Thread: Waterproofing boots? Waterbased or Silicone?

I'm waterproofing a pair of Lowa Tibets.

In a video Lowa tell you to use only water based wax and spray. Is this the case or is using silicone waxes ok too?

What are folks actually doing for their boot?

Use what they suggest. The glue that holds the rand on comes undone if you use the wrong stuff, I learnt this from experience.

You may find that using a product that hasn’t been approved by Lowa will invalidate the warranty - at least this is what I was told regarding some Meindl boots I used to have.

Meindl and Lowa (and Hanwag) are made by brothers and I would be surprised if the warranties were vastly different.

Originally Posted by Sauer

You may find that using a product that hasn’t been approved by Lowa will invalidate the warranty - at least this is what I was told regarding some Meindl boots I used to have.

Meindl and Lowa (and Hanwag) are made by brothers and I would be surprised if the warranties were vastly different.

How do they know what you have used over the years Iv used all sorts off shit & when boots have gone back not one has test them to see what has been used

If the Goretex liner is still functioning and the boots are waterproof use the lowa dressing. If the gortex is time expired and leaks, then lift and re-glue the rand with proper glue and use the Castor oil and Zinc cream that chemists sell to prevent baby's nappy rash to protect and waterproof the boots.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

If the Goretex liner is still functioning and the boots are waterproof use the lowa dressing. If the gortex is time expired and leaks, then lift and re-glue the rand with proper glue and use the Castor oil and Zinc cream that chemists sell to prevent baby's nappy rash to protect and waterproof the boots.

Do you just mix it 50% off each or do you another way

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

If the Goretex liner is still functioning and the boots are waterproof use the lowa dressing. If the gortex is time expired and leaks, then lift and re-glue the rand with proper glue and use the Castor oil and Zinc cream that chemists sell to prevent baby's nappy rash to protect and waterproof the boots.

Do you just mix it 50% off each or do you another way

Originally Posted by hunt08

Do you just mix it 50% off each or do you another way

Barrier Creme comes ready mixed in container. About $10 for 500 grams.

Originally Posted by hunt08

Do you just mix it 50% off each or do you another way

My pharmacist br-in-law tells me there are various other ingredients in it, eg some peanut oil. All pharmacies should have it, it's an ancient and proven recipe.

Originally Posted by hunt08

Do you just mix it 50% off each or do you another way

@hunt08 Buy from Chemist or steal from someone whose baby is now out of naps. I warm the boots in the sun and then apply. It will leave a whitish layer of zinc oxide around stitching etc that soon rubs off in use.
Castor oil is very good for leather and the zinc acts as a preservative so no fear of buggering up your boots

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

If the Goretex liner is still functioning and the boots are waterproof use the lowa dressing. If the gortex is time expired and leaks, then lift and re-glue the rand with proper glue and use the Castor oil and Zinc cream that chemists sell to prevent baby's nappy rash to protect and waterproof the boots.

Would you just use the Castor oil and Zinc cream, or would you use any sprays before applying that cream?

Ok, for the 1-year warranty I will use the Lowa cream, (that seems to evaporate at room temperature). Does anyone know where it can be bought cheap and for larger amounts than 75mm?

An administration question.

Where do I click to set email notifications for a reply to one of my posts on the forum?

Originally Posted by Eamonn

Would you just use the Castor oil and Zinc cream, or would you use any sprays before applying that cream?

Just apply the warmed cream / ointment to the sun warmed boots. It will leave them with white zinc oxide around the stitching and D rings so give them a rub a couple of days later. Make sure the rand is well glued down as once you start using this stuff it will make it difficult to do a re-glue later on

"this stuff will make it difficult to do a re-glue later on".

Gorilla glue is a beautiful thing, hehe.