To expect waterproof boots to stay waterproof

[goneaway2]

I have a 22 month old pair of waterproof boots. I bought them because they are waterproof with a waterproof membrane. They were until last week. Should they have remained waterproof or should I have been using a waterproofing product on them every so often? They were not cheap but the warranty was only for 12 months.

What kind of boots? Leather?

I would expect to have to maintain them in some way. Depending on the construction.

Except maybe for wellies

I'd they're leather you probably should have been putting dubbin on them.

Also how much were they?

I bought a pair of waterproof walking shoes recently and the shop assistant told me I should treat them every 6-12 months to keep them waterproof. So yabu to expect they would remain waterproof forever, but also yanbu because you should have been given that info when you bought them.

I'd expect to have to use nikwax, dubbin etc or whatever, appropriate to the fabric they are made from. I'd expect to need to renew it fairly often. The waterproof membrane doesn't stop the outers getting wet, equally rain/puddle water can dribble in the top of the boots. Socks are also excellent at channelling/wicking water forward.

Suede on the front, some sort of elastic panel on the back.

£150.

If they are not learther, they might need re-proofing. Leather you just put fresh shoe wax on. But if you have washed them with soap, they will never be waterproof again. I made that stupid mistake once.

Thank you. I'll get some nikwax type stuff. I love the boots otherwise, the tred is hardly worn which is unusal for me and they are comfy.

You do have to respray them. You even have to respray tents and a lot of outdoor pursuit equipment. You just do them during the season you have time to let them fully dry out.

I have these boots too and putting dubbin etc on them will make no difference. I know because this has happened to me and I've tried everything. It's the waterproof membrane which is inside the shoe that makes it waterproof. once there's a hole in it, the shoe will not be waterproof. I presume that the seams are not properly closed so the waterproofing is all down to the membrane, not the leather. they're not made in the same way as hiking boots which will need proofing.

Mine lasted 2.5 years but I wore them in every weather under 23 degrees! Very irritating though, especially as the warranty is short and the shoes are expensive.