Leaky boots

[tracyprier]

Hi all :)

I have had a pair of Forma GT2 boots for 20 months. Recently the left boot started leaking like a sieve and on closer inspection both sole were coming away.

I took them back to Colemans who sent them back to forbes and davies who had them repaired.

Two days later on the way home this evening the left one started leaking again after only 5 minutes in tonights rain.

Is it reasonable for me to expect a $450 pair of boots to remain waterproof for longer than 20 months when they have only seen tarmac use, not been crashed in and been looked after?

When I first took them in to Colemans( who to be fair to them have been reasonable to deal with) they said that they were out of warranty and not top of the line boots, kind of intimating that it was to be expected.

I will ring Colemans tomorrow morning but I just wanted to bounce this off other riders. Surely a $450 pair of boots should stay waterproof for more than 20 months??

Appreciate input on this

Tracy

[YellowDog]

$450 is not cheap for a pair of boots. I use my boots everyday for around 7 hours. They wear out before they leak.

If they are out of warrantee, then you don't have a boot to stand on :)

Are you sure they are leaking and the rain isn't running down your leg through the top?

[tracyprier]

No, I can feel it coming in the left hand outside part, top of the boot is dry and covered with Spidi pants.

With regards warranty I looked up the consumer quarantees act and it talks about reasonable expectations of products.

If they were 2 1/2 years or more then I'd live with it but these aren't even two years old and aside from the leaking issue they are still in excellent condition with plenty of wear left.

Tracy


$450 is not cheap for a pair of boots. I use my boots everyday for around 7 hours. They wear out before they leak.

If they are out of warrantee, then you don't have a boot to stand on :)

Are you sure they are leaking and the rain isn't running down your leg through the top?

[varminter]

$450 for boots, I'd want a bike too for that price. But then I'm cheap.

[dogsnbikes]

I wouldn't expect much waterproofing after 20mths but we all use our boots differently,what miles are on your boots.....

For me in 20mths I could run up 40-50'000ks others could do more and some people could be doing as little as 1000k really comes down to your useage and how you look after your boots ??

I use dubbing on my boots and find it works well and have one pair that have travelled 70'000k and have just started too leak and thats due too the sole coming apart......

But try Colemans again.....the worst that could happen is they say No

[pete376403]

D you put wax / Sno-seal / other waterproofing treatment on the seams?

[tracyprier]

yes I use a beeswax based paste I got from motomail. The right boot is fine, its just a left one.

[dogsnbikes]

I wouldn't expect much waterproofing after 20mths but we all use our boots differently,what miles are on your boots.....

For me in 20mths I could run up 40-50'000ks others could do more and some people could be doing as little as 1000k really comes down to your useage and how you look after your boots ??

I use dubbing on my boots and find it works well and have one pair that have travelled 70'000k and have just started too leak and thats due too the sole coming apart. and they cost $249.....

But try Colemans again.....the worst that could happen is they say No

[tracyprier]

I do about 15000k a year at present. I waterproof my boots fairly regularly.

If they were half knackered and worn out I wouldn't be bothered but they're not.

[pritch]

I have Sidi Gore-Tex boots and they are keeping the water out after about 20 months - more or or less.

The instructions that came with the boots warn against long toe nails, the latter apparently poke holes in the waterproof lining.

I wasn't in the habit of neglecting my toe nails but I am even more attentive now.:yes:

[SPP]

Mine started leaking after about 1 1/2 years as well (Gaerne Aquatech) but only if there's a lot of water about. I don't really look after them and they cost half as much but...

If it's really wet out, I use woolly socks and a plastic bag.

[ynot slow]

My Diadora boots were bad,my Gaerne are ok,but had them for 2 months or so.First pair were from lifestyle imports and for $150 at time were comfy(wore to work)and kept water out(severe rain)and still good when I replaced them(don't know why I did),so if you get a partial refund check them out,they're based out of Franklin.

