November 30th, 2006
seeking advice
OK, kiddos, I rarely ask for advice here, but I’m really stumped right now.
I am in need of a good pair of winter boots. I have these, which I bought to take with me on ski trips, but they are pretty much worthless. The sole is too stiff, so it doesn’t flex when I walk, which means I pretty much don’t walk in them, I stomp. Also, every time I take a step, my heel comes up out of the shoe and my ankle presses against the front of the hi-top (which I have to lace super-tight so my foot doesn’t come OUT of the shoe), leaving me at the end of it all with a sore ankle and sore legs and knees from walking with an unfamiliar motion.
So, OK. Those boots are crap. But I need boots! I’ve been wearing my good knee-high leather boots, with the low heel and the neoprene-like lining instead, but they’re getting ruined from the weather. I’d like to keep them for nice, since they’re “nice” boots, and not “inclement weather” boots.
What I’m seeking, then, are recommendations. I want something that’s not leather, at least not entirely leather, or that, if it is leather, is designed to take a beating from the elements. I want something relatively light so I don’t feel like I’m wearing cinder blocks on my feet, and I want something that isn’t too bulky to go under my jeans or pants.
I want a lot, I think.
I’ve considered traditional Bean boots, with the GoreTex for warmth and waterproofness, but they are spendy and, since I can’t try them on, I worry about their fit on my feet. This, after all, is how I got stuck with the other boots. So, if you have Bean boots, can you endorse the fit? The lightness on your feet? The flex of the sole, enabling you to walk like a human being and not stomp around like a Yeti?
Alternatively, recommend other winter boots you love, that are warm, dry-feet-promoting, and not so bulky as to, again, cause the Yeti Walk.
Any and all comments are welcomed and appreciated!
comments
You cannot be seen outside in those LLBeans.
i have these Bean boots, new this year:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=bradbury-field-boots&categoryId=47957&parentCategory=3651&cat4=1039&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&feat=1039-sub2
(Bradbury Field Jodphurs), and I love them.
The bottom was a little stiff, but that’s changing as I wear them.
They are NOT lined, so warmth isn’t their thing, but they are water proof (there’s a discreet rubber lining between the leather and the sole of the shoe), and they are light, and they fit under jeans without a problem.
For me, they’re great for the days that we have snow and sleet coming down, but not piled up on the ground, and I don’t want my feet wet.
I have massive snow boots (go on TOP of jeans) for post-snow storm romping with the kids.
I’m sitting here early in the morning dreading the fact that the LawChildren have a snow day today. My plan was to outline and study…we’ll see how much I actually get done with the three of them fighting all day. (My prediction: not much.) You’ve chosen a good day to ask about boots, given the winter storm we’re having in in the Midwest today!
I have the traditional Bean boots, and I LOVE them. They are the warmest boots I’ve ever owned, they run true-to-size (they’re made to wear with heavy-ish socks) and they are my boot of choice when it snows. However, I would only wear them to tromp around in the city if there was a BIG blizzard. They’re great for playing in and shoveling and walking dogs in snow…not so great for walking from point to point in the city. Although I have worn them grocery shopping on really inclement days. They’re definitely clunky!
I can, however, recommend these Bean boots: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=winter-ridge-boots&categoryId=43311&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=3653&cat4=1039&shop_method=pp&feat=3653-tn
They will accomplish what you want….they’re warm, dry, not clunky, and they actually look half-way decent. They are a bit pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. I’ve had them for a couple of years, but they were the best for walking around the city last winter.
Good luck with finals!!