Mud season. Dealing with spring snowmelt, rain, mud, and muck is what brings the American Northeast, Southeast, and Northwest鈥攁nd most places in between鈥攖ogether. If you live outside of an urban center and spend your time outdoors, odds are you own a pair of boots for mud season. Rubber boots are ubiquitous where I live in Bozeman, Montana. Knee-high rubber boots like the popular Xtratufs go on easy, provide sure protection from mud, snow, and water. Paired with good insulation, rubber boots can keep your feet warm through sub-zero temperatures. But knee-high rubber boots are also heavy, don鈥檛 breathe at all, and are often so clunky they鈥檙e a pain to walk in.

I wear rubber boots daily.听I’m about to pull on a pair of my ($230)听and traipse through gross ankle-deep snow melt while running afternoon errands around town. The Alphaburly Pros are the absolute warmest boot in my collection, but also the heaviest and clunkiest.

When my backyard isn’t socked in with feet of snow, I keep a pair of ($225) by the back door, and reach for them to chase a dog around or grab something from my truck. They’re a lot lighter听than the Lacrosse boots and track a lot less mud into my kitchen, but the Xtratufs are prone to holes and tears.

I keep a set of ($150) at the cabin. Bogs are super easy to put on鈥攑erfect for when one of my dogs needs to go outside to pee at a moment’s notice. But their generous dimension also mean they don’t hold your foot securely through more active wear.

I keep a pair of fancy leather-lined Le Chameu Chasseurs around as sort of my going out rubber boots. But at $650, those aren’t exactly a practical choice, and even at that spend, forego any insulation, so are again relegated to spring and summer wear only.

No matter the weather or activity, my feet get a little damp in every one of these boots. Rubber boots are utilitarian and stout, but I have yet to find the perfect pair. Montana-based Sitka Gear is trying to change that.

Sitka, a high-tech apparel brand that’s making the leap from its hunting roots into more general outdoorswear,听has never made a shoe or boot before, but for their first foray into footwear they’re aiming to make a better muck boot. Rather than rubber construction, these new VentLite boots ($399, on-sale now) are made from a waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex membrane housed in a layered textile shell that works a lot like a modern rain jacket.

鈥淪itka really hangs its hat on providing a systems-based approach to technical apparel,鈥� says Mike Ekstrom, the company鈥檚 new footwear product line manager. 鈥淎nd how can you have a full body system if you don鈥檛 have footwear?鈥�

From the inside out, Ekstrom says the boot is constructed using a four-millimeter thick neoprene liner, then a layer of Primaloft Gold insulation, followed by the Gore-Tex membrane and a high-denier textile shell fabric with a DWR coating. Ekstrom says that outer fabric is similar to the one used in some of Sitka鈥檚 pants. Mapped polyurethane overlays add abrasion and penetration resistance to key areas, while low-wear areas go without the protection in order to maintain breathability.

The result? 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 become a bucket of sweat,鈥� Ekstrom says.

Before joining Sitka, Ekstrom pitched for Major League Baseball teams including the Padres, Rays,听and Rockies, then spent nine years managing athletic shoe lines for Nike. So it鈥檚 no surprise that his new boots 鈥渇it more like a sneaker,鈥� says Ekstrom.

Cold water conducts heat away from your body Companies judge technical apparel by its ability to wick sweat away from the skin. Staying dry is crucial to staying warm through cold weather. As a result, Ekstrom explains that Sitka achieves听equivalent warmth to very heavily insulated all-rubber competitors in a lighter, slimmer boot.

Ekstrom says Sitka benchmarked the Lacrosse Alphaburly Pro 1,600G during development, which combines heavy-duty rubber construction with 1,600 grams of Thinsulate insulation. Where a single Lacrosse boot weighs 45 ounces, Sitka says the Ventilate measures just 35 ounces.

Sitka is the first company to employ Primaloft鈥檚 new 1006f insulation material in North America. Ekstrom is hesitant to quote a grams-per-square-meter figure out of concern that customers may simply compare that number to heavier alternatives, and come away with the mistaken impression that other boots will be warmer.

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e found through lab testing is [breathability] creates a more efficient way to provide warmth,鈥� Ekstrom says.

