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Snow boots again: Warmest for Raynaud's?

K.M.

Veteran

Sorry for bringing this topic up again (since there were recent posts on it)... but I have a very specific question that is not clear from previous posts:

What are the ABSOLUTE warmest snow boots?

I always knew I had a mild form of Raynaud's, but now it's not so mild anymore and my Columbia OmniHeat Boots are not cutting it anymore (I had numb, white toes that felt like they had been anesthetized...).

I read reviews that say the Sorel Joan of Arctic are the warmest out there, so they are number 1 on my list. Any others I should consider?

(PS. all things equal I'd prefer something pretty like the Sorels as opposed to a clunkier model)

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from K.M.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh....we are in a serious cold snap...I am sorry to hear about the Reynaud's. I have it, too...

The Sorels don't fit me well (alas) so I cannot vouch for their warmth. There are a lot of snowboots that don't fit me properly, it seems. I must have tried on 20 different kinds before I got a fit. Santanas, Sorels, Baffins, Eddie Bauers, Timberlands, Columbias, and on and on. The Uggs that provided the best fit, and that I eventually purchased, sadly tend to aggravate my plantar fasciitis. I have put an insert into them this year and I am crossing fingers -- so far, so good.

Anyway, these Adirondacks are amazingly warm. Pricey (though I got mine on sale) but extremely well made and toasty. Truly. I do not feel the cold at all in them. The treads are excellent for snow, but not good for ice. For ice, I wear my Merrells. They are also extremely warm, but as a shorter boot they don't keep the legs warm in the same way and are not good for deeper snow.

The warmest boots I think I've ever owned were Kamiks, on recommendation from Alaskagirl. They were also wonderfully lightweight with a decent if not brilliant tread. But alas, I am between sizes in this boot -- after wearing for a year I noticed my poor toenails were getting traumatized but I swam in the size up even with an insole. So I have had to reject the brand for now.

UGG Australia Women's Adirondack Tall Leather Boot

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Merrell Women's Aurora 6 Ice Plus Waterproof Snow Boot

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Kamik Women's New York2 Boot

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have the same issue and bought some Merrells that are similar to these but not the exact model. They have been lifesavers for my cold toes (along with a thin and thicker pair or wool socks layered).

Merrell Women's Thermo Vortex 6" Waterproof Snow Boot

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K.M.

Veteran

Thanks, Suz and texstyle! The boots you suggest were not on my radar and it's great to know about them. With my finicky feet it's very possible that the Sorels won't fit me well. Glad to have options to try until I find the right fit!

Suz, I'm in Montreal visiting family right now. I was less than 10 minutes out but my boots were cold and slightly damp from having been left in a vestibule, so when I put them on they already feel too cold and never warmed up. But I never expected that a short walk would make my toes numb. I was in a warm car for 30 minutes after and it didn't help. Only when I got home and put my feet in warm water did the circulation and feeling come back (in all shades of red, purple, blue... :O)

When reading reviews I also realized that my Columbia boots were never considered heavy duty in the first place--they are reviewed as good for mild conditions... I should have done my homework three years ago when I bought them! (Plus, they are a little too wide, which actually aggravates my bunion because my toes have no support...)

Looking forward to trying these on and having toasty toes... in the meantime I'll get some toe warming pads...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I also have the Reynaud's so i sympathize. I had my feet affected a lot but currently I have it more in my hands than in my feet.
I do not have brand recommendations except UGGs but for me it is important to keep the toe box as wide as possible so my toes are not squished together: I feel cold in them much more when the toebox is tapered. Alas, it is not easy to find nice looking boots with a wide toebox so I am still looking for myself.

SandyG

Veteran

I don't have brand recommendations either, due to running through 5-6 pair of snow boots last winter with our record snow levels. I'm alternating between 3 pair currently depending on the day's conditions. But I'm not at the cabin right now to check what they are.

What I can WARMLY recommend is a pair of merino wool sock liners paired with merino socks (various thicknesses) and adding a fleecy sheepswool insole to retain what little heat you are generating in your feet. My feet run cold due to thyroid issues, not Reynaud's, but this helps a lot.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree wholeheartedly with Sandy's recommendation for wool or fleecy liners. I always wear Smartwool or Icebreaker or similar socks and it helps. The Uggs have a shearling lining.

gryffin

Veteran

K.M. - I also have Raynauds, my sympathy to your hands and feet. I absolutely recommend the Uggs above. I have the adirondak, the adirondak tall. The uggs gloves are excellent too. Do not forget hand and foot warmers. https://www.amazon.com/Grabber.....TF8&a If you are going to out for a long time they will absolutely save you!! I do find the Ariat H2O extreme https://www.amazon.com/Ariat-W.....l& are warm but not for deep snow but slush, cold and walking excellent. Also Keen https://www.amazon.com/KEEN-Wo.....38;ie=UTF8 also good and warm. I can get my orthotics and warmers into all of above if needed. But for true snow boots, the uggs adirondaks are great!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Seconding Suz on Kamiks

https://www.kamik.com/b2c_us_e.....-2017.html

I had a pair when I lived in a colder climate. And they were often too warm. I only reserved them for sub zero temps (fahrenheit)

