Having been born in New England, waterproof works pretty well for snow. It can work ok for hiking but waterproof doesn’t just not let water in. It will also do a great job of not letting water out. If you walk all day in hot weather or cross a river you will squish when you walk even if you take them off to pour the water out. Maybe some people like squishing but it’s not for me and can lead to things like trench foot. Most winter hikers that I know of use a normal trail runner and waterproof socks/booties as needed. This lets you swap as conditions change.
Yeah my take is that waterproof is great for snow because otherwise your shoes make so much contact with water that they'll be soggy within 20 feet. Otherwise, shoes need to breathe more than they need to function as plastic bags.
I'm a small farmer and splashing myself with the hose is a daily occurrence. I'm coming from Nike Monarchs, and the Keen mid boots are driving me crazy on the weight. Mabey these will work well.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Good point. As an old guy, just getting back into it. What about tick prevention? I’m not “Keen”, on the little buggers, going up in the pant leg.
I don't really feel like you answered the question that the title was asking, Are waterproof shoes a gimmick? The answer of course is no. The shoe itself is waterproof up to a point. Up until the point where you step in water deeper than your ankle. Then your shoe is full of water that can't get out. This was more of a review of those shoes than it was any kind of informational video on waterproof boots or shoes. Keen makes awesome sandals but I'm going to stick with my trail runners. Keep safe happy hiking. Edit: he changed the title without a comment.
@@blackibex really? So Gore-Tex stops water from pouring into that big hole your foot went into? And it dries out faster than non gore-tex shoes? What exactly did I say that was not true?
I have some Keen Targhee waterproof boots that work well, but I only use them during cold weather outings because my feet sweat pretty quickly in them. I have some low-top waterproof Salomons that I use the rest of the year that have great traction in most all situations. They are a little hotter than regular trail runners, but I really appreciate them during the morning dew and after it's been raining, for keeping my feet dry. I don't have to walk around all day with soggy socks. I just take them off when I stop for lunch and let everything air out and I'm good to go again. Nothing has good traction on wet, moss-covered boulders, as I discovered a couple of months ago when I fell down a bluff and had my fall stopped by a dead tree, thankfully. I broke nothing but my phone, so that was a win, sort of.
I love Keens, they are one of the few shoes that fit my weird feet, I have a very wide forefoot and a pretty normal mid and heel, Keens fit very well. They seem to last quite a lot longer than a mesh trail runner, my only complaint is they have some quality control issues, I would say 90 percent of the time they are perfect, but every once in a while I will get a pair where the glue just didnt bond right and the sole comes apart rapidly, luckily they are good about replacing them and getting you a new pair.
Ive never seen a muck style boot reviewed. They make them lightweight and will get you through quite literally anything. And also if you live in heavy tick country, the ticks have a way harder time hooking onto the smooth rubber surface than they do on any sort of mesh or lace. They are 100% bulletproof. Ive had pairs that have lasted 10 years plus with heavy use
Looks like the waterproof membrane is stitched into the sole, rather than a complete bootie surrounding the foot. The problem with this approach is that, over time, the stitching stretches a little and water gets in between the sole and the upper making the membrane useless. So many boots have this problem. Altra Lone Peak 4 - I'm looking at you. Oboz boots also have this problem. Then of course, once wet inside, the boots take forever to dry.
While I do like trail running shoes, they just do not seem to last as long as a good pair of boots. I do not want to need to replace my shoes/boots every year or two. I also frequently hike where it is cold, rainy, and or snowy, so being waterproof is a must for me, unless you like cold wet feet.
Gore-tex makes my feet sweat in even moderately warm weather, which always gives me blisters. Stiff soles contribute to heel rub and more blisters. I have been wearing Altra Lone Peak shoes with OTC orthotics for the past 3 years and 500+ miles of hiking. They aren't waterproof, are very well ventilated, and fit my foot shape and volume perfectly. They also dry very quickly. Unfortunately, they are not the most durable, but that's low on my list of priorities, even though I often do long-ish hikes (100-300 miles).
Unfortunately Keens are notorious for their soles separating now. It's the #1 complaint in their reviews. Used to love Keens. My last 2 failed way too early. They just aren't what they used to be .
I don’t care for water proof shoes except in the winter time. My feet just get to darn hot in them. By the end of the day the inside is pretty wet even if I haven’t walked thru water. Today shoes out I find stuffing newspaper inside them works great…. But I don’t carry newspapers on hikes….i do when car camping though.
I can only attest to Keen being great. I have the NXIS Evo low and the Targhee III boots, both waterproof. They work great for fall/winter. I will have to get me the non waterproof Targhee and NXIS for summertime. I have wide feet, and Keen is the only brand that just always fits me perfectly, as if they were made specifically for me, in a size 10.