Also unlike existing designs鈥攚hich pack insulation around the foot only, leaving only your socks, long underwear, and pants to provide insulation from your ankles up鈥擲itka has carried its layered construction throughout the entire 18-inch height of the boot. Not only does packing more insulation add to the boot鈥檚 warmth, but Ekstrom says it also delivers a 鈥渦niform fit and feel throughout the boot.鈥�

For traction, Sitka tapped Vibram for its latest Litebase Megagrip outsole, adding its own proprietary A-shaped lugs to the central portion of the tread. Ekstrom explains that this will be a hallmark across a growing range of footwear Sitka plans to build out in the near future.

What鈥檚 next? 鈥淲e want to complete the head-to-toe systems wherever Sitka shows up,鈥� Ekstrom says. 鈥淸VentLite] is just the starting point.鈥�

Wes Siler grew up on a horse farm in England where it was his job to collect the manure. Rubber boots helped a lot, until the manure got inside them. Wes now writes about important topics like politics and vehicles on , where you can also talk to him about those topics and more.听

The post Can You Build a Better Rubber Boot? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

An icy wind stings my cheeks as I sprint from my warm Subaru to the front porch of a stranger’s home in my suburban听neighborhood. I look between the milk delivery box and a patio chair and locate my prize, wrapped in a plastic grocery bag.

Back in my car, I pull up my phone, open Venmo, and send $30 to someone named Julia. I unwrap the bag and marvel at my loot: a purple and pink pair of girls rubber snow boots, dotted with a stylish flower print, in child’s size 12.

These are no ordinary boots鈥攖hey are a pair of . Parents everywhere, including yours truly, have come to appreciate the brand for keeping our kids’ feet cozy and dry on the coldest winter days. We also love Bogs’ extreme, eye-popping durability. In my experience, Bogs rubber-soled winter boots are virtually impervious to the highly destructive forces that a typical child can muster. Bogs can survive the harshest sandbox grit and cheese-grater-like playground equipment. Take a belt sander to the sole of your kid’s Bogs and the vulcanized rubber may still grip icy pavement.

I want to stress how unusual this is to all of the child-free readers out there. Should you someday welcome a small human into your life, then you鈥攍ike me鈥攎ay marvel at your child’s ability to immediately transform new apparel or footwear into thread-bare rags.

Bogs’ extreme durability creates a dynamic that fans of the boots know well.听 Your kid will outgrow his or her Bogs long before the boots wear out. Thus, you can sell them online when they no longer fit your kid’s feet and fetch a good price.

A thriving secondary market exists for Bogs on websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. If you check out the “Kids’ Bogs” page on the , you will scroll past hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of used pairs for sale.

My wife and I began buying and selling our daughter’s used Bogs on Facebook Marketplace a few years ago. Our five-year-old is on her fifth pair. Here’s the thing: we’ve only purchased one pair new. The MSRP on a pair of Bogs kids winter boots is $85, but you can easily score a set with plenty of life left in them online in the $30-50 range.

For years I wondered whether this dynamic was hurting the company’s bottom line, since so many customers, like me, simply buy them from other parents.

I posed this question (does Bogs’ extreme durability hurt sales?) to Megan Vinton, Bogs鈥� senior director of product, during a recent phone call, and I got a murky answer: probably not, but honestly, who knows?

“We’ve never really analyzed the secondary marketplace that way,” she told me. “But the price that people can command for a used pair is pretty impressive.”

Vinton told me that the company has long known that used Bogs are sought-after items online. A few years back, she said, there was an internal conversation among company officials about creating Bogs’ own re-selling marketplace for used boots. But employees struggled to find the right e-commerce infrastructure and model to pursue. Plus, there was a decent argument that Bogs’ popularity on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace actually boosted the brand’s popularity. So the whole project was scrapped.

“We’re content and happy to let the online community of used sellers thrive,” she said. “So many people’s entrance to our brand is from word-of-mouth and community purchasing.”

Bogs Neo-Classic Solid Kids鈥� Boots

Instead, Vinton said, Bogs has found ways to lean into its reputation for longevity. Each pair of Bogs kids’ boots comes with a name tag inside that has room for three different names. And a few years ago, Bogs started a program called . The company will cover the shipping cost for customers to mail their used boots to the Portland, Oregon headquarters. Employees will then freshen up the footwear and donate them to outdoor kids’ programs and preschools.

“We want to keep them out of landfills,” says Chris Enlow, the company’s head of sustainability. “Creating a plug-and-play method to give them to a charity is how we prefer to engage in re-circulating boots.”

