Goretex - Electron Microscope Image from WikiMedia

I want lightweight hiking boots.

I want waterproof hiking boots.

I want comfortable hiking boots.

Am I asking too much?

What should I buy?

Goretex Boots!

As a brand, Gore-tex makes all kinds of lightweight, waterproof outerwear, but when it comes to hiking boots, it is the goretex fabric that is used as the boot liner that I’m looking for. Hiking boots constructed with goretex liners are lighter, more flexible and just as waterproof as full grain leather boots, but better. A few manufacturer’s that have taken advantage of the incredible benefits of Gore-tex are Asolo, Danner, Merrell, Patagonia, Vasque, Scarpa, Lowa and Timberland
For years, full grain leather boots were the best hiking boot you could buy. Of course the waterproof wax coating needed to be applied, rubbed in, and buffed (repeatedly). Leather boots are also heavy on the feet, and require a lengthy break-in period which usually consists of numerous blisters and callouses. Needless to say, you wouldn’t want to go on a lengthy hike over rugged terrain, in a new pair of leather boots. Not only will your feet will be a long time recovering, but you probably won’t be too enthusiastic to hit the trail again any time soon.

Fortunately for you, advances in material science (thank you Bob Gore) have made modern hiking boots lighter, naturally waterproof, more flexible and naturally comfortable, all thanks to Goretex.

Being a naturally waterproof and breathable (liquid water is repelled while water vapor passes through) fabric means that heavy full grain leather uppers can be replaced by a much lighter split grain leather and nylon mesh. This combination of materials also makes the hiking boot more flexible. Increased flexibility leads to a shorter break-in period allowing you to immediately hit the trail and enjoy your new hiking boots, without the worry of blisters or callouses (provided that your hiking boot is properly sized and fitted).

Another advantage of goretex being lightweight, is that it allows the boot manufacturer to increase the strength of other parts of the boot. This could mean molded inserts for enhanced ankle support, EVA and rubber blended midsoles for greater stability, or deeper lugs for better all terrain traction.

As  I hiked down theBright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyonwearing my Vasque hiking boots, my feet stayed cool, comfortable and dry. They stayed just as dry when hiking down the Virgin River in the Narrows of Zion National Park. As soon as I’ve hiked my way through this pair of boots, you can bet my next pair will be goretex boots also.

Never been to Zion National Park? Then check out this trek through the Narrows (much further than I managed to get).

Patagonia Nomad Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

Goretex hiking boots can refer to hiking boots from many manufacturers, which are constructed using the breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex fabric. If you’re looking to buy a pair of Gore-Tex hiking boots, click on any of the manufacturer links below for more detailed feature and pricing information.

One of the first hiking boots to take advantage of these properties was manufactured by Danner. The fact that Gore-Tex is both waterproof and breathable, made it such an important component of quality hiking boots. Today, manufacturers from Merrell and Patagonia, to Lowa and Scarpa, all incorporate Gore-Tex into their footware. But what is it about Gore-Tex, that makes it so special?

Technically, Gore-Tex is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). In its unexpanded form, PTFE is more widely known by its trademark name of Teflon (DuPont). In 1969, Bob Gore developed a process in which he could rapidly stretch PTFE under very specific conditions. The result was a microporous fiber membrane with some truly unique characteristics. The most important, as far as we’re concerned, is the fabric’s pore size. The microscopic pores are 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor. This means that while no liquid can penetrate in, water vapor can easily escape. Hiking boot manufacturers from Asolo to Wolverine were quick to realize the benefits of Gore-Tex, and made it a key component of their boots.

Under normal hiking conditions, keeping your feet dry can be quite a challenge as the sweat builds up inside your boots. But boots constructed with Gore-Tex allow the perspiration to escape leaving your feet cool and dry. There is nothing that ruins a day of hiking faster than uncomfortable and painful feet. Of course, all hikers, at one time or another, will get caught in adverse weather conditions, such as rain or snow. Again, having a pair of quality boots, with Gore-Tex keeps the liquid water away from your feet. When you don’t have to worry about the condition of your feet, you can spend more of your time focusing on the trail ahead, and in inclement weather, this means that you will be less likely to slip and fall.

Vasque Wasatch Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

When my wife I hiked our way through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon (North and South Rims), the Gore-Tex liners in our Vasque boots made every trail a pleasure. Not once did we ever stop to rest our feet or change our socks, the only times we stopped were to take photos and admire the view. From the top of Angel’s Landing (Zion) to the banks of the Colorado River, hiking on dirt, rock, gravel or sand made no difference what-so-ever. The cooling effects of Gore-Tex provide you with the ability to hike in comfort every step of the way.

Hiking and backpacking are such great outdoor activities, that it’s a shame to have your day ruined by sweaty, blistered feet. So whether your hiking the Appalachian Trail in your Timberlands, or winding through Wall Street (Bryce Canyon) in your Scarpas, be thankful that you had the foresight to purchase a quality pair of Goretex hiking boots.
Your feet will thank you for it.

Purchase a copy of the image in our header – The Virgin River Flows Through the Narrows at Zion National Park.

This is a great hike, up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

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