I'm not sure if this is a paid endorsement or not but I found non-waterproof, Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes to be best for me. I swap out for Teva sandals when I cross water but I decided to embrace the suck and just be ok with being wet when I was in the Infantry for 8 years, where even if it rains, you never stop doing what you're doing, you just do it wet. I keep my gear in a garbage bag inside my pack with a rain cover over that but no worthless rain gear or waterproof footwear and it works for me. As for the rain jacket and pants? Whether the gear leaks eventually or it's the condensation and sweat, you're gonna get wet anyway, so why bother putting yourself in a plastic bag and without all the Gore Tex, you dry off faster. Keep up the good work. 👍
Waterproof shoes are all I wear. I’ve worn keens, Merrill’s, and Columbia. I’ve found that they all become less waterproof over time. I sure that’s because whatever it’s treated with, eventually it wears off. I love Keens but they come apart too quickly. I think for the price, Columbia are the way to go. They’re comfortable, lighter, durable, and stay waterproof longer in my opinion. For winter I’ve started wearing the Columbia fleece lined shoes and I love them! My feet stay warm even in the snow.
Waterproof hiking shoes are lined with a waterproof material. Over time that waterproof material gets damaged and develops small cracks. They aren't treated with anything, its just a waterproof material that's sandwiched between the outside and inside of the shoe.
@@JustinBaker2567 so they have some kind of waterproof membrane instead of treated with some kind of dwr finish? Every single waterproof shoes I’ve ever own eventually over time becomes wet and my socks get wet, usually on the toe. This is usually from walking on wet grass and not actually getting into water.
I have been looking for years good pair of boots WITOUT any membrane. For me those membrane just make my feet sweat and the membrane works only for month then they start leaking in... I finally found Aku Pilgrim DS boots that comes without membrane, still waiting them to arrive. I did try trail running shoes once but the soles were too soft to carry backpack.
I've been a fan of Keen for awhile now. Waterproof only works to a point. They are my goto shoe company. I have 2 pair for hiking. One pair really isn't broken in yet. As a mechanic when I found out they made safety shoes I bought a pair without question. Most comfortable shoes I have owned.
My only experience with Keen and their boots/shoes is that while they are comfortable out of the box, you trade that for long term durability and I’ve had to replace mine after a single season on many occasions.
I've honestly never understood waterproof low cut shoes. Just about any water you step in will get the inside wet. Idk I personally use an 8" waterproof boot. Rocky alpha force are light and tough.
Got some Brooks Goretex trail runners, love them, wide enough for my duck feet. How about do a review of socks? Durability is tougher to test, but that would be useful if a pair of socks costs $50. I got some no name alpacca and silk socks I love, but they are wearing out, so I need replacements.
Thank you for doing this video! Thank you for giving the preface that not all shoes are for all people. I actually own both of these... And I really want to like them. For all the reasons Dan says. But, if you have narrow feet....I don't suggest these. Wide toe box... This is true. And if I didn't have narrow feet I would love these! But, my feet moved so much they actually caused a lot of blisters! I totally recommend Keen shoes! Fantastic! Just make sure you buy the right fit Also, bring 1 gallon zip lock bags. Put your shoes on the bags, THEN put them in the footbox if you sleeping bad. Won't get it dirty Great video, Dan
Definitely more foot sweat. Not terrible though. I suppose it depends on climate and location. Maybe camp sandals are a good option for when you get to camp and want to air out.
My new Colombia waterproof make a funny noice like a squeak plastic bag noice. I like them but but I drives me crazy. Does anyone know how to stop the noice?
Opening your shoes up and removing the footbeds and loosing the laces should be SOP once you're in camp. My concern with waterproof shoes is that its the membrane that's adhered to the shoe liner which provided the waterproofness. Unlike a jacket, gloves, pants etc. which can be cleaned to keep the waterproofness working as it should a boot can't be cleaned. The sand and dirt that build up between the layers is like sandpaper shortening the life of said membrane. That being said my current trail shoes do have a G-Tex liner
In my experience, synthetic shoes hold up fine in a washing machine on cold water. It does put some wear on the shoes, but a few washing machine washes over the lifetime of a shoe isn't too bad.
Yes. They were very close. They definitely felt more snug than my Altras but that may be because they are a bit more stiff of a shoe since they are waterproof. But as far as toe room, they ran true to size in my experience
Great Sharing my friend! I always prefer boots over shoes due to terrain of my area. Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker from Chitral Pakistan.
"Waterproof shoes do not dry so well" is a myth, totally not true. I use only waterproof trail runners, for DECADES, and I never had a problem with wet feet. I also use them in the summer heat, my feet sweat, but they are just as moist as without Gore Tex. In fact, I had my first running shoes with Gore Tex in the 80's (!) and they never failed on me. I'm 48 years old, BTW, Gore Tex is 40 years old. Gore Tex membranes - I don't know about alternative products - do not allow water to penetrate from the outside as the water droplets are too big, but they can escape outward from the inside as steam. The membrane is designed to let out sweat and moisture, of course. It's breathable but waterproof.