So, why do these kids boots last so long, when a typical child may only wear them for one or two seasons? Vinton said that, years ago, the company committed to using the same durability standards for a toddler’s boot as for the ones it manufactured for ranchers and dairy hands. Employees lay vulcanized rubber strips by hand over a neoprene sock to construct the waterproof lower. The company seeks out the strongest rubber compounds that won’t crack after a year spent in the sun, wind, and rain.

The company applies its latest technology to all of its boots, not just the ones made for lumberjacks or ranch hands. The newest models are made from vulcanized rubber that’s injected into a hard mold to create a seamless sole and lower area. And yeah, your three-year-old nephew can stomp through puddles in rocket ship-emblazoned boots that are made this way

“You don’t want people saying ‘Oh, these boots used to last longer,鈥欌�� Enlow said.

The lifespan of the pink and purple Bogs are far from my mind as I park in my driveway and hurry indoors. I find my daughter scribbling in a coloring book, and I slip her feet into the new boots to make sure they fit.

Then I step out of the way and let her gaze at the color scheme and the fancy flower print. It’s somewhat similar to the design of her older pair, which sit near near our front door, ready for me to post online.

“Good,” she says, and then returns to coloring.

Fred was the editor-in-chief at VeloNews from 2016 to 2021. Prior to that he was a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times. Fred is the proud father of his five-year-old daughter, Magnolia, whose feet are growing like weeds.听

The post These Boots Will Last Longer than Your Child Can Wear Them appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The best type of winter footwear varies dramatically depending on the environment. But whether you鈥檙e trudging through feet of snow to collect firewood or simply walking your dog on a chilly afternoon, the right set of duds makes all the difference. Our test crew of six women and four men tried 38 pairs of boots, from thick, farm-ready mucks to fashion-forward Chelseas in foul winter weather across the country. These eight picks rose to the top.

At a Glance

• Best Overall: Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boot ($265)
• Most Durable: L.L. Bean Shearling-Lined 8鈥� Bean Boot ($289)
• Best Casual 惭别苍鈥檚 Boot: Bogs Arcata Urban Chelsea ($150)
• Best Casual 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Boot: Forsake Lucie Chelsea ($135)
• Best 惭别苍鈥檚 Boot for Outdoor Chores: Bogs Bozeman Tall Boots ($160)
• Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Boot for Outdoor Chores: Bogs Whiteout Faded Boots ($160)
• Best for Deep Snow: L.L. Bean Snow Boots ($149)
• Best Traction: Icebug Pace3 BUGrip GTX ($230)
• Other Products We Tested
• How to Choose a Winter Boot
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Overall

Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boot

Size Range: 4-13 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Classic Chelsea boot style
鈯� Fully waterproof
鈯� Grippy Vibram soles
鈯� Tight fit around the heel
鈯� Hard to pull on and off

This winterized version of Blundstone鈥檚 classic Chelsea boot was an instant favorite. Several testers commented on how happily surprised they were that these boots are truly waterproof right out of the box thanks to a sealed latex seams and a special tanning process鈥攏ot always the case with leather footwear.

Minnesota-based tester Stephanie Pearson wore these all winter through snow, ice, dirt, and slush. 鈥淭hey fare well in every condition I鈥檝e tried them in short of deep snow,鈥� said Pearson, adding that their sleekness was a welcome contrast to the bulky boots she usually needs for winters in Duluth. The grippy Vibram outsole provides adequate traction for moderately slippery conditions like fresh snow and icy patches.

A cozy, removable sheepskin footbed and Thinsulate lining made these comfortable in freezing temps. Our testers in Santa Fe agreed that these are versatile and rugged enough to wear almost every day from November through March. 鈥淚f these boots weren鈥檛 so darn warm, I鈥檇 wear them year-round,鈥� said one. And replacing the footbed with a regular insert extends the season through spring.

Most Durable

L.L. Bean Shearling-Lined 8鈥� Bean Boot

Size Range: 7-14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfortable out of the box
鈯� Warm
鈯� Fully-gusseted tongue
鈯� Fully waterproof
鈯� Rubber sole is thin

鈥淭here are no boots I trust more,鈥� said one of our testers, who has worn her pair of Bean Boots through nearly a decade of winters between Connecticut, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. We see these duds everywhere, thanks to multiple styles with different linings and shaft heights. The shearling-lined, 8-inch-tall variety鈥攚hich hasn鈥檛 changed in years鈥攊s our choice for the most comfortable and rugged of the options.