Anonymous

https://www.brownsshoes.com/on.....chWomenBra

My daughter wears a pair of these boots which came highly recommended by the sales person at Brown's (the brand is exclusive to the store) Her particular style isn't here (bought last winter) but is a basic mid-height hiker-style. Very cute, warm and waterproof. I keep eyeing them thinking I could stand to buy a pair myself.....
She wears them trudging around a university campus in bitter winter weather and loves them.

karen13

Veteran

I have terrible circulation - hands and feet are always cold (I probably have a touch of Reynauds as well - it isn't fun!). My feet go numb in running shoes in 60 degree weather. I am also an avid skier, and hard plastic boots that need to fit tight don't help the circulation issues. Many years ago I purchased battery powered insoles for my ski boots ( my brand is Hotronic, Thermic is also another well reviewed brand.

DH refers to them as "the marriage saver." Here is a link to a bunch of different types of foot heaters. https://www.outsideonline.com/.....iners-2017

Try buying those chemical heater packs with adhesive and put them on top of your sock on top of you toes before you put your boots. If that helps, think about a rechargeable battery solution.

Good luck! Let me know if you want more details about these.

K.M.

Veteran

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations--many brands that I wouldn't have considered and others I didn't even know about! lisa p, those Browns all look so stylish.

For those of you who recommend Kamiks, is it just one model (the one Suz linked) or are most/all of them equally warm? From a quick look at their models it seems the one below (Snowvalley) would be the warmest?

And thanks for all the suggestions of warming accessories. It's a whole new world... I will give Smartwool socks a try (never had a pair). karen13, I didn't even know battery-powered heated insoles existed!!!

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K.M.

Veteran

PS Suz I'm seriously eyeing the Ugg Adirondacks (price is lower than the Sorels I was planning on buying at first)... Do they run true to size?

The ice issue is tricky. I live in Minnesota and there're always icy patches most of the winter. I'd love a boot that did both...

Joy

Veteran

I have an old pair of La Canadiennes that are lines in Gortex and always keep my feet warm and dry. Pricey but worth it. This is the 10th year for mine and they have many many miles on them as I have often taken them on trips. I will also second the Merrells as wArm and grippy and very comfortable. I sized up a half size for thick Smartwool socks. ( I prefer the i padded ones).

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JAileen

Veteran

Back years ago when we lived where Karen13 lives, up in the mountains, they only sold Sorels. So that's what we had. My feet are always cold, but never in those felt liners. I worked with people who had one pair of boots but a couple pairs of liners to be able change out to dry ones, when needed.

madeline

Veteran

I have these Baffin boots and they are very very warm:

https://winterboots.com/baffin.....gIEC_D_BwE

On sale too!

Anonymous

I like the Sorel Joan of arctics for style.
They have four colours that are all really nice.

If I’m weighing both, I’d say the Sorel Joan of Arcs have an edge over the kamiks. (I provide my opinion because we often have the same things in our finds KM!)

To me, you can’t get much warmer unless you go for an arctic expedition type of boot.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

K.M., I hope Gryffin chimes in, because she has Reynauds too. But the Canadians will steer you in a really good direction, of course!

Gaylene

Veteran

Crazy as it might seem, plastic bags, or their more elegant cousin VBL (vapor barrier liner) socks worn next to the skin can help keep your toes warm. The key is to keep moisture away from your socks. Feet sweat when they are encased in heavy socks and lined boots, socks get damp, and damp feet are cold feet.

A couple of other tips:
NEVER wear cotton socks in your winter boots—wool and/or polypropylene only, please. Wool provides insulation even when damp while poly wicks moisture away from your feet.

Try layering your socks: Wear a light, stretchy poly sock next to your skin (even a nylon knee high can work) and then pull a your wool sock over it. Just make sure the socks aren’t tight so your toes have lots of wiggle room.

Buy your boots large enough to insert a wool (or fleece) insert for extra insulation on the bottom sole.

Buy boots with enough toe room so your toes have lots of wiggle room so there is a “cushion” of warm air between the ends of your toes and the tips of your boots.

Warm your boots with a hairdryer before putting on your boots.

Keep your core, hands, and head warm. Wear a scarf. You don’t want your body to pull away heat from your extremities to keep the rest of you warm.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

All great advice from everyone.

Especially re socks and insoles!

The Uggs were true to size for me. I got a size 7 which is what I usually get for boots where I want heavy socks. There is plenty of room for my plantar fasciitis insole in addition.

