Snow boots

[3for3]

Does anyone else live where it snows and have good recommendations of snow boots? I'm looking for boots that will be warm, waterproof, and will be used primarily for hiking in the snow and snowshoeing. We went hiking in the mountains this weekend where it quickly became apparent that my Salomon trail runners are NOT winter appropriate foot attire! I've never lived anywhere where it snows before so I'm looking for recommendations from anyone who has some experience in this! Brands, models, and best shoe for the money. I know this has nothing to do with cycling, but I thought maybe some of you may enjoy snow sports as well. Thank you for any advice!

[indigoiis]

The good old duck boot is the best I've ever used. LLBean sells them but I think North Face has a good version... this is the men's version because I think this year's women's version is stupid-looking:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=35374&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

Backcountry.com is a great clearinghouse for this sort of thing... here's a link to a sale-priced boot of the "duck" nature...

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SRL0004/Sorel-Caribou-Boot-Womens.html

Also, I have a pair of men's timberland "knock-off" workboots - just plain old "yellow boots" I got at the local shoe place for fifty bucks. They hold up really well for tough outdoor stuff - as long as you mink oil the seams and the grommets. http://workingperson.com/products/22_353_46/1/2017/Timberland_Pro_Boots:_Waterproof_Insulated_Work_Boots__65030.html


Note that the duck-style boots have little tread - that's better for loose snow (it doesn't collect in the boot tread) and for sidewalk walking. The workboots have a heavier tread and tend to be steel-toed which is awesome for working outdoors (plowing, shoveling, barn chores, walking the dog) but are heavier.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I hike through the woods in deep snow and also go snowshoeing through woodland trials...pretty rough trails.

I really like these boots....
some nice thermal waterproof Merrell hiking boots, on SALE on Veteran's day, 15% off:
http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?gen=m&pcid=32364

One cool feature on them is that they have heel ridges that are specifically designed to hold snowshoe straps nicely in place without the straps slipping down! So great! I get the boots big enough to wear two pairs good heavy wool socks in them for the frigid cold. The outer layer is actually like rubber and they are totally waterproof, plus they're insulated.
Then I wear some good woolen tights, some thin water resistant pants over them, plus a good set of gaiters like these:
http://www.rei.com/product/725915

Between the heavy wool socks, waterproof boots, wool tights, lightweight waterproof over-tights (like biking rain pants maybe, or light snow pants), and leg gaiters....you are going to be very well protected for snow hiking and snowshoeing! Your legs and feet will stay warm and dry. But the nice thing is that this combo will not be too bulky or weigh you down- you can still bend your ankles and knees and maneuver well over rough terrain I found. For this reason I prefer these shorter waterproof high traction boots with gaiters over them to keep the snow out and keep your lower legs warm and dry.
What you don't really want are heavy bulky mukluk type boots that are so popular these days- those are fine for 'playing' in the snow and around town...but they are often not agile for hiking over rocks and branches in the deep snow, or for any hilly trails through the woods.
This is all just my own experience...your mileage may vary. :)

You also might want to read the snowshoe thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12727

[Cataboo]

The keen growlers are my current favorite snow boot. They also have the snowqualmie or something like that as well.

[VeloVT]

I have Keen Dakota Boots for general sloppy winter weather that isn't super cold:
http://www.rei.com/product/740602

And I have these North Face boots for seriously cold weather and tromping through blizzards :):
http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442591184&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302899693

I'm very happy with the function of both, though neither are very stylish :o.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One thing you have to watch for if you are going to use these boots for snowshoeing is that many of the newer snow boots I see have a big molded one piece rubbery sole that does not have a prominent distinct ridge in the back of the heel, and I've seen snowshoe straps slip off the heel because of that. This would be a good example of what I am talking about:
http://www.rei.com/product/712869
A girlfriend of mine has these exact boots, and she had that trouble of her snowshoe heel straps coming off the boot and her boot coming out of the snowshoe. Not much fun.

[badger]

I was going to suggest Keen as well. They have a couple of new snow boots this year. I have so many pairs of Keens, I might as well be working for them!

[3for3]

Thanks you guys!

I think I am looking at the North Face McMurdo's
http://www.rei.com/product/740613

Merrell Thermo-Arc-6 (Which I think is the women's version of the ones you posted Bleeker St?): http://www.rei.com/product/771129

and

Merrell, Interlude: http://www.rei.com/product/771128

I have a pretty narrow foot and I find that Keen's are too wide for me. I also might lean towards the Merrell's because I am worried about higher boots (like the duck boots and Sorel's - anyone used those for hiking in the Mountains?) hindering movement, so maybe a mid-cut boot with gaitors like Bleeker St recommended? I actually kind of like the mens version you posted better than the women's versions they have. The women's are pretty, but I think the light colors will make the boots look terrible as they get worn through snow and (if anything like this last weekend!) mud at the base of the trails before we are really up into the deep snow. You didn't have a problem with them fitting properly or comfort difference? I wear a 7 1/2, and have extremely high arches. A guy in college told me I have Cinderella feet, but my husband tells me I'm a freak of nature. :p

I know you can find good deals online but I'm super hesitant to buy anything online because I know that boots can fit very differently than other shoes. Unfortunately a lot of the reviews aren't helping. One person says a boot is true to fit, and another says it runs a little large, and the next says it runs WAY large. So who's to know unless you try it on for yourself?

[3for3]

Ah ha! Thank you Bleeker St! That's one thing I was worried about with the Sorel's. I need something that works for both hiking AND snowshoeing. Some shoes say specifically that they have a ridge for snowshoeing and some don't. I didn't know if that was a gimmic or if it really made a difference.