I agree. Everyone says "your feet will get wet anyway". That hasn't been my experience at all with Goretex. Even in the heat of summer, sweat has never been a problem. Walking through one shallow river after another has never been a problem. Maybe I'll try non-waterproof trail runners someday, but I really don't see any need for it, and I'm not sure I can get used to walking with wet feet until they dry out.
Totally agree with you on this one. I love all my GTX boots/shoes and they are great for rain and snow and mud. My feet will sweat anyways and I'm one to air out my feet and socks on a long day hike during lunch so never have issues w/ trench feet.
@@kappy0405 Exactly right. Wet feet and socks create various problems, including an increased susceptibility to blisters and sore skin. When you camp in the cold / winter, socks and shoes will dry extremely poorly because cold air does not allow the water to evaporate. You will then need to bring socks and shoes with you in your sleeping bag so that body heat can dry them. Very uncomfortable.
I had a job where they gave us vouchers for free work shoes including Keens. You think regular Keens are heavy try the steel toe versions. Anyway they were similar to the Keen hiking shoes except they were steel toe, and they were waterproof. They were good sturdy shoes, but I couldn’t wear them when the temperature got over 85, they were just too hot. And in the summer where I live it can get up to 110. I got a new pair just before I retired but I don’t wear them because they are too hot and heavy for casual use or hiking, I should give them away to somebody who could use size 11s.
"Am I gonna take a million steps? Maybe" That got me curious, so I did a quick bit of maths. Assuming an average hiking stride of 2', 1m steps is only 378.79 miles (5280' = 1 mile; 1m*2/5280). Double that since you've got 2 feet, and that's about 750 miles. So, answering your rhetorical question - yeah, it seems reasonably likely!
@@maximusjoseppi5904 On flat tarmac, if you're 6' tall, absolutely. On rough trails, as an average person at an average height, with some steep climbs & declines? No, I'll stick with my estimated 2' thanks
@@maximusjoseppi5904 None. So instead I looked it up, and found a load of articles saying the average male stride was about 2.5 feet. Most of them talked about measuring on a flat surface like a football field (feel free to search for yourself if you don’t believe me). Knowing the type of terrain I hike on and having seen most of Dan’s videos, a shortened stride seemed like a sensible assumption.
I did buy waterproof walking shoes last week at Decathlon Netherlands Quecha MH100 (50 euro) The temperature dropped at around 3 degrees with rain So i went for a hike in the forest after barely 1hr my socks where already wet and my feet started to hurt due to the cold Back to my car to dry and get comfy what a terrible experience Decathlon said it should be waterproof and cold resistant Because i wear them i can't bring them back and get others Never again It seems like i need to pay more money to get what i need .....
When i woke up today, i said to myself, "Gee, wonder what Keen shoes look like on the inside?". You have answered my question!, I can sleep now...another informative video, thanks Dan. FYI...i love keens...its all i wear out there.
I feel like it really matters where you're hiking and where does the water come from. If you're trying to stay dry while walking on muddy ground with puddles, then this might actually work. But if it's raining or you're walking through tall wet grass, then they're going to be wet immediately "from the top", because your socks will pull water in. Gaiters might help to some extent. And as was mentioned, the drying time will be significantly higher. If you know you will have a place to dry them overnight (eg. sleeping in some mountain hut), then it might be fine.
Real question is, 2 years later do they still hold up? I've been seeing a ton of posts on reddit and forums of ex-Keen fans who are fully done with the brand, and looking for alternatives because they seem to have forgotten how to glue outsoles to their shoes. Extra note, one post's reply spoke of being an ex-New Balance employee where capitalism is as capitalism does, and some geniuses decided they should stop using the activator on the glue for adhering the sole, and discovered the company they got the sole from stopped applying some kind of prep that helped with adhesion. They of course got fired for meddling with poor choices for profits(but karma got that guy who fired them too 🙃). Wouldn't surprise me if some imbecile at keen thought they should do the same.