The Bean Boots are easy to get on and off for mail runs, but comfortable and tough enough for hiking miles in snowy conditions. They require almost no break-in period, thanks to the plush and forgiving shearling lining inside, and the full-grain leather uppers get softer over time for even more comfort. The shearling does eventually pack down, making it less cushy, but we鈥檝e found that takes several years to happen even with heavy use鈥攁nd you can buy replacement insoles from L.L. Bean.

These boots are on the wide side, but the lacing system allows you to tie them down snugly, so most testers found they fit well regardless of foot shape.

Best Casual 惭别苍鈥檚 Boot

Bogs Arcata Urban Chelsea

Size Range: 7-13 (men鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy on and off
鈯� Classic Chelsea style
鈯� Relatively eco-friendly
鈯� Not as warm or snug as others in test

These boots are longtime favorites for the apr茅s-ski crowd thanks to their combination of style, comfort, and practicality. The classic Chelsea aesthetic fits in on city streets and is easy to slip in and out of when you鈥檙e balancing on one foot to avoid the parking lot slush. Unlike other boots of this style, these are comfortable from the very first wear鈥攏o break-in period required鈥攁nd have impeccable traction thanks to chunky rubber lugs, which kept us stable on ice and snow but didn鈥檛 hold onto mud. A fleece lining keeps feet warm, and the insoles are sweat-wicking, odor-fighting, and relatively eco-friendly thanks to algae-based EVA foam.

Best Casual 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Boot

Forsake Lucie Chelsea

Size Range: 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Low-profile and lightweight
鈯� Sneaker-like comfort
鈯� Classic Chelsea style
鈯� Ankle too low for deep snow

This waterproof, full-grain leather and suede sneaker-boot is low key, classy, and easy to slip on and off. A cushioned EVA midsole and stable rubber outsole offer just enough traction to handle slippery sidewalks and snowbanks. The low profile, light weight, and thick rubber outsole on the Lucie made it comfortable to wear right out of the box. The upper looks fashionable and has an elastic gore for extra stretch around the ankle. And, despite the full leather upper and taped seams, the boots are breathable in warmer temps鈥擨 wear mine year-round in Santa Fe. Our testers favored these for everyday wear in mild conditions, especially when they knew they鈥檇 be walking far on dry ground since the ankle is too low to handle deep snow.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY PUBLIC LANDS
Timberland Men’s Britton Roads Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Boots ($189.99)

From shoveling the driveway and walking the dog to tailgating in the ski area parking lot, the Timberland Men’s Britton Roads Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Boots will be your go-to all season long. Stay dry thanks to the Waterproof Premium Timberland庐 Leather upper and a TimberDry waterproof membrane. Keep feet comfortable with the TimberCush comfort system and OrthoLite庐 Impressions memory foam footbed. And easily slip them on with the no-fuss, lace-up style. A ReBOTL fabric lining containing 50% recycled PET plastic and EVA midsole round out this durable, versatile boot.

Best 惭别苍鈥檚 Boot for Outdoor Chores

Bogs Bozeman Tall Boots

Size Range: 7-14 (men鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable
鈯� Extremely warm
鈯� Waterproof and breathable
鈯� Stretchy inner bootie
鈯� Overkill for casual wear

鈥淢uck boots at their finest,鈥� gushed naturalist and polar expedition guide Benjamin Shulman, who says these quickly replaced his previous go-to boots for working in deep snow, ice-cold water, or slushy mud. Shulman praised the way the stretchy inner liner and EVA footbed cupped his heels鈥斺�渘o blisters in sight!鈥濃�攁nd provided comfortable, stable underfoot support for walking long distances. The thick rubber outsole kept testers safe from sharp rocks, ice, and water seepage. While this boot is rated to a somewhat untestable -72 degrees Fahrenheit, we can confirm happy toes at the zero-degree mark. And despite the thick, seven-millimeter neoprene shaft that goes all the way up the calves, they鈥檙e also easy to pull on and off thanks to handles at the top of the shaft.

Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Boot for Outdoor Chores

Bogs Whiteout Faded Boots

Size Range: 6-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely warm
鈯� Waterproof and breathable
鈯� Fleece lining for extra coziness
鈯� Overkill for casual wear

Like the Bozeman Tall, the Whiteout Faded is built with seven millimeters of waterproof insulation to reliably protect feet through deep snow, slush, and puddles. It has chunky lugs on the outsole for incredible grip and a comfortable, stable footbed. The fleece lining kept every inch鈥攆rom our shins to the tips of our toes鈥攖oasty, and big pull loops made them simple to tug on and off. One of our New Mexico-based testers relied on them for farm chores and said: 鈥淓ven though they were covered in goat poop and mud by the end of slush season, the rubber sole and foot made them easy to hose off, and now they’re as good as new.鈥�

Best for Deep Snow

L.L. Bean Snow Boot

Size Range: 7-14 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cuff fits over snow pants
鈯� Fully gusseted tongue
鈯� Snow collar
鈯� Fits well out of the box
鈯� Rubber outsole is a bit thin
鈯� Not 100% waterproof

The Snow Boot reminded testers of the boots they wore on snow days as kids: secured with a classic lace-up system, reliable at keeping snow off of calves and away from our feet, and warm as heck thanks to its faux-fleece felt lining. 鈥淭hese were not the most attractive boots, but among the more functional,鈥� said one Santa Fe tester, who added: 鈥淕iven the shallow treads, the traction is impressive鈥攖hese came on a winter hike or two and were a favorite at the ski resort.鈥� That鈥檚 in large part due to the generous opening, which has space to tuck pants into and makes for easy on-and-off. The waterproof rubber outer wraps around the entire foot, like a duck boot, while the water-resistant nylon uppers (the women’s version comes in suede or leather) are durable, flexible, and wide enough to easily fasten over ski pants.

Best Traction

Icebug Pace3 BUGrip GTX

Size Range: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5.5-10.5 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Studded
鈯� Secure laces
鈯� Can’t wear indoors

This mid-cut winter boot has 16 steel studs embedded in its partially recycled rubber sole that act like miniature crampons. The studs actually retract into the soft sole on hard surfaces like asphalt鈥攕imilar to high-end snow tires鈥攁llowing for more stability while walking off of the snow and ice (but they鈥檒l still destroy your floor.) The boot鈥檚 waterproof, breathable, and insulating Gore-Tex membrane kept our testers鈥� feet warm and dry during their messiest, longest winter hikes. 鈥淚 can wear them in pretty low temps and my feet still stay warm鈥攄own to the teens,鈥� added Minnesota-based tester Stephanie Pearson.

Other Products We Tested

• : Testers wore this goofy-looking boot more frequently than they thought they would, thanks to the grippy Vibram sole, light weight, and high ankle flexion. Plush shearling lining and a chunky midsole add tons of comfort, but the futuristic look of these boots was a major turnoff.
• ): 鈥淭he price is insane, but I can鈥檛 deny the quality is there,鈥� said one tester, who found these comfortable immediately out of the box. 鈥淚t felt like slipping into the winter boot version of a classic Dansko clog, which is to say heavy as hell but also ergonomically supportive.鈥� High quality or not, we can鈥檛 enthusiastically recommend these, given how clunky and expensive they are.
• : These didn鈥檛 make our final list because of the long break-in time鈥攖esters weren鈥檛 really comfortable in them until about a month of regular wear, which is asking too much for most consumers. The stiff inner boot, which is removable and can double as a house slipper, and Vibram Arctic Grip sole provide exceptional stability on slick hardpack, while the wool loden鈥攁 type of woven, boiled yarn鈥攁nd suede outer naturally sheds water.
• :听 These do-it-all boots are classics for a reason. Comfortable straight out of the box, perfect for hikes, snow, and dinner in town. They aren鈥檛 quite as warm as some of the other boots on our list, which is the only reason they didn鈥檛 rank higher.

How to Choose a Winter Boot

If you expect to walk through lots of snow, look for a boot with a tall shaft measuring about eight or ten inches. A snow collar at the top is a bonus. For a more rainy winter climate, waterproofing details are key, whether rubber rands, neoprene liners, or good ol鈥� Gore-Tex. While 鈥渨ater-resistant鈥� material may keep you dry enough for short periods in powdery snow, you need true waterproof membranes for wet conditions.

Avoid boots without fully gusseted tongues. Look to see if the tongue is attached directly to the upper from top to bottom. Also beware of perforations in the upper designed to make the boots more breathable鈥攖hose holes could be a liability in deep water or snow.

When it comes to traction, look for widely spaced lugs on the outsole rather than wavy treads. For an example, look at the pattern on Vibram Arctic Grip soles. Note that no outsole can give you surefootedness on ice by itself; that鈥檚 what microspikes and studs are for.

Judging how comfortable a boot will be long-term is difficult at first glance, and pain points unique to your foot often won鈥檛 show up for the first few hours or days of wear. Unless you鈥檙e sure about the fit, don鈥檛 buy boots that can鈥檛 be returned after you鈥檝e worn them a few times.

