I have a pair of TCX Explorer 4 Goretex boots made of microfibre construction and after 8 tours all over South East Asia, the boot is NO more waterproof.
After every tour I have cleaned the boots with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel followed by Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof DWR.
So, I reckon it is time for a new pair of boots.

I ordered the Forma Terra Evo low boots and it has full grain leather with Forma's own waterproof membrane.
I chose leather over microfibre construction as I think leather is more durable.

I've been reading on the best regime to take care of the full grain leather boots with waterproof membrane.

Please share with me your experiences on maintaining our leather boots with waterproof membrane.

New boots - upon receiving
#1 Nikwax Conditioner for Leather
#2 Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof or Revivex Leather Water Repellent

When boots are dirty and needs to be cleaned
#1 Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Revivex Boot + Shoe Cleaner
#2 Nikwax Conditioner for Leather
#3 Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof or Revivex Leather Water Repellent


I found this as a reference.
https://www.formaboots.com.au/pages/about-us
https://www.redsmartie.com/2019/01/f...d-maintenance/

What you described is a very nice regime for taking care of the outside layer of the boots - and it should make that layer stay good-looking and mostly rainproof for a long time.

What it does NOT do is anything for the inner Goretex membrane, which is inside the boot, between the liner and the outside, and no product that you put on the outside will make a difference.

From my experience and understanding, the Goretex layer rarely deteriorates as a material - most of the time these membranes (of any brand) lose efficiency because the seams come apart, and water seeps in between them. That and the sole wearing out to the point of holes... The only solution at that point is pretty much to have a cobbler take the boot entirely apart and rebuild it. Which is supposedly the Goretex factory support thing - but in practice, you'll just get new boots.

Obviously, keeping the outer layer reasonably waterproof will reduce the chance of water reaching the membrane, but none of those outside wax treatments will affect the ability to stand in a flowing river with water not quite reaching the gaiter level, and walk out with dry socks.

This is a photo of my Dainese Fulcrum GTX boots from 2018, and they're already a few years old here. Six years later, the gaiters are still waterproof, even though the outer leather is beat to crap. You either get lucky with your GTX layer or you don't.

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Informative reply.

I would agree with you. My TCX EXplorer 4 Goretex is leaking from the sole. After I returned from my recent tour of Thailand, I cleaned the boots as usual and let it dry.

I then filled bucket with water up to 50mm/2 inches. I removed the insole and stuffed tissue paper in the boot. I then put the boot in the pail for 30 seconds.
Left boot pass.
Then repeat the same for the right boot. FAIL. The sole was wet in just 30 seconds.

I knew there and then I needed a new pair of boots. Only 2 years service but been through a lot with 8 tours and each tour lasting 4 weeks minimum.

Agree with AnTyx. You can look after the leather all you like but if the Goretex liner develops leaks that's game over man. It's a thin membrane that's stitched together then the seams are sealed with tape. Flex and stretch it enough and the seams will pull or the tape will loosen.

Waterproof socks are easier to change, boots with drain holes dry out much faster. There's more than one way to skin a cat!

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Waterproof socks seems like a good idea if the WP membrane fails.

Any particular brand of WP socks come to mind?