# Waterproof/ventilated hiking shoes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 22, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417 "2011-04-22T23:41:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/1 "2011-04-22T23:41:15Z")
I’m looking for a new pair of hiking shoes, and some of the ones I see are both waterproof and ventilated. Like [these](http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22760M/0/Mens/Refuge-Core-Mid-Ventilator-Waterproof-Wide-Width?dimensions=21%2C136). The description includes the line “Waterproof membrane treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution provides impermeable but breathable barrier.” So . . . how can a shoe be both waterproof and ventilated? ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/2 "2011-04-22T23:43:46Z")
[Goretex](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore-Tex). Amazing stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/3 "2011-04-23T00:39:55Z")
From Randy’s link: “Each pore is approximately 1/20,000 the size of a water droplet, making it impenetrable to liquid water while still allowing the more autonomous water vapour molecules to pass through.” If you go with a breathable waterproof boot (e.g. Goretex or any number of similar products), be sure to regularly apply a durable water repellent to the outside of the boot, for if the outer fabric of the boot becomes saturated with water, then the moisture on the inside of the boot will have nowhere to go. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/4 "2011-04-23T00:56:05Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > If you go with a breathable waterproof boot (e.g. Goretex or any number of similar products), be sure to regularly apply a durable water repellent to the outside of the boot, for if the outer fabric of the boot becomes saturated with water, then the moisture on the inside of the boot will have nowhere to go. Won’t the water repellant clog the pores? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/5 "2011-04-23T01:13:55Z")
Not if you use the right stuff. Have a look at the Nicwax line. A good DWR should stick to non-water repellent surfaces (e.g. boot exterior fabric or leather), but not stick to water repellent surfaces (e.g. Goretex membrane), thereby preventing the fabric from becoming sodden without affecting the Goretex’s pores. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterproof-ventilated-hiking-shoes/579417/6 "2011-04-23T01:16:04Z")
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