Hi all, I have a pair of karrimor 'exmoor' ( I think) KSB E-vent boots, and just recently they seem to be letting in water, which hasn't happened before.

I haven't had them a year yet, and they're supposed to be waterproof, so can anyone advise me as to how to go about re-proofing them? They are really comfy boots, and I can't afford to just go out and get another pair, so any suggestions would be very welcome.

Cheers!

Check out the Nikwax product range.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but your boots are made from fabric yes? In which case look at the one called 'Fabric and Leather Proof' which is basically a waterproofer you can apply to the boots with just a cloth / sponge.

This has always worked well for me so I'd say give it a go.

Also have a look at the Nikwax Cleaning Gel for your boots that Nikwax recommend applying before waterproofing. -To prevent sealing dirt under the waterproofing. Whether this is actually important or not I don't know, but I've always cleaned my boots thoroughly before applying waterproofing.

I'd agree with checking out the nikwax or grangers stuff. The eVent liner should be keeping the water out by itself though. Could the water be getting in over the top (like if you were walking in wet grass) or could it be condensation?

I just rinsed my KSB GT's of with fresh water, allowed them to dry and then rubbed a load of Nikwax in all over them with my fingers. They look horrible , but at least they're waterproof.
They are the comfiest boots I've ever had too, but a bit worn on the soles now.

Well, here's an update...

I tried re-proofing them with some nikwax, but it didn't work, and they still let water in in short order when bog-trotting around the 3 peaks area of Yorkshire recently.

As far as I am aware, they are supposed to be waterproof, so it's going to be a phone call to karrimor tomorrow...

...trouble is, I lost the receipt when we moved recently, so I'm sure that will be a problem.

Anyone got any tips for decent waterproof boots, leather or fabric, for bog-trotting around the dales and backpacking trips?

I need them for high mileage walks as well.

You're right in summising that your boots should be waterproof because of the liner.

Unlike full grain leather boots, fabric/leather combinations are not usually proofable to the extent that they will keep water out for a full day.

Proofing and cleaning is still very important in this instance as it helps protect the leather and prolong the lifetime of the boots. Having a good exterior level of water repellency will also allow the eVent liner to work at it's maximum effciency.

I'm a product development chemist at Nikwax and I also own a pair of Karrimor boots which keep my feet happily dry when treated and cleaning with the correct Nikwax products.

You might be able to see if damage has occurred to the eVent liner by looking inside, as the physical ingress of water would suggest this to be the case.

Hope you have some success with Karrimor if this is the case.

The Exmoors are the mids aren't they? If it that right I've got a pair.
I don't think the eVent liner goes all the way round the boot, I think it stops at the sole inside, or at least the stitching of the midsole bit inside goes through the liner.
I've always thought that that would start to let water in after a while.
If my theory is correct (If I'm wrong Dragonfly/ksb correct me) then proofing the upper might help slow the water ingress down, but not stop it.

I have a pair of Karrimor KSB 300 boots, but lined with Goretex not event. They keep my feet dry if I'm walking through the odd stream or boggy section. If there is a lot of bog trotting or it rains heavily my feet get very wet and it's not from coming over the top of the boots because I wear gaiters. The boots have been like that from new (2 years). I hate having wet feet so I recently bought a pair of Sealskinz mid lights. I can change into these if my feet get wet. While you don't have totally dry feet with the Sealskinz, (think warm and a bit clammy) it's a lot better than saturated socks and cold feet.

Well, I managed to find a credit card invoice from July with the relevant transaction on it (lucky me!) so Millets took them back no probs, and are sending them off to Karrimor for 'testing', whatever that involves!

I rang Karrimor, and they reckon I'll have an answer within ten days, tops. I hope so, I need mi boots!

To be honest, I'm hoping Karrimor come through for me on this one. I like their stuff, I'd hate to be disappointed by lousy customer care. Watch this space...

