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When is a waterproof boot 'waterproof'?
rogersb
Posts: 20 Forumite
Hi all
Involved in discussions with Mountain Warehouse, who are insisting these boots are actually only waterproof up to the featherline, i.e. 20 mm above the sole.
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/walking/footwear/walking-socks/orion-waterproof-womens-boot-p12125.aspx
To cut a long story short, we bought these boots as they are sold as waterproof. The first time my daughter wore them outside it was on a 1 mile or so walk with some of it through wet grass, and the boots were noticeably wet inside at the end of the walk.
Contacted MW, who say that the boots are actually only waterproof up to a certain point due to their construction (this changes with more or less every email we get!), and refuse to accept any suggestion that a boot sold as waterproof should not let in water at any point in normal use.
Part of their latest email is below- I would welcome any advice!
"The Orion is a Waterproof Boot with an Inner Membrane which is within the lining of the Boot to ensure that water will not penetrate the foot. The international standard for describing a Boot as Waterproof would be to have a lining to at least 20mm above the featherline between the Sole and Upper. The Orion has a waterproof Membrane higher than this and the level can be seen by the inner stitching toward the top of the inner. The Outer is water resistant. Water can penetrate above this point and due to the nature of the fabric can begin to sink lower into the fabric leaving the foot/sock damp, this can often occur when walking through longer grass."
Many thanks!
Involved in discussions with Mountain Warehouse, who are insisting these boots are actually only waterproof up to the featherline, i.e. 20 mm above the sole.
http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/walking/footwear/walking-socks/orion-waterproof-womens-boot-p12125.aspx
To cut a long story short, we bought these boots as they are sold as waterproof. The first time my daughter wore them outside it was on a 1 mile or so walk with some of it through wet grass, and the boots were noticeably wet inside at the end of the walk.
Contacted MW, who say that the boots are actually only waterproof up to a certain point due to their construction (this changes with more or less every email we get!), and refuse to accept any suggestion that a boot sold as waterproof should not let in water at any point in normal use.
Part of their latest email is below- I would welcome any advice!
"The Orion is a Waterproof Boot with an Inner Membrane which is within the lining of the Boot to ensure that water will not penetrate the foot. The international standard for describing a Boot as Waterproof would be to have a lining to at least 20mm above the featherline between the Sole and Upper. The Orion has a waterproof Membrane higher than this and the level can be seen by the inner stitching toward the top of the inner. The Outer is water resistant. Water can penetrate above this point and due to the nature of the fabric can begin to sink lower into the fabric leaving the foot/sock damp, this can often occur when walking through longer grass."
Many thanks!
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Comments
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Their explanation sounds reasonable to me.0
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I'd be inclined to ask for more details about this "international standard" they are paraphrasing ...:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son 0 -
Good idea!Tigsteroonie wrote: »I'd be inclined to ask for more details about this "international standard" they are paraphrasing ...0 -
Could you rectify by:-
1. Nikwax
2.Waterfroof socks
All boots tend to let water in somewhere (over the tops etc)Debt is a symptom, solve the problem.0 -
Buy cheap, buy twice.
Mountain Warehouse and waterproof are not phrases I'd use together.
Want waterproof, stop scrimping and buy Gore Tex or something similar. I learnt this the hard way with motorcycle clothing and now all my gear is Gore Tex (not all bought brand new before the moneysaving hitlers start) and I stay nice and dry.0 -
Their website repeats the 20mm above the featherline as the definition of waterproof http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/expert-advice/walking-boots-guide
A quick google shows lots of people complaining that all "waterproof" boots leak and that the membranes rapidly stop doing their jobs (some mention just a few wears and this includes goretex) thus recommending waterproof socks instead as they're cheaper to replace when they fail0 -
Thanks tykesi - I used to buy nothing but Goretex to use on my bike, too. And I bought it mostly new- Dainese and Hein Gericke mainly, in their sales. But for a fast-growing 11 year old, I'm not shelling out on something to last a lifetime, only something to last a year at most - and MW should last that long...0
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InsideInsurance wrote: »Their website repeats the 20mm above the featherline as the definition of waterproof http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/expert-advice/walking-boots-guide
Yep, but it was not mentioned in-store, and can you find any other retailer offering the same definition? I could not!0
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