Brentastic Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I'm looking for suggestions for the most comfortable boot to wear during winter. I live in Chicago and I'd be wearing these to work. In non-winter months I wear sneakers to work. So I'm looking for comfort first and also a boot that has good traction on snowy and icey sidewalks. Warmth is not as much a consideration since I'm only outside for 10-15 minutes at a time but I will be walking a lot so comfort is a big factor. Again, comfort, quality and great traction. If you got a good recommendation, please share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I've liked miscellaneous timberland products Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I've owned Red Wings, Timberlands, Carhartt and Irish Setters off the top my head. The Irish Setters are by far my favorite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 I've spent the last several hours scouring the interwebs. Looking at Red Wings, Timberlands, Quoddy, Birkenstock Footprints, Blundstone, Merrel, Ecco and Vasque Sundowner. As of now, I'm going to focus on the Red Wings - the style, comfort and price most closely match what I'm looking for. Didn't see the Irish Setters - will take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Maybe you should look into some Ugg Boots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Do you need boots if you are only outside for 10-15 minutes? I would think some good high tops with extra socks would work fine. My best current boots are Rocky brand w/2000 gram Thinsultate - way too much for anything but ice fishing and deer stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 irish setters are red wing boots. danner is another good brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 Do you need boots if you are only outside for 10-15 minutes? I would think some good high tops with extra socks would work fine. My best current boots are Rocky brand w/2000 gram Thinsultate - way too much for anything but ice fishing and deer stands. Yes, because I'm outside several times a day, walking to and from the train, walking around downtown during lunch break etc... and sneakers are never good enough for traction. I'm going to go check out some Irish Setters and Red Wings as those seem to match what I'm looking for. In the past I've just bought some cheapy payless Rockies style mountain/snow boots but I think I've moved on from that and really just want a good solid boot that will last for 5 years or more. Thanks people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) Yes, because I'm outside several times a day, walking to and from the train, walking around downtown during lunch break etc... and sneakers are never good enough for traction. I'm going to go check out some Irish Setters and Red Wings as those seem to match what I'm looking for. In the past I've just bought some cheapy payless Rockies style mountain/snow boots but I think I've moved on from that and really just want a good solid boot that will last for 5 years or more. Thanks people. If you like Red Wing you might as well check out the Carhartt boots as Red Wing manufactures them. Great timing as well as all of our boots are discounted in our "outlet" store online Link as we are moving away from Red Wing in February. I own one pair that I bought years ago and probably wear 15 days a year to shovel snow, etc...they've been great. Edited December 10, 2011 by Puddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopazz Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Another vote for Danner. I've got a pair I've had for 20 years and they're still warm, dry, and comfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Another vote for Danner. I've got a pair I've had for 20 years and they're still warm, dry, and comfy. I was a sales rep for Danner before I retired. Why don't you just buy some Yaktrax and put them on your shoes when you go out?. I can run down the steepest of hills on sheer ice in those mo-fos and never slip. The other popular thing now is put screws on the bottom of your shoes and create studs on your soles. Yaktrax is more like adding tire chains to your soles, and can be taken on and off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I was a sales rep for Danner before I retired. Why don't you just buy some Yaktrax and put them on your shoes when you go out?. I can run down the steepest of hills on sheer ice in those mo-fos and never slip. The other popular thing now is put screws on the bottom of your shoes and create studs on your soles. Yaktrax is more like adding tire chains to your soles, and can be taken on and off. I use them ice fishen.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Ugg boots are very comfortable, but not necessarily good for inclement weather. Good for the cold, though. Northface boots are very comfortable and perform nicely in wet winter conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I was a sales rep for Danner before I retired. Why don't you just buy some Yaktrax and put them on your shoes when you go out?. I can run down the steepest of hills on sheer ice in those mo-fos and never slip. The other popular thing now is put screws on the bottom of your shoes and create studs on your soles. Yaktrax is more like adding tire chains to your soles, and can be taken on and off. +1 These things are awesome for bad weather. Just dont wear them on wood or vinyl flooring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I've always dug Frye boots. Really comfortable, built to last, and they look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Oven Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Vasque Sundowner. My vote. I've had two pairs of these over the last 15 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I have a pair of vasque boots that I've had for at least 15 years and they are still maybe my favorite pair of shoes that I own. they're more of a "casual" style than a hardcore hiking boot, they don't seem to really make anything like it these days. but they look good enough I can wear to work whenever it's a little cold or icy without looking like I'm going on an artcic expedition. goretex inside, plus I rub the leather with mink oil once a year or so. I've worn these probably 50-ish days per year every year for 15+ years and walked a ton of miles in them, and though the vibram soles don't really grip like they used to, they are still the most comfortable, supportive shoes I own. my current hiking boots are a pair of zamberlans, and while the red outer makes them a little loud for wearing to work, they are terrific in the snow and ice as well. to sum up, I'm going to pull a furd here and say unless you want steel-toes or something, buy italian. when it comes to comfort and longevity, they are tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I have a pair of vasque boots that I've had for at least 15 years and they are still maybe my favorite pair of shoes that I own. they're more of a "casual" style than a hardcore hiking boot, they don't seem to really make anything like it these days. but they look good enough I can wear to work whenever it's a little cold or icy without looking like I'm going on an artcic expedition. goretex inside, plus I rub the leather with mink oil once a year or so. I've worn these probably 50-ish days per year every year for 15+ years and walked a ton of miles in them, and though the vibram soles don't really grip like they used to, they are still the most comfortable, supportive shoes I own. my current hiking boots are a pair of zamberlans, and while the red outer makes them a little loud for wearing to work, they are terrific in the snow and ice as well. to sum up, I'm going to pull a furd here and say unless you want steel-toes or something, buy italian. when it comes to comfort and longevity, they are tops. Just a bit of advice... mink oil and bees wax are not recommended on modern leather boots anymore because boots are dry tanned now using chromium salts and sulfates. The mink oil can over soften the dry tanned leathers. Wax-based products like bees wax impregnates the leather making the outsoles difficult to replace, if needed, because the bees wax will not bond to the fresh adhesive. Stay away from petroleum based waterproofing like Tectron. It will actually delam your outsoles--happened to me and if I didn't have duct tape with me I would have been screwed in the backcountry, as both mine and hubby's boots' outsoles delaminated on both the right and left. Most boots have cemented outsoles these days and the petroleum eats the adhesive. You can be ultra careful and not get any of the product on the outsole but hard to do and still get the leather proofed down by the sole of the boot where most needed. More expensive boots will have stitched outsoles but still adhesives are used, but not as much. Also you don't want to be spraying that Chit in a closed room and breathing it--read the warnings on the label, it can cause lung damage. The best products to use to recondition and re-waterproof your boots are Granger and Nikwax products because they are water based solvents. They are environmentally safe as well. These products are a must on G-tex boots because your mink oils and bees wax clog the pores of the leather, so you just spent extra bucks for breathable boots and you just clogged the pores of the membrane with the oil and or wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 and Nikwax yup good stuff there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I would never go with anything other than Sorel boots. I watched the Griz pound Northern Iowa Friday night in Missoula. The temperature at game time was around 19 degrees. 3 hours into the game, and my feet were still warm. They are very comfortable and light weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 yup good stuff there. I was the sales rep for Nikwax too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Red Wings - wear mine in the winter all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Red Wings - wear mine in the winter all the time. Redwing owns Vasque and has for many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 Redwing owns Vasque and has for many years. Made in the USA too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh B Tool Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Another vote for Sorel. I love mine. Rugged, and at times almost too warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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