Winter Boots

[Phantomfyre]

Well, last spring, I finally had to retire the ripped, holey, soles-worn-through snow boots I've had since Jr. High. And now I need to replace them. I need something that'll keep my feet dry and warm in mud, wet snow, and sub-zero temps. Something I can hike around in and not get blisters or exhaust myself because they weigh too much. Something with good traction on ice. Something that can stand up to abuse.

What brand of winter boot do you recommend? And where do you recommend I buy them?

Thanks in advance!

[Tiffin]

Try: http://www.cabelas.com/ Large selection.
Also: http://www.llbean.com/ Again, large selection.

I have bought from both places. I usually have several different types for the different weather conditions. From sub-zero on up. To prevent blisters, I wear a liner sock inside a regular sock preferably a wool type. And, I also will walk around in them for a couple of days before taking a serious hike or snow shoe.

[Minelson]

Original Muck boots are the greatest boots in the world! http://www.muckbootsonline.com/
I have the Tack Classic style but there are many others. Every farmer and horse person I know swears by them. They keep your feet dry and warm and hose right off. My feet don't get cold even when it is 20-30 below zero. I can wear them all day easily. I also like that you can just step right into them and they are easy to get off. LOVE THEM! I'm going to try the Chore boot style...and I have the scrub boot in a pretty blue color for dress LOL!! I usually cruise the internet to find the best pricing or sales..ebay has them too.

[Tiffin]

I had a pair of the Muck boots but had to throw them out. I developed an allergic reaction to them. I liked them but something about the material, my feet sweated so bad even though I tried all kinds of socks, liners, whatever, nothing worked. I just can't wear them. I even washed them with bleach thinking I had gotten something in them to no avail. I'm sure it's just me though so, phantomfyre, give them a try.

[Lizza]

Originally Posted by Minelson

Original Muck boots are the greatest boots in the world! http://www.muckbootsonline.com/
I have the Tack Classic style but there are many others. Every farmer and horse person I know swears by them. They keep your feet dry and warm and hose right off. My feet don't get cold even when it is 20-30 below zero. I can wear them all day easily. I also like that you can just step right into them and they are easy to get off. LOVE THEM! I'm going to try the Chore boot style...and I have the scrub boot in a pretty blue color for dress LOL!! I usually cruise the internet to find the best pricing or sales..ebay has them too.

Ditto, Muck Boots....They also have arch support, my husband has bone spurs in his feet and Muck Boots are the only ones he can wear.

[Cabin Fever]

I highly recommend Lacrosse Brand boots. There are many different styles, find one that fits your needs. You won't be sorry.

[steff bugielski]

I love the Muck boots. They are the only ones that hold up tp shoveling manure. Warm and comfy too.

[Trisha-MN]

2nd Cabin Fever. After a lot of years of searching for a good boot that stands up to the cold, wet and work of a MN winter, we got DH a pair of LaCrosse boots. He is on his 2nd season with them and says they're the best boots he's ever had for winter.

[copperpennykids]

Originally Posted by morningstar

Ditto, Muck Boots....They also have arch support, my husband has bone spurs in his feet and Muck Boots are the only ones he can wear.

Morningstar: I think my husband has developed bone spurs in one foot - very painful. Does he put arch supports in his other boots/shoes for relief? Up late 2 nights ago with a fussy baby and saw an infomercial for inserts from the Goodfeet store. Was wondering if something like that would help him?

(and my apologies for sidetracking the thread...)

Camille
P.S. We got some really nice snowhikers at Tri-State Outfitters for my girls as they get very cold milking and doing chores in the winter. Kept them toasty warm and the boots were so light that they didn't get tired.

[-TWO-]

White's Logger Pacs with calks. White's Boots is a local legend here in the Pacfic N.W., they've been building boots for loggers & firefighters for over 100 years. They make the toughest, most comfortable boot you'll ever find. They're also rebuildable. If you don't like the idea of steel calks, look at the Whites "Elk Guide", same boot as Logger, but they come with rubber "air bobs" instead of calks. You can buy them on line. Google White's pac boots & you'll find their site.

[retire2$]

Phantomfyre, What brand of boot did you own? From Junior High until now (29 years old by your profile) I would look for the same brand if they met your needs. I will cast my vote for the Muck boots. Tractor Supply has good prices and also offers 10% off coupons on occassion.

[Jerry in MN]

My Muck Boots brand boots lasted less than a year. The "skin" tore easily, on both types of material; rubber and some sort of fabric. But I was tough on 'em when working with scrap iron, taking down and old granary, etc. Now I have Ranger brand insulated mud boots and so far so good.

[Lizza]

Originally Posted by copperpennykids

Morningstar: I think my husband has developed bone spurs in one foot - very painful. Does he put arch supports in his other boots/shoes for relief? Up late 2 nights ago with a fussy baby and saw an infomercial for inserts from the Goodfeet store. Was wondering if something like that would help him?

(and my apologies for sidetracking the thread...)

Camille
P.S. We got some really nice snowhikers at Tri-State Outfitters for my girls as they get very cold milking and doing chores in the winter. Kept them toasty warm and the boots were so light that they didn't get tired.

