I was recently wondering why so many footwear manufacturers choose to use Gore-tex linings in their products over eVent.
Bearing in mind that your feet will be one of the hottest running parts of your body you'd think that breathability would be foremost on their minds, yet it doesn't seem to be. My limited experience of Gore-tex lined boots is not good, these having only lasted me for 8 months, but the opposite is true with the eVent ones.
I have this theory that despite my limited experience, eVent generally makes a longer lasting and better performing lining because of it's construction, with it being resitant to cracking and splitting.
Is this mirrored in anyone else's experiences of walking boots.
TBH....I take no regard of what membrane a boot has - Goretex/Event or anything else for that matter. I think the life of membranes in boots is very limited...and irrelevant once you have applied whatever waterproofing coating is your choice on them.
I've had several poor experiences of goretex-lined footwear, to the point that I'll no longer spend my money on it, but judging from friends' experiences with the failure of several pairs of Keen Targhees I personally don't believe that eVent is likely to be any longer lasting in footwear.
I've had both eVent and Gore-Tex footwear and haven't noticed any difference in durability or breathability. In real world use, thay both get as clammy.
Gore is most widely used because it's the most well known name. It's very similar with jackets -- many people walk into a shop and ask for a Gore-Tex jacket, when something in another fabric would do them just as well or better.
> My limited experience of Gore-tex lined boots is not good, these having only lasted me for 8 months, but the opposite is true with the eVent ones.
TBH, I'd suspect it has more to do with the design of the boot than with the membrane. Gore-tex and Event are sufficiently similar that I wouldn't expect them to behave very differently in longevity.
Having picked up a pair of Hi-Tec Event lined approach shoes in TK Maxx recently, I'm impressed with how comfortable they are. But then, I've been glad of the extra warmth in the recent cold weather. I suspect theyll be too wamr as the weather improves.
