Page 70 - GUNS Issue n.01

Is It enOugh tO say gOretex?
When we talk about high-end outdoor clothing, we
often hear about goretex membranes, often indicated,
in the name of product, by the initials “gTX”. but
what exactly is goretex? It is a very thin membrane of
expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, characterized by
a texture with over 1.4 billion pores per cm2, which is
generally combined with a lining and an external fabric.
each hole is 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water
but 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor,
allowing complete waterproofing combined with high
breathability. So, are all goretex garments the same?
The answer is no. There are different types of goretex
and those used for outdoor products, especially for
footwear, are essentially three. goretex extended
Comfort is designed for warmer climates and is
characterized by a three-layer composition, in which an
internal lining and an external protective mesh enclose
the actual membrane. goretex Performance Comfort
is used for intermediate temperatures and has a fourth
layer interposed between the lining and the membrane.
Finally, for the coldest temperatures, there is goretex The Goretex membrane is characterized by a texture
Insulated Comfort, which is coupled with an additional with micro-holes that prevent water ingress while
layer that improves thermal insulation and comfort. allowing vapor to escape.

made equal, neither in terms of quality nor, for the same price, in terms of features. We wanted to field test the
latest offerings from six of the most important Italian and foreign boot manufacturers, in order to provide the
hunter with useful information to guide this crucial choice.
All of our tests were carried out during spring and summer, in a series of hikes in the mountains and in the
hills for dog training and hunting, in the most diverse weather conditions. We crossed a stream to subject all
the boots to an “extreme” waterproof test and we also evaluated the footing of the boots on different types of
terrain. The rather high temperatures obviously did not allow us to test the thermal insulation capabilities of
the “heavier” models, but we took this aspect into account for our final evaluation.
To level the playing field, we have selected a high-end product from each manufacturer: all the boots we tested
are characterized by the choice of fine materials and cutting-edge technical solutions.
Leather or fabric?

One of the first elements to take into consideration when choosing a pair of boots is the material used to make
the upper. To simplify, there are two alternatives: leather or synthetic fabric. Each of the two alternatives has
advantages and disadvantages but, as long as you choose a high-end product, the final decision depends on
personal preference and needs. Leather is on average more rigid and robust, but it requires a little extra care
during maintenance, using waxes or creams to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Fabric is easier to clean,
but it makes the overall structure much less rigid, which can be an advantage in terms of comfort, but makes
the boots much less suitable for difficult terrains.

a barrier against water
Anyone who spends a lot of time in nature knows that one of the main concerns, especially in cold weather, is
being able to always stay dry. This priority particularly concerns footwear, since spending the whole day with
wet feet can lead to a bad cold and even serious injuries. Even when no rain is expected, however, it can happen,
when hunting, that you have to cross small streams or flooded areas, not to mention the omnipresent humidity
of the vegetation. To be sure of staying dry, it is not enough to rely on a leather upper, even if treated periodically
with waterproofing substances: you must choose a product with a special water-repellent membrane. The most

68 OutdOOr gear_The besT hunTing booTs