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Walkable warm winter boots

JAileen

Veteran

Birding is a very chilly activity in winter. It's like hiking except it mostly involves standing around, looking through binoculars or a scope. For example, yesterday, we were outside for a 1.5-2 hours standing in snow. It was in the low 30s, cloudy with a slight breeze. We were chilled through by the time we got home, even with long underwear, arctic parkas, etc. I've thought that walkable winter boots might be nice. That is, boots that are between regular hiking boots, and my Sorel snow boots, which are warm but cumbersome.

These are three pairs I've ordered: Merrell, Santana, and Salomon. I haven't received the Salomons yet. I've been looking at the "comfort range". For the Salomon, it's -1F. For the Santanas, it's -22F, and the Merrells don't have any comfort range listed at all.

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage.....#038;ev11=

https://www.rei.com/product/10.....#038;ev11=

https://www.rei.com/product/88.....#038;ev11=

Are any of you familiar with these boots or brands, in particular the Santanas? I've worn Salomons for years and know they fit, but I'm completely unfamiliar with the Santanas. Does it seem reasonable that they are so much warmer than the Salomons? Suz, I hope you'll chime in here because I know you have Merrell winter boots.

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29 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I'm only familiar with Merrell, and have never had any quality issues with their footwear. In the past, I owned a pair of their hiking shoes, and minimalist Mary Jane's, so I can't comment specifically on their boots.

rachylou

Veteran

I have really liked Merrells, but can't say about the boots.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I owned a pair of moto-style Merrells. A decorative button fell off during the first week I had them, and they only lasted me through a year of dog walking in rough conditions (but not winter) before the sole wore so much that I was walking at an angle.

LaPed

Veteran

I've had Santana boots before -- but they were older, vintage ones, Made in Canada. They were a lace-up "granny grunge" style ankle boots, and they were extremely comfortable, with a wooly lining. Can't speak to the newer ones, but I know several people in Montreal who wear them.

My husband likes Salomon and Merrell. His current winter hiking boots are the insulated version of the Merrell Moab. I wonder if the Santanas have more insulation -- if using "Thinsulate" or something similar, there seem to be 100 gram, 200 gram, and 400 gram boots -- it's annoying when the manufacturer doesn't specify, though!

UmmLila -- one year sounds about right on the tread for most Merrells if they see regular use. The rubber used in trail soles tends to be soft so that it grips, and it does wear pretty quickly. I get about a year out of trail runners, about two or three years out of boots since the lugs are usually deeper (and maybe because I don't put as many miles on them).

JAileen

Veteran

Thanks, GF, and Rachy. My husband has had Merrells before and liked them, too.

UmmLila, that's interesting about your Merrell experience. These have a very soft sole. It makes me think they might be better on ice.

LP, thanks for sharing your knowledge of Santana. I just checked, and these were made in Italy. They have a wool/polyester lining.

Chris987

Veteran

I've had an older version of these black Merrill snow boots for about three years. I've worn them for walks up to just under an hour but not for standing still. I wear a thick smart wool sock with them. Very warm and quite good arch support. Also have hiking shoes again older then the find shown but similar and also quite comfy but not quite as warm.

Merrell Murren Mid Waterproof

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Merrell Siren Sport 2

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Chris987

Veteran

Ps I'm a big fan of merril for sporty styles....have had hiking boots, waterproof faux fur lined loafers and a couple of kinds of sandals. They "get" my feet. Very sporty and athletic styles, I would not call them pretty or stylish but they are perfect for what they are .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Weighing in!

I just bought the Merells, below, with Vibram sole, mainly for icy conditions on my walks. They are warm enough for me to at least -10C with Smartwool socks -- but do keep in mind that I am mostly in motion in my footwear, so my feet do not get anywhere near as cold as if I were still.

I also have the tall Uggs, which are very warm, but not very good on ice (although they are fine in snow) and, as you report, they are quite cumbersome.

Another pair I own which are a good hiking blend -- Garmont. These ones are really good for very cold conditions (rated -20C, I believe) and they seemed to fit me better than Saloman (which just don't fit me), but -- alas -- they didn't fit as well as I thought because after a season they created a sort of painful bump on my heel; I have given up wearing them as a result, even though they were terrific for just the conditions you describe. It was a fit, not a quality issue, though. So you might try this brand as they were lightweight for hiking. Something to note -- the soles are quite rigid, which is good for some activities but not others.

My old snow boots were Kamik. They were great for warmth (rated -40!) and weight (they weigh almost nothing!) but they were not good on ice and they fit small so I ended up bumping my toe in my smaller size and swimming in the larger size, which is why I did not replace with the same type but tried a new brand.

