My big winter boots I have used for the last few years got a split in them today. I use them a lot as I walk about 1km a day to and from work. I have to walk up hills and on ice at times. Which boots should I buy that will be good quality, keep my feet warm and dry, and last repeated daily use?
What’s your price range?
New BIFL footwear is going to cost you at minimum $300, but the better stuff will be closer to $500 or $600.
What kind of socks do you typically wear with the boots? How cold doesn’t get around you during the winter? There’s lots of variability, depending on whether your top need is insulation versus traction, for example.
I would hope to spend not much more than $300. I typically wear normal socks but if it is cold then I’ll put on some wool or thermal socks. It can get as low as -30 Celsius
I would hope to spend not much more than $300.
So what is the impetus of this price adversness
Do you expect to abuse the boots in a way that will impact it’s value and utility?
If you found a pair of boots that would last 10x longer, would you not be able to afford 4x the cost?
Based on the temperature, I’m guessing you’ll want insulated boots.
If you’re in the US, Chippewa is a good maker of mid-range, good-quality Goodyear-welted boots. A Goodyear welt (made of leather, not plastic) is important because that means you can get them resoled easily - important for BIFL footwear.
Something like this should last you a very long time: https://www.chippewaboots.com/en/thunderstruck-10-inch-waterproof-insulated-21107.html?dwvar_21107_color=Brunette
That’s a 10" logger boot. Might be a little heavy, but as long as you take care of them and store them properly, they’ll be good for everything from hiking to working outside to just running errands in cold weather.
If you’re looking for something simpler and lighter weight, this might also work: https://www.chippewaboots.com/en/northbound-8-waterproof-insulated-lace-up--21097.html?dwvar_21097_color=Wheat
That’s more of a cold weather work boot, though. If you plan to hike in these regularly, you probably want to boot with logger soles.
They make a bunch to choose from, here’s a link to some additional options: https://www.chippewaboots.com/en/shop-mens-shoes/?prefn1=construction&prefn2=features&prefn3=safetyToe&prefv1=Goodyear+Welt&prefv2=Insulated&prefv3=Soft+Toe|Composite+Toe&page=all
But don’t just take my word for it. Look up the shoes, look up the fit. Ideally, see if you can find a dealer in your area so you can make sure you get a proper fit.
To keep good BIFL boots in shape over a period of many years and regular use, make sure you care for it, as they aren’t invincible to the elements over time. Wipe salt stains off a few times a month, apply waterproofing spray or cream before every winter, avoid roughly jamming your foot in if you can, replace soles every few years, then it will last you.
I have a pair of Keen boots that my late uncle used for a decade of daily hiking and then passed on to me, who wore them for another decade of daily wear in winter conditions. They are just now losing their waterproofing but are still warm, sturdy, and maintain a good grip and complete sole.
Sadly, modern Keen boots are nowhere near as good as the old ones.
I’ve had a pair of these boots for about 7 years now. The built in cleats are amazing for walking icy hills and I’m sure have saved me from falling on my ass but they making walking on ice so easy how would I know?
Actually these look like an upgraded version from what I have. My cleats would swing out into a different section of the boot. Looks like these swing out and then rotate and go back into the same tread location would should work way better than what I have because if I get any rocks stuck in my treads I have to pick them out before I can switch modes.
There are a few different models on that website. For BIFL you might want to go with the metal cleats, but the plastic ones have been working pretty well.
For me and my habits, these have been working for a few years. They cost me about 75 €. But as always, product portfolios change and most likely they’re out of production. And maybe they’ll break this year, making my recommendation premature - but I see no signs of breaking yet.
Why I picked them: they had a rubber lower part and a string-tightened but closed upper part made of fabric (no “tongue” with open sides, no zipper, zippers can break down). My access way gets flooded often, and most of the flooding occurs during cold weather. So I often walk in snow that has ice and water underneath, and break it when walking. I could use rubber boots, but then it would be cold.
