Best Snow Boots?

[Chani]

Hello all!

I'm a newbie to OrchidBoard. In fact, this is my first post, and ironically, completely unrelated to orchids. I do have one orchid (phalaenopsis, of course) and I have been having some difficulties with it (sigh), but for today, I'd like to stop thinking about it and instead ask your opinion on...snow boots!

I've struggled with finding good snow boots for a very long time and wasted a lot of money trying to find the 'perfect' boot. Let me tell you what I'm looking for in a boot and perhaps some of you out there can make recommendations!

Qualifications:
1. Waterproof
2. Warm. Very warm. Preferably something that can go to -40 degrees Farenheit.
3. Really good traction on ice. I'm terrified of ice. I'm the woman you see inching along an ice patch while other people breeze by me.
4. Shaft height: at least 12 inches.
5. Arch+foot+ankle support. I walk a lot and I want this boot to be able to support my foot.
6. Lace-up or buckles. Some way to adjust the boot to the width of my calf.
7. Durable. This is super important. If I'm going to spend good money on boots, I want something that will last for many, many years.

A couple of notes:

Firstly, I don't care about fashion at all, just function, so no need to take the looks of the boot into account.

Second, from what I've read, a number of companies who have boots that should fit my criteria (like Sorel) have started manufacturing in places like Taiwan and China, and consequently, the boot quality has gone way down. Therefore, when suggesting boots, please suggest ones which are still of good quality today, not ones that used to be good quality!

I look forward to hearing your suggestions! The more the merrier!

[RandomGemini]

Check on zappos. They usually have a huge selection of shoes and you can search by feature, but as far as ice traction, just get yourself a pair of Yaktrax. They slip over whatever shoes you're wearing!

[Subrosa]

Surplus Mickeys with crampons.

[naoki]

Bunny boots?

I don't have one, but here people who has to work (or play) outside in -20F seem to wear these:

Alaska's Best Cold Weather Boot &#124 Alaska Surplus Bunny Boots &#124 Mickey Mouse Boots &#124 U.S. Military Spec.

I don't see any quality issues with Sorel boots (pretty common in alaska). Mine (Carribou) isn't water proof, but when everything is frozen waterproof doesn't seem to be an issue. Thick and well insulated soles are probably more important than insulation around the upper part.

[desertanimal]

I love my Bogs for shoveling snow, but for ice you need something like yak tracks.

[Dcchase]

Hi, for most of the same reasons especially ice, I just purchased a pair of IceBug Metro-L boots in red! These are just above ankle and zip up, but they have many other styles and heights. Their claim to fame is they have carbide tips imbedded in their soles. This means they are very safe on ice. I've used yak-trak type divices and have found them lacking. The one downside to IceBug is they can scratch hardwood floors. So they are for outdoor wear mainly! Amazon has a good selection. But if you look around at places like online shoes or shoemall you can get a good price. Happy Hunting

[Chani]

Hi! Thank you for all the suggestions! I'll definitely look into everything.

Regarding Sorels, based on reviews I read on Zappos, they used to be great quality, but once the manufacturing was switched over to China, people started having issues with their boots.

Regarding Icebugs...I actually ordered them. There was one pair that looked like it should have fit all my qualifications and I so badly wanted them to work. The problem with them was that as I was walking, the boot kind of indented by the ankle and cut into me. Perhaps that would have gone away with time? I don't know, but I couldn't risk over $200 in the hopes it would somehow work its way out of the boot.

[ula]

Hi,
if you want advice from a "winter veteran" (I live in Montreal, Canada), I'd suggest the Pajar or Anfibio brands. Depending how much you want to spend on your boots, both brands are pretty durable- although part of Pajar's collection is made in China. Some have special "flip ice-grips" built in, they're super warm, easy to clean, high quality boots, but unfortunalety there's a price to pay for that... Both brands have websites, so check it out before the winter sets in .

[Chani]

Thank you so much, ula! I'll definitely look into those. I can always use advice from a winter veteran!

[No-Pro-mwa]

The Mickey Mouse boots would be way to large to do much walking in. I think they are more for snow machines and the like. I use to work at a store many years ago and we sold them and Sorel boots. I have 2 pair of snowlions. One was my first ones when they came only in white, then they came out in colors and I got a green pair.

I can tell you that the bottom is pretty much the same but the top of the green is not as durable as the white top is. Saying that but I have had both these pairs of boots for many, many years and yes I have especially abused the green ones as I used them for work. I have had them in so much mud in the corral and yet they are still good.

As someone else said they are not water proof above the ankle but I have walked many a mile in mine. After Sorel sold, I can't remember whom to they were in a transition period and we went to selling Kamik or something. I believe they were made in Canada but I have been out of the business so long I don't even know if they are still going. I really like my Sorels, and I think they still may be a fairly good boot.