Best thing for water proofing Courtney boots

My experience with any goretex products, from boots to the most expensive mountain trousers is - they leak! Everyone I know say the same, as soon as goretex gets bent in places like behind toes or knees, the pores break and you get soaked...

You won't get cold toes in Scotland until the Autumn, as far as I know, worry more about wet feet and midges...head nets, no spray will save you.

Tried Courtney's and can confirm affirmatively that it's a dry condition shoe only,,even morning or evening dew will soak them. Tried several proofing products, forget it, quickly get yourself a real pair of leather mid height walking boots..ps meindls doves are awful, zamberlan is some of the best, esp if they ditch the goretex, but the good thing about leather boots is that even if the goretex can't be trusted, you can waterproof leather..

Use obenauf hdlp, amazing stuff

..or..buy a cheap pair of surf board wet socks for a tennerand wear over your thins and under your thicks, Courtney's will be drenched, but still least you'll be dry,,,and a bit sweaty...

sestoppelman said:

bacon grease.... especially in Africa in lion country....

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I might just do that and piss of the vegetarians while I'm at it

Also bear in mind the level of foot roll you get in Courtney's, if you're going into any proper hill territory, you'll be struggling for ankle support.

I think C's are great, for the street, all round travel boot, and stalking/hunting in relatively flat but very dry environments where long walking and quiet footsteps are key.


Sadly after wearing mine wet,
They've stretched a bit too, so are now a bit large and wide which means no more barefooting in them, only thick and thinks,,,which gets a bit warm

Good thing about this forum is that you will get a lot of different experiences from which to draw your own conclusions.

When gortex first came out, it was a single patented technology. Hailed as a miracle product, it was indeed somewhat fragile. However, we began working with it almost immediately in the US military because of the technology's inherent advantages to people enduring high exertion in wet/cold conditions. Plastic, vulcanized rubber, etc can be used to create "waterproof" outer garments. Pretty much the state of the technology for 200 years. The problem with it is that non-breathing outer layer quickly creates a mobile sauna for the person wearing it. With very little exertion, even in quite cold conditions, one is indeed soaked - in sweat. Plenty of history and more recent controled studies found those conditions induced physical fatigue and the danger of hyperthermia. Similarly, if boots are truly made waterproof by a non-breathable coating, the foot quickly sweats creating the same conditions in miniature. The result is trench foot and increased danger of frostbite.

Fortunately the technology continues to advance. We issue breathable wet weather gear to our troops. And trust me, in an institution like the Army, if we thought we could get by issuing plastic rain gear, we would do it. It is generically referred to as "gortex". It is a remarkably durable combat outer layer. I find the new high quality "gortex" not only excellent, but indispensable in hunting anywhere rain is in the forecast, but particularly in the mountains. I would simply add - your alternative would be what? An umbrella? And I know you are a proud Brit, but waxed cotton is like wearing a tent during real physical exertion.

Do your own research into the vast array of brands available today. Like most things, one tends to get what one pays for. I personally have had good luck with both Kuiu and Kuhl outerwear. I have yet to be let down by a Dubarry, Danner, or Kenetrek boot. There are others.

This thread is unusual I'll say that! I believe that the Courteney is based on an old African "trekking" design. To me that means long hauls over dry, somewhat flat scrub land. I love mine for that type of use. They are very comfortable, work well on a variety of surfaces- from flat hard ground to scattered rocky scree to rolling sand. They are excellent for quiet stalking and such. But they are not for cold, wet climbing or hiking use. They are simply, IMO, not designed for that. They breathe well and would, I imagine, become a loose wobbly uncomfortable mess in cold, wet conditions even if treated with whatever amount or type of "water proofing".

Ok guys point taken I need some new hill boots in that case

Ray B said:

I wear Russell boots. they recommend Obenaufs, which is what I use and find that it waterproofs as well as any leather can be- which is water repellant for a certain time, not water proof and not forever.

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Agree on the Obenaufs as others have said. I use it on all leather boots for hunting, Africa or snow country.

The only thing I will add is that how the leather is stitched and put together also comes into play. If the stitch holes go all the way through your feet won't stay dry long just due to that.

Ok I shall be using some newly purchased altberg nordkapp boots for my Scotland trip but will be taking my Courtney's none the less

Mink oil. Great stuff,I use it on my outdoor shoes/boots. It does a great job. However waterproofing a pair of Courteneys...... um , don't think so. At least I couldn't.

Renapur. Brilliant stuff. Waterproofs, conditions, nourishes leather.
Can also be used on wood, furniture, horse tack and a whole host of other applications. Go to their website for more information and uses.
I use it regularly on my work boots which are Lowa Mountain GTX, three years old, worn for twelve hours a day in all weathers and the leather is supple, waterproof and there are no signs of cracking.

norfolk shooter said:

Ok I shall be using some newly purchased altberg nordkapp boots for my Scotland trip but will be taking my Courtney's none the less

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your courtneys will enjoy the trip.