I have tried Santana. It's a really solid Canadian brand. I had their boots as a kid. The fit on the styles I have recently tried did not work for me, but the quality appeared to be excellent and in general they get good reviews. I think it is value for money.

Merrell Women's Aurora 6 Ice Plus Waterproof Snow Boot

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UGG Australia Women's Adirondack Tall Leather Boot

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Garmont Women's Momentum Snow GTX Winter Hiking Boot

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Kamik Women's New York2 Boot

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Santana Canada 'Mulino' Waterproof Boot (Women)

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Santana Canada Women's Melita

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JAileen

Veteran

Chris, thanks for sharing. The Merrels feel very comfortable to me.

Suz, I'm glad to hear from you. It turns out your boots are different from the ones I bought in a significant way - these don't have a Vibram sole. The sole of these are very soft. I wonder how they would hold up. Maybe my experience would be like UmmLila's? I'm still waiting for the Salomons to be delivered. I've had a lot of them and like their fit. Insulated boots might be different, so we'll see.

Joy

Veteran

I just broke my January shopping fast by buying a pair of Merrell Moab FST ICE + THERMO boots, sort of a sneaker/ boot that is waterproof, insulated and with a super Vibram sole made not to slip on ice. They were on sale at REI and I really needed a good warm and waterproof boot for this next week. I wore these around the house and they felt warm and toasty.
Both my regular size and a half size up fit. I got the half size up for thick wool socks and I think they will be fine. I will report back. I think that these would be great for birding and dog walking.

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JAileen

Veteran

Joy, have you worn them in the cold yet? I wonder how warm they are. There's no comfort rating for them. The sole sounds really good. They have a different sole from the ones I bought.

Joy

Veteran

No. So far they have not had a real cold trial but will be getting one tomorrow. I'll let you know how they do. If the snow is too deep, I may need to wear taller boots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Some companies don't rate their boots for warmth because they say it is too variable (by type of cold, individual, type of activity) and I actually think that makes a lot of sense. I wonder if there is a birding site/ group in your area where people give recommendations?

I would definitely go for something insulated with a substantial sole.

The one complaint I personally have with the new Merrells is that my heel still flips when I walk (i.e. too much width at the back -- typical for me) and they are not tall enough or snug enough at the top to prevent watery drips from falling back into the back of the boot. Ugh. This only happens in specific slushy conditions, however. And live and learn. They will do me for my purpose for this year at minimum. I was very concerned about falling on the ice and these have grippy soles.

April

Veteran

Kamik. They run small, so size up and then you'll have room for a deep, squishy foam insole. This has solved my need to accommodate snow, cold temps, and VERY fussy feet while walking (mainly in the city, but sometimes in the country.)

ClaraT

Veteran

One suggestion if the ones you've bought don't seem great:
I have a Columbia boot, the Ice Maiden. There is now an Ice Maiden II. http://m.zappos.com/p/columbia.....lor/487658
As Angie would say, read the rave reviews (5 stars based on 198 reviews). My pair is worn when we visit Tahoe, and I've worn them many times for walking in the snow (1-3 miles, no huge treks). They are also affordable if that is a consideration.

JAileen

Veteran

Joy, I hope your boots work out for you.

Suz, I think you're right about the temperature ratings. But if they all had it, then the boots might be judged relatively, like EPA mileage. The soles of yours differ from the Merrells I ordered, and mine were a closeout, so maybe they weren't a success? One thing I noticed is that the Salomons I ordered were warmer than another pair of Salomons (-1F versus 14F). I think I've worn my regular Salomon hiking shoes in 14F weather. So I don't know what criteria they're using for "insulated".
Falling is scary for me, too, after my bad fall last year. A friend fell twice on the same day last week and I told her not to wear her boots in snow or ice ever again. She thinks I'm kidding.

April, thank you, I'll look into them.

Clara, thank you for your suggestion. They look lightweight and that might be nice. I do have regular snow boots, but they weigh more.

SandyG

Veteran

Here's what works for me in the 16 degree snow at Tahoe the past few mornings. For feet specifically I have a sheep fleece liner that adds a warm layer of insulation to my Keen Betty snow boots; these have excellent traction on ice, BTW. I've found that all my leather waterproof boots get really cold when wet, so even though my feet stay 'dry' they are chilled to the bone. Lightweight insulated boots are comfortable and unless you're hiking long distances, should be supportive

To keep comfortable when I'm more of a spectator than actively moving I wear Minus33 expedition weight leggings and crew base layers, and the expedition mountaineer socks. Seirus all weather gloves. And a cute cashmere cap Keeping my body warm keeps my feet warm, too. The Minus33 merino items are heavenly and worth their price. They stayed absolutely comfortable for intense activity too, as I shoveled snow and chopped up ice dams for most of 2 days this weekend, then stood around in the snow talking with neighbors for nearly an hour. No chills and no sweaty feeling, everything worked and felt good, except my poor muscles!