I had a pair of the Keen Flex.., and for me, they were the most comfortable Keen boots... However, the flex bit splits... There are many reports of this on the Keen forum. When you look at them closely, the flex part is very thin, and it seems inevitable it will split at some point or you will knick it on something. The boots/shoes are useless once this happens.. You have been warned...👎
that is interesting how vehemently most of the comments defend trail runners, haha and defame waterproof shoes, here is my take, I've been hiking for almost half a century, mostly Carpathians, but also Alps, Caucasus and other mountains in Europe, I went thru all stages of footwear, but for example last year I did with my 13 years old son over two hundred miles in Ukrainian Carpathians, it rained every second day, and if it wasn't raining there was dew and wet grass, etc etc. I had train runners: Salewa lite train k, with just a mesh and for 2 weeks they had never dried, wet continually, IT IS A MYTH that mesh build, well ventilated train runners dry over night, never did, not even close, my son had Salomon x ultra 3 gtx, hiking shoes with goretex membrane and he was DRY for two weeks, enjoying himself and his dry socks. My feet looked so awfully wrinkled, being wet all the time, my socks molded or rotted eventually, and I wished I could enjoy comfort of waterproof shoes, so there you have it, the other side ;) When hike was over we washed thoroughly our shoes and it took around 24 hours for both pairs to fully dry and actually his goretex Salomons dried first HA
Bottom line, there is no such thing as a waterproof shoe, there are only shoes made from waterproof material. If you put your foot in it, water can get in it. So unless you know you won't be crossing anything deeper than 3", or in the rain for more than a few minutes, the insides of your shoes are going to get wet. The question is how fast you want them to be able to dry out.
As a avid Hunter from September to January water-proof is a must to staying warm. 45+lb pack does require a firmer booth. I have Altra Lone Peak 6 and for just hiking 3-day trips w/18-lbs is no issue. But I hike and camp from February to June and I wear either depending on weather cold and ground conditions of wet and muddy. To each their own. As for me when possible, I like my feet dry and warm in cold weather. Warm weather, a none issue and my lone peaks are my choice. Dan, keep stepping to the fray of different opinions. Chairs, no chairs; waterproof, no waterproof; alcohol vs canister; quilt v/s bag; and famous sectional vs through hikers. Today’s hiking and camping is like a smorgasbord of equipment and gear. Have at it. Carry what you bring, bring what you want to carry. Life is too short to be critical of others.
I can tell you how not to dry out boots/shoes putting them too close to the fire and not paying attention. Like an idiot I did that in the backcountry of Alaska and melted and jacked up a very expensive pair of Lowa mid hikers. So I finished the rest of the trip with jacked up goofing looking shoes.
I have Northface Hedgehogs, a waterproof boot that weigh less than my mesh Nike shoes, and I love them! I usually come across dew and mild puddles and I trek right through them. I don’t have issues with breathability, also use Marino wool socks and I don’t think I’m gonna try trail runners ever tbh
Dan why don’t you just stand in the water ankle deep (not deep enough that water will get in from the top) then remove the shoes and show if your socks is wet, or just put paper in it as demonstration so you don’t have to cut open a pair of decent shoes? 😱
@@THEUPSTAIRS100 I take everything on youtube as an info commercial. Unfortunately. I am a member at Backpackinglight and they do pretty decent testing of gear. I hunt and think Kifarucast podcast is honest with their opinions. Take care.
@@THEUPSTAIRS100 Why not just not watch his videos? I see the clickbait and possible sponsorship but I enjoy the videos anyway. When there is a TH-cam video suggestion, doesn't it show what channel it is on? It does for me, but I have an Android.
Having been born in New England, waterproof works pretty well for snow. It can work ok for hiking but waterproof doesn’t just not let water in. It will also do a great job of not letting water out. If you walk all day in hot weather or cross a river you will squish when you walk even if you take them off to pour the water out. Maybe some people like squishing but it’s not for me and can lead to things like trench foot.
Most winter hikers that I know of use a normal trail runner and waterproof socks/booties as needed. This lets you swap as conditions change.
Agreed. Waterproof is just for quite cold conditions. Hot, sweaty feet trapped in a waterproof container are not an improvement.
Yeah my take is that waterproof is great for snow because otherwise your shoes make so much contact with water that they'll be soggy within 20 feet. Otherwise, shoes need to breathe more than they need to function as plastic bags.
Love that you cut it open for no reason lmao. Laughed so hard. Liked and subbed just for that. Love your energy and content man. Keep posting
I'm a small farmer and splashing myself with the hose is a daily occurrence. I'm coming from Nike Monarchs, and the Keen mid boots are driving me crazy on the weight. Mabey these will work well.
Doesn't matter how waterproof ya shoes are..... They all have a big hole in the top 😂
I used a waterproof gaiter and it's still soak anyway under medium rain.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Good point. As an old guy, just getting back into it. What about tick prevention? I’m not “Keen”, on the little buggers, going up in the pant leg.
Facts
I don't really feel like you answered the question that the title was asking, Are waterproof shoes a gimmick? The answer of course is no. The shoe itself is waterproof up to a point. Up until the point where you step in water deeper than your ankle. Then your shoe is full of water that can't get out. This was more of a review of those shoes than it was any kind of informational video on waterproof boots or shoes. Keen makes awesome sandals but I'm going to stick with my trail runners. Keep safe happy hiking.
Edit: he changed the title without a comment.
Yeah waterproof shoes is good for puddle but not for river crossing or rain, even medium rain will soak it.
Did the title change?
