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Snow boot advice?

E

Veteran

Hi all! Sorry I've been scarce: I've been on a trip to upstate NY to see my friends & apartment hunt since Sunday. I found a great little studio and will be moving in about a fortnight: I've been wanting to do so for about a year and a half now, so this is exciting. Where I'm moving gets an average of 100" of snow a year, and I'll be getting around via walking and public transport (and go for daily walks for pleasure/dog walking), so snow boots are at the front of my mind right now. I definitely want to buy early in the season when I have the best selection! I thought I'd ask the forum since so many of you live in northern climates (I'm moving from south Texas for those who don't know).

LL Bean is offering their bean boot in a solid navy this year (manufactured in the US), so I'll probably be getting that, but I'm not sure if I'll need taller/more hard core and poofy snow boots as well? (The navy bean boots are thinsulate lined rather than shearling, although I could buy shearling liners to go with them.) I've budgeted enough to get both, and since they'll be my main form of transport, I'm willing to pay for good quality, ethically made ones that will take care of my feet. I don't need them to look dressy, as I live a casual lifestyle, but I'd prefer to get them in grey if possible. Any brands you've had particularly good or bad experiences with? Thoughts on shorter vs taller? Features I should look for? Any advice you would share will be appreciated.

I turned up a couple on Zappos: Patagonia Wintertide and Sorel Joan of Arctic II.

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23 replies

Latest reply was from E

Quietgirl

Veteran

Several years ago my mom bought me some Lands End suede type boots (shearling inside). During our last year's horrible winter, I wore them nearly every day.

They may not be terribly fashionable but I was warm and dry. I even shovelled tons of snow in them!

gryffin

Veteran

E- congrats on the move!! You are smart to shop snow boots early. It's a really good idea to have two pairs so one can be on while the other is drying out. Also it gets boring during a long winter because you'll live in them. I have raynaud's so I must keep my feet warm. Uggs, not their traditional, but their llbean like line are my favorite boots. The first is the Uggs adirondak regular (read workhorse) and the second is the tall version that I got at the end of last year because I was sick of living in two pairs of boots for months. I have the black/gray version but they come in other colors. http://vip.zappos.com/ugg-adir.....black-grey The tall version was hard to find. I got a great deal on amazon at the end of last winter. Uggs runs TTS are divinely comfortable and warm.
http://www.uggaustralia.com/wo.....&cgid If you can find the last, the Uggs belcloud, which seems to be discontinued they are my favorite of all time, plus they will do very nicely with dressier items. Good luck on the boot hunt and with your move!!

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Diana

Veteran

Congrats on the move! I like Sorels, although I am a big fan of the Bean boots too. I didn't know they came in solid navy. I might have to go take a look for myself!

Anyway, I would definitely recommend a tall rather than a short pair of snow boots. Snowdrifts can get really deep really quickly, and even in an urban area with good plowing sometimes you'll have to stomp through them to cross the street, etc, and there's nothing worse than getting snow inside the top of your boot. The other thing I would recommend you look for is something with good traction as I think ice (for example, when snow melts and then refreezes) is a lot more treacherous than snow! It boggles my mind how so many snow boots have slippery soles.

So, I personally dislike hairy fur so I always look for shearling lined. My Sorels unfortunately are discontinued but they are similar to these but with a shearling lining. I think mine are more insulated though...
http://www.zappos.com/sorel-co.....own-pebble

Oh, and snow boots should be a little roomy. For one thing, so you have room for thick socks, but also because having a little air in there actually helps with insulation.

Style Fan

Veteran

Congratulations on your move and planning ahead. I have always lived in a snowy place. Last winter we had 15 feet of snow! My dog loved it. The highways were closed several times.

I wear Sorels. Knee high Sorels. They are warm and have good grip. They don't look fancy but they do the job. Fashion goes out the window in winter.

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JAileen

Veteran

When we moved to Tahoe 25 years ago, everyone had Sorels. I'm not sure other brands were even sold there. I think it said something about the quality of the boots. I still wear mine all these years later.

If you think you will be wearing them a lot, you might want a second pair of liners. That way, if the liners get wet you can change them out.

Here are my husband's and my boots. We also had tiny ones for our toddler, and they looked just like his dad's except they were about three inches long, and three inches tall. So cute!

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Thistle

Veteran

I love my Sorels! Mine are calf high, warm, waterproof and amazing.

And yes, I recommend higher boots. Snow drifts get pretty high pretty quickly, even in well plowed areas. It's haut that everyone gets dumped on at the same time, and they prioritize main roads, well all road, really, before sidewalks. At least in my part of the world. Wet feet are the worst in the winter!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Squee!!! So excited for you!!!

