They said it couldn't be done (removing liner from boots)
Oct 13, 2020 17:16:40 GMT -8
trinity and toejam like this
Post by FarOutFarley on Oct 13, 2020 17:16:40 GMT -8
Following unanimous agreement here that I should not attempt to remove a waterproof membrane from hiking boots, I put up with hot sweaty boots for another year. Finally yesterday I cut the Gore-Tex liner out of a pair of Timberland Chocoruas. They were too small for me so I figured I didn't have much to lose.
I discovered that the liner was not glued, or at least not firmly glued, to the leather outer boot, but merely sewn to the collar and a couple of other places. I easily pulled it out and then cut along the seam. I pulled out the foam on the tongue as well as I think that contributes to overheating.
The results are a bit funky, so this may not suit everyone. On the positive side, the boots are way cooler. Plus they’re now roomier so I can use a thicker insole. In fact, the boots now fit me! On the negative side, the liner protects your foot from certain seams and the ankle padding. (Maybe that’s just me, because I wear extremely thin socks.) You can get around that by leaving the liner in place in those areas, especially around the ankle padding. (Wish I had realized that before.) Also, the feel of your socks against naked leather is a bit odd at first.
I tested my new boots yesterday just walking in a field and was happy with the results. Maybe in other boots the liner is fully glued in, I don’t know. This was a fun experiment. Glad I did it.
I discovered that the liner was not glued, or at least not firmly glued, to the leather outer boot, but merely sewn to the collar and a couple of other places. I easily pulled it out and then cut along the seam. I pulled out the foam on the tongue as well as I think that contributes to overheating.
The results are a bit funky, so this may not suit everyone. On the positive side, the boots are way cooler. Plus they’re now roomier so I can use a thicker insole. In fact, the boots now fit me! On the negative side, the liner protects your foot from certain seams and the ankle padding. (Maybe that’s just me, because I wear extremely thin socks.) You can get around that by leaving the liner in place in those areas, especially around the ankle padding. (Wish I had realized that before.) Also, the feel of your socks against naked leather is a bit odd at first.
I tested my new boots yesterday just walking in a field and was happy with the results. Maybe in other boots the liner is fully glued in, I don’t know. This was a fun experiment. Glad I did it.
