Too much $$$: Underwear, tall winter boots

[shootingstar]

Don't laugh but it's been awhile since I've bought underpants, tall warm-lined winter boots..

I stocked up on a ton of underpants a few years ago. So today, I was abit stunned by the prices just for ordinary underwear. Underwear that is sturdy and lasts abit longer than string bikinis, etc.

And just ridiculous to find warm, fleece/fake fur lined knee high boots for winter. To protect against -25 degree C winters here. At $300.00 to $400.00CAN per pair. I'm really fussy here: no parachute material, no lace-ups (snow will wiggle through in deep snow), no suede (it'll get crapped out in slush, etc.), etc.

Methinks women are just sitting ducks for being ripped off by the fashion capitalists. :(

[Zen]

Expect to pay at least $150 for a good pair of knee high boots.
Good boots last a while
Pro-rate the price per year and they're a bargain.

[NbyNW]

I recently bought a pair of Uggs that don't look like Uggs, and lucky me, they were on sale! But I did buy them in Seattle and the amount was within my declarable amount.

I've been drooling over the various styles offered by Pajar -- have you come across them? Yes, they are pricey, but if you're patient you might come across a sale. And they seem to be very high quality. Which of course doesn't help you if you need something NOW.

For regular tromping-around-in-the-snow boots, I've got a pair of Baffins that are rated to -40C. $CAD 99 at MEC.

[Irulan]

I've gotten great snow boots at discount stores... maybe if you lower your standards (they are snowboots, not party shoes) you can find something for a lot less.

That being said, I've had my Sorels for almost 30 years.

[ny biker]

Don't get me started about underwear. I've happily worn the same size and style from Jockey for years, and suddenly the new ones are too small. I have a friend who is having the same problem. We both weigh less now and have smaller hips than in the past when everything fit fine. And now I'm having a devil of a time finding a different brand that is cotton, fits properly, looks decent and is not poorly made.

[Becky]

And now I'm having a devil of a time finding a different brand that is cotton, fits properly, looks decent and is not poorly made.

Soma.

[lph]

For really cold weather it doesn't really matter much if the material is waterproof or not, and if they keep your feet warm at -25 that pretty much insures that the boots will be too hot when it's slushy out, especially if they're knee-high. Maybe it would be easier (but not cheaper :)) if you look for a pair of warmish rubber boots for slushy weather (or just ones with room for thick wool socks in), and plain warm snow boots for the cold, that needn't be waterproof?

I usually wear roomy hiking boots in winter, sometimes plus gaiters, when I'm not wearing my pig farmer knee high rubber boots. I do have a pair of superwarm Sorel Glacier boots, bought for work, never worn...

[Owlie]

My "snow boots" are LL Bean hiking boots with enough room for socks, since I'm walking a lot. My feet haven't gotten wet even walking through all the puddles and wet snow on campus for four years. (The hems of my jeans is another issue entirely. I like lph's rubber boot suggestion for that.)

I had snow boots, which were shearling-lined and mid-calf. Warm, but not enough grip for my taste.

[NbyNW]

For really cold weather it doesn't really matter much if the material is waterproof or not, and if they keep your feet warm at -25 that pretty much insures that the boots will be too hot when it's slushy out, especially if they're knee-high. Maybe it would be easier (but not cheaper :)) if you look for a pair of warmish rubber boots for slushy weather (or just ones with room for thick wool socks in), and plain warm snow boots for the cold, that needn't be waterproof?

I usually wear roomy hiking boots in winter, sometimes plus gaiters, when I'm not wearing my pig farmer knee high rubber boots. I do have a pair of superwarm Sorel Glacier boots, bought for work, never worn...

This is a great idea. Alberta snow is of the dry type, and I find that my suede boots really don't get all that wet, since the snow doesn't stick to them until we get back up to melting temps.

[PamNY]

I totally sympathize on finding good boots. Do you walk on salted/chemically treated streets? That stuff is bad for boots; you might be better off with cheap synthetics. I never use my good hiking boots in the city for that reason.

I can't fathom why so many boots are suede. Maybe they are okay if you walk a short distance -- say, from automobile to store or office, but if you are actually out and walking a lot it's not nearly sturdy enough. And I never feel that suede gets clean, even if it looks okay.

[shootingstar]

Guess suede in the fad. Soft, sexy, natural, etc. Who knows.

Even some boots with synthetic materials are expensive.:( Guess, I'll find my pair.

I walk half an hr. to work. Today was around -26 degrees C or so. That's normal where we are in Calgary. There was a wind chill. I've been warned by locals it gets down to -35 degrees C.

However I think NBY..in Edmonton gets even colder....maybe of all TE members here. Unless we have folks from Alaska still in TE forums.

[crazycanuck]

Shootingstar-can't you go to MEC or Mark's workwearhouse (if it still exists..:o)
There has to be something good but cheapish.

What about safety boots? THey're a bit heavy but they're worth the $$$ and are soooo comfy!