[6ft5]

My Johhny Reb (Replica's) did well last saturday on the Remebrance Ride from Taupo to Rotorua in the pooring rain. Was boasting to other how dry they were. Wish had shut up... by the time I made it back to Taupo they were saturated with a swimming pool inside, both of them. I do regularly treat them with wax but to no avail. Well it was hozing down and perhaps some ran down from my Dririder rain suit, who can tell in the end

[mazz1972]

Leaky boots is a PET PEEVE of mine. I had Dririder Nordics ....yes bottom of the range (first boots) but I still wasn't expecting them to leak after a year and disintegrate after 18 months of just weekend leisure riding.

Motorcycle boots should "wear" well - most people probably don't walk as far in them as in a pair of shoes - would you expect two years of wear out of a pair of well used shoes?

I'd expect if you were wearing your boots nearly every day, then 2 years is probably a reasonable run?

About waterproofing boots....

We were told by a leather shop NOT to use dubbin or wax on leather boots or clothing as it will eventually rot the stitching if applied to it.

We now use Elephant Preserver - it nicely conditions our leather boots & gloves but seems to rub off the boots fairly quickly so I couldn't attest to it's "waterproofness".

From their write up "Excellent waterproofer for bike jackets and leathers......Waterproofs, softens, preserves and inhibits mildew and thread rot."

[slofox]

My Gaernes started to leak after about 30 months of total neglect and around 25000+ km - round the seam between sole and upper - left boot, where the gear change contact takes place.
I ran a bead of F2 round the seam and have had no problems since. Which is 8 months ago now. Worth a try maybe.

Oh and +1 for Elephant preserver. Easy to use and makes boots look sparkly and clean (briefly in my case). I reckon if it preserves elephants it ought to be OK for boots...

[SPP]

My Gaernes started to leak after about 30 months of total neglect and around 25000+ km - round the seam between sole and upper - left boot, where the gear change contact takes place....


Did you pinch my boots?!! That's where mine leak. I'm going to get some F2.

[slofox]

Did you pinch my boots?!! That's where mine leak. I'm going to get some F2.

Nah - I stole 'em from..errr..ahh...I mean...oops...

[thepom]

For a hundred bucks you can get a pair of sealskinz socks....the best money spent after hot grips.....and red wine.......and pies.......

[george formby]

I have Sidi Gore-Tex boots and they are keeping the water out after about 20 months - more or or less.

The instructions that came with the boots warn against long toe nails, the latter apparently poke holes in the waterproof lining.

I wasn't in the habit of neglecting my toe nails but I am even more attentive now.:yes:

I wear the same, still waterproof after 3 years. If the boots don't have a waterproof liner they will leak as they wear in my experience. I payed ( a lot) less than $450 too.
I would expect a long & happy life with my boots at that price, give em heaps!

[tracyprier]

Time for an update :)

I took them back to Colemans who in turn sent them to Forbes & Davies the importer. They had the soles reglued but when I got them back the left boot still leaked like a sieve. Matt at Colemans was very helpful and we got them back to Forbes who have had the sole re done and the waterproof liner fixed. They should be back in my hands tomorrow so we'll see how they go.

Bearing in mind that they are out of warranty by ten months so thumbs up to both Matt at Colemans and Forbes for not just fobbing me off with this and being willing to sort them out.

[george formby]

Time for an update :)

I took them back to Colemans who in turn sent them to Forbes & Davies the importer. They had the soles reglued but when I got them back the left boot still leaked like a sieve. Matt at Colemans was very helpful and we got them back to Forbes who have had the sole re done and the waterproof liner fixed. They should be back in my hands tomorrow so we'll see how they go.

Bearing in mind that they are out of warranty by ten months so thumbs up to both Matt at Colemans and Forbes for not just fobbing me off with this and being willing to sort them out.

:yes: Good stuff, I should imagine the manufacturer doe's not give a fig & the importer is sorting it out off their own back.

[mazz1972]

I've had a pair of Alpinestars Web Goretex boots since January 2009.

They haven't had excessive use as I ride maybe once or twice a month, and my bike was in hibernation over winter. AND for the first year I only wore them for overnight trips, preferring to wear my old leaky boots for day rides, as the Alps weren't so comfy. So I was hoping to get a good few years of dry feet from the $385 I paid.

Now that they are just broken in and feeling comfy, one has started leaking. BUGGER IT , I am NOT a happy bunny.