Not true. Gore Tex doesn't let water in (big droplets) but out, in the form of evaporation (very tiny droplets).
@@jonathancheesman8385 yeah he changed the title. Didn't even reply to my comment lol.
@@blackibex really? So Gore-Tex stops water from pouring into that big hole your foot went into? And it dries out faster than non gore-tex shoes? What exactly did I say that was not true?
I have some Keen Targhee waterproof boots that work well, but I only use them during cold weather outings because my feet sweat pretty quickly in them. I have some low-top waterproof Salomons that I use the rest of the year that have great traction in most all situations. They are a little hotter than regular trail runners, but I really appreciate them during the morning dew and after it's been raining, for keeping my feet dry. I don't have to walk around all day with soggy socks. I just take them off when I stop for lunch and let everything air out and I'm good to go again. Nothing has good traction on wet, moss-covered boulders, as I discovered a couple of months ago when I fell down a bluff and had my fall stopped by a dead tree, thankfully. I broke nothing but my phone, so that was a win, sort of.
I love Keens, they are one of the few shoes that fit my weird feet, I have a very wide forefoot and a pretty normal mid and heel, Keens fit very well. They seem to last quite a lot longer than a mesh trail runner, my only complaint is they have some quality control issues, I would say 90 percent of the time they are perfect, but every once in a while I will get a pair where the glue just didnt bond right and the sole comes apart rapidly, luckily they are good about replacing them and getting you a new pair.
Ive never seen a muck style boot reviewed. They make them lightweight and will get you through quite literally anything. And also if you live in heavy tick country, the ticks have a way harder time hooking onto the smooth rubber surface than they do on any sort of mesh or lace. They are 100% bulletproof. Ive had pairs that have lasted 10 years plus with heavy use
Looks like the waterproof membrane is stitched into the sole, rather than a complete bootie surrounding the foot. The problem with this approach is that, over time, the stitching stretches a little and water gets in between the sole and the upper making the membrane useless. So many boots have this problem. Altra Lone Peak 4 - I'm looking at you. Oboz boots also have this problem. Then of course, once wet inside, the boots take forever to dry.
We love our waterproof socks, Especially in snow
While I do like trail running shoes, they just do not seem to last as long as a good pair of boots. I do not want to need to replace my shoes/boots every year or two. I also frequently hike where it is cold, rainy, and or snowy, so being waterproof is a must for me, unless you like cold wet feet.
Gore-tex makes my feet sweat in even moderately warm weather, which always gives me blisters. Stiff soles contribute to heel rub and more blisters. I have been wearing Altra Lone Peak shoes with OTC orthotics for the past 3 years and 500+ miles of hiking. They aren't waterproof, are very well ventilated, and fit my foot shape and volume perfectly. They also dry very quickly. Unfortunately, they are not the most durable, but that's low on my list of priorities, even though I often do long-ish hikes (100-300 miles).
Unfortunately Keens are notorious for their soles separating now. It's the #1 complaint in their reviews. Used to love Keens. My last 2 failed way too early. They just aren't what they used to be .
I don’t care for water proof shoes except in the winter time. My feet just get to darn hot in them. By the end of the day the inside is pretty wet even if I haven’t walked thru water.
Today shoes out I find stuffing newspaper inside them works great…. But I don’t carry newspapers on hikes….i do when car camping though.
I can only attest to Keen being great. I have the NXIS Evo low and the Targhee III boots, both waterproof. They work great for fall/winter.
I will have to get me the non waterproof Targhee and NXIS for summertime. I have wide feet, and Keen is the only brand that just always fits me perfectly, as if they were made specifically for me, in a size 10.
Get breathable shoes like MOAB ventilators and waterproof socks. I’m telling you, you will be very happy you chose this combination.
Whistles. Dan please give guidance on outdoor whistles. Much love and joy.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Hahahaha!! 😂👍
I'm not sure if this is a paid endorsement or not but I found non-waterproof, Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes to be best for me. I swap out for Teva sandals when I cross water but I decided to embrace the suck and just be ok with being wet when I was in the Infantry for 8 years, where even if it rains, you never stop doing what you're doing, you just do it wet. I keep my gear in a garbage bag inside my pack with a rain cover over that but no worthless rain gear or waterproof footwear and it works for me. As for the rain jacket and pants? Whether the gear leaks eventually or it's the condensation and sweat, you're gonna get wet anyway, so why bother putting yourself in a plastic bag and without all the Gore Tex, you dry off faster. Keep up the good work. 👍
Waterproof shoes are all I wear. I’ve worn keens, Merrill’s, and Columbia. I’ve found that they all become less waterproof over time. I sure that’s because whatever it’s treated with, eventually it wears off. I love Keens but they come apart too quickly. I think for the price, Columbia are the way to go. They’re comfortable, lighter, durable, and stay waterproof longer in my opinion. For winter I’ve started wearing the Columbia fleece lined shoes and I love them! My feet stay warm even in the snow.
