Good Winter boots?

S

Sharp Steel

Joined
Aug 10, 2009
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My old generic work boots are not good when outside shoveling snow. Any recommendations for a good pair that will keep your feet warm, but not sweaty? Last time it snowed heavily, I had to retreat to the house every 30 minutes because my feet would freeze in the low temperatures. Figure now would be the time to get a good set.
 
I no longer live in a climate that warrants them, but I liked my Merrell Moab Thermo boots. I'm pretty sure mine had their heaviest insulation and they were good enough for January football games in Buffalo among other snowy activities. I also had a pair of North Face boots with lighter insulation that I would wear when I was doing more day-to-day activities, and wouldn't be spending more than an hour or two at a time outside. As always, the right socks help immensely. Wool will still insulate when wet, so it is best for winter socks.
 
I have Muck boots for snow blowing, shovelling, and working in wet, sloppy conditions. I bought them large enough so I can wear heavyweight wool socks with them. For general cold weather outdoor use & our daily walks in the winter, I have a pair of Irish Setter moc toe hunting boots that I wear with medium weight wool socks. That's what's been working for me for years.
 
Danke42 said:
Dry or Wet winter?
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Early Winter is dry. Late Winter is wet. A Nor'Easter in March is just cold, wet, snow which sticks to everything. I avoid driving in March snowstorms if at all possible.

Ironbut said:
I have Muck boots for snow blowing, shovelling, and working in wet, sloppy conditions. I bought them large enough so I can wear heavyweight wool socks with them. For general cold weather outdoor use & our daily walks in the winter, I have a pair of Irish Setter moc toe hunting boots that I wear with medium weight wool socks. That's what's been working for me for years.
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Muck boots look like the kind I would need. Thanks!
 
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Ironbut said:
I have Muck boots for snow blowing, shovelling, and working in wet, sloppy conditions. I bought them large enough so I can wear heavyweight wool socks with them. For general cold weather outdoor use & our daily walks in the winter, I have a pair of Irish Setter moc toe hunting boots that I wear with medium weight wool socks. That's what's been working for me for years.
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I've got a tall pair of Mucks that I use for snowblowing and trudging through deep snow. My general duty winter boots are 8", insulated Wolverines...though I don't recall the specific model (had these for 5-6 years now)
 
Sharp Steel said:
My old generic work boots are not good when outside shoveling snow. Any recommendations for a good pair that will keep your feet warm, but not sweaty? Last time it snowed heavily, I had to retreat to the house every 30 minutes because my feet would freeze in the low temperatures. Figure now would be the time to get a good set.
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Merrell thermo chill mid waterproof boots are very comfortable and relatively lightweight. Check outdoorgearlab.com for detailed review and comparisons
 
Sharp Steel said:
Early Winter is dry. Late Winter is wet. A Nor'Easter in March is just cold, wet, snow which sticks to everything. I avoid driving in March snowstorms if at all possible.



Muck boots look like the kind I would need. Thanks!
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Something like this is good for dry snow. And kinda OK in wet for a short while.

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I am not an expert, but I am outside much of the winter here in AK. Good socks and correct size boot are really important in any kind of cold. Avoid cotton at all costs! If you tend to get sweaty feet, a poly or silk liner sock really helps, and I prefer wool socks. Making sure you can wiggle your toes with the socks you will be wearing is important. Winter boots should not be tight, so fit is important. Buy a wider boot if need be. Mukluks are warmer than many of the super insulated boots because they allow for toe movement as well as flexibility which helps with circulation. Rubber boots are great for slop, and short duration chores, but I prefer a pac boot with removable liners like Sorel Caribou with wool liners when I am going to be out for long times. It is nice to be able to remove the liners to dry. Steger’s are really warm and comfortable but I don’t use them for doing winter chores. Try to avoid steel toes. Stay dry and warm!
 
I was looking in a chain sporting goods store today, because they carry some Winter boots. They had a pair of Northeast Outfitters Men's Pac Winter Boots but seemed really tight. The store was supposed to carry the Muck boots but I didn't see any. Will have to try another one of their stores before going on-line. Prefer to try shoes on before buying them.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
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the Merrell are a lot cheaper and lighter than the Muck
 
They are cheaper and lighter...but if you actually have to deal with snow*, you might want something else.

*I live in upstate NY... It isn't snow until there is at least 6 inches on the ground and it's still coming down. Anything less is considered either decoration or bullspit, depending on the circumstances.
 
hhmoore said:
They are cheaper and lighter...but if you actually have to deal with snow*, you might want something else.

*I live in upstate NY... It isn't snow until there is at least 6 inches on the ground and it's still coming down. Anything less is considered either decoration or bullspit, depending on the circumstances.
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Just wear gaiters to keep out the snow. I do that when ice climbing, winter backpacking etc.222B7561-3663-43B1-AF57-E8E388391057.jpeg
 
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Couple years back I bought the Columbia Bug-a Boot. Ran me around $95 for the pair. Been satisfied with these for warmth.
 
I'd go for something with a removable felt liner. Something like the Kamiks, Sorells, or if you are worried about the wet, find any sort of feed-lot or chainsaw boots. Sure the saw-boots will be overkill for shoveling, but good traction and a safety toe might be useful in a lot of other cases. Even an over-size rubber boot with a half-decent super-thick wool sock is going to be better than the average "insulated shoe", gore-tex is useless in shoes as it breaks down too fast, and a sweaty boot is a non-issue if you can pull the liner to dry it every day.
 
I’m a huge fan of the army Intermediate Cold Weather boots. You can find them with a removable liner too. Black leather with gore tex lining and vibram soles.
 
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