Best waterproofing for your kit?

[k14]

I have some alpinestars SMX-3 boots, they seem to be fairly waterproof. Havent walked in ankle high water yet, but seem to be rain proof from what i have had them in so far. Pretty good crash protection aswell.

[babyB]

leather is a natural material made fron the hide of animals.  if you want to protect & prolong the life of your leathers - you must clean and condition them.  rain will really dry out leather because the rain evaporates from your leathers.  it pulls moisture away from the skin. i recomend conditioning your leathers once it dries, when ever caught in the rain.

leather requires frequent conditioning to replace the natural lubricants lost during normal use, just as your own skin dries out when exposed to the elements, so will your leather.  a good conditioner will help stop rain, spills, or anything wet from getting into your leather and staining it.

never use waxes, silicon products, or aerosol sprays, they will impair the leather's ability to "breath".  products will clog the pores of leather, that is why they make leather accessories waterproof.  it will also eventually dry out your leathers because the pores are cloged. (may have an advantage for boots though)

Wet Leathers

ok so you get caught in the rain and your leathers are soaked

1. if possible use a dry towel & soak up as much as you can - dont rub - just blot. if towel not handy shake as much wetness feom the leather

2. let leathers dry naturally avoiding direct heat or sunlight

3. when leather nearly dry, apply a little conditioner to restore flexibility. followed by full conditioning treatmedt when leather is totaly dry.

New Life 4 Leathers      babyB

 

get some good wet weather gear. waxed cotton is premo

[What?]

CK: As far as I can figure, most of the water seems to enter through the join between the sole and the upper, as the soles of my feet get wet, but not the tops. They are fine weather boots only.

[jrandom]

Originally posted by What?
CK: As far as I can figure, most of the water seems to enter through the join between the sole and the upper

Yup. I've been wearing a pair of some-brand-or-other boots with that Te-Por membrane lining, dry feet all year so far up until Wednesday (same day this thread was started...) when I arrived at work and noticed my left sock had wet toes due to the sole starting to peel away from the upper at the front. A bit of Selleys something-or-other blobbed around the toe area should fix 'em right for another year I reckon

Pity we don't have any Aerostitch dealers here. If we did, I'd be wearing a Roadcrafter (one-piece cordura and goretex). As it is, I find my Orina two-piece does fine but after half an hour or so in heavy rain I get the wet pecker syndrome from the water blowing up under the jacket and trickling down... might be time to add one of those rain suit overalls to the mix.

I bought the cheapie Spidi waterproof gloves for $160 but they've done the job nicely, haven't leaked a drop. Getting a bit warm now, but I want a new pair of summer leather gloves... my old ones feel too flimsy after wearing the Spidis all winter.

[Yarg]

I wear a pair of skin seal socks (waterproof socks) inside the boots , so if the boots leak the feet stay dry.Got them from The Outdoor Centre, Takapuna.
Cheaper than water proof boots.
My.02 worth.
GD

[Hitcher]

Anyone riding around in Auckland this morning will understand why I raise this...

Some leather parts do need to be exposed to the weather - boots and gloves come to mind. When going from A to B... slowly, in traffic - they get WET.

I know the trick of spraying CRC 808 (aka Silicone lube) onto them, sitting them int he sun, doing it again... and again... etc till they take up no more, but it does raise the issue.

Anyone out there with better waterproofing suggestions - or anything you'd swear by (even though it might be a little strange).

MDU

Don't fart around with lotions and potions. Fork out some cash and buy good kit. One of my best investments are my Daytona Goretex boots -- waterproof even when standing in a puddle. Another of my best investments are my Alpinestars gloves -- again with a Goretex liner. On a pissing-down wet day you can put wet hands in them and your hands dry out! Woo hoo and your hands stay nice and toasty warm too.

[ManDownUnder]

Don't fart around with lotions and potions. Fork out some cash and buy good kit. One of my best investments are my Daytona Goretex boots -- waterproof even when standing in a puddle. Another of my best investments are my Alpinestars gloves -- again with a Goretex liner. On a pissing-down wet day you can put wet hands in them and your hands dry out! Woo hoo and your hands stay nice and toasty warm too.

NICE!!! I like it... and with Christmas coming up I might see if I can bludge a pair at minimal (i.e. NO) expense...!

MDU