I didn't buy cheap boots this time after buying cheapies the first time round and they leaked after about a year......but I could have had two pairs of cheaper ones for what I paid for the Alps.

Will get in touch with the distributor and see if they can do anything, but wont hold my breath as the boot is leaking from the top, not the bottom, so can't be the sole, and they will be well out of warranty.

Sniffle :no::no::no:

[duckonin]

I've had a pair of Alpinestars Web Goretex boots since January 2009.

They haven't had excessive use as I ride maybe once or twice a month, and my bike was in hibernation over winter. AND for the first year I only wore them for overnight trips, preferring to wear my old leaky boots for day rides, as the Alps weren't so comfy. So I was hoping to get a good few years of dry feet from the $385 I paid.

Now that they are just broken in and feeling comfy, one has started leaking. BUGGER IT , I am NOT a happy bunny.

I didn't buy cheap boots this time after buying cheapies the first time round and they leaked after about a year......but I could have had two pairs of cheaper ones for what I paid for the Alps.

Will get in touch with the distributor and see if they can do anything, but wont hold my breath as the boot is leaking from the top, not the bottom, so can't be the sole, and they will be well out of warranty.

Sniffle :no::no::no:

I have the same boots, was told if they leak at any time take them back to place of purchase so you do the same, the person shall be able to see they have had a small amount of wear, you also have paid good money for your footwear, 'nothing ventured nothing gained':yes:

[Spuds1234]

I have a pair of those alpine stars and I wear them everyday. Neither boot has yet to leak.

I cant rate them high enough. Also the pair that I crashed in still dont leak.

Apparently if you dont keep your toe nails trimmed you can push your nails though the gortex lining.

[mazz1972]

I have the same boots, was told if they leak at any time take them back to place of purchase so you do the same, the person shall be able to see they have had a small amount of wear, you also have paid good money for your footwear, 'nothing ventured nothing gained':yes:
There wont be a problem with point of purchase, so will see what happens!


I have a pair of those alpine stars and I wear them everyday. Neither boot has yet to leak.

I cant rate them high enough. Also the pair that I crashed in still dont leak.

Apparently if you dont keep your toe nails trimmed you can push your nails though the gortex lining.

I think the boot is leaking around where the protective rubbery/plastic bit is sewn on top, as it was the top of my sock that was wet. It wasn't too bad, but I had only been riding in 30 mins of drizzle.

[Scouse]

yes I use a beeswax based paste I got from motomail. The right boot is fine, its just a left one.Have you tried ear wax?

[Spuds1234]

TI think the boot is leaking around where the protective rubbery/plastic bit is sewn on top, as it was the top of my sock that was wet. It wasn't too bad, but I had only been riding in 30 mins of drizzle.

Thats weird. Your pants weren't leaking were they and it was running down the inside of your pant leg and into the boot? Did you have your pants over the boot or inside the boot?

[Quasievil]

Plastic Bags, slip each foot in and wear ya leaky boots, problem solved, easy to slip into your boots to
I had my Guernes for 5 years and they only leak a tad but with the above im getting another 5 years outta them
lol

[mazz1972]

Thats weird. Your pants weren't leaking were they and it was running down the inside of your pant leg and into the boot? Did you have your pants over the boot or inside the boot?

I wear my pants on the outside.....not a hope in hell of fitting them inside.

Haven't phoned anyone about them yet. Might try lightly hosing them tonight and see what happens. Would hate to kick up a fuss for nothing! :slap:

[mazz1972]

Plastic Bags, slip each foot in and wear ya leaky boots, problem solved, easy to slip into your boots to
I had my Guernes for 5 years and they only leak a tad but with the above im getting another 5 years outta them
lol
Yeah that works, I was known to do that with my leaky "Dri"riders.

Not nice in hotter summer weather tho

[Quasievil]

Yeah that works, I was known to do that with my leaky "Dri"riders.

Not nice in hotter summer weather tho

Yeah Bro, put holes in the plastic bags !

