The Development Of Truly Waterproof Boots

By Author: Sunil Punjabi
Total Articles: 2565
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Throughout history man has been struggling to keep his feet warm and dry in cold, wet and rainy weather. One can understand the problem. The most waterproof materials available were the skins of animals but these still had to be stitched and stitching leaked. Waterproofing to a degree was possible by applying oils and greases with which to seal the stitching but this was always a temporary solution and had to be repeated often. The Eskimos (Inuit) were the most successful in developing waterproof boots. They actually cleaned out the interior of a bear's paw without breaching it. Into this they inserted their feet and strapped them around the legs and thus the walked across the Bering Sea. The Ainu in northern Japan were also effective in using deer skins, but water seepage was always a problem.

Then the Egyptians discovered liquid rubber and pouring rubber onto fabric became and effective waterproofing technique. Thus the first truly waterproof boots were in Egyptian Galoshes. Rubber boots, known as galoshes became the benchmark for waterproof boots for centuries. Even today they are still bought ...
... and used by farmers and ramblers in the countryside. To this day the miners in South Africa wear them underground all day every day.

Sailing boots and fishing boots are waterproof boots, usually a refined rubber "Wellington" boot. The fly fisherman's waders are a combination of galoshes welded to an upper where fabric has been covered with rubber to make it possible for the fisherman to wade waste deep and still stay dry. But there are big drawbacks with fully rubber boots, and that is the discomfort. Even wearing thick absorbent socks the feet become sweaty and sticky. A solution had to be found. The Army used to issue Dobbin and Beeswax to their troops to cover the seams and the leather. This did work to a certain extent but the leather still eventually absorbed the moisture.

Goodyear developed the Vulcanizing process in 1844 which let rubber be poured into molds and shaped as desired. The first boots called galoshes were in fact large rubber overshoes. But the search for truly waterproof boots were still elusive until the company, Timberland, developed a process in the early 70's. This process of making waterproof boots was done by sewing the leather upper together with a chemically treated thread and then molding the rubber sole to the upper with the vulcanizing process.

Nowadays many companies make waterproof boots. The navy requires waterproofing for its sailors and these boots have to be durable and have a tread with a lot of grip. Generally the sailors boot is longer (10 or 11") than the boot used by the army or even the "fashionable" military style or work boot which are 8 or 9 inches. Also the navy boot has the tongue completely sealed to the sides of the lace up section so that water doesn't leak in even when untied and loose. Because of the chemicals used it is no longer necessary to apply as much beeswax or dobbin but these boots do need to be cared for and dried out to prevent deterioration. The linings, too, need to be aired as they absorb the moisture that permeates the socks and will on occasion need to be dried out.

There are many hiking and recreational waterproof boots on the market which use the revolutionary waterproof fabrics like Gore-Tex. These are usually ankle high or just below the ankle. All major boot manufacturers have models and the choice of which to purchase depends on the terrain and ambient conditions. Walking in snow requires a different performance to the waterproof boots you would want for walking in the jungle or climbing a mountain for example.

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