I've got a pair of KSB too, they are the gortex ones and I've had them over 12years the most comfortable boots Ive ever had, the've been round the world with me mainly used for fishing and camping but more recently more walking. Mine do let in a small amount of water and the fabric has started to crack in places I'm thinking of getting a new pair but they seem to be the same price as they were 12 yrs ago and I heard Karrimoor was taken over and I'm not sure whether to get another pair or try a new make. Sounds like they are not as good as they used to be, can anyone clarify this as I'd hate to be dissapointed. I was thinking of getting a full leather pair.

The company that makes KSBs is called Dragonfly, they've been making for a few years now. The takeover by Lonsdale didn't affect the liscence.
The quality and design hasn't been up there with the previous KSBs which were made by Garmont (and Asolo before that), and the fit is less 'British' with narrower toes and a very high volume in many models.
I've got a few recent pairs and they're okay, I like the Cyclone Mids and the Exmoor mids.

For comfort, reliability and waterproofness I find my brasher ridgemaster boots fantastic. They will let water through eventually but so do most other boots. I will be getting either the GTX or Telica GTX boots at some point to replace them.

Have a look at the new boots on their website -

http://www.brasher.co.uk/classic/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.detail&CategoryID=56

The GTX may fit the bill if you go for some new ones though they may be a bit stiff.

Nikwax products work very well.

Hope you sort the boot problem,

ps- try jumping those bogs!

:-)

Still not got my boots back yet, but it's only been a week.

I hope they either just exchange them for another pair of exmoors, as they are the comfiest boots I've had for ages, or let me upgrade to a full leather pair, the Skyes or something similar.

Barring some really crap customer service, I'll be sticking with Karrimor.

To jump the bogs around Yorkshire, I'd need 7-league boots, not walking boots! I was up Buckden Pike yesterday, waders would've been a good option...

If all else fails the KSB Skye thingies are actually pretty good. Too heavy for many folks at 1.7kg for a pair of size 10-11, but a hell of a lot easier to reproof, with more reliable results. The eVent lining in mine has been breached in the heal of both boots, but waxing the leather still keeps the water at bay. Wear them for bog hopping regularly and always return with dry feet.

So that's a vote of confidence for the upgrade option then! Cheers, TD!

Of course, that's assuming Karrimor do the decent thing...

I know what Mick means about his boots being comfy,I have a pair of Karrimor Java Mid and they are super comfy.

Here's my experience of 2005 Karrimor KSB 300's (Goretex) -

Left boot

leaked from ~100 miles in
inside heel stitching failed at ~1,000 miles

Right boot

inside heel stitching failed at ~1,000 miles
split above toes at ~1,000 miles
outside stitching bottom of laces failed at ~1,000 miles

They've been reproofed with Nikwax wax and Grangers cleaner & G-sport about every 300 miles. It didn't stop the leaking.

The best part about them was the Vibram Bifida (dual density) soles which were superb and in common with most modern boots are hardly worn - perhaps 2mm on the ball and 1 mm everywhere else out of a depth of 6mm.

So cost per mile is 5p/mile for some leaky boots, which imo, is too much. I wouldn't buy them again. I've now given up on linings and gone for full leather Meindl Borneo's.

I still haven't heard back from Milletts yet, so I'll be ringing them tomorrow. Ten days, tops, I was told...

...back to me by the 18th March, then...

I had a pair of KSB's and I had the same problem with them. I asked for a store credit so I could choose another manufacturers boot.

Drew

Well, finally got an answer!

It's about a fortnight later than originally told it would be, and basically I suppose they've fulfilled their minimum obligation but no more.

I bought my Exmoors for 69 quid, which they have refunded with a credit note, with the proviso that seeing as the exmoors are now 75 quid, they will stretch to a new pair at no extra charge.

As I'm sure they are legally required to repair or replace faulty goods, they aint doing me any favours as I shall point out tomorrow!

I think I'm going to pay the extra money and go for the Skyes, if they have them in stock.