Winter Boots

[sherpa]

I need a new pair of winter boots. I want to know what the experts are wearing and saying about them. I have an old pair of gor-tex boots that are shot and I need to replace them. Here is what I found, Cabela's has there Big Game Tracker on sale for $79.95, reg $99.95. Its 800 grams of thinsulate and gor-tex lined and waterproof with a good woods tread. I like them pretty good.

Here is what I want in a boot. Good price, comfortable, water proof and warm with a good woods tread, I dont want steel toes. Is 800 grams of thinsulate enough or should I go with more?

Whats you think and out there?

Sherpa

 

[RoyJackson]

Try Sportsman's Guide .

They've always got good prices for a good quality boot.

Cabela's a great place, but they're rather high in price, IMHO.

I've gotten a number of items from Sportsman's Guide. The stuff they sell are normally overstocks or factory seconds, but I'm still wearing a nice pair of insulated boots I bought 5 years ago...and a fine parka (very warm) I bought closer to 10 years ago.

 

[Will_C]

I can't really comment on how much insulation you will need in N.C., but that is a good price on a Gore-Tex insulated boot. I am sure 800 grams should handle the weather, especially if you are walking or working. I use a pair of Rocky Bear Claws here in New York for everything except for extended sitting (like an hour of snowplowing) throughout our winters, with temps down below 0.
Will

 

[Casco1]

I just bought a pair of chippewas ( 400 grams thinsulate) from sportsmans for $79.95. great deal! Having lived in New England all my life and liking the winter outdoors what I've found works for me is my winter boots 1 size larger than my shoes and I wear a pair of thin white cotton socks under a pair of winter boot socks. As I got older I found that it doesn't matter how much insulation a boot has, if your feet get sweaty, after four to six hours in the snow or ice your feet will get cold. Hope this helps. looking forward to 12"-18" this weekend lotta seat time

 

[johnk]

My boots have gone many miles... They are Gortex w/ thinsulate and were worn in warm and snowy weather. Retired them after 3 years and this pic....

http://users.adelphia.net/~gizmo/

 

[tracdoc]

Hi sherpa,

There are a bunch of pretty good boots out there that will meet your needs. Your specification of "waterproof" can be achieved in a number of ways. The current fancy is Goretex (GTX) which has its advocates as well as its critics. My personal experience with both trekking and mountaineering boots argues against GTX in footwear (though I think it's the bees knees for most, if not all other outerwear).

As you are probably aware, GTX is a thin, rubbery membrane with pores that allow water vapor to escape but not enter. Its Achilles heel (pun intended) is that it can be very easily damaged, thereby rendering it useless in a pair of boots. In outerwear, it is usually sandwiched and thus protected, and a small violation does not mean your entire body will get soaked. However, in the confined space of a boots,one small leak can make you miserable pretty quickly.

The most common ways of damaging GTX in boots are through bodily contaminates blocking the pores (sweat, salt, skin oils, foot bacteria, and sand/silt carried on your socks), and mechanical disruption via chafing/rubbing and flex/bending. These "problems" are realistically unavoidable in any footwear. The effectiveness of GTX will therefore progressively deteriorate with each wearing as the pores become filled with bodily contaminates and the membrane gets more worn from chafing or cracked from boot flex. An additional issue with GTX lined boots is that when they do get wet inside (like from wearing or from accidental water over the top), they take a lot longer to dry than either conventional treated leather boots or even rubber bottom boots.

With that said, one makes yer choice and pays yer money-- generally a lot more for the GTX, which for reasons above is not worth it, imho. To wit, a number of respected mountaineering boot mfrs have discontinued using GTX.

I prefer boots crafted here in the USA. Three good sources are LaCrosse out of WI [HERE], Schnees out of Bozeman MT [HERE], and of course L.L. Bean [HERE]

Right now, Schnees has on sale the LaCrosse Backcountry PFT w/ 800 Gm Thinsulate for $90. They also have their own Schnee 10" Arctic w/ same Thinsulate for the same price. These boots are regularly around $180.

You can buy LaCrosse direct or from a number of vendors. I like ShoeBuy [HERE] since they offer great prices and free shipping. BTW, they carry boots from lots of mfrs, so if you find another boot you like, check if they carry it and their price. Another good source is Macks Prairie Wings out of AR [HERE]

Hope that helps.

 

[sherpa]

RoyJackson
I like these at the Sportmans Guide:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=169432

Sherpa

 

[SeymourBota]

Here's another place to look- even lower prices than Sportsmansguide, if they have what you want in your size. (I have bought from both places before)
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.65033/dept_id.L2~8572/qx/product.htm

 

[phxraptor]

I have had good luck with Rocky brand waterproof boots with thinsulate. 800 grams should keep your feet warm. I would suggest hunting socks that have the ability to wick moisture away from your feet.

 

[Egon]

Winter boots:

leave anything with gortex on the shelf. For boots its useless as well as in outer clothing when it is very cold out and one is working hard. Works good for standing still.

Try for something that has an outer shell and a removable liner. Much quicker to dry.

Socks can be used to make up for lack of insulation. No cotton. Pair of light silk and then cover with heavy wool socks. Size the boots for this.

Lastly remember one type boot may not be able to do it all.