Waterproof hiking shoes are lined with a waterproof material. Over time that waterproof material gets damaged and develops small cracks. They aren't treated with anything, its just a waterproof material that's sandwiched between the outside and inside of the shoe.
@@JustinBaker2567 so they have some kind of waterproof membrane instead of treated with some kind of dwr finish? Every single waterproof shoes I’ve ever own eventually over time becomes wet and my socks get wet, usually on the toe. This is usually from walking on wet grass and not actually getting into water.
I have been looking for years good pair of boots WITOUT any membrane. For me those membrane just make my feet sweat and the membrane works only for month then they start leaking in... I finally found Aku Pilgrim DS boots that comes without membrane, still waiting them to arrive. I did try trail running shoes once but the soles were too soft to carry backpack.
I've been a fan of Keen for awhile now. Waterproof only works to a point. They are my goto shoe company. I have 2 pair for hiking. One pair really isn't broken in yet. As a mechanic when I found out they made safety shoes I bought a pair without question. Most comfortable shoes I have owned.
have you ever used Kenetrek boots
Why do you have a video for all my questioning thoughts? I know if I ever have a question, I’m looking for one of your videos.
My only experience with Keen and their boots/shoes is that while they are comfortable out of the box, you trade that for long term durability and I’ve had to replace mine after a single season on many occasions.
Were they breathable?
I've honestly never understood waterproof low cut shoes.
Just about any water you step in will get the inside wet.
Idk
I personally use an 8" waterproof boot.
Rocky alpha force are light and tough.
Wet undergrowth is what they protect against very well. I rarely have paths to walk on where I hike.
Super creative content guys. So blessed to watched and great effort .
Got some Brooks Goretex trail runners, love them, wide enough for my duck feet.
How about do a review of socks? Durability is tougher to test, but that would be useful if a pair of socks costs $50. I got some no name alpacca and silk socks I love, but they are wearing out, so I need replacements.
I bought waterproof shoes once... The first creek crossing proved that to be a waste of money.
😮😂
I love my keens, I have been wearing them for a few years now.
Thank you for doing this video! Thank you for giving the preface that not all shoes are for all people. I actually own both of these... And I really want to like them. For all the reasons Dan says.
But, if you have narrow feet....I don't suggest these. Wide toe box... This is true. And if I didn't have narrow feet I would love these! But, my feet moved so much they actually caused a lot of blisters!
I totally recommend Keen shoes! Fantastic! Just make sure you buy the right fit
Also, bring 1 gallon zip lock bags. Put your shoes on the bags, THEN put them in the footbox if you sleeping bad. Won't get it dirty
Great video, Dan
Keen is may fav outdoor shoe. Fits me great.
Have you had any issues with foot sweat building up, or is it not significantly different than your non-WP shoes?
Definitely more foot sweat. Not terrible though. I suppose it depends on climate and location. Maybe camp sandals are a good option for when you get to camp and want to air out.
My new Colombia waterproof make a funny noice like a squeak plastic bag noice. I like them but but I drives me crazy. Does anyone know how to stop the noice?
Have u tested the altra Olympus 4 .?
Opening your shoes up and removing the footbeds and loosing the laces should be SOP once you're in camp. My concern with waterproof shoes is that its the membrane that's adhered to the shoe liner which provided the waterproofness. Unlike a jacket, gloves, pants etc. which can be cleaned to keep the waterproofness working as it should a boot can't be cleaned. The sand and dirt that build up between the layers is like sandpaper shortening the life of said membrane. That being said my current trail shoes do have a G-Tex liner
In my experience, synthetic shoes hold up fine in a washing machine on cold water. It does put some wear on the shoes, but a few washing machine washes over the lifetime of a shoe isn't too bad.
They do a great job for me also and they are so so comfortable. Loved the Sawzall action.
Dan, Did you find that the boots ran true to size?
Yes. They were very close. They definitely felt more snug than my Altras but that may be because they are a bit more stiff of a shoe since they are waterproof. But as far as toe room, they ran true to size in my experience
Been wearing waterproof Altras for years. They're not hotter and they dry fast. :)
Great Sharing my friend! I always prefer boots over shoes due to terrain of my area. Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker from Chitral Pakistan.
"Waterproof shoes do not dry so well" is a myth, totally not true. I use only waterproof trail runners, for DECADES, and I never had a problem with wet feet. I also use them in the summer heat, my feet sweat, but they are just as moist as without Gore Tex. In fact, I had my first running shoes with Gore Tex in the 80's (!) and they never failed on me. I'm 48 years old, BTW, Gore Tex is 40 years old.
Gore Tex membranes - I don't know about alternative products - do not allow water to penetrate from the outside as the water droplets are too big, but they can escape outward from the inside as steam. The membrane is designed to let out sweat and moisture, of course. It's breathable but waterproof.
