From past experience the goretex linings of boots do often eventually fail, in fact I would go so far to say that they usually do fail if the several pair of walking boots and shoes that I have owned, all from decent brands, are any thing to go by. Part of this is, as mentioned by other, due to goretex being difficult to incorporate within a shoe without joints and folds which over time can fail.
However, I also think that especially with fabric shoes that over time fine mud and silt clogs up the goretex which you can’t get rid of and this allows water to bridge across the membrane. You don’t get the same issue with goretex jackets, unless you roll around in the mud.
However, I also think that especially with fabric shoes that over time fine mud and silt clogs up the goretex which you can’t get rid of and this allows water to bridge across the membrane. You don’t get the same issue with goretex jackets, unless you roll around in the mud.