Boots (buy, shop, best)

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Fred s2

12 inch whites with air bob sole. I would look at the original pac and not the snow cat

I'd like a pair of Whites....but the budget doesn't allow it. I have Danners with the air bob soles. The air bob soles are great for hunting, they grab decently when sidehilling or climbing. They are the WORST I'VE OWNED on ice or hard packed snow. Those little rounded bumps make like ball bearings, I've landed on my padded parts far more than I like. For a dedicated winter boot, I'd look at a Vibram sole, or something similar.. I think Whites will give you whatever type you want.

To the OP, how will you be using yours? Are you looking at spending a lot of time standing still, say hunting from a stand or ice fishing? General work outside, shoveling snow, etc? Or just walking to the rig to go somewhere? I like pac boots if I'm standing or snowmobiling, not so much for walking.

[Fred s2]

Yeah, Whites are spendy, but I have to have good boots. I run a set of 10" smokejumpers 5 days a week. If I was outside in the snow a lot, I would have to spring for some pacs.

Really, toyman has the question, how are you gonna use boots. If you are out int he woods all day, you want the best you can afford. If you are just walking around town, or a hour or 2 shoveling, sorels are plenty good.

[skelaki]

Originally Posted by MeInIdaho

My boots are from L.L. Bean. I've had them since, well, ten years at least. They keep my feet really dry but warm, not so much.

My husband has a pair of Whites along with about five other pairs of work boots including a pair of Sorels. The Whites belonged to his dad. When he died those were pretty much the only thing my husband wanted. Not that his father didn't have other nice things, but those boots are heirloom quality. He had them resoled a few years ago. The cobbler wanted to put some generic sole on them but my husband wasn't buying. Lucky he and his dad shared the same shoe size. Our son's feet are much bigger so if the Whites manage to last another 30 years I suppose my husband can be buried with them. Yes, I think he really does like them that much.

When I lived in snow country (WY and UT) I had two pairs of LL Bean Boots. One pair was for temperatures down to "0" degrees and I used those primarily in UT where it doesn't get as cold and on "warmer" WY winter days. The other pair was for temperatures down to around -30 degrees. That pair was great for cold WY winter weather and kept my feet warm and dry. I gave them to a friend when I had to move back to CA for a job transfer.

[KTMMan]

I haven't priced them in years, but Sorel Caribou's have served me really well in Wyoming. Just buy an extra set of liners to rotate every day and your set. I imagine they don't cost $59.95 on sale anymore though.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

I have Sorel's but my husband has, and I really, really recommend: White's Boots in Spokane. They make incredible boots, snow and otherwise. My next pair will absolutely be White's.
www.whitesboots.com

You are sooo right about White's boots! They cost a small fortune but, in this case, you definitely get what you pay for. My ex was a USFS/BLM firefighter for over ten years and, probably, had three (maybe four) pairs of boots in that time. But that was because he liked to trade off frequently. The good thing was that he could send them back for a 'rebuild' every other year or so. And you KNOW he was rough on his boots out there in the woods, etc.. He also wore them all winter when he worked in logging. Great boots! Me, I have Sorels that I bought when we were in AK over ten years ago and I'm still wearing them. Although I have to admit, it doesn't get that bad, weatherwise, here in AZ. They mostly sit in the closet but when I DO decide to drive up the mountain to play in the snow they come in handy!

[esselcue]

Love my Sorels...I have the regular high top boots and also a pair of softer, low top Sorel boots for running errands and just out and about. Have tried others but always return to the Sorels.

[MeInIdaho]

Misty, I didn't know that about Whites! Thank you. He'll probably need them to be rebuilt sometime in the not so distant future. Good to know!

Skelaki, L.L. Bean is a good company, I actually sort of grew up near where they are located in Maine and have friends and family who work for the company. I like their boots and they have some made in Maine products that are great. They've changed many of their practices over the years including shipping many jobs overseas, but it's hard to blame them in this economy. Still, you can't argue with their very generous return policy!

Thank you everyone, I had a blast reading about everyones great boot experiences. Wow, I have to say after reading on the Whites website, it seems like there is something for just about everyone who might want a pair of them for one thing or another. Fantastic.
I have an old, and I mean old pair of steel toe, made in USA, Sorels I bought at a thrift store about 5 years back. They are way too heavy for any kind of everyday use, however I think the new Sorels are not steel toe anymore. Thank for all of the input, kind regards and happy winter feet for all of you! Happy Christmas everyone!

[norcalmom101]

I'd kiss my Sorrels, but they have mud on them. Didn't wear them today, boy was that stupid. First time I had wet socks since last winter.

[akravenlady]

My ex was a guide in Alaska for many years and he swore by these boots:

Schnee Insulated Pac Boots - Rubber Bottom Pac Boots

For a woman, I just got a pair of these and I love them:

Sorel Helen of Tundra Pac Boots - Insulated, Leather-Wool (For Women) - Save 30%

And many of the guys that snowmachine in Alaska wear Bunny boots. http://www.bunnyboots.com/