How We Test

• Products tested: 38
• Testers: 10
• Visits to ski resort parking lots: 117
• Miles walked in the snow: 500
• Number of falls on ice: 4

We began our process with an inventory of products that myself and lead tester Stephanie Pearson had reviewed for previous editions of the 国产吃瓜黑料 Winter Gear Guide for the past several years. We stacked those boots up against the personal favorites from our long-time testers, the latest and greatest winter boot releases, and popular picks from across the internet.

From December 2023 through April 2024, each tester rotated their test boots through regular winter activities: walking, driving, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, schlepping kids to school, running errands, and outdoor chores. At the end of the testing period, each tester nominated their five favorite boots and assigned ratings for warmth, comfort, traction, and style on a scale of 1 to 5. From those lists and ratings, our category manager narrowed down and vetted the winners.

Meet Our Testers

Svati Kirsten Narula, a contributing editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 and the digital editor of Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, is a writer and runner based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. When she’s not working, you’ll find her on the trails鈥攐ften with one or all of her three dogs in tow.

Stephanie Pearson is a freelance writer for 国产吃瓜黑料 and a former category manager for winter boots in the 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear Guide. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota, where she grew up nordic skiing and shoveling lots of snow.

Benjamin Shulman is a runner, skier, naturalist, and wildlife photographer based in Santa Fe, NM. He travels frequently to the polar regions working as a field guide on small-ship cruises with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.

The post The 8 Best Winter Boots for Men and Women appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Since 1932, Danner has been making boots for the trail, work, and life. In that time, the Portland, Oregon鈥揵ased company has earned a reputation for quality, comfort, timeless style, and innovation. But unlike some storied brands, Danner is not resting on its past. As a master of boot design, Danner is committed to using the latest technology and studies to bring the best fits to market. That鈥檚 why the brand spent years researching, testing, and creating 鈥攁 fit that perfectly matches women鈥檚 footwear needs. To learn more about Precision Fit and the diligence that went into its development, we heard from longtime Danner product line manager Pamela Lo.

国产吃瓜黑料: Why was it important to create a boot fit for women?

Pamela Lo: Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and supported with footwear that fits right. 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 foot morphology isn鈥檛 the same as men鈥檚. And Danner鈥檚 dedication to developing a true women鈥檚 fit is helping to fill the need for diversified options for use on the trail, at the jobsite, deep in the backcountry, or casually strolling through town. Compared to Danner鈥檚 standard fit boots, the new Precision Fit lasts鈥攖he foot-shaped mold used during footwear manufacturing鈥攈ave a narrower heel, wider forefoot, and a lower height increase from toes to ankle to accommodate the biometrics of women鈥檚 foot shapes.

What boot styles are offered in Precision Fit?

Precision Fit is available in three styles: Inquire (mid and chukka), Jag II, and Sandy Ridge. Get to know each style by clicking on the feature below.

What kind of research went into bringing Precision Fit to life?

Danner spent three years working to bring Precision Fit to life. We conducted numerous fit clinics with women of various ages and backgrounds, worked with renowned last manufacturers in the footwear industry, and gathered significant research and data regarding women’s foot morphology. The information we collected helped us identify the root of women鈥檚 discomfort in standard boot fits, giving us direction for the new fit. Here鈥檚 some of what we learned:

The heel shape in women鈥檚 boots is often too wide, causing friction and blisters.

The toe box in women鈥檚 footwear is often too narrow, which can cause discomfort or injury.

Biometric foot data from more than 40,000 women found that women require a lower height increase from toes to ankle for optimal support.

How did Danner test the Precision Fit styles throughout the design process?

We focused on pressure points across the top-selling women鈥檚 boot styles, including our own, to distinguish the discomfort-causing features and fits across the industry. With our in-house AETREX foot-scanning machine, we were able to capture the accurate foot dimensions of our fit testers and precise pressure-point information. Equipped with detailed information on what women鈥檚 feet need and what was currently available on the market, we got to work. The Danner team went through several iterations of fit testing, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to adjust fit, before achieving the desired result: Precision Fit.

What are the benefits of having a better-fitting boot?

