Winter Footwear - Boots

Proper footgear is vital for comfort and to protect your toes from frostbite. 

Snow Boots

Two Types of Snow Boots

• Snowshoeing

  • Limited Exposure to cold and snow

  • Moving most of the time

  • Snugger fit to avoid blistering

  • Mainly out of the snow

  • Can get away with lower cut boots (Mid or High Ankle)

  • Can get away with less insulation (200-400g)

• Camping/Hunting

  • Overnighting in snow without heater

  • Standing Around a Lot

  • Looser fit to allow for better blood circulation 

  • Standing on or in snow most of day

  • Need taller boots (Mid Calf aka Tactical Length)

  • Need more insulation (1000g+)

All Boots Need

• • Waterproof

  • Insulated 

  • Height dependent on outing, but taller boots will help prevent snow from getting into boots

Waterproof

• Boots must be waterproof for use in snow

• If they are not waterproof, they will soak up water and keep your feet cold

• People have used waterproof socks and bread bags to help keep their feet dry, the but these techniques don't work as well as having dedicated waterproof boots

• Leather boots can be treated with Sno Seal (beeswax), but this doesn't work as well as having factory waterproofed boots

  • If you love your leather boots and don't mind having wet and cold feet, Sno Seal them and change your socks regularly

Insulation

How much insulation do you really need?  It depends on several factors, such as wind, temperature, moisture and activity level.  Some people run hot and other run cold.

• 200G of insulation means 200 grams per square meter of insulation

• 200G for cool environments where you still want to walk a lot

  • Most common level of insulation for winter hiking boots

• 400G for above freezing temperatures

• 600G when ground is frozen and has some snow on it

• 800G if you will be standing around or hanging out on thicker snow

• 1000G+ for really cold environments or when you are standing still - such as some of our winter camping

• Note: when standing still, you can stand on a foam pad to help insulate you from the cold ground

Boot Height - Shaft Height

• Shaft Height 

  • From the back of the heel to the top of the boot

  • Ankle Boots - 3-8 inches

  • Mid Boots - 8.25-13.25 inches 

  • Tall Boots (almost knee-high) - 13.5-17.75 inches 

  • Over-the-Knee Boots - 18 inches+

• Low Cut

  • Trail Runners

  • Great range of motion

  • Great shoe for most trails for  3-season use

  • Even if waterproof, stepping in a few inches of snow will result in snow getting into shoe

    • Snow in shoes will melt and rapidly cool feet

  • NOT acceptable option for Snow Outings

• Mid Cut

  • Provides some protection to ankles

  • Compromise between Low Cut and High Ankle

  • Generally come with 0-200G of insulation

  • NOT a good option for Snow Outings

  • Example:

    • Merrell Moab 3 Thermo Mid Waterproof

      • 200g Primaloft Gold Eco Series synthetic insulation

      • 200g of Insulation - ok for cooler weather when moving

• High Ankle

  • Can be used for Snow Outing, but MUST wear quality made Snow Gaiters

  • Many will argue the well made High Ankle Boots are better than winter Mid Calf Boots (Tactical Length)

    • Better designed for hiking and snowshoeing

    • More support

    • Fit snugger

    • Less blisters

  • Argument for winter Mid Calf Boots (Tactical Length)

    • Better protection from snow getting in boots

    • Generally more insulation

    • Better designed for standing still in snow

  • Example:

    • Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip

      • 200g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation

      • Popular snowshoeing boot

      • Not enough insulation for standing around in snow

    • See Winter Boot Examples for Snowshoeing below

• Mid Calf aka Mid Boots

  • Looks more like tactical boot

  • Preferred for snow outings in deep snow

  • Offers protection from ankle deep snow

  • Insulation ranges from 0-1400G

  • Use Gaiters to keep snow out of boots when 

    • Breaking trail 

    • Peg legging in deep snow

    • When in snow pits

  • Example:

    • Men’s Chilkat V 400 Waterproof Boots

      • 400g Heatseeker Eco insulation

      • Popular boot for snowshoeing

    • See Winter Boot Examples for Camping below

Winter Boot Examples - Snowshoeing 

These boots were selected for use in winter outings where Scouts go on a snowshoe trip during the day and then head home, maybe with a stop at a nice cafe with pie.  Shoes should be waterproof and have enough insulation to keep you warm while moving.  Gaitors should be worn unless you are on hardpack, groomed trails. 

Snowshoeing Boot Examples

• Oboz Bridger 8″ Insulated Waterproof 

  • 200g of Insulation - ok for cooler weather when moving

  • Not enough insulation for standing around in snow

• Merrell Moab Speed Thermo Mid Waterproof

  • 200g Primaloft Gold Eco Series synthetic insulation

  • Not enough insulation for standing around in snow

• Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip

  • 200g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation

  • Popular snowshoeing boot

  • Not enough insulation for standing around in snow

• Keen Revel IV Polar Waterproof Boot

  • For Wide Feet

  • 200g of KEEN.WARM Recycled P.E.T. insulation

• Salomon Quest Winter Thinsulate Climasalomon Waterproof

  • 400g Thinsulate

• Men's Moab 3 Thermo Extreme Waterproof

  • 600g Primaloft Gold Eco Series synthetic insulation

Winter Boot Examples - Camping and Hunting

These boots were selected for use in winter outings where we will likely encounter deep snow and plan to do a lot of standing around in camp while making snow shelters. 