I wish they were a bit better on ice also. I get serious ice here, though -- not just occasional patches but major swathes. It's often a freeze-thaw-slush-snow-ice in one day kind of place, so it can be dangerous. And I walk a lot. So I got the Merrells for insurance in the icy years. For normal snow with bits of ice they are fine as long as you take reasonble care.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Re the Kamiks -- they are rated for different temperatures I believe, so you need to look at each one. But the ones I had were actually too hot for me a lot of of the time. Amazing warmth.

Glory

Veteran

So sorry to hear about your Raynauds. I have test driven so many winter boots over the years.
.Living in Ottawa - brrrrr. The warmest ones to date have been the Kamiks (recommended by Alaska Girl, the same ones Suz posted about). These are still my first pick when it is cold here (like today at a mind numbing -27). I also had some issues with fit and had to go up two sizes. I wear heavy socks with them. So far, my feet have never been cold in them - but they have been too warm :).
In the past I have also owned Pajar boots, 2 x Sorel and a pair from Mountain Equipment coop that were touted as being warm until -40. They were not - and they were so huge I could not safely drive a vehicle. LOL.

Anonymous

Lol, glory! I agree that the Sorels are huge (sooooo WIDE) and are hard to drive in!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, that is my problem with the Sorels, too -- crazy wide! The Joans are a little less so but still weird feeling...I actually find snow boots one of the toughest items to fit which is why I am persisting with my Uggs even though they are not great at all for my plantar fasciitis! The insert is (thankfully) helping but I still have little flare ups when I wear them.

Anonymous

This is exactly why I don't get on board with hard-core snow boots for everyday wear. So clumpy, wide, heavy, and on and on.

Jazzy Dance

+1 on the little disposable foot warmers. I have Raynauds and I get chilblains if I let my feet get cold. I have some pretty warm La Canadienne boots but buy toe warmers by the case on Amazon and use daily during our relatively short winter.

K.M.

Veteran

I'm getting excited to follow up on all of these suggestions! Sorry I took a while to respond, was flying back from Montreal to MN today. Wintry sights all around...

Got a chance to see a few passengers wearing Joan of Arctic boots up close and I agree with what you all said--they do look wide and bulky. If I'm going to look bulky anyway, I might as well go for something that fits well and is very warm...

Gaylene, I will invest in better sock options. Most of my socks are cotton (wool makes me itch, but if l layer it should be fine). The day my toes froze I was wearing cotton socks which had gotten slightly damp from a snowy vestibule. I LOOVE the suggestion of prewarming the boots before wearing!!! Next time I have to take my boots off I might leave the toe warmers inside (if on the go...)

JazzyDance, I was about to order one of their boxes on Amazon--do you find the price there good? Which brand/box size you usually order?

Suz, thanks for the input on the Uggs. The reviews are all over the place re: sizing. They look very appealing. I will also check out the Merrells. Last year I slipped on ice twice (the first time it was dark and I didn't see, so it was a huge fall that left me in pain for weeks; the second time I was actually walking slowly and carefully and still fell).

madeline, those white Baffins are so pretty! (Also, great website--I didn't know it). I don't see my size there but maybe on another site. I like their look.

lisa p., yes, I remember you mentioned not wearing winter boots in another post... I got away with only a very slight, slim, not very warm pair of snow boots for four years in grad school in Upstate/Western New York, by Lake Ontario. But I was young, and I guess my toes didn't freeze up back then...

Good to have choices Thanks again everyone!

K.M.

Veteran

Follow up... I narrowed it down to two models to try first (keeping the other suggestions as choices if those don't work out): the Ugg Adirondacks (Find 1) and the Kamik NewYork2s (Find 2). I have a feeling that if the two of them fit I will be tempted to keep them both!

Also got sidetrack by something pretty that Amazon dangled on the page (Find 3). Anyone knows this brand (Bos and Co)? I am not seriously considering them for my warmth needs as I can't possibly imagine they would be in the same rank as the others, but... aren't they pretty?...

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Joyce B

Veteran

There are so many great suggestions in your post, I will save it for future reference.
I also find that wool socks are the best for very cold weather.
I would suggest checking out LLBean’s boots, some have a shearling lining and should very cozy. If you have a store within driveable distance, you can return there so that you avoid the return shipping charge. They also sell shearling insoles, maybe those can make your existing boots work for you?
These days I have been wearing my Uggs boots, my feet feel warm but like Suz said, my plantar fasciitis also got aggravated. I will try some insoles to see if that works and I will also get some LLBean shearling insoles.
Just to add to the driving conversation,
I always switch my right shoe or boot for my driving shoe. It keeps the car pedals clean, dry and safe so that they don’t get slippery with all the slush.

Bethster

KM those Bos and Co boots are LOVELY!!
I can vouch for the comfort and warmth of shearling-lined Bean boots that JoyceB suggests... they run really big in my experience but are sooo snuggly and not too heavy weight-wise.

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