Egon

 

[sherpa]

tracdoc
Thanks for all the detailed info. I had been wondering if GTX had a competitor that was better. I had seen a pair of LaCrosse boots somewhere in my search that I liked. I have a pair of motorcycle boots with gtx that done exactly what you said, they got wet from the top opening during a rain storm I was riding in and they were forever drying. I will search the web sites you gave me.
Sherpa

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Being the fashion trendsetter that I am.....(You're supposed to laugh....) I'm not suprised my favorites are now the "trendy" thing to wear.

Years ago, I started wearing Carhardtt work clothes. Now they're popular... Even the Rappers and "gang bangers" are wearing them

Then, my beloved John Deere hats caught on. Aston Cruthcher and Kid Rock started wearing 'em, and the "farmer style" became fashionable..... Now you can buy John Deere hats in every mall in America

But now the boots. I've been wearing Timberland boots for 25 years. "Pro Series" work boots in summer, and Gore-Tex lined hiking boots in winter. SO..... Now they're "fashion items" too.....

OK...Someone is watching me..... (Are bib over-alls the NEXT rage?)

Back to the boots.... I'm a diabetic. I have what's known as diabetic nueropathy. It's nerve damage to the feet from high blood sugar. It gives the sensation of an electric shock, or a bee sting to the soles of the feet. (A REAL hoot when driving....) I have to wear comfortable, well made shoes or boots. I've tried several name brands, andALWAY come back to the Timberlands. They're not cheap, but what is nowdays?

Typically, I get 2-1/2 to 3 years wear out of a pair of work boots. Not bad at all.....

THey're warm, dry, and comfortable. That seems like "just what the doctor ordered" as far as a pair of boots.

PLUS.... I get to look like a Gangsta Rapper when I go to the mall /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[teddydo]

I like and wear the Ecco brand boot. They are light, made to put on and off with ease, and the sole has just the right amount of lugs to hold good. They are a little more expensive but to me it's worth it and they last for many years. teddy

 

[EastTexFrank]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I get 2-1/2 to 3 years wear out of a pair of work boots </font> )</font>

Darn, you guys are hard on boots. Guess some people just work harder than others. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif My favorite is a pair of 12 year-old Danner's with Gore-Tex and 400 grams Thinsulate. Admittedly they don't get worn all that often these days and are are pretty beat up but they have been, without doubt, the most comfortable boot I have ever owned. I bought a pair of Wolverine boots a couple of years ago with Gore and Thinsulate and they aren't even broken in yet. Love those Danner's and won't give them up until they totally fall apart.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Long before I could ever make it to 12 years with a pair of boots, they'd likely be declared "BIO-HAZARD" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I wear mine every day. I farm full-time, in addition to a couple other ventures. Between my feet, and lots of cow manure, I truely believe no one would wan't me to wear 'em 12 years even if they did last that long. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[widmn]

I have 400 gram thinsulate Gortex lined Danner's and I love em. Very comfortable and tough. I wear em spring winter and fall. I waterproof the leather with breathable silicone stuff so the leather doesn't get wet and heavy though. I am diabetic too and have learned that if you don't take care of your feet you'll be sorry someday.

 

[Todd_C]

I swear by Rocky Boots. I've got four pair of rocky boots that I've purchased over the past 10 years. I also have two pair of Rocky Boots that have been issued to me at work. My current work boot is a pair of black Rocky Eliminators that has 600 grams of insulation. This pair is about 6 years and are to worn to polish for my job, so I use them for working around the house. I'm very hard on shoes (a pair of dress shoes last about 10 months). I also have a pair of Rocky Super Brutes that have 1000 grams of insulation that I've used during the past 7 hunting seasons. All of my boots have the Gortex membrane and none have failed. I think 800 grams of insulation would be fine. I wear 1,000 grams in late muzzleloader season if I hunt out of a stand. I don't think you would need anything over 800 grams if you are moving around.

If you have a Dick's (Sporting Goods) or a large shoe store you need to check out the prices after hunting season/winter. You can save $40+ off regular prices. I love Cabela's but I only buy from them when they have big sales. I like the Sportsman's Guide, but you may be able to beat their prices locally. Anymore, shipping charges just stink.

 

[sherpa]

Todd_C
You are right about them shipping charges.

I checked Sportmans guide. They have some great prices but are limited on sizes. They dont have very many popular sizes. I need an 11 and they dont have much in that size. They do carry all sizes in the Lacrosse Brawny II, it looks good 800 grams and waterproof all for $70.00! http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=143306

There is a Dicks sporting goods about 50 miles away, may check them out by telephone tomorrow.

 

[kennyd]

Sherpa, If you are looking for boots to wear in the snow, Take a look at TSC, They have some real nice RANGER boots, with Thinsulate. They really keep your feet toasty, but are hard to drive in.

I for one could not mail order boots, I need to try them on first.

Good Luck

 

[bugstruck]

I bought a pair of Brahma leather upper waterproof boots with thinsulate at Walmart in upper New York State (Adirondacks) a few years ago. I couldn't believe their footwear dept. boot selection there. Nothing like in Md.. They are the best pair of winter/snow boots I've ever owned. Feet don't sweat in these. They did in every other breathable insulated boot I owned including Gortex. Either that or they leaked. Blows Gortex away in my book. Durable, somehow breathable after sealing that leather, totally dry, and reasonably warm. I was in them all day today, outside all day (10 hrs.) save two short breaks, and it never got out of the teens. Feet got a little cold plowing while I was sitting. Think I paid about $85.00 back then. Worth a look if you can find them...... Comfortable too!