The obvious benefit is comfort, of course, but that鈥檚 not all. Precision Fit also improves stability and support.You鈥檒l notice how your heel feels more secure and the width perfectly hugs your foot鈥攏o heel slipping or foot pinching. The fit accomplishes a locked-in feel while maintaining a spacious toe box. Whether you鈥檙e hiking backcountry trails in the Inquire, working on a jobsite in the Sandy Ridge, or walking to brunch in the Jag II, Precision Fit allows you to go about your day in a boot that feels like an extension of you.

Precision Fit will eventually reach all of Danner鈥檚 different footwear categories, including our hike, work, hunt, military, tactical, lifestyle, and outdoor lines. We are excited to offer women better-fitting boots for all their needs and adventures, giving them the opportunity to go anywhere in comfort.

For nearly a century, has crafted boots with purpose and integrity footwear to equip those who choose the unlikely path, those who cut fresh trails, those who pioneer. Whether you want to hike, work, or simply walk around town, Danner boots are meant to take you somewhere. Lace a pair up and Go There.

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If you鈥檝e shopped for ski boots before, you know the process can be very trial-and-error. This boot has too much room in the ankle. That boot is too tight in the instep. You demo the top contenders until you finally land on that elusive perfect fit, only to find yourself fumbling with clunky buckles that leave you with a slightly too tight or slightly too loose fit the moment one factor changes (think: weather, body temperature, or which ski socks were clean that morning).听

Salomon, a brand that鈥檚 been revolutionizing ski boots since 1979, has a solution. Meet the and the . Yes, Salomon leveled up its bestselling for a meticulous fit every time, no matter the conditions.听

BOA, but Make It Ski Boots

You鈥檝e probably seen the BOA Fit system utilized in the design of other footwear like running shoes and snowboard boots. If you鈥檙e wondering how the same technology can hold up to the demands of downhill skiing you鈥檙e not alone. Rest assured. Salomon worked with BOA and some of the best boot fitters around the world to develop a ski-boot-specific BOA Fit system that鈥檚 sturdy enough to use when charging down resort runs.

鈥淥nce [BOA Fit] was ready for the forces of alpine skiing, we took the platform and ran with it to develop an entirely new way of closing a boot around a skier鈥檚 foot,鈥� says Chris McKearin, the senior manager of alpine category and winter sports marketing at Salomon.

What鈥檚 so special about BOA? The BOA Fit system replaces the lower ski boot buckles on Salomon鈥檚 Supra BOA line. Unlike traditional buckles that compress the top of your foot when tightened, the BOA system wraps around your foot, evenly distributing pressure and adjusting the fit across the entire instep of the boot. The patented BOA dial allows you to micro-adjust the fit exactly to your liking easily at any time. No more removing your gloves to fiddle with buckles between runs.听

The BOA Fit dial adjustment system allows for the tiniest of micro-adjustments so you can get your perfect fit. 鈥淧ressure points are all but eliminated,鈥� McKearin says. 鈥淭ension is uniform, which gives the skier better control of their skis without sacrificing comfort.鈥�

More Reasons to Love the Supra

BOA Fit technology isn鈥檛 the only new feature in the Supra line this season. The Salomon product team redesigned the ExoWrap Construction (shell and liner of the boot in Salomon speak) to work in perfect harmony with the BOA system. ExoWrap 4D liners utilize an elastic belt around the forefoot, and layering of latex foams to create a stable, snug foothold for precise steering in any conditions. The boot鈥檚 Power Spine metal plate links the cuff and the shell and provides strong back support, progressive rebound out of the turn, and powerful forward flex.

When it comes to customization, the S/Pro Supra BOA 120 and S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W are a bootfitter鈥檚 dream. Just about every part of the design can be adjusted:

• The Custom Shell HD lets bootfitters personalize the lower shell or cuff in 10 minutes.
• The tongue can be fully dismantled and customized.听
• The buckles, toothplate, strap and oversized pivot are screwable, so dismantling the boot is easy. Bootfitters can access every part of the boot when working on it.听

鈥淥ur approach [adding in the BOA Fit system] was no different than any other boot development project,鈥� McKieran says. 鈥淏ootfitter validation is a huge part of our approach for any concept.鈥� Like every Salomon boot, every part of this boot has been intentionally and thoughtfully designed.

All that, coupled with the addition of the BOA Fit system, means the sky is truly the limit in terms of making the ultimate choice when it comes to dialing the perfect fit in a ski boot.

Learn more about .

Born in Annecy, French Alps in 1947, creates premium footwear, apparel, gear, and winter sports equipment that is superior in function, radical in design and obsessive in style. At the Annecy Design Center, engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to write the future of sports by creating products that transform outside sports experiences and enable a deeper connection with nature, allowing people to unleash the best version of themselves so that they might positively impact the world. Shop at .