Yes, bone spurs are really painful. He has Orthotics, he had them made maybe 4-5 years ago and still uses the same pair. He actually just had his feet re-checked a few months ago and is still keeping with the same pair. They were around $350 from an Orthopedic doctor that included molds of his feet (the doctor visit itself was covered by insurance). He has to use lace up shoes for day to day use but when he does something like concrete he really needs a rubber boot but can't wear the cheap ones so we went with the Muck Boot for the arch support (or is the Bogg's he wears, how embarrassing, I'll have to go check his boots one has arch support and one doesn't! He can not wear the one without arch support).

He does have a pair of sandals made by Earth and he likes those (can't wear orthotics with sandals) because they have a negative heal.

For bone spurs there isn't much you can do, get really good shoes - no cheapies and no used. We switched everyone over to only good shoes around the same time because the doctor said it was one of the best things you can do for yourself, good shoes, and we haven't been sorry. I get really good deals year round from Sierra Trading Post and wait for good markdowns plus a good sale, I'm always in the market for shoes for someone around here! The doctor did tell my husband he probably developed them after he stopped racing BMX bikes because the petal puts weight on the middle of his foot. He's started riding his BMX bike again.

Sorry if TMI on bone spurs and thread drift but thought others might want to know too .

[PamB]

I have Muck boots and also have Redwing work shoes that I wear rubber 2 buckle or 5 buckle boots over when I am in the mud. I alternate them in the winter, the Muck boots don't seem to have enough support for my feet if I wear them every day, all day. I try to get the LaCrosse brand buckle boots. I usually get a new pair of Redwings every other year. And the rubber boots at least one 2 buckle a year and the 5 buckle ones don't get worn as much, so they last longer. Pam

[Phantomfyre]

Wow, lots of good options to look into! Thank you, everyone! I'm hoping to find something that'll last me a while. I'm tough on footwear, so I know I can't expect miracles, but surely don't want to replace them every year if I can help it! And I hate shopping, so want to invest in a good pair and be done with it for as long as possible.

Originally Posted by copperpennykids

(and my apologies for sidetracking the thread...)

No worries, Camille! I have flat feet, so hearing opinions on comfort and support is helpful to me, and probably others, too.

Originally Posted by retire2$

Phantomfyre, What brand of boot did you own? From Junior High until now (29 years old by your profile) I would look for the same brand if they met your needs.

Well, honestly, they were cheapo boots from Wally World or someplace. And they didn't get too much use through Jr. High and HS because they were so supremely uncool, LOL. Then I moved to VA and they weren't needed much until we moved to Ohio in 2004. They've been crumbling for years, and I've just dealt with it by putting my feet in plastic bags, wearing extra socks, etc. They certainly paid for themselves, but it was waaaaay past time to replace them.

Originally Posted by Jerry in MN

My Muck Boots brand boots lasted less than a year. The "skin" tore easily, on both types of material; rubber and some sort of fabric. But I was tough on 'em when working with scrap iron, taking down and old granary, etc.

That might be an issue for me, too, because I never know what project I'll find myself tackling. I'm still too much of a tomboy for my own good, I suppose.

[Lizza]

They are Bogg's that my husband wears with the better support. For the rest of us I don't care whether they are Muck or Bogg but it does make a difference to my hubby.

[Farmerwilly2]

I'd like a pair of pull on work/rubber boot but I can't pull the danged things over my high instep/arch. That leaves me with lace up boots. I can get them on, but step in the wrong place and you end up with a boot full of sludge. I'm looking at a set of the old buckle up galoshes to use this winter over a pair of sneakers or older work boots and just leaving them in, loosely laced, for a pull on boot.

[highlands]

I'll second (or third) the value of Muck Boots. We have them for everyone in our family. We farm. They're warm, tough and last.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

[ErinP]

What brand of winter boot do you recommend? And where do you recommend I buy them?

My folks got us all a set of Sorels from Cabelas 20 years ago.
Mom and I still have ours and wear them every winter. Dad's just shelled out a couple of years ago. My brother outgrew his.

Mom is pretty gentle with hers. She lives in town. And she and Dad don't do a whole lot of winter hiking anymore.
Mine, on the other hand, are used and abused every winter.
I can't use them when I ride, but guaranteed when we're out in the weaning pen, preg checking when it's below freezing, slopping through a Spring thaw, etc I'm in my Sorels.

They're kind of pricey, but I figure if they've lasted me 20 years (and counting), I wouldn't hesitate to say they're worth it!

[chewie]

when hubby and i were getting married, i said i didn't like the snow, it's cold! he said that's cuz you got crappy boots! he took me out, got me a pair of these horridly ugly boots, and ya know what? he was right! now my feet are nevr cold...they are those iceman boots. they do get a bit heavy if you're in them all day, but i'll take heavy over cold and wet any day. we've been married 15 years, with the same boots too!

one day long ago when i was working in a real job (lol!) it was terrible cold and blowing, just nasty iowa winter. everyone had poked fun at me when i got there, in my icemans, parka, etc. but gee, i was going to lunch, suddenly all those hungry gals thought my outfit looked fine, in fact, could you bring me some....? i said they had to tell me my outfit was lovely first! hheee!