Now, snow boots. I agree with the advice to get a taller pair -- mid-calf or above. I have a pair of shortie snow hiking boots and they only get worn as gear when I'm actually out hiking in the snow.

I tried Sorels but the last doesn't feel right for my feet. Una (Alaskagirl) recommended Kamik boots last year and I found some very inexpensively and snapped them up and they have been brilliant! Mine are grey but a different grey than they are showing this year -- more like charcoal. Anyway -- they're lightweight, warm, easy on/ easy off and look a lot better than in the photos. Plus, the price was right.

Anonymous

I'll leave the advice to people whose winters are really hardcore rather than just cold enough to be unpleasant, but just wanted to say congrats on the upcoming move!

Anonymous

Another vote for Sorel's . Lots of style options now, shorter and taller, funkier and old-school. I find that with real snow boots, you get what you pay for, and we've and a few pair of Sorel boots in our house and they last forever. Some of the styles have a great removable felt liner inner boot (you can pull it out and dry it when necessary or stick them in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet to freshen them up. Add in a pair of traditional grey marled wool socks with white and red stripes up top, and you have one of the most current winter rural looks going!

Missey

Veteran

Sorels. They have some taller ones like Cate the Great and Amelia Earharts that would be right up your alley style wise. They also happen to be warm and durable!

Sarah A

Veteran

Fwiw Some Kamiks are manufactured in Canada (why I choose them over other brands for my rain boots). I have always been pleased with Patagonia shoes although of those you show I prefer the Joan Sorel. I have the cate the greats and the way the leather comes down over the rubber section gets jammed with snow and ice. Cute but not a great idea in practice. My sister has and likes very much her pairs of Keen snow boots. Congrats on your move!

E

Veteran

QuietGirl, those sound super cosy! I'll check out Land's End. Thanks.

Thanks Gryffin! That's a great point re: having an alternate. And those Uggs have some heavy duty looking soles, so I bet they'd be perfect for walking. I have raynaud's as well.

Thank you Diana! The solid navy is new: it might be a bit lighter than navy (the name is Raven Blue): I'll report when they arrive. That's a good point about snowdrifts! And I didn't know that about extra space meaning insulation.

Style Fan, I agree that function trumps fashion, especially for footwear! 15 feet of snow sounds like fun.

JAileen, oh the toddler ones sound adorable! What a great idea re: the liners. Thanks!

Thank you Thistle! I agree that wet feet are terrible.

Thanks Suz! I'm so excited too!!! I remember you guys talking about Kamik: on Zappos right now they're just showing rain boots, but hopefully the snow boots will come out soon. Good to know they look better than in the pictures.

Thank you Aubergine! It'll be a crazy 2 weeks coming up, but I can't wait to be settled in.

Lisa, it's great to know that Sorels last so long! And I knit wool socks, so I'll get some thick grey yarn to add the style factor.

Missey, I love the names of Sorels too. Thanks for suggesting some other styles to show!

Thanks for the advice Sarah: that's good to know about Kate the Greats! I agree that I prefer the Sorel styling to the Patagonia one, and I think they're both manufactured in China. I didn't realise Keen made snow boots too: I'll look into those.

Laurinda

Veteran

Congratulations on your move!

For deeper snow you'll might want to consider a pair of snow gaiters.

These fabric covers hook under the boots (and sometimes clip to the front laces) to keep snow from coming in over the top and also provide some extra water/slush proofing.

REI: How to choose gaiters

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Staysfit

Veteran

I seem to have a lot to say about boots and keeping your feet warm in the winter., I have Raynauds and I have always lived in a snowy norther climate where the Golden Snowball Award is a given expectation. I have constantly struggled to find something that works.

I own and have owned Kamiks, Sorrells, Uggs, etc. My current favorite is a pair of waterproof The North Face boots (1), with a fiber fill of some sort. They are by far the warmest boots, plus they are the lightest weight boots I have ever worn! Excellent! I also find my Blondo boots (2) with a felt lining very warm, and wear them many days when there is more drifting snow. Both boots have good traction. I have replaced the Blondo's once, but I kept the old boots for snow shoveling and hiking, etc.

Smartwool socks! No one has mentioned them, but they come in various thicknesses and they wash well and last a long time if you hang them dry.
I haven't found that Shearling adds much warmth for my feet. I rarely wear my Uggs, or any boots with Shearling. I have some Aquatalia boots, but when it is very cold and snowy, I reach for The North Face or the Blondo.

As a runner who has logged many winter long run miles, foot warmers are also a great addition when temperatures dip below zero, and or wind chill is problematic. Well worth the price, and you don't have to use them very often.

