 Poster: A snowHead
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So I know I'm a million questions at the moment but I forgot all about this one!
What sort of boots are recommended for wandering around the resort. I would've looked daft just appearing in trainers I reckon!
Don't want to spend a fortune, however, don't really want wet feet either!
Tricky one to search old posts for as they all turn up ski boot related posts.
Thanks!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I find walking boots are generally good - and when it's dry, trainers are fine, too, though they can be horribly slippery if it's icy. You certainly don't need to spend loads of money on specialised boots if funds are tight.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Depends on the resport, last year in Belle Plagne I took walking boots and never wore them, just used trainers all week.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Last year in Sainte Foy I took my normal winter boots with gripper soles. But I needed flip flops as it was so warm
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@SnoodyMcFlude, at Christmas this year you could have used your walking boots to great effect on lots of snowless pistes.
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What do you wear in the UK in heavy rain or snow? Any decent, flat boots with some tread on the sole should be fine - put some waterproofing spray/wax on if you think they'll leak. You are unlikely to be digging snow if you're on a package holiday or similar and just out for the week.
Check the village webcams before you go - if there is little snow in the town and none forecast, trainers will probably be fine, especially later in the season.
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Muddy walking boots: they soon get a good clean in the snow.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I just wear trainers. Most of the time they are fine, and for the days when they are not fine I use waterproof socks to get by.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Oceanic wrote: |
I use waterproof socks to get by. |
I'm intrigued
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Merrells for me as well.
Think they're called Geomorph Mid Waterproofs - dunno if they still make them but I can't recommend them enough.
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 You know it makes sense.
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Thank you so much everyone - I don't know what I'd do without you!
@Timbobaggins - I think the first ones you linked (Trespass) look spot on - I'm going to Les Menuires in about a month so I have never been there and have no idea about the town layout etc. As for the second pair - are they a personal recommendation by yourself? They sure look comfy!
The Merrels look good and really handy for home too, but a little out of my price range for January sadly.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I've never taken any special footware for use around the resort and never had real issues.
Sure if it's snowing when you go in to the bar and snowing while you're in the bar you'll be walking through snow when you come out, so just remember to walk a little flat-footed to avoid slipping. In general the resorts WANT you to get out and about and spending money so keep paths clear.
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 Poster: A snowHead
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@JanieS,
My wife uses a cheapie Trespass pair and is quite happy with them, the second pair, I have actually seen laydeez tottering around in these types of boots in very snowy conditions in French ski resorts, usually in the Three Valleys
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mtsuit, Good advice about how to clean your walking boots.
In a ski resort I wear the same gortex walking shoes I wear everyday in the UK. The only time I took special walking boots to a resort I never put them on and forgot them at the end of the week.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@igLou, have a look at seal skins, basically two ply socks with a breathable bin bag sandwiched between!
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lightweight walking boots are a great idea for this job. Goretex if you can afford it, but waterproofing is not always necessary. Wear them on the plane to save weight and bulk. If you avoid ones with metal bits to hold the laces, you can usually get away with taking them off in security too. You need good grippy soles more than waterproofing. In-resort injuries often stem from slipping in snowy/icy paths.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Trainers unless you intend on trekking through deep snow
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the proper crampon things you can buy to put on your shoes are ideal. And, of course, snowshoes give you enormous stability but are possibly "de trop" in the high street. I am really scared of icy pavements - much nastier than a black run!
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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http://www.twoseasons.co.uk/shop/product/snow-accessories-1/squaw-oc?color=0001 I must say, these are probably the BEST boots I have ever bought. And, trust me I have bought a lot of boots over the years I wear them in resort, to work if its cold or snowing and even to the beach in Cornwall .... the green thing on the bottom of the boots turns round and has ice crampons. Its a patented design. I bought mine about four years ago and have now also invested in a more unpractical version too; for going 'out out' in resort, again with the crampon bottom. I have slipped over on icy pavements once too often. In these, I feel 100% secure. Love love love my mammals.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@pam w, I have devices to go over boots but those look more user friendly - the ones I have are good but a pain in the neck if you need to go into a shop or something. More spikey.
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@Fruity, they do look good.
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 You know it makes sense.
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@igLou, They are brilliant and frankly, even at £90 you will get the wear from them. The blue thing comes out and twists round, you just stomp your foot and they return into the tread, with a fair set of crampons appearing instead. You just have to remember to twist back before you go on carpet on marble floors in resort... unless you're good at skating
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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 Poster: A snowHead
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I just looked down and realised, A) I am wearing my mammals and B) I have the £80 pair with the fur down the front LOL
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I have had some boots with in-built crampons for some years. They're not bad, but I found that unless the crampons were really properly clipped away, which I could only achieve using a car key as a lever, it was too easy to rip them off. Lost one that way, and it took a while to order a new one, from the shop where I initially bought the boots. I actually found one last season, which somebody ha lost, so now have a space, which means, of course, that I will never lose one again.
They're quite good, but the crampons are not as effective as the "yak trak" style.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
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These are a permanent fix @pam w, my other pair, for going out at night have that tool... you don't need it with the mammals
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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igLou wrote: |
Oceanic wrote: |
I use waterproof socks to get by. |
I'm intrigued
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Google for 'Sealskins waterproof socks'.
They are not a perfect solution, but they do work, and they save me packing a pair of heavy walking boots that I rarely use.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Waterproof socks are good for this sort of use (although they don't breathe that well so not good if you have stinky feet)
No so good for use in heavy rain which can drip down you leg and fill the sock up - becomes like wearing a plastic bag full of water on your foot
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Trusty old pair of CATERPILLAR boots for me. Tried the german technique of staying out, dancing on tables in ski boots. Whist good fun at the time, it's only going to end badly at some point . I have some of the sealskinz socks for mountain biking and I've also found they fill with water!
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Meindl walking boots.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thank you for the kind offer but I am a size 7. (The size which always seem to sell out the fastest!
Wow so many responses! I really like the ones you posted @fruity - they look really sturdy and actually look good too! Might have to see if there are any on eBay though as a can't afford £90. Or get the ones from Trespess as they seem good too - I won't use often back in the UK (well, we do get a lot of snow in my town but still only when it snows!).
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Sorry missed this, if it was to me then thank you but my feet are bigger than that. I have popped a pair in my Amazon basket......
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