Snow boots

[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.

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:



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
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!