I agree. Everyone says "your feet will get wet anyway". That hasn't been my experience at all with Goretex. Even in the heat of summer, sweat has never been a problem. Walking through one shallow river after another has never been a problem.
Maybe I'll try non-waterproof trail runners someday, but I really don't see any need for it, and I'm not sure I can get used to walking with wet feet until they dry out.
Totally agree with you on this one. I love all my GTX boots/shoes and they are great for rain and snow and mud. My feet will sweat anyways and I'm one to air out my feet and socks on a long day hike during lunch so never have issues w/ trench feet.
@@kappy0405 Exactly right. Wet feet and socks create various problems, including an increased susceptibility to blisters and sore skin. When you camp in the cold / winter, socks and shoes will dry extremely poorly because cold air does not allow the water to evaporate. You will then need to bring socks and shoes with you in your sleeping bag so that body heat can dry them. Very uncomfortable.
after a hiking trip in an insane storm, my experience is that with enough rain, there is no such thing as waterproof clothing
I had a job where they gave us vouchers for free work shoes including Keens. You think regular Keens are heavy try the steel toe versions. Anyway they were similar to the Keen hiking shoes except they were steel toe, and they were waterproof. They were good sturdy shoes, but I couldn’t wear them when the temperature got over 85, they were just too hot. And in the summer where I live it can get up to 110. I got a new pair just before I retired but I don’t wear them because they are too hot and heavy for casual use or hiking, I should give them away to somebody who could use size 11s.
My wife and I both have keen and we love them but there not good in the snow
"Am I gonna take a million steps? Maybe"
That got me curious, so I did a quick bit of maths. Assuming an average hiking stride of 2', 1m steps is only 378.79 miles (5280' = 1 mile; 1m*2/5280). Double that since you've got 2 feet, and that's about 750 miles.
So, answering your rhetorical question - yeah, it seems reasonably likely!
👍😂
@@maximusjoseppi5904 On flat tarmac, if you're 6' tall, absolutely. On rough trails, as an average person at an average height, with some steep climbs & declines? No, I'll stick with my estimated 2' thanks
@@maximusjoseppi5904 None. So instead I looked it up, and found a load of articles saying the average male stride was about 2.5 feet. Most of them talked about measuring on a flat surface like a football field (feel free to search for yourself if you don’t believe me). Knowing the type of terrain I hike on and having seen most of Dan’s videos, a shortened stride seemed like a sensible assumption.
Love my Keen!!
I think you're onto something. What's inside your Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad ?
I did buy waterproof walking shoes last week at Decathlon Netherlands Quecha MH100 (50 euro)
The temperature dropped at around 3 degrees with rain
So i went for a hike in the forest after barely 1hr my socks where already wet and my feet started to hurt due to the cold
Back to my car to dry and get comfy what a terrible experience
Decathlon said it should be waterproof and cold resistant
Because i wear them i can't bring them back and get others
Never again
It seems like i need to pay more money to get what i need .....
When i woke up today, i said to myself, "Gee, wonder what Keen shoes look like on the inside?". You have answered my question!, I can sleep now...another informative video, thanks Dan. FYI...i love keens...its all i wear out there.
Would like to see more videos of you hiking
I feel like it really matters where you're hiking and where does the water come from. If you're trying to stay dry while walking on muddy ground with puddles, then this might actually work. But if it's raining or you're walking through tall wet grass, then they're going to be wet immediately "from the top", because your socks will pull water in. Gaiters might help to some extent.
And as was mentioned, the drying time will be significantly higher. If you know you will have a place to dry them overnight (eg. sleeping in some mountain hut), then it might be fine.
Yep! Definitely a case by case basis. On the trip I did it was raining and I had rain pants on. Stayed totally dry.
Real question is, 2 years later do they still hold up? I've been seeing a ton of posts on reddit and forums of ex-Keen fans who are fully done with the brand, and looking for alternatives because they seem to have forgotten how to glue outsoles to their shoes.
Extra note, one post's reply spoke of being an ex-New Balance employee where capitalism is as capitalism does, and some geniuses decided they should stop using the activator on the glue for adhering the sole, and discovered the company they got the sole from stopped applying some kind of prep that helped with adhesion. They of course got fired for meddling with poor choices for profits(but karma got that guy who fired them too 🙃). Wouldn't surprise me if some imbecile at keen thought they should do the same.
I had a pair of the Keen Flex.., and for me, they were the most comfortable Keen boots... However, the flex bit splits... There are many reports of this on the Keen forum. When you look at them closely, the flex part is very thin, and it seems inevitable it will split at some point or you will knick it on something. The boots/shoes are useless once this happens.. You have been warned...👎
I love my keens!