[Becky]

What about safety boots? THey're a bit heavy but they're worth the $$$ and are soooo comfy!

Like steel-toed boots? :confused: I like mine a lot, but I dread having to wear them in cold weather.

[Catrin]

Do you mean something like Red Wings?

[OakLeaf]

I just wish I could find boots that fit. The only ones I've found that even come close are my Löwa men's hiking boots.

As for underwear - NYB, you've scared me now! :D Like you I've been wearing the same discount-store brand for years (Hanes "string bikini," which aren't a string at all but a 1" wide strip of gentle elastic). It's been about seven years since I bought any, and a few pairs from the PREVIOUS round are starting to wear out. I hope they haven't changed them!


EDIT: Oh noooooooooo - I just looked at Hanes' website and it says "This product is no longer available for sale." Better get my @ss to K-mart now and stock up if they have any left. :eek:

Speaking of too much money, I adore my Ibex briefs for running and yoga, but they just look weird under regular clothes.

[shootingstar]

I already have the boots I use for snowshoeing..for pants at office. Even though not comfortable, the top edges rub against my top ankles..even through some socks and loosening up the laces abit. I end up with bleeding skin, then bandaids..

But looking for knee high boots that are warm ..to keep legs warm (even when I wear dress pants) and when I do wear a skirt. (Thx, NBY for the product link. I had never heard of that Canadian shoe firm before. But I haven't looked too hard for winter boots for past few years until now.)

Yes, I still wear one occasionally.... :o at work. Meaning boots for business wear that are practical, etc.

It's just cold out there! -27 degrees C today.

I know, I know such practical women you all are...

[redrhodie]

How about these?

http://www.zappos.com/keen-hoodoo-high-boot-black-gargoyle

I have a pair of short Keen winter boots, and they're very warm. I've had them 2 years and am very happy with them.

[skhill]

I feel your pain-- I'm looking for a new pair of winter boots right now also. My old ones are 8 yrs old (I think), water-resistant work boots with some insulation but no steel toes, and now they leak. I'm just glad my feet are big enough for men's boots (barely)-- they're so much more likely to be practical than most of the women's models... they're a bit ugly, but so what, if my feet are warm and dry...

[lph]

I know, I know such practical women you all are...

Isn't that why you're asking us? :D

Do you work outside or have to go out to meetings and look presentable?
I don't, so I can get away with looking like the Michelin man until I get indoors. Below -15 deg C I just find it a huge PITA dressing any way but practical, so I wear hiking boots, lined overpants and a down jacket, and if I want to wear a skirt or dress at work I'll change into it once I get there.

[malkin]

Sierra Trading Post.

[smurfalicious]

My ranch hand buddy that had to work outdoors year round, naturally, swore by White's. They were also the choice of all the kids that did wildfire back home. I think for what you get, they're pretty reasonably priced, but don't expect them to be pretty.

I inherited some nice Columbia snow boots from a friend and I LOVE them. When my stupid snowshoes broke on their first outing I had to hike out on the road in them and I was pretty happy with um.

[NbyNW]

Shootingstar, I hear you about the sticker shock on these more fashionable winter boots you're looking for. I have a process that helps me rationalize the more 'spendy' purchases:

- can I make the item myself?
- what purpose does it really serve for me to own this item? how long will it last? do I feel like I will get good value for the life of the item?
- where/how was it made? do I feel reasonably assured that the people who made the item, from design through production, earn a reasonable wage? same questions about the retailer -- are they compensating their employees well, do profits stay in the community or do they go to a corporate HQ far away?
- are there other ethical considerations involved in the manufacture of this product would incent/disincent me to buy it?

At the end of the day, I may waffle on plunking down the money, but I have rarely regretted it once I decide to bite the bullet. If I buy a quality item that lasts for a long time, that actually may be cheaper in the long run, as opposed to buying "disposable" items that need to be replaced more often.

[Crankin]

There are certain things I will pay full price for, as I firmly believe in the adage "you get what you pay for." Winter boots are one of those things. I have a pair of ankle length Uggs I bought on TE at a discount, years ago. I love the warmth, but I suspect they were on sale because the zippers don't stay up well. Other than that, I have my hiking shoes I use for snow shoeing or walking and a pair of Merrell Mocs I wear walking out to my garage and into work when it's icy or snowy. Then I change into my shoes. But, I wanted warm, fashionable boots this year. I have a couple of pairs of unlined fashion type boots, definitely not for when it's super cold. I had seen people walking around in Cambridge with high, wedge heeled boots that looked warm, but after trolling the internet for months at my usual sites, visiting DSW, I found nothing, even though I saw people wearing what I wanted. So, I went to a local shoe store and of course, there they were, Uggs, in my size (which is also a deal breaker, as some shoes don't even come in a 6). They were expensive, but exactly what I wanted and super warm, suede, with a roll down fleecy top. So, I told DH not to buy me a birthday gift and I was more than happy to pay full price.