Winter Boots help,

[walt walkabout]

I'm looking to get a pair of boots for winter snowshoeing and backpacking. Yes,I know it's the end of the season and I just bought a pair of Sorel Conquest boots on Ebay that didn't work to well so I'm posting here for any suggestions for next year. Let me know what boots you have used and how you liked them and how many pairs of socks,etc you wear.
Thanks
Walt

[KeithEA]

Walt I bought the Sorel Blizzard I believe is the name of them. They are a pac boot and have the draw string at the top to keep the snow out. I use 2 pr socks. One thin to wick away the moister and a heavy pair of wool. Plenty warm. Used a few times last winter but not many miles on them. Coldest temp was about 5 degrees. Keith

[walt walkabout]

Yea, I tried a light pair of socks and a thick pair. Then I tried 2 thick pair which seems to work better.
The problem I'm having with the boots is the socks bunch under my toes making for uncomfortable walking. Also, the boots weigh like 5 lbs apiece and are very heavy. I think I can find a better boot that is designed for distance walking/snowshoeing. Cabellas make some that look more like the traditional hikeing boot. Also, North Face has come out with an insulated boot which I am going to check out next fall. REI and Moosejaw both carried them this year and hopefully next.
Thanks for the advice.
Walt

[djmutiny]

Personally I have ended up with a light hiker for snowshowing. My MSR Ascents give me plenty of support regardless of fottwear, andlight hikers with gaiters seem to be the most comfortable option, at least for me. I ended up with the Monatrail Stratos, mostly due to fit. These boots also have the Goretex XCR laminated to the outer nylon as opposed to a bootie. Hopefully this reduces water weight? I may be reaching, but heck, they fit!

Good luck

[EdK]

Walt...My toes, while snowshoeing, would always get cold using my regular pair of backpacking boots. This year, me dear ol' mum, got me a pair of boots from Land's End. These are waterproof, insulated with 400 grams of Thinsulite, and have worked tremendously well....plus, they were only $69.00. I was very skeptical at first, but I have worn these in water, snow and sleet, and just as long as the water level doesn't exceed the height of the boot, my feet have stayed dry and warm. I do not recall the name ofthese boots, but if you went to the site, I'm sure you could find them. They also sell one's insulated with 200 grams on insulation, these are not them.....400 grams are the one's I have. Ed

[walt walkabout]

Hey EdK, Thanks for the info. I'll check out there web site. $69 bucks sounds like a great deal. How's things in Cal? From what we hear on the news it sounds like ya'll are under 3 feet of water and covered by mud. :o)
Walt

[EdK]

Hey Walt...despite some tragic events associated with our weather, this is the winter we've been waiting for. Even here in So. Ca., our local big mountains have 9.5 ft. of snow on the ground at 9,000 ft. It's been fantastic. As for the boots, I went to their website yesterday and could not locate them....seasonal maybe? But, I did wear mine yesterday during an all-day, pouring rain hike, and again, dry feet :D Hope all is well in Mich. Ed

[walt walkabout]

Been a disappointing winter here. A couple of big dumps of snow then warm temps and rain wash them away, then cold and dry in lower mich. The upper peninsular got a lot of snow but the weather pattern this winter has been very screwy. Instead of a northern wind flow that brings the snow it has mostly blown in from the south west. The jet stream isn't flowing right.
Other than that it's been a good winter and I got in a few hikes but the very cold temps,single digits or below is causing me to start looking for a zero degree bag.
Happy Trails
Walt

[GreatDivide14]

Winter here just sucks. We get three inches, and we're rejoicing, at least those among us who like snow. The rest of the season, it's 33* and pouring rain. The adventure race last January involved horrifying amounts of ankle-deep mud (that's on Indiana's finest backpacking trail, by the way), but at least that beats the year before, when it rained hard for hours before it all froze. We haven't seen real snow for years. You spoiled brats don't know from disappointing winters.

[walt walkabout]

I got a new pair of boots. Columbia Bugabootoo. Bought them at Cabelas store in Dundee Mi. Actually it's more of a single store blown up to Mall size. They have more stuffed animals than any other place I've seen from a weasel to an elephant. And most everything in between. And more goodies in one store than I could believe. Mostly hunting and fishing goodies but if you wanted a perfect example of Americas commercial strength this is it.
Anyways, the boots are water proof and insulated and rated to -25 deg F with 200 gram Thermolite insulation. Very comfortable to wear and roomy while wearing 2 pairs of socks. They are a flexible boot and weigh 3# 6oz per pair. Price $85.
If you wanted an even warmer boot check out Cabelas Avalanche boot -45 rating and it has a faux fleece lining on the inside for added warmth and 400 gram Thinsulate. Price $70. These boots didn't fit as perfectly as the Columbia and I thought that while shoeing in the snow they would be too warm.
If you want to check them out go to www.cabelas.com
Thanks for everyones help and I'll let ya know how they work out.
Walt
P.S. My brother lives in Indiana and I think they have sucky weather too.

[EdK]

Although I've never checked out the Columbia's, their appearence is very similar to the Land's End boots I picked up. If they perform as well, you'll be pleased. Oh yeah....another storm pushed through today and the upper elevations of the mountains,(8,000' - 11'500') is expected to get another 18" - 24" of the white stuff :p There'll be snow well into August this year. :D Good luck with your boots. Ed

[walt walkabout]

Sounds like fun once the snow stops falling. I found those boots on Lands End web site and they look much like the ones I bought. This winter camping is a new trip for me and I was looking forward to getting out this winter up north and using my new snow shoes. But my favorite area didn't get and keep enough snow so that by the time I got up there I ended up carrying the shoes and having to stake out the tent with regular stakes instead of the snow stakes. That and having to sleep on 3 inches of ice instead of snow made for an interesting trip.
But, the good news is I get to buy a whole bunch of new gear. I'm now looking for a decent zero or below degree bag and while I dream of a Western Mountaineering I am probably gonna end up with Slumberjack.
So have fun in the snow and here's a happy trails for the coming season.
Walt

[The Weasel]

I got a new pair of boots. Columbia Bugabootoo.

I've never been a big fan of Columbia products, but I do have a pair of their Silcox boots (model discontinued) that have been great. They were the next level up from the Bugabootoos at the time. Very warm and water proof with decent traction on slippier surfaces.