Footwear: Waterproof Boots
The material that makes a boot waterproof is called Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex fabric is a wearable weather protection that keeps your feet dry when incorporated in the design of your boots or shoes. It consists of thousands of tiny membranes that act like the pores of your skin–moisture is let out but not in.
Gore-Tex actually forms a wall between your boot and water or wind, all the while allowing your feet to breathe. This material has been tested and proven to be the only fabric that is 100 percent guaranteed to keep your feet dry. A waterproof boot is truly waterproof if Gore-Tex is used in its manufacture.
It sounds impossible to be both waterproof and breathable–yet Gore-Tex does exactly that. The way the material has been constructed eliminates any moisture from ever seeping through the outer layer. At the same time it allows your feet to remain cool and dry, even though they will sweat during activity. The Gore-Tex construction enables you to remain dry with no build-up of sweat which can cause your feet to get cold.
Are Waterproof Boots More Expensive?
Since Gore-Tex adds so much to the quality of a boot, the price can be somewhat higher than versions that are not waterproof. Depending on the requirements of your boots, you can determine whether or not you need to spend the additional money. It cant hurt to have this feature even if you wont be in damp weather since your feet will perspire during any activity. It is all a matter of personal choice and function.