Gear

Hi All

I am just about to send back my 3rd pair of Salomon 4D Cosmic GTX boots as they are the 3rd pair that have leaked like a sieve in under 10months, after very little use and for a boot priced at £165 that is just a joke. I have been very happy with my previous Salomon boots, but these are really not built to last.  Despite the fact that they are probably the most comfortable 'general purpose' (dog walking) boots I have ever owned, they have to go and be replaced with boots that are actually waterproof.

I am therefore in the market for a pair of replacements. 

They will get used every day in wet grass on slippery muddy (clay) ground, so I need something that is WATERPROOF and dries out rapidly, so that it doesnt end up rotting away and stinking where it is always wet.

Ideally they will be pretty lightweight and comfortable too, as they will be used everyday.

Any tips/hints that you guys have would be appreciated, ie whether I should go for leather/fabric/GTX lined etc. Also any recommendations for specific boots would also be appreciated. I really like the Salomons, I just want dry feet too!

Many thanks

Sounds very familiar to me I loved my Salomon quest's, and after very little wear they too leaked. This is just my opinion but where goretex liners flex they leak so after giving up on goretex lined footwear.

I have gone for an unlined leather pair of Scarpa rangers and they are realy good from a waterproof point of view and ar pretty comfy up to about ten miles and then they start to jip a bit but to be honest I will be wearing them mainly in winter.

If you don't mind looking different get some trail runners that drain well and just embrace the wetness, wear some good socks like smartwool and you will be surprised at how comfy that technique is. If it seems mental just think that's what most fell runners do and there are a lot of people on here that do it to on some tough terrain.

I feel your pain Maysie, they really were comfy and I miss them still

My Salomon Pro Trek 7s are amazing! Had them for years with no problems... and they are amazingly comfortable. Sorry they didnt work out for you Maysie!

If they are going to be wet all the time I would go for fabric rather than leather. I find that leather eventually will get wet (not leak) and when it does it takes ages to dry. Just make sure that it has little stiching and that there are not a load of mesh panels to make them breathable. They will sooner or later leak and I havent managed to figure out how to waterproof the mesh panels. 

Liner... well, you will get LOADS of opinion on that on this site . Whatever floats your boat