Always have used h2o proof untill recently, still perfect them unless you know you will be getting entire foot in water
that is interesting how vehemently most of the comments defend trail runners, haha and defame waterproof shoes, here is my take, I've been hiking for almost half a century, mostly Carpathians, but also Alps, Caucasus and other mountains in Europe, I went thru all stages of footwear, but for example last year I did with my 13 years old son over two hundred miles in Ukrainian Carpathians, it rained every second day, and if it wasn't raining there was dew and wet grass, etc etc. I had train runners: Salewa lite train k, with just a mesh and for 2 weeks they had never dried, wet continually, IT IS A MYTH that mesh build, well ventilated train runners dry over night, never did, not even close, my son had Salomon x ultra 3 gtx, hiking shoes with goretex membrane and he was DRY for two weeks, enjoying himself and his dry socks. My feet looked so awfully wrinkled, being wet all the time, my socks molded or rotted eventually, and I wished I could enjoy comfort of waterproof shoes, so there you have it, the other side ;) When hike was over we washed thoroughly our shoes and it took around 24 hours for both pairs to fully dry and actually his goretex Salomons dried first HA
Bottom line, there is no such thing as a waterproof shoe, there are only shoes made from waterproof material. If you put your foot in it, water can get in it. So unless you know you won't be crossing anything deeper than 3", or in the rain for more than a few minutes, the insides of your shoes are going to get wet. The question is how fast you want them to be able to dry out.
The shoe will also hold more water after you submerge them
As a avid Hunter from September to January water-proof is a must to staying warm. 45+lb pack does require a firmer booth. I have Altra Lone Peak 6 and for just hiking 3-day trips w/18-lbs is no issue. But I hike and camp from February to June and I wear either depending on weather cold and ground conditions of wet and muddy. To each their own. As for me when possible, I like my feet dry and warm in cold weather. Warm weather, a none issue and my lone peaks are my choice. Dan, keep stepping to the fray of different opinions. Chairs, no chairs; waterproof, no waterproof; alcohol vs canister; quilt v/s bag; and famous sectional vs through hikers. Today’s hiking and camping is like a smorgasbord of equipment and gear. Have at it. Carry what you bring, bring what you want to carry. Life is too short to be critical of others.
thanks for having the guts (or whatever) to cut them open! awesome.
I can tell you how not to dry out boots/shoes putting them too close to the fire and not paying attention. Like an idiot I did that in the backcountry of Alaska and melted and jacked up a very expensive pair of Lowa mid hikers. So I finished the rest of the trip with jacked up goofing looking shoes.
😮🔥😂
Dan you’re crazy, but that’s why I like your channel. Have a great upcoming weekend. God Bless
Thanks Warren! You as well! I always appreciate your comments :-)
It’s a water proof sandal now
Thanks for sharing 🐾
I have Northface Hedgehogs, a waterproof boot that weigh less than my mesh Nike shoes, and I love them! I usually come across dew and mild puddles and I trek right through them. I don’t have issues with breathability, also use Marino wool socks and I don’t think I’m gonna try trail runners ever tbh
I jus like to walk near my woods where it cam get muddy n wet idk what shoe for me i get overwhelmed with walking boots hiking shoes ETC
I wear waterproof shoes daily working on pools
I only wear my Goretex or hydrophobic footwear in winter.🇨🇦🏃♂️🤘
comes across as a shill. doesnt really give any good info about "waterproof" shoes
If you get sweaty feet not a good choice.
Dan why don’t you just stand in the water ankle deep (not deep enough that water will get in from the top) then remove the shoes and show if your socks is wet, or just put paper in it as demonstration so you don’t have to cut open a pair of decent shoes? 😱
Cutting them makes for better content 😂👍
@@DanBecker sure does 😂
1 million steps is 500 miles, so I’m assuming you’d do that
Broken referral links
I regularly enjoy your videos, however this one was useless. Could have tested one wp and one not wp to compare drying times.
The video was definitely much more than about how fast a waterproof shoe dries out.. but thanks for the input!
@@THEUPSTAIRS100 I take everything on youtube as an info commercial. Unfortunately. I am a member at Backpackinglight and they do pretty decent testing of gear. I hunt and think Kifarucast podcast is honest with their opinions. Take care.
I'm floored by the number of people whose only happiness in life consists of posting nasty comments on your TH-cam channel.
You and me both 😂
@@THEUPSTAIRS100 Why not just not watch his videos? I see the clickbait and possible sponsorship but I enjoy the videos anyway. When there is a TH-cam video suggestion, doesn't it show what channel it is on? It does for me, but I have an Android.
ACK NO DO NOT PUT WET THINGS IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG 😱
No!!!!!
Lol.
No, the cutting was not cool Dan... I was disappointed by this. From a sustainability view this was even stupid. Please don’t do that again!
Thanks to everyone for the anniversary wishes yesterday. It was 58 not 59 🤣🤣🤣
Hi "mom" lol 😆 Dan's a good guy