 Poster: A snowHead
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Off to Les Arcs in a couple of weeks and need some footwear that will handle walking around in snowy conditions when not on the slopes. A review of my current footwear situation reveals I have a pair of big, hefty, clumpy leather walking boots and a pair of walking/approach shoes. The walking boots are too big and heavy to be crashing round in (and not good for air travel in general) and I've been out in snowy conditions in approach shoes before...end up with half a ton of snow getting in as they don't come up the ankle at all (cue: cold, wet feet and grumpy owner  ).
So I'm thinking of getting something in between the two...i.e. boots but not ones that weigh as much as a fridge. I won't be using them for serious snow walking...just for walking around a snowy resort and then I'll also use them when out walking (post-winter) when I need something lighter than my big walking boots. Reasonably flexible on price - I don't mind spending to get something worthwhile but don't want to break the bank. If I can get something for < £50-60 that would be great but don't know if that's realistic.
Anyone got any recommendations from personal experience? Is it worth paying extra for Gore-Tex? I realise waterproof-ness is highly desirable if they're going to be used in snow but I've been having a look around online and (as usual!) there are hundreds of options with all sorts of prices and some reviews of quite expensive boots are not very favourable due to poor build quality and general leakiness, i.e. the waterproof-ness doesn't last more than a few weeks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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sportpursuit would be a good bet, you should be able to find a pair of light walking boots that are waterproof for 50 to £100. I've bought a couple of pairs from them that were very good value.
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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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Timberland standard boots. Or if you like higher tech then any of the beefed up training shoes (Merrel / Keen etc) would work. It's just a bit of snow and (usually) many pubs and restaurants, walking boots would be in my view a bit ott.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Snow boots from Decathlon start from £20.
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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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Sorel 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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I just use my regular waterproof merrel/keen/salomon light walking boots or trainers, whatever i have at the time. I tend to walk across wet fields quite a bit so always have a waterproof pair of something. Currently I have a pair of Keen boots, they're just coming up 2 1/2 years old, worn most days and are just starting to leak on occasions.
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| philwig wrote: |
| Timberland standard boots... |
I would be very very careful about taking timberlands. I have found myself falling all over on ice wearing Timberlands they have no grip whatsoever. Strangely my friend had a pair of Timberlands which looked exactly the same ( standard light brown yellow colour) he had good grip on ice. The soles looked identical but performed vastly differently.
He queried if mine were fakes but as they were bought in person from a Timberland shop it would be unlikely.
Mine were made in Indonesia ( I can't remember where his were made), but I'd Definatley avoid the Indonesian ones.
They were very waterproof though.
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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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@betterinblack, I'd second that. I have a pair of Timberlands which are brilliant until they hit a wet tiled floor.
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Timberlands rubbish on snow and ice generally.
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You know it makes sense.
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Cheap pull on crampon things, readily available from Amazon will solve the problem of slipping.
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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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Another for Sorel boots
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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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@geoffers,
Nee-naw. Incorrect.
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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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| twoodwar wrote: |
| Another for Sorel boots |
And another
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Themasterpiece wrote: |
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Another for Sorel boots |
And another |
And another. Grippy and warm
Carrier bags!!!
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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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Worst comes to worst wee wee on your socks and put them over shoes for ice traction - Bear Grylls Skillz
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What's so special about pee?
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Karrimor boots from SportsDirect. £25-35 (non leather) waterproof and comfortable. They won't last forever obviously but easily a few years if only used in snowy conditions.
They do also have a proper snow shoe.
I've also seen some good things in TK Maxx this year including half price TNF snow boots!
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Timberlands: I agree, they are utterly useless on snow. I think the rubber compound on the soles is just too hard.
Snow boots: Always seem like a good idea, but when I have taken them I've generally felt a bit of a twit walking around pavements bare of snow in dirty great snow boots. In addition, while they may or may not be marginally better at getting you from chalet to restaurant you then sit in an overheated room with your feet sweltering inside a pair of boots designed for -25. Personally, I've usually found that a pair of cheap hiking boots / high sided trainers are more than adequate for 99% of the time.
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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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Proper waterproof (e.g Goretex) hiking boots are good. In slushy conditions - like when it was raining for days - they are good. But no good in deeper snow without gaiters.
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I wear the same FatFace leather boots that I do at home. I put extra wax on them beforehand and they are more than adequate for a 5 min walk to the pub. I find proper walking boots too heavy and hot when I'm not actually hiking, and often resort pavements are either lower than the snow line or properly cleared, making heavy duty footwear overkill.
If I was out for long periods or regularly digging out cars/driveways/small children, I'd get some serious Sorels or something, but I'm not so I don't need them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| blahblahblah wrote: |
| Sorel boots. |
+1. Last forever, warm waterproof and non-slip.
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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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I love my Sorel's, however they are not the best designed boots for walking longer distances in!
Great for shovelling snow and driving around in and going to the shop, but walking a mile or so and feel blisters etc even though put some thermo moulded soles in!
And nothing works in black ice, hard packed icy snow apart from ice track crampons or equivalent.
Deep powder snow when I walk over the fields then it's my mountain walking boots and gaiters, and gaiters are the most underated bit of gear ever!
So good pair of boots and gaiters is the answer to your question!
And if the snow is not deep you don't wear the gaiters!
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@Hells Bells, I would have said that until the end of last season when my 2 year old Sorels (8 months of wear for 30mins walking a day max) split on the rubber bits - a bike puncture repair kit will extend the life - but I do not expect to do that with a premium product with a price tag to match.
Next time I will go for the lookelikies that are available in France - but I don't know the name........yet
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Yup, another vote for a good pair of GoreTex hiking boots. Had both Asolo and Scarpa. The Asolo boots were really good - good traction, warm, and the sole lasted a long time. Too early to really judge the Scarpa boots, but they might actually be even better than the Asolo.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@chocksaway, unlucky. I've had mine for about 5 years now.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| pam w wrote: |
| What's so special about pee? |
It is only way to get the socks wet when otherwise it would be too cold to melt the snow without freezing your hands. Wet socks grip.
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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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Ah, I see. It's just wet socks that grip. Doesn't have to be pee. if it's very cold you could end up stuck fast. I'm reading an account by Nicholas Vanier of his participation in the Yukon Quest dog sled race. He describes setting sled anchors in the snow then peeing on them to set them firmly in ice. but it was minus 40. Wouldn't be too effective in Meribel at zero.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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| pam w wrote: |
| Ah, I see. It's just wet socks that grip. Doesn't have to be pee. if it's very cold you could end up stuck fast. I'm reading an account by Nicholas Vanier of his participation in the Yukon Quest dog sled race. He describes setting sled anchors in the snow then peeing on them to set them firmly in ice. but it was minus 40. Wouldn't be too effective in Meribel at zero. |
Well there is also the salt content 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I wouldn't fancy walking around smelling of pee though. Or taking them off! 
I've got Pajar snowboots, I love them!
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I use walking boots.
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FAQ
