What are some great insulated, waterproof boots for winter?
I'm heading to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics in February and I need to find a great pair of boots for hiking around. There is a lot of walking and standing. They need to be light-weight, insulated, water/snow proof, and very comfortable.
I'm not sure you can beat the quality or value of Men's Sorels .
I used to work in the snow and ice for up to 8 or 9 hours a day, 6-7 days a week and I never once had a complaint about cold, water-tightness, comfort or breathability.
I (along with many colleagues) wore the Glaciers , but they're probably a little overkill with their weight. Try some of the other, lessor geared-up models like the Caribou which is rated to below 40 degrees but can be pulled off in the apres-events...
18 Answers
I have been wearing the Merrell Reflex Mid GORE-TEX® Hiker for a while now and have been very pleased. They are insulated and waterproof but not to overbearing of a shoe and easy to get around in. Alittle stiff by all-in-all I have been very pleased. Have fun at the Olympics
I live in Vancouver. Although we are hosting the winter olympics it is not actually that cold here. It is about 5C (41F) today and rainy, a light rain like Seattle not like the tropics. I find that I get too hot walking around in anything insulated. I have a pair of Blundstone Boots that are perfect for Vancouver. I have the steel toe ones. If you are heading up to Whistler, which is where all the snow events are, you can just grab a pair of wool socks and that will be perfect.
My entire family has worn these boots by Cabela's for years: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?id=0006410&navCount=3&parentId=cat20574&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20564-cat20574_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat20574&rid=
LL Bean also makes a boot in this style: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=503394&catalogId=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&nav=gnro
I've used them for deep snow, high water, and deep mud conditions with no complaints. I hunt in them and use them for "country outings" when conditions call for them. They're available insulated and un-insulated, for wearing year-round. I think the Cabela's ones are insulated using a removable liner, which is nice. Like any good shoe, you have to take care of them, and it's not a bad idea to treat them with a weatherproofer once a year. I've actually worn the soles out and dry-rotted the rubber on pairs in the past. I believe both companies will also replace the rubbers on them for a fee.
Ok. I can only speak for myself, but the boots that have NEVER steered me wrong are Xtratufs. I lived in Alaska for 2 and a half years that those boots went everywhere I went. All you have to do is buy the insulated boots OR purchase inserts and your feet will be as dry as a wet day in hell. Not to mention they are quite the fashion statement.
Watch an episode of Deadliest Catch or any show featuring Alaska, which of course you know has some of the harshest weather and you will see quite a few people if not all wearing a pair of these lovelies.
Prices are around $75-$100 but it is worth every penny. I'll tell you what, my boots have been through everything and they still look and act like I bought them yesterday.
Good luck!!
-Tara
If you're going to be standing around you need some serious insulation. I'd go with at least 1,000 grams of thinsulate in a boot. The North Face has an interesting boot which has an on-board rechargeable heating element...pricey. I've had many pairs of insulated boots and am currently using a pair of Keen Snoqualamie which I use for snowshoeing and b sleeding which keep me very warm.Another great boot company for cold weather boots is Schnee's out of Montana...solid, warm and tough. Pay particular attention to the bottoms....some rubber bottoms are very slippery. You might look for something with a compound sole much like the make-up of a snow tire...they get softer and grippier when it gets colder. Hope this helps.
I'm not sure you can beat the quality or value of Men's Sorels .
I used to work in the snow and ice for up to 8 or 9 hours a day, 6-7 days a week and I never once had a complaint about cold, water-tightness, comfort or breathability.
I (along with many colleagues) wore the Glaciers , but they're probably a little overkill with their weight. Try some of the other, lessor geared-up models like the Caribou which is rated to below 40 degrees but can be pulled off in the apres-events...
The Northface Arctic Pull-Ons have been my favorites for the cold and wet extended winters in Norther Illinois. Quick to get on and off, warm, water proof, may not be exactly lightweight but they are extremely comfortable and never notice the weight.