And to all you Keen fans...I love the way they look but I'm sorry they don't fit my foot right!

[VeloVT]

3for3, I have the same issue with Keens. My feet are also 7.5s (but a 39 Sidi) and high-arched. My Keen winter boots are comfy and have supportive footbeds, but kind of a loose, sloppy, "pull-on" fit. They're good for trudging around campus but I wouldn't recommend them for hiking or snowshoeing. Summer Keens don't fit me at all.

I'll go look at my North Face boots to see if they have a ridge.

[VeloVT]

OK, the McMurdo does have a ridge... here's what it looks like:

7877

For what it's worth, I ordered my normal size in these boots and they are smallish, but fit. I actually prefer them that way, some people like more room.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Merrell Thermo-Arc-6 (Which I think is the women's version of the ones you posted Bleeker St?): http://www.rei.com/product/771129

and

Merrell, Interlude: http://www.rei.com/product/771128

...maybe a mid-cut boot with gaitors like Bleeker St recommended? I actually kind of like the mens version you posted better than the women's versions they have. The women's are pretty, but I think the light colors will make the boots look terrible as they get worn through snow and (if anything like this last weekend!) mud at the base of the trails before we are really up into the deep snow. You didn't have a problem with them fitting properly or comfort difference? I wear a 7 1/2, and have extremely high arches.

The ones I posted I got last year, they had them in WOMEN's as well as men's, exactly the same style, and in the black. Mine were actually the women's version. You can still find some of the women's versions if you Google them:
boots (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=women%27s+Merrell+Thermo+6&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2)
but they are in limited sizes now, offered in only a few places, seems they are running out and making newer styles.
I would say of the ones you posted I'd suggest the Winterlude 6:
http://www.rei.com/product/771128
because it does have the snowshoe ridge (you can see it better in their olive and brown photos), and also it has that black rubber-like top part just like mine, which is totally waterproof. It's that whole big black part above the gray sole.

Those McMurdos look very warm too. They appear to be much higher boots than the Merrells though- that might be an issue if you are trying to fit gaiters over them- order larger gaiters. I got the women's LARGE gaiters and they fit nicely over my 2 tights and boots....any smaller and they would have been tight over the boot area. I think they size women's gaiters on the smallish side.

[3for3]

Thanks guys! I don't have time to go try any on until Wednesday, but I know I will try out both the McMurdo's and the Winderlude 6 and see how they fit. I started with a list of 8 boots this morning and have narrowed it down to two. Thanks for your help! I can't wait to go try them on! Makes me wish I could skip tonight's and tomorrow's plans to go shopping, but alas....I know they will still be in stores on Wednesday!

[redrhodie]

I have Keen Dakota Boots for general sloppy winter weather that isn't super cold:
http://www.rei.com/product/740602

I'm very happy with the function of both, though neither are very stylish :o.

Liza, I was looking for these exact Keens yesterday and today. I just gave in and ordered them from REI, since my local shops don't seem to even realize Keen makes boots! Do you have other Keen shoes? Do these fit the same? I ordered the same size as my sandals.

[RolliePollie]

Sierra Trading Post ( www.sierratradingpost.com ) usually has a nice selection of boots at great prices. I think they are having a sale on footwear right now. If you find a brand you like, you might try there. They may not have this years' colors, but you'll save a ton of money.

I have Sorel Caribous which I love. I think they'd be ok for hiking, but probably way too clunky for snowshoeing.

[shootingstar]

I wear these boots when I snowshoe. And gaiters. I seem to kick up enought snow behind me.

http://www.rockcreek.com/products/listing/item9441.asp?ref=tl_rc_yho_shop

This year we will be taking train to Jasper during christmas holidays and going snowshoeing in this area. We seem to take snowshoeing vacation every Christmas/new year's holiday for past 6 years or so.

[Lifesgreat]

I use Adidas Goretex low-top trail runners with gaiters for snowshoeing. They have worked well as I haven't needed ankle support where I snowshoe.

[VeloVT]

Liza, I was looking for these exact Keens yesterday and today. I just gave in and ordered them from REI, since my local shops don't seem to even realize Keen makes boots! Do you have other Keen shoes? Do these fit the same? I ordered the same size as my sandals.

I don't have any other Keen shoes, but they seem true-to-length, and on the wide side in width. I ordered my normal size.

Redrhodie, REI is great about returns. You'll be fine :).

One thing about the North Face boots -- as Lisa observed, the shaft of the boots is higher than some of the others mentioned here. ***Both the shaft of the boot and the soles are fairly stiff**. Don't know if this would be good, bad or otherwise for snowshoeing, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

[roadie gal]

When it's really deep and cold I wear Sorel boots.

For snowshoeing, I wear my normal hiking boots with a pair of Neo's over them. http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/ They keep you warm and dry, but you're wearing your normal boots, so the fit is good. When I've tried to wear the Sorels or other heavy boots with the snowshoes, my feet and legs get more tired because they just don't fit like my normal shoes.

[3for3]

Alright I ended up getting the Merrell Winterlude 6 boots in black and I LOVE them!! They were super comfy from the moment I stepped into them. The North Face McCurdo was the other one I was seriously considering but when I tried them on they really felt tight across the top of my foot. I have a super high arch and they were just too snug, even in a larger size. Plus I think I decided that a higher boot bugs me where it hit my leg higher up. I'll just get some gators to ensure no snow invades my warm, snuggly, dry feet through the top of the Merrells! Thanks to everyone for your help and advice!