Is there such a thing, even with treatment?

Yes.

Brian

Totally, and indefinitely? NO!

Just my opinion.

Limmers with a good grease job are pretty close.

From my experiences, enough wet snow or grass/mud will eventually work it's way through all but a pair of rubber boots. Even then your feet will get wet from sweat.

I hiked this past weekend wearing my Limmers. I grease them every two weeks & wanted to give it a shot in the snow to see what would happen. My feet were completely soaked after three miles. They might be water repellant but definitely not waterproof. I've seen other leather boots advertised as waterproof but I don't believe it.

I've had pretty good luck with LL Bean Cresta Hikers - probably what Brian is referring to since he has the same boot. But as IQuest said, it's not 100%....if you're out long enough they will eventually let a little bit of moisture in.

Crestas are pretty good (but they are heavy.) It's always hard to tell if it is sweat trapped in or water leaking in. On hot dry days, it pretty much has to be sweat... and since I sweat even when it's cold out, I can never rule that out. The Cresta GTX (not full leather) is more waterproof than the SCARPA Men's Kailash GTX, my alternative lighter boot.

Tim

I use Nikwax on My Asolo TPS 20 GV's and I have never once had an issue with water. I walk right through mud, snow and water and they shed it right off. As far as sweating goes that would be different for everyone as mentioned. I wear a smart wool sock liner and wool socks and once again have never had an issue with we feet.

Yup, my LL Bean Cestas. Nikwax them a couple times a year and they will survive pretty much all but the ugliest of wet days (and usually the water on those days is a result of infiltration from the top of the boot, not through the leather.)

Brian

Drifting off Topic just slightly......

Joe, Brian: Remember the Epic Twins/Galehead hike last Winter we were all on.....? Well, it was sunny and pretty darn cold to start, ended in a blizzard, and we spent 10+ hours out on the trail in showshoes. CrazyBob and Joe were doing the majority of the trail breaking in very deep snow.
Guthook came with us, and wore the following on his feet: Liner socks, Vapor Barrier bags, Merino wool socks (I think), Trail Runners, and Forty Below over boots on top of his trail runners.
As he was getting dressed in the truck, I thought for sure he would be dealing with frostbite at some point. But, he was fine. Of course, if we had to stop for a significant amount of time, it would be a different story.....
If I remember right, my feet were fairly saturated from sweat. But I was hallucinating after spending 3 hours snowshoeing by headlight....brutal day.

It's interesting to read about and witness how the Ultralight hikers deal with harsh conditions.

Petch

I've never had a wet feet issue in winter. These work extremely well for me.

http://www.columbia.com/Men%E2%80%99s-B ... lt,pd.html

Joe, I have those same boots. I love 'em. I wanted to give the Limmers a chance because I've heard people say with the grease they are waterproof. I figured I wouldn't have a problem this past weekend with the temps so high so I gave it a try. I think the high temperature might have hurt because the snow was so slushy it stuck to the boots. Maybe if it was colder they would have performed better.

This past Saturday, in a long day up and over Sable and Chandler in 6-12 inches of mash potato snow, my Limmers did awesome. I treated them with Limmer's boot grease the night before and had no issues (even after falling into Slippery Brook up to mid-shin on the descent). A good gaiter I think is key too (I was wearing OR Crocs). My two partner's feet were wet at days end while mine were bone try. I love my Limmers!