The best winter boots for extreme cold?

I need to purchase a good pair of winter boots and wonder what other's experiences have been. I want to buy the warmest boots I can find and hope to get some advice. I admit I am a cold weather wimp.

TIA.

Well Mr. Wimp, don't go north if you can't take the cold.

I have had good success with Sorel Caribou boots. That includes wearing sock liners and good heavy wool or synthetic socks (Smart Wool socks or the equivalent work well). I happened to be in an outdoor shop earlier today and was asking about some of the new tech cold-weather boots. The owner was hard pressed to say that the new-tech Sorel or similar boots were any warmer than the Caribou, although they are more expensive. I have worn the Caribou boots on several winter trips to Yellowstone and in Homer, AK in March. They work well but are not perfect, particularly if you are standing around on ice waiting to shoot for a couple of hours. In those circumstances, some of the chemical heaters you can put in the boot would help. If you are hiking or moving around actively, they certainly do the trick in sub-zero temperatures (although they are not the easiest boots to hike in - in this regard the new-tech boots are superior). But, if you are just standing around on ice for extended periods in such temperatures, they don't work quite as well. One other note, I have found that if you are standing in snow, the snow actually acts as an insulator from colder air temperatures, making the standing around/waiting process a bit easier to take.

Don't forget to get something warm for your travelling companion as well, unless she is backing out. Stock up on the chemical heaters.

Take a look at the Baffin Extreme series..comfort rated at -148F. I have one of their boots rated at -50F and my feet rarely get cold. Proper poly socks, liners and actual boot fit allowing a little breathing room are almost as important as the boot itself. Try before you buy !

If you want the warmest boots you can find for extreme cold, I think there is only one choice: bunny boots. They are big, white, funny looking things, but man do they work. My feet have never gotten cold in them – and I grew up in a very cold part of Alaska. It is what most of the guys working outside at Prudhoe Bay use.

The problem with bunny boots is they are getting hard to find; the company that makes them closed their doors after they lost their military contract. I know here in Alaska there was a big rush to buy up any available pairs. It was front page headline news here because they are such valued footwear in the cold. You might try searching the web, or checking with military surplus outlets.

I have no direct experience with the "bunny boots" that Ron mentioned, but I remember them in the Army where we knew them as "Mickey Mouse Boots". Since my Army time was spent in Texas and Kansas, I never had need for them myself! The folks at army surplus stores might know the Mickey Mouse name instead of Ron's.

I have vague memories of being told that Mickey Mouse Boots were in disfavor with the Army because of problems if they were worn too long--Moisture buildup or something. Alas, I can't remember specifics, this was fifteen years ago or more. At the risk of stating the obvious, I'd encourage anyone wearing them to use good sense and take care of their feet, including inspecting them periodically!

Good point Mike, I think “Mickey Mouse boots” are the name for the black version. For some reason most people up here seem to have the white “bunny boot” version.

I bought some Coleman Hiking boots and have to say Don't get them -- my feet absolutely freeze after an hour or so in sub freezing temperatures.

I found two pairs of boots are required -- General hiking for 32 degrees and up paired up with a good set of thermal socks and then boots specifically designed for freezing temperatures.

Hey Greg - perhaps you have seen this site;

http://www.naturescapes.net/retail/neos.htm

I would bet you could get a discount?

Actually I find the NEOS quite good for cold weather. Wear a comfortable hiking boot with warm socks, and leave the waterproofness / snow resistance to the overshoe. Lighter to pack as well.

LaCrosse Ice Kings

Bunny boots! .................................. Find them!!!

There were many times that I wished that I could get the rest of my body down inside those boots.

Montana - 8 years ago
The high for the day -12
A total of 14 hours out in the field.
**Not a single twinge of cold in my feet all day long!!!

And this southern boy is a cold weather wimp also, and I am one of those individuals that if their feet gets real cold, then I become useless!

I still have my 2 pair of bunnies, and as rough as they look I would not trade them now for anything out there!

Mike

Bob Ettinger wrote:LaCrosse Ice Kings

I have friends in Duluth that swear by these boots.

Michael Brown wrote:Bunny boots! .................................. Find them!!!

If anyone finds a sourse for these boots I hope they post it!

I did a Google search for bunny boots and there are a bunch of listing and there are new and used boots listed on EBay as well. Based on what everyone is saying here, I am going to get myself a pair.

I was just checking in Ebay and they do have a large supply of new and used. I have a feeling there is going to be a run on Bunny Boots

I have been looking at the boots and can’t see what makes them that great. They look very ordinary. Can somebody give some specific information.

Alfred

I found the bunny boots all over e-bay as well. The white ones seem to be rated for lower temps than the black ones. They can be had pretty cheap, but I wonder if there are better alternatives.

The NEOS are a good idea and something I had considered. However the ones we sell have no insulation. I will look at some of the other models to see if they provide any protection from the cold.

Thanks all for the help!

AForns wrote:I was just checking in Ebay and they do have a large supply of new and used. I have a feeling there is going to be a run on Bunny Boots

I have been looking at the boots and can’t see what makes them that great. They look very ordinary. Can somebody give some specific information.

Alfred

aLFRED,

If you go back to Ebay and look at the listings, most give a pretty thorough description of the boots and how they are made.

need to purchase a good pair of winter boots and wonder what other's experiences have been. I want to buy the warmest boots I can find and hope to get some advice. I admit I am a cold weather wimp.

The big question is where are you going to us them. Unless you are going on a photo shoot to Antarctica , the boots used by people in places like Alaska and Minnesota should be all you need. That is, any of the topline models of Sorrel or LaCrosse boots.

The LaCrosse Ice Kings were recommended to Moose Peterson by his Fairbanks guides when he photographed Musk Ox. May be worth checking out.

Thanks Cheryl. After reading the information seems that going with something new would be better. The Baffin boots look very good.

They have some rated for some ridiculously low temperatures. Greg they should keep you warm.

Alfred

Greg Downing wrote:I found the bunny boots all over e-bay as well. The white ones seem to be rated for lower temps than the black ones. They can be had pretty cheap, but I wonder if there are better alternatives.

I know some of the Iditarod mushers have started using the EXP boot made by Northern Outfitters (they have a website), they are supposed to rival the warmth of bunny boots. You might take a look at Cabelas, I’m told their Extreme Pac boots can also rival bunny boots in warmth.

It would help if you could be more specific about your needs or the application. What kind of temperatures do you expect to experience? You say “extreme cold”, but that may only mean 10 below to some people. How long do you expect to be outside at a time; this can make a big difference. Do you need to hike far, climb or snowshoe, or will you mostly be standing at a tripod? That can also make a big difference. Unless you are standing for long periods of time say shooting Northern Lights in the Alaska interior during January or February, a pair of Sorels may be all you need.

I normally wouldn’t buy used footwear, but bunny boots would be the exception. Since they are sealed with rubber, you can easily wash and disinfect them inside and out. I would think you could find some in pretty good condition. I think many people who purchased them find they really didn’t need something so warm, maybe ware them once or twice and found their feet got too hot, and so they are now selling them.