I gather that the first part of a Kili trek can be pretty wet, muddy etc so I've been going for gore-tex lined boots for my climb planned for mid October.
Problem is the first set I bought weren't all that waterproof ($200). I walked for a few minutes in some calm shallow water along the beach and got wet from water seeping through the gusseted tongue. I returned those boots and got a different manufacturer's gore-tex boots ($185) but encountered the same problem. Water seeped through the gusseted tongue when I let some water from a garden hose run along the bottom two-thirds of the boot for about a minute. I considered getting some kind of seam sealer for the tongue but the mountain equipment store I bought the boots at said this was a bad idea.
I'm thinking waterproof should mean waterproof... am I being naive here or do they all leak?
Second question... are waterproof boots actually essential, nice to have, or not really needed in the first place? I have gaiters that go almost to my knees... the kind that clip to the laces and fasten underneath the boot with a strap.
-------------- "...being alive is a bit like being on fire..."
You need gaiters for climbing Kilimanjaro. It will prevent water from getting into most of your boot. The biggest problem on Kilmanjaro is deep mud on the first two days. As for being 100 waterproof, it's probably not that big of an issue.
Donovan
Posts: 1109 | Location: Portland, Oregon, United States | Registered: 03 December 2003
Even though I buy goretex boots, I still put an application of waterproofing on them. I use Nikwax - a bit expensive, but it's proven to work on my boots (I walked through streams in them).
Waterproof boots are nice to have for Kili. The goretex are especially nice to have since they're generally warmer, and it can get pretty cold near the top.
The gaiters that you have sound like they'll work just fine.
Does anyone have a recommendation for gaiters? I've only ever worn them skiing, and that was many years ago - I suspect the styles/materials have changed dramatically. What size - short or tall - is suggested for hiking something like Kilimanjaro where there's a mix of water, mud and snow (I guess)? What other factors should be considered? Where's a good place to buy them?
Sorry if this question seems a no-brainer, but I've looked into buying gaiters recently and became kinda confused.
Posts: 4 | Location: Washington, DC | Registered: 11 September 2006
Leather with a Gore-Tex inner would be best... it adds a pound to pound and a half over synth material boots though.
I have Vasque Sundowners GTX ($170), love them would not trade them for anything. Just take care of the leather... for lighter excursions I use Merrell Chameleons GTX ($110), great gripping sole and Gore-Tex.
Outdoor Products makes some great gaiters... the Crocodile ($40) ones are super though.
Just returned from a Sept 2006 summit of Mt Kili...Conditions were AWESOME! Didn't rain once, no mud....but I understand from reading about other people's experiences, that our conditions were highly unusual...Nevertheless, I wore Waterproof Keen Targhee Mid II boots (most comfy boots I've ever tried on!), and they were totally adequate for the trip...I also own a pair of La Sportiva Makalu's...I was planning on bringing these for summit day, but decided not to at the last minute..glad I didn't b/c probably would have been over-kill. Toes were a little cold, but only on our overnight summit hiking...I bought footbed warmers, and hand warmers, and used both in my boots...VERY necessary!!! Also, I HIGHLY recommend gaiters! No wet conditions on our trip, but oftentimes you're walking through thick ash-like dirt and little pebbles that go EVERYWHERE, including inside your boots! A friend & I each bought Outdoor Research Verglas gaiters, and the rest of our group was very jealous! Lightweight, super comfortable, and PERFECT for the "job"! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Posts: 2 | Location: Spain | Registered: 15 October 2006