[mazz1972]

Yeah Bro, put holes in the plastic bags !

hahahahaha

PS: last time I looked I wasn't a bro :shake:

[BMWST?]

i dont expect leather to be waterproof.There is only one way to stay absolutely dry and thats gumboots,but they are cold,offer no protection and would most likely come off .So i just wear warm socks and wait......

[mazz1972]

i dont expect leather to be waterproof.There is only one way to stay absolutely dry and thats gumboots,but they are cold,offer no protection and would most likely come off .So i just wear warm socks and wait......

You're right, leather is not waterproof. But the so called waterproof boots have a waterproof layer between the outer leather and inner lining that is waterproof......or supposed to be

I just hate wet feet :crybaby:

[tracyprier]

Final update:

The boots came back covered in waterproofing gunk... and still leaked like a sieve. Another call to Matt at Colemans and Forbes sent through a brand new pair :)

So after a bit of a pfaff and me wearing old work boots for a bit (yuck) there has been a good resolution to this.

Thanks Matt and Forbes & Davies :)

Tracy

[davebullet]

I can't b bothered waiting for the day new boots eventually leak....

So.... now I just piss into them before I ride. I've now got no idea if they leak or not. At least when I start the ride it is nice and warm in them. Problem solved!

[tracyprier]

Back again :)

Well... I've had these replacement boots now since the end of September so thats about 5 1/2 months...

and in Fridays heavy rain on the commute home the left one leaked like a sieve!

YIKES! what is wrong with these things?? same side same leak totally different pair of boots.

All I can say is that while Forma have designed a nice boot their waterproofing technology is woeful.. I mean, in the words of Mr. Clarkson... "How hard can it be??"

I must say I'm NOT impressed. I will give Colemans a ring but I'm not holding my breath... not because of Colemans because they were very helpful the first time 'round but just that they are out of warranty etc.

My advise... if you want a waterproof boot that is actually WATERPROOF, avoid Forma :(

cheers
Tracy

[steve_t]

I hear those Gaerne Waterproof boots are the shiz :niceone:
Swap ya Forma boots for a different brand. They obviously have a manufacturing issue

[mazz1972]

Back again :)

Well... I've had these replacement boots now since the end of September so thats about 5 1/2 months...

and in Fridays heavy rain on the commute home the left one leaked like a sieve!

YIKES! what is wrong with these things?? same side same leak totally different pair of boots.

All I can say is that while Forma have designed a nice boot their waterproofing technology is woeful.. I mean, in the words of Mr. Clarkson... "How hard can it be??"

I must say I'm NOT impressed. I will give Colemans a ring but I'm not holding my breath... not because of Colemans because they were very helpful the first time 'round but just that they are out of warranty etc.

My advise... if you want a waterproof boot that is actually WATERPROOF, avoid Forma :(

cheers
Tracy

Is the warranty really less than five months? The warranty period should start again with the replacement boots. I'd send them back, that isn't good enough.

[tracyprier]

Hi Mazz. I'll check the consumer people but I don't think thats the case plus they were out of warranty originally but I argued that for boots of that price I expect them to be waterproof and not fail for longer than 18 months.

cheers
Tracy

[Flip]

I have never had a pair of boots that were worth spit when it came to being water proof for long. The water proof membrane always fails after a short time. They are just a crap design and I am buggered if I am ever going to spend $400 on another or any pair boots that fail in service again.

Now days I simply wear a std pair of tall work boots that work buys for us or if I know its going to be a wet one I wear my trusty Ashley lace up gumboots. http://www.industrialfootwear.co.nz/footwear/gumboots/plain-toe/ashley .

If I get caught in the wet in std boots I just put a shopping bag over my sox. Low tek solution to a $400 problem that works.

[been_there]

If I get caught in the wet in std boots I just put a shopping bag over my sox. Low tek solution to a $400 problem that works.

+1 to that...Boots wet, feet dry!!!!

[mazz1972]

Hi Mazz. I'll check the consumer people but I don't think thats the case plus they were out of warranty originally but I argued that for boots of that price I expect them to be waterproof and not fail for longer than 18 months.

cheers
Tracy

New boots = new warranty.

[Usarka]

I've got some 8 year old Daytona boots still going strong and waterproof as bro.

They pong a bit obviously.