The Best Looking Cold Weather Boots – Winter Boot Round Up 2010-11
You guys asked… repeatedly… so here it is. Years back I used to be very much into the camping thing. Went out in the woods about once a month, did some longer trips, and even did some extreme cold weather stuff as some sort of sick hobby. Maybe it was just overcoming the challenge, but the morning I woke up in a tent, looked outside at our thermometer and it read -6 below I asked myself: “Why am I doing this again?”
Heavy winter boots need to be waterproof, they need to be insulated, and if you plan on wearing them over rough terrain and long distances, breathable. Add all those features up and you’ll be hard pressed to find anything under $100. If it’s not hovering around single digits you can certainly get away with regular waterproof hikers and wool socks
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The Classically Ugly: Sorel 1964 Premium T – $110.00
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer of winter footwear. Been around forever, kinda cool looking in that blocky wood-paneled kind of way, beloved by many. An original that J. Crew is now selling. Waterproof, felt liner, not something you really keep on once you get indoors.
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The not real cheap slim duck: Bean Boots 10″ Sherling Lined – $149.00
It’s like those duck boots you had as a kid only merged with a combat boot. Rubber bottom, waterproof leather upper, warm shearling lining. Made in Maine. These are boots for guys who shovel their sidewalks with one of those old iron coal shovels.
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The Lighter Weight Retro Boot: Timberland Newmarket Waterproof – $129.95
These definitely look more Boulder Colorado than Arctic Circle, but they’re waterproof and have a quilted lining. I’d still go with wool socks though.
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The heavyweight clompers: LL Bean Gore-Tex Upland Boot – $149.00
Gore-tex is waterproof but still lets your fee breathe. Also equipped with Thinsulate so they’ll be warmer than the Timberland’s above. The uppers are made of Kangaroo leather… really. But by the looks of them, don’t expect to gain any jumping ability via osmosis upon lacing up. Those things are monsters (although one review calls them “light”)
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The Updated Sorel: Sorel Kingston Premium Peak – $180.00
They kind of have a galosh silhouette, but they cut down on the normal all rubber duck bottom by using waterproof leather instead. Felted collar, easy to grab and tie laces even in the winter. Not cheap.
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The Urban Wildcards: Creative Recreation Satoro – $150.00
Some of you will love these, some of you will hate these. They ain’t subtle by any stretch, but your pant legs will be covering all the off the risky stuff most of the time anyway.
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The damn near perfect & you’ll pay for it: Danner Super Rain Forrest 200 gram – $279.95
Danner doesn’t screw around. They make boots for everyone from loggers to the military. And they make them here in the United States. Based in Portland, Danner makes boots that could potentially last you the rest of your life. They offer recrafting (for a price) and they’re built like tanks. Speaking of, check your local craigslist. You just might get lucky and find an ex member of the military looking to offload his danners for a reasonable price. That’s where I got mine. (A warning, they run narrow, so wider feet guys, order the 2E)
Additions and reactions go in the comments section below…