellies and they are very comfortable so I guess the boots are also comfortable