This is great. Thanks for the info everyone. My problem is that i cant find boots with the features i want in any of the made in America lines. Chippewa and Justin both offer made in America lines, but, neither lines have the NON GORE-TEX waterproof option. the Justin boots im looking at have everything i want:
Non Gore-Tex waterproof design
Rugged out-sole (Lugged) suitable for hiking and the woods
simple and traditional design.
Non Steel Toe.
These are what meet my criteria, however, they are imported from china
http://www.justinboots.com/boots/men_water.html?424fccf8=WK620&product_id=WK620
The closest i can get to this in the Made in America Line is
This:
http://www.justinboots.com/boots/non_safety_toe_boots.html?424fccf8=734
Or This
http://www.justinboots.com/boots/Gore-tex.html?424fccf8=604
Neither of these boots have the Lug sole design, and the first one does not have the waterproof design, The second is waterproof, but via Gore Tex.
My problem with gore tex is this. With a closed (full leather upper, no mesh) boot, there is very little breath-ability, and a relative degree of water resistance (as long as the boots are well made and taken care of) because the leather itself is waterproof.
If you add gore tex, you would be making them water proof, but at the expense of making them much too hot to wear except in cold conditions. Wit the full leather upper inhibiting the breathability of the gore tex, the gore tex acts as a layer of insulation, and you get wet feet, not from water, but from sweat.
A non gore tex waterproof boot is waterproof because the leather is crafted in a pattern that leaves no inlets for water, and the joints and leather are sealed (full bootie design)
The only boot that i can find that meets all my criteria is made in China, and i am debating on settling for them.
Does anybody have any experience with Justin's non water proof boots in water? though they are not crafted specifically to be water tight, how do they perform in wet conditions?