Insulated Hunting and Work Boots

• If you keep an eye on prices, you can get these for under a $100

• Waterproof, warm and tall enough to keep most snow out of boots

• These are the preferred winter boot type for our adult leaders

• Example: 

  • Rocky Boots 

    • Rocky Blizzard Stalker Pro Waterproof Insulated Boots have worked well for what we do

  • Danner

  • Kenetrek

Snowboard Boots

• Insulated and allows you to walk (to some degree)

• Often plentiful at secondhand stores and online marketplaces (craig's list, offer up, etc.)

  • Snowboarders love to dump last year's model for latest model or the next size up as they grow

  • You can get great boots for a low price if you keep an eye out for these

• This is the preferred economy boot option for Scouts

Nylon Upper; Rubber Bottom Snow Boot

• This Style or This Style are options

• Rubberized bottom protects feet from wet snow

• Calf length uppers keep snow out of boot

  • Uppers should be waterproof and seam-sealed

• Insulation keeps feet warm

• If you add a snow gaiter - it's even better

• These are far more affordable than name brand boots

  • Expect durability issues and possibly not being 100% waterproof

  • Do NOT expect boot to breathe

Sorel Boots 

• Known for excellent winter boots

  • Long time favorite for Men's Winter Boots

  • Columbia Sportswear Ltd purchased Sorel in 2000 and shifted focus from farm/hunting to fashion 

    • Sorel was made in Canada but is now made in China and Vietnam

• Too expensive for youth as they will grow out of these in less than a year

  • There are more economical options that also work better 

• Men's Caribou Boot

  • Classic Snow Boot

  • Vulcanized rubber shell

  • Waterproof nubuck leather upper

  • Removable 9 mm washable recycled felt inner boot with Sherpa pile snow cuff

  • Sorel Men's 1964 Pac Nylon Boot is Nylon version of Caribou Boot 

• Sorel Glacier XT 

  • Excellent Arctic Boot 

  • Removable 13mm ThermoPlus felt inner boot with Omni-Heat™ reflective lining.

  • Overkill for what we do

  • Appear to be out of production

Baffin

• Canadian made boots

• Excellent premium boots designed for winter use

• Crossfire

  • Rubber shell bottom

  • Removable Comfort-Fit multi-layer inner boot system

  • The Snow Monster  is the next level up and Overkill for what we do 

• Impact 

  • Excellent arctic boot

  • Removable Comfort-Fit multi-layer inner boot system

  • Overkill for what we do

North Face Boots

• Men’s Chilkat V 400 Waterproof Boots

  • 400g Heatseeker Eco insulation

  • Popular boot for snowshoeing

  • These are a bit light on insulation for standing around 

Insulated Rubber Hunting Boots

• Rubber boot is 100% waterproof

• It is vapor barrier and does not breathe at all

• Insulation should keep you warm while standing on snow

• Requires frequent sock changes and airing out of boots

• These are preferred if you are walking through a lot of shallow mud and water

• These are NOT ideal for walking but are good for standing around a lot

• Examples: 

  • Cabelas

  • Lacrosse Footwear Alphaburly Pro 

  • Scheels  Muck Arctic Pro Rubber Boots 

  • NORFIN Klandaik Boot

Military Vapor Barrier Boots

• Overkill for what we do

• Designed for Alaska and polar regions

  • Military Black ones are good to -10F

  • Military White ones are good to -60F

  • Insulated rubber hunting boots - good for standing in water - but why are do doing this in the winter?

• Expect feet to get really wet - places you at risk of booth freezing and nonfreezing foot injuries if you don't take care of feet

• Other vapor barrier options can be considered for temperatures below 10 degrees

  • VB Mukluks

  • VB socks

  • Breadbag

Snow Gaiters 

• • Keeps snow out of boots

  • This is huge when making snow shelters and breaking a trail through the snow - otherwise your boots will fill up with snow and soak your feet

  • Example:

    • OR Rocky Mountain High Gaiters 

US Military Guide to Feet

Source: TB MED 508 PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF COLD-WEATHER INJURIES 

Boots

The Army has several types of boots for cold-weather operations. 

1. The intermediate cold/wet boot (NSN 8430-01-471-8230) is designed to be worn in cold, wet environments where the temperature is above 10 °F. Wearing this boot for extended periods at air temperatures below 10 °F will increase susceptibility to cold injury, because considerable foot cooling will occur at these low temperatures due to insufficient boot insulation. 

2. Two vapor barrier boots are in the Army’s inventory. One is colored black (NSN 8430- 00-823-7046) and is rated down to –20 °F. The other boot is colored white (NSN 8430-00-655- 5563) and can be used at temperatures as low as –60 °F. Proper fitting of the vapor barrier boots is essential, because tight boots will constrict blood flow, yet loose boots can cause blisters and also allow considerable snow to fall into the boot. Soldiers need to try on several pairs of vapor barrier boots while wearing the appropriate socks to get the proper fit and must not rely on the shoe size only. 

3. The intermediate cold/wet boot has a limited capacity to transfer sweat, and the extreme cold-weather boot (vapor barrier) allows no evaporation, making it necessary for soldiers to change their socks two to three times daily. p. Clothing becomes ineffective if it becomes dirty. Dirt compresses the insulation in the fleece and clogs the pores in breathable fabrics. Soldiers must clean their clothing according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Wet clothing can be hung to dry inside a tent with a stove.