Saving my feet in the snow

thegoodoutdoors

Hi, amn't very fashionable at the best of times but getting annoyed with the snow these days. My socks and feet are getting destroyed by melting snow. Have come on here to ask if a man can wear wellies out in the snow in the city and does anyone do it? Or, would I be better parting with more money for boots? Thanks.

Fajitas!

Get a good pair of waterproof boots, and double up your socks to keep your feet warm.

A decent pair of waterproof boots is pretty much essential all year round.

OldGoat

Wellies have the advantage of a good thread on the sole for grip but they won't retain any heat hence they are only OK for a short walk.
Best bet is to buy a good pair of hiking boots and a few pair of quality socks. You'll be able to wear there all day long, walk in comfort and with a reasonable grip even on the worst compacted snow.

PCPhoto

you could also just buy a pair of waterproof socks .... and you wont notice the wetness in your boots/shoes/runners.

musicfan

OldGoat wrote: »

Wellies have the advantage of a good thread on the sole for grip but they won't retain any heat hence they are only OK for a short walk.
Best bet is to buy a good pair of hiking boots and a few pair of quality socks. You'll be able to wear there all day long, walk in comfort and with a reasonable grip even on the worst compacted snow.

Whats classed as a good pair of hiking books? Something like Timberlands? Or are they more of a fashion statement? What would you recommend.

Also regarding wellies, would the ones in dunnes and the likes be any good for gripping the snow etc or would I need to spend more money on better ones and if so where would I get them?

Fajitas!

PCPhoto wrote: »

you could also just buy a pair of waterproof socks .... and you wont notice the wetness in your boots/shoes/runners.

But then you're still getting damp boots/shoes/runners, which'll end up in the bin soon enough

OldGoat

musicfan wrote: »

Whats classed as a good pair of hiking books? Something like Timberlands? Or are they more of a fashion statement? What would you recommend.

Also regarding wellies, would the ones in dunnes and the likes be any good for gripping the snow etc or would I need to spend more money on better ones and if so where would I get them?

Timberland and Caterpillar are (imo) just highstreet fashion versions of good boots. Go into a reputable outdoor shop and take their advice.

I tend to buy a mountain boot like a Meindl but a like hiking boot would suffice. Scarpa or Brasher are probably the most recognized brand and should suffice.

Again, take the advice of the shop assistants who know what will suit you best.

Fajitas!

I have a pair of Cat work boots that have served me incredibly well over the last few years of trapsing up snowy mountains, sloshing through fields, and meandering around mucky festivals. They're coming near to the end of their days now, but I'd definitely buy another pair.

OldGoat

I'm very hard on boots and shoes. I can destroy a pair of Docs in under a year. I tend to get a couple of years out of a pair off hiking boots. I had a pair of Timberland and had to chuck them after 3 months and I'm not talking about them just getting lightly scuffed either, I wore them to disintegration.

Fajitas!

Ditto, I went through my last pair of Josef Seibel's in about 3 months :-/

musicfan

Am finding it really really difficult to walk on the ice and snow - must be getting old!

Don't really want to spend a fortune on boots or shoes that I am going to wear only a couple of times a year.

At the moment I can't even get down to the shops - have a pair of Timberlands and have Docs (anything else I have is not suitable for the ice / snow). Would these be best for the moment?

OldGoat

musicfan wrote: »

At the moment I can't even get down to the shops - have a pair of Timberlands and have Docs (anything else I have is not suitable for the ice / snow). Would these be best for the moment?

Of the two go with the Timberlands. There is bugger all grip on Docs.
Avoid the compacted snow. Walk in the crunchy stuff so the threads of the boot have something to bite into. The roadside gutter tends to have the best crunchy stuff to walk in, or grass verges if there are any in your location. Plan your route ahead to avoid the worst roads/paths. Slide your feet over the worst places.

iguana

Aldi/Lidl often do snow boots for very reasonable prices. I got a pair 3 years ago and they are perfect for this weather. Lovely and warm, waterproof and good threads so I don't slip. About €15, keep an eye on their websites.

LightningBolt

Picked up a pair of ecco hiking shoes about five years ago that only get used in snow/ice, incredibly worn and never get wet because of goretex material in them. Cost me €150-€200 at the time, will last years. Mine look barely worn.

Wouldn't bother with Doc's/Timberlands personally.

If cost is an issue try out some of the snowboots in aldi/lidl as other posters suggested. Who cares what anyone will think!

senape

A good pair of boots are definitely worth the investment. My Cat boots have seen me through many a winter! Don't slip in the snow like most, keep me toasty and look great with are skirt Can't go wrong.

The Lovely Muffin

musicfan wrote: »

Whats classed as a good pair of hiking books? Something like Timberlands? Or are they more of a fashion statement? What would you recommend.<snip>

If you mean something like these, then for warmth, I wouldn't get them.

I had a pair similar to the above and although they are comfortable, they are not warm, and I wear a pair of thermal socks and normal socks, and my feet are still cold. The one thing with my Timbrelands is, they do have a good grip. I got mine in the NYC two years ago in Macy's for $50.

Mind you, I tend to feel the cold all year round, so you may not want to listen to me, lol.:o:D

mood

I would guess that anything from a specialist outdoor shop or even a hardware shop would be good. On another thread people said uggs are good (the real ones I would think).

musicfan

-Orlaith- wrote: »

If you mean something like these, then for warmth, I wouldn't get them.

I had a pair similar to the above and although they are comfortable, they are not warm, and I wear a pair of thermal socks and normal socks, and my feet are still cold. The one thing with my Timbrelands is, they do have a good grip. I got mine in the NYC two years ago in Macy's for $50.

Mind you, I tend to feel the cold all year round, so you may not want to listen to me, lol.:o:D

I have just the normal timberlands, I don't mind about not being warm, can wear a couple of pairs of socks! More worried about the whole grip thing. Its only for going down to the shops and stuff not serious amounts of walking - so these would do me for the moment because they have good grip??

The Lovely Muffin

musicfan wrote: »

I have just the normal timberlands, I don't mind about not being warm, can wear a couple of pairs of socks! More worried about the whole grip thing. Its only for going down to the shops and stuff not serious amounts of walking - so these would do me for the moment because they have good grip??

Ah right, sorry.

Yes, I'd say they are good for grip as I wore mine today and didn't slip/slide at all, yet most people around me were slipping/sliding.

I'd definitely recommend them for grip.

Alicat

I'm wearing something similar to these.

Fur lined, waterproof, deep grips and they lace up on the front. With two little pom-poms on the ends of the laces

Madame Razz

Hiking boots or Hunter wellies with welly liners are your best bet(OH swears by the latter).

FYI Amazon have some savage deals on their hiking boots at the mo:)