Buying *waterproof* hiking boots in kampala

Hi,

I am going on a week long hiking trek. I have a great pair of trail rated shoes. Unfortunately, hey aren't waterproof however. I need to buy just a simple pair of hiking boots that are waterproof for the day or days that it will be raining. I looked at Bata shoes stores, but I couldn't find any. There was a sporting goods store in Graden City as well, but no boots there.

Does anyone know of any where near or in Kampala where I can find this?

Thanks,
KT

Another perspective for your consideration: I've long since given up on waterproof boots for anything short of ice climbing or skiing. In all other circumstances, my feet sweat enough so that socks and inners are watersoaked by the end of a day, rendering waterproofing irrelevant. Even when climbing on snow during warm weather—I ski tour in the mountains during summer—I often wear running shoes on the way up. What does it matter if my feet get wet, as long as I'm warm and in no danger of frostbite? Even if they get cold, they warm up readily in any sort of reasonable weather.

During rare situations in which I really need to protect my feet from water penetration from the outside (extensive wading of cold, snowmelt streams, for example), I merely put cheap plastic bags over my socks. Trekking in Africa or Asia, I prefer lightweight trail shoes or trekking sandals.

An exception would be if you are planning to trek at high altitude, where frostbite really is a possibility. If so, please ignore all of the above.

Furthermore: as you know, YMMV.

Mark

I agree as I climbed half dome in Yosemite in my trail shoes. My feet were as happy.
For this trip I will be climbing mount Kili, however. I plan on using the waterproof/extra warmthboots only during the top/coldest part of the mountain. If I can't find in Kampala i think I will just have a friend ship them.
Thanks for your advice, though.

That's a nice dayhike past Vernal and Nevada Falls up the backside of Half Dome....but yes, at altitude you do need more than walking shoes. I didn't gather this was what you were asking about.

FWIW, I once tried to buy light trekking boots in Harrare (long before the current troubles) without success. Probably, there are places where all the trekking gear left behind by tourists after their Kilimanjaro trips are rented or re-sold, but I don't know where these might be (probably not in Kampala) or whether they can be relied on.

Since it sounds like you've got the option, having boots shipped might be your best bet. Remember, though, that packages often get mysteriously lost in customs, requiring personal attention, patience and often bribes....or they just never arrive. Have your friend use a courier like the oft-disrespected DHL, and have a backup plan.

Remember also that you'll probably have break-in issues with new boots.

Hope that helps.

Mark