The Gun Counter

I do quite a bit of skiing in the winter, and I need some boots appropriate for walking around in the snow and inclement weather. Mostly just walking around in a couple inches, going from the car to the lodge and taking strolls in the evening. Also, I'd like to buy from Sierra Trading Post, if possible. Happy to provide specifics if needed.

Thanks in advance for suggestions on important features, or specific boots.

Hard to go wrong with Sorels, though they're maybe not the most fashionable. My first pair lasted me 20 years, the present pair for over 10.

I was looking at Sorel Timberwolf, Kamik Colorado, and Lowa Andola.

I like the side-zipper style of the Lowa, but they don't state 'comfort rated -40F' like the Sorel/Kamik.

Also, I'm sizing a half-size larger than my regular shoes to account for heavy winter socks. Bad idea?

You might check Danner as well. They have factory stores in Portland...

Fill wrote:Also, I'm sizing a half-size larger than my regular shoes to account for heavy winter socks. Bad idea?

GREAT idea. For hiking (to me), nothing beats a synthetic liner sock to wick away moisture, underneath the thicker wool sock. Just to gauge my response, have you used those liner socks underneath your socks before?

Fill wrote:Also, I'm sizing a half-size larger than my regular shoes to account for heavy winter socks. Bad idea?

GREAT idea. Nothing beats a synthetic liner sock to wick away moisture, underneath the thicker wool sock. Just to gauge my response, have you used those liner socks underneath your socks before?

Also, it's been two decades since I bought hiking boots, but last time I did (for backpacking near perpetually soaked Puget Sound), I put a thin bead of seam seal along every seam, whether stitched or not. Then I waited a couple of days, and did it again for a second coat. After that, it was three slow, methodical applications of aqua seal each two or three days apart, paying very careful attention to the tongue, and where the tongue meets the rest of the shoe, inside and out.

When I was done, and everything was cured and dry, I stood in the bathtub and filled it up so the water was nearly over the top. I stood there for about 10 minutes, got out, and the water just beaded off. The outside and inside of the tongue were bone-dry.

Then I replaced the laces with 550 cord, and I'm using the same boots for going on TWENTY YEARS.

workinwifdakids wrote:For hiking (to me), nothing beats a synthetic liner sock to wick away moisture, underneath the thicker wool sock. Just to gauge my response, have you used those liner socks underneath your socks before?

Liner socks are great. I wouldn't be without them, not only do they wick away moisture but they also help you avoid blisters. If you can find them, I'd recommend wool liner socks instead, I think they're better than the synthetic ones. Lundhags sells one in Merino wool, and there's a few others as well.

For icefishing I use a liner sock, a medium weight wool sock and heavy fleece socks inside rubber boots. With regular boots I skip the outer fleece sock. For me that will work from 0 degrees Celsius to -20C. (It will work outside that range too, but you might be a bit uncomfortable)

I always use GoreTex (or similar brand) lined boots, because hiking in snow or sleet you will get soaked if you dont. So waterproof boots in one form or another is pretty much a given. You can of course use regular leather boots and treat them to get them waterproof, but I've never been that satisfied with that solution. YMMV

I have some Lowe hiking boots - make sure they're cold weather ones - mine are rated for fall weather, and are incredibly slick on ice/snow, etc.

The very best boots I've ever seen - including ones made in Russia, for Russians - are Uggs Winter boots w. a Vibram ice and snow sole - amazingly solid on ice.

For the latest re-sole job of my Danners, I had them use the ice and snow Vibram sole. It is definitely better in the winter, and I think longer wearing in general.

I checked that the Lowa boots had the ice/snow tread. They do, and they get high ratings for traction, so I bought 'em. For my intended usage, I can't beat the 10" height, waterproof-ness of GoreTex, and the easy in/out of the side zipper. And for $95, nothing comparable from Sorel, Danner or UGG. I'll update when they show up, and again when I go traipsing through some drifts.