Waterproof Boots - Advice Needed

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After the AR Jambo recommended NikWax to me for my boots/leathers - went to HG yesterday and bought some "Aqueous Wax" (£3.99) - it rained on the way home last night and the water was just beading off my boots instead of soaking my feet - cheap alternative for those who dont want to buy new ones just yet....

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Worse, he has a rack!

Urgh.. I'd forgotten about that

I did the AR with my boots which leak and some carrier bags, that worked. No wet feet at all.

Goretex socks now there's a thought.......

Just sent an e-mail to J&S moaning about these boots as they are described as fully waterproof, see what comes of it otherwise the socks might be the option for me..........

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Urgh.. I'd forgotten about that

Nah it has now been removed. Served it purpose

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

If you got 4 years out a 50 quid pair of Rayvens then you did well. That's £12-50 a year to keep your feet dry...pretty good VFM if you ask me.

If you want any more than that then you'll have more success trying to score a drug-free night out with Pete Doherty and a weekend fighting alongside the Taliban with the Pope as your commanding officer.

Yes but I usually only ride about 3000 miles per year and all of that in sunshine. The first time in 4 years I require the waterproof feature, it aint there.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Baph

I wouldn't buy boots that didn't have Gore-tex linings, as I commute. The original Black Rains have been superseeded by Black Rain 2.

So do i baph. However, the black rains are/where cheaper than the alternitives. My 1st set went 3 years without a leak until i stuck the side stand through them. The subsequent pairs have all leaked in all under a year. As the black rains only recently introduced goretex linings, then i wouldnt have had a pair, and the SMX3's are a better fit, and slightly warmer. The black rains may be better now they have the GT lining, but they are now in the similar price bracket as othe waterproof boots so a lot more competition. I noticed the qaulity of the rians deteriorate over the 'improvements. I still have my origianl set, with the hole, as with a bit of silicone, they are waterproof again.

Depending on how much you want to spend and what you want them for, have a look at Alpinestars' Web boot. http://www.customlids.co.uk/boots/astar/astars.htm

I got a pair since all I wanted was a good boot for commuting in and keeping me dry. No probs so far and they're really comfortable, so much in fact that when I get to the office, sometimes I can't be ar5ed to change into my shoes. It's just a plain boot so doesn't stand out when I'm walking around the office in them and they have a GoreTex lining.

On the link site they're £130 but I think I paid £110 for them last November, but can't remember where from.

ps - There's last year's model and this years with a few changes. Prob find last years for cheaper if that doesn't matter.

Frank Thomas Aqua 01 - any good?

Originally Posted by krhall

Frank Thomas Aqua 01 - any good?

I don't have any experience of those particular ones, but I wouldn't buy them on principle, after discovering my Frank Thomas "Aquaguard" boots were not actually remotely waterproof, in spite of the name.