LaPed

Veteran

re: falling, Vibram has a new rubber compound out that's supposed to be the best for ice traction. I'm pretty sure it's only available to a few brands at the moment -- Merrell is probably one of them?

Yeah, here we go: https://gearjunkie.com/vibram-.....le-for-ice

"Wolverine Worldwide, which owns brands like Saucony, Merrell, Sperry, Chaco, and more, has the exclusive on the Vibram Arctic Grip sole for the 2016 fall/winter selling season. Vibram will then offer the technology to a few more brands for retail sale in the 2017 fall/winter season."

According to the article, "There are plans to have the Arctic Grip technology available for Vibram’s Sole Factor program in 2017, which means that you can send any pair of shoes to be outfitted with Arctic Grip soles."

There are other companies that have proprietary winter rubber compounds. Lowa's is very good. Any of their boots with "Ice" in the name have excellent traction. https://www.lowaboots.com/

JAileen

Veteran

Sandy, thanks for your solution to cold weather. Sheepskin does sound cozy. I have Sorels with a felt liner that are plenty warm. They're just cumbersome for walking. I have worn them dog walking, shoveling, etc., but I'd like something more walkable. The last few days I've been wearing some Timberlands and they have been okay, but it hasn't been in the teens or twenties. I have been wearing long underwear, wind pants, arctic down coat, buff neck gaiter, fleece lined wind proof ear flap hat, and gloves.

LP, wow! Thanks for posting the article. Joy bought those Merrells. I need to try them, and talk to people about the sole. This might change everything. Thanks!

Joy

Veteran

For anyone interested in those Merrells, REI has them on sale plus you get a $20 coupon right now. Read the reviews on Amazon. The Vibram soles actually have something like grit in some of the bottom "spikes". There is at least one review from someone who hiked on ice with these and had no problems.

Anonymous

I like your picks, JAileen.
I think I like the merrells best.

JAileen

Veteran

Joy, my husband and I went to REI and bought your same boots! I'm not sure about the size, though. I generally wear size 10 and they were too small. They don't have 10.5. So I got size 11 and they might be too big.

Smittie, thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm still up in the air, though.

I just called REI and got a 10.5 at the sale price. So now I'm at five pairs of boots. This reminds me of last February when I bought nine pairs of sandals. I did return most of them.

Style Fan

Veteran

I had a pair of Merrells Artic Fox winter hiking boots that were very warm and comfortable. They were terrible on the ice. My Sorels are warm and great on the ice. They are okay for some walking but not really long walks.
I bought a pair of Clarks Snow boots (which I do not recommend) this year. My feet got cold, they are terrible on the ice and they are a size too big once the fuzzy lining is packed down. I bought an insole for warm (felt type) and they are warm now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My Merrells have the fancy sole, too; that's why I got them. I wouldn't say it is perfect. It's still possible to fall in these boots. But it is definitely "grippier" than some.

JAileen

Veteran

Style Fan, thanks for sharing. I agree that Sorels are great, but not super walkable. I gave away the pair I slipped in last year, and bought a new pair with a better sole. Your Clarks experience sounds very annoying.

Suz, I didn't realize yours had the special soles too. The SA at REI said they had a demonstration with ice, and was impressed. He said they don't help with snow over ice. That's what I slipped on last year.

JAileen

Veteran

While we were at REI yesterday, my husband bought some Merrell slip-ons with the special Vibram sole and went out on our deck just now to an icy part and said they had a surer footing. He also tried it wearing mocs with a regular sole and could definitely tell the difference.

https://www.rei.com/product/10.....shoes-mens

Anonymous

Have you seen Wirecutter's picks? Even if you don't agree with their choices, sometimes it helps to read through their criteria for different uses.

Joy

Veteran

Last night I wore mine on thick ice and today on ice with sunshine, so beginning to melt. No slipping at all. In fact they kept DH from falling when he slipped with his boots and grabbed me. He needs a pair with these soles! Mine have been toasty warm but the 1/2 size larger fit best with my thick wool socks.

JAileen

Veteran

Catty, thanks for the link. I look forward to reading the article.

Joy, it's great to hear your experience. My husband tried his mocs this morning on the icy deck and said there was definitely a difference. I hope the 10.5s fit. Fingers crossed!