What kind of first snow boot for the mountains

[CosmicWizard]

I walked hundreds of miles on snowy trails in the Selkirk mountains of British Columbia in my Sorels and never had cold feet. If you'll be wearing them all day long, get a second pair of liners, so that you can switch liners everyday, because they do get moist from sweating.

[proveick]

Hey Cosmic, (hundreds of miles) did you have trap lines?

[Idunn]

If you shop online you'll quickly discover that there is a wide variety of winter shoes/boots on offer. In the realm of women, even some with three inch heels, an item which, if stylish, would prove interesting to walk in sometimes. But at the other end of that spectrum are heavy and bulky winter boots which might be fine if mountaineering or working on an arctic oil field, but overkill for a jaunt across town.

In short, your choice should be sized towards intended use.

It is perfectly possible to spend the better part of your time in Colorado in flip flops. They remain as comfortable in winter, only a bit cooler, particularly if happening to walk in, and not on top of, snow. One downside is many have fairly flat soles, thus less traction. One upside, if stepping in some mucky slush puddle, the only damage done and need later to rinse off foot and flip flop. Good to go. Try that in suede winter boots, which are more usually women's and stylish, and you'll rue the day. Your boot will not like it, and look as much. If for any duration, it will also likely soak up some water and refuse to dry very fast, and appear worse for the experience.

So you might go mountain man, and get something rugged suitable for any type of blizzard. Great. Until you discover they cannot just be slipped on like loafers. Then if really bulky, a new experience in trying to drive. A walk across town? You might feel like you have something chained to your feet with all that weight. How about a friend's house? Do you want to spend the entire evening encased in expedition winter boots?

Something like that may not be a bad idea, but possibly as a second pair left in the trunk of the car for real emergencies, like having to hike for five miles in a storm for help.

If in and about town, as most usually are, and more usually some excursion from building to car, there is a lot of latitude for downsizing. In fact, for that most anything will do if the sole has any type of traction. Something designed specifically for winter will usually offer the traction, and varying degrees of insulation, from thin to massive. In this range the harder decision is style and price, and comfort.

Do not overlook that. Because some boot good down to -30 will not see much use if it chaffs your feet the wrong way every time used. There may be no way to know for sure in advance, other than in walking discovering how your particular boot will work out. Although reviews can provide some clues, with some models with many happy customers, others reporting various problems, such as sore or bleeding feet.

Something of a compromise and decision if one wishes one item of footwear to use for everything. Something fine around town may be less than adequate out on the trail hiking. But the good news is one doesn't have to go full expedition here, either. Not usually. Look at the range of footwear that just the brand Sorel offers, for instance, and there are a lot of choices. Some of their winter boots are both warm and lightweight, but not the bulky snow monsters they also offer. Some are stylish, others more eclectic, a fashion statement if worn all the time that you are a living fashionista. Or just do not care what others think.

Probably a lot more that could be said on this subject. But generally less is more. If you really do hang out in flip flops some in winter, you may begin to wonder why others appear dressed for Barrow, Alaska for the expedition between SUV and the warm grocery store entrance. Just give your feet some space, do not cramp them, and even a little bit of insulation will go a long ways. If colder feet, then opt for more, like thick felt. Go with something with a modicum of water proofing, or waterproof, if you intend to be standing in slush or water a lot. But in the end choose something you like, and are actually liable to wear.

As my mother always said, dress sensibly. Although that open to interpretation.