If you stay in a snowy climate long enough you may build up a wardrobe of cold weather boots and shoes. It is probably best to start with a tall pair if you can only pick one this winter. Then add additional heights. One item I have found useful are a pair of gortex lined sneakers (3). They have excellent traction. I can wear them in the winter or on rainy days other times of the year walking my dog (no soggy feet), and they work great with snow shoes. (I do not wear them for running because they don't have the same padding as my favorite Aasics Nimbus).

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Diana

Veteran

Oh! I just saw that stays fit mentioned BLondo boots. I have a black pair very similar to hers, and I can wear them all winter (in the city though.). They have good traction, and a warm lining, and are waterproof. Mthe riding boot styling is really versatile. I still wear my sorels in heavy snow, of course, but for walking around when there's snow on the ground, I love the blondos. I'm hoping they come out with a fun color this year.

I also remembered that ll bean makes shearling insoles. If I get bean boots, I'll probably add these as well.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....ng-insoles

Blondo Women's Vitalia Boot

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Missey

Veteran

My other boot pick is Steger mukluks...super lightweight, warm, and flexible. Perfect for cold and snowy! I love them for snowshoeing and cold weather activities, however, they are not for wet and slushy.

http://www.mukluks.com/

Glory

Veteran

I have the kamiks that Una suggested in the dark grey - same as Suz. They have been fantastic and I was beyond pleased with them.

Staysfit

Veteran

E, I don't know where you are going in Upstate, NY, but that is where I live. We average 114-116 inches of snow per season in my city. Depending where in Central New York you live you may get more or less, or you may get lake effect storms where a lot falls all at once and then none for a few days. Even though it sounds like a lot of snow, they really know how to handle it, so streets and sidewalks are well plowed. Dog walking has never been a problem even with the Blondo's. I take my dog to the state park all the time. I walk him around the neighborhood. If it gets very slick, you can purchase some inexpensive non slip ice grips to pull over your boots or shoes. They work well, and have been lifesavers. (My dog loves snow and pulls on the leash, not good in icy weather!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another brand that Glory recommended to me is Pajar. Many are pricey. But they look good.

I'm also a fan of La Canadienne, but I don't have any of their snowboots, per se. Just cold weather boots that work in city winter conditions.

Tierra

Love Bean boots but even in the midwest I need more at times. I have these and LOVE them.
Tundra Diana

ETA: Sounds like an awesome move --- and CONGRATS!

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E

Veteran

Laurinda, I never thought of snow gaiters! If I go off-trail hiking, I'll definitely look into those. I know my sidewalks will be plowed, but I'm not sure about the parks yet.

Staysfit, I'm probably going to be pretty close to you! And there will definitely be some lake effect snow where I'm moving. My friends who live here have said the same thing re: streets & sidewalks being well plowed; I'm just not sure about my park walks, since I like to go on the little back trails. It'll be interesting to see what my dog makes of snow, since she's never seen it!

Thanks so much for all of the detailed advice: I'm already a smartwool socks fan & love to knit my own wool socks too. Interesting that shearling doesn't help you much! The felt lining in the Blondos sounds delicious (I love wool). I'm sure I'll start to build up a boots collection over time: I currently have 3 pairs of tall boots (2 water proof) and 3 pairs of ankle boots (1 water proof) and that's living in south Texas. So I will definitely enjoy acquiring new ones as my budget allows.

Diana, I'm going to get a pair of those shearling insoles too! I also have a pair of knee high boots from them that the insole will be useful for as well. I'll be in a city, so the Blondos might work for me too. I'm just not sure about parks.

Thanks for another brand to look at Missey!

Glory, Kamiks seem difficult to track down right now for some reason. Hopefully soon they'll be more available, because they sound like they have lots of potential.

Thanks again Suz! I've definitely been eyeing La Canadienne, but here in the US they only seem available in black. Maybe by the time I save up for them, they'll have more colour options!

Thank you Tierra! I'm definitely thrilled about the move & change in climates. Those are some good looking boots!

viva

Veteran

I have Pajar snow boots that I love. They are 3 or 4 years old now and still going strong -- they are really cute and super warm and waterproof, and I live in them for casual wear.

I'm glad Diana mentioned those Blondos. I remember reading a lot about those on the forum last winter. I may need to think about something like that this year if we get a lot of snow again.

E

Veteran

Thank you Viva for the suggestions!

I've ended up ordering two taller (11/12") grey pairs to try out in person: the Sorel Jane of Arctic (it looks like Sorel discontinued this & the Cate the Great line) and the Teva Vero. Even if neither of those work, hopefully it'll give me an idea of what I prefer in a boot! It seems like a lot of the brands recommended don't have their snow boots out yet, so in another month or two hopefully there will be a great selection.