The post Salomon鈥檚 Bestselling Ski Boot Goes BOA appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On my 21^st birthday, my father bought me a pair of hiking boots and I held a man鈥檚 hand while he died.

We鈥檇 been driving on back roads from New Hampshire home to Maine when we pulled over at the scene of an accident. An elderly man in a red truck had gone into cardiac arrest and driven off the road; there was no ambulance in sight. A group of people were standing by and someone helped my dad and me, both EMTs, lift the man from the driver鈥檚 seat and lay him down in the grass. He was gasping like a swimmer in the last yards of a race. His tongue was turning gray. His hand was big and warm and stiff, and I held it as if I were about to run across the road in the safety of his shadow, like I used to do with my father鈥檚. The fingers of my other hand gripped his wrist. I could feel the pulse press up and out of the skin. I was losing it, it was beating him. His heart stopped as the ambulance pulled onto the shoulder.

鈥淏ack away, miss,鈥� they said. A policeman offered me hand sanitizer. We watched for a while as the men from the ambulance used an AED to help the man on the ground, but not long enough to see them give up. Then we got in the car and drove the rest of the way to Maine.

When I got back and carefully pulled the boots out of their box, my first thought was that they were cursed. They were the kind of boots I鈥檇 always wanted: black leather with hooks for the laces and thick rubber soles. , from the famous company in Intervale, New Hampshire, made and sold to us by a man wearing a greasy leather apron. My dad said it was a mark of experience if somebody was wearing these on the trail.

For a long time, I refused to put them on. I wished they weren鈥檛 mine. I told myself this was because they were too big, and not because we鈥檇 seen that man die. Not because, witness to his death, I鈥檇 been unable to help.

All summer the boots sat in the back of my car, in their little cardboard coffin, and I wore old boots to work, with the soles chewed out, and pretended. I was working two jobs鈥攐ne on a flower farm in midcoast Maine and the other at a nearby 鈥攁nd I didn鈥檛 have time to take them back and exchange them. I didn鈥檛 have time to hike, either. The boots were bulky and stiff and I didn鈥檛 need them.

It was one of my bosses, Susan, who finally convinced me to put them on, lace them up, and throw out the box. She was running a and did arrangements for weddings, but not so many years ago she鈥檇 been the first mate on a schooner. I jokingly called her the Air Traffic Controller鈥攕he had three kids and as many acres of unruly blooms鈥攁nd she always knew what to do in a crisis, whether that meant setting up a last-minute carpool or consoling a tearful bride. I鈥檇 admitted to her that an unfamiliar feeling of superstition (or was it guilt?) had made me reluctant to try on the boots. We were in the barn, stripping leaves off sticky peonies and listening to NPR.

鈥淭he way I see it, they鈥檙e probably lucky,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou tried to save a man鈥檚 life, didn鈥檛 you?鈥�

鈥淵eah, but he died anyway.鈥�

It鈥檚 hard to look stern with an armload of pink flowers, but she did her best.

鈥淵ou were there. You didn鈥檛 just drive by. You tried.鈥�

I mumbled something about being legally mandated to act because I鈥檓 an EMT, but she wasn鈥檛 listening.

鈥淭omorrow, wear the boots.鈥�

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Kalle Norman was on a university ski trip to Hokkaido, Japan in 2016 when he first laid eyes on the strikingly orange winter boots. Japan, surrounded on all sides by the ocean and sitting at roughly the same latitude as Chicago, receives a lot of precipitation. Massive amounts of freezing cold air whip off Siberia and over the Sea of Japan, where they pick up moisture and promptly dump it on the mountains of Hokkaido which, as a result, are one of the snowiest ranges on Earth.

Norman, a Swedish business student, noticed that many locals鈥攊ncluding lifties鈥攄onned these unbranded, chunky, and super colorful gum boots to fend off the extreme elements. His interest piqued, he searched for them all over and eventually found some in a hardware store. When he tried them on, he was shocked to discover how lightweight they were for such an assertive-looking boot. He brought a pair home for himself (it鈥檚 cold in Sweden, too), plus a few more for friends and family.

The distinctive boots immediately garnered a lot of attention on Norman鈥檚 campus. He spent some time researching the distributor of the boot, before eventually locating the factory in Japan. As an experiment, he ordered 100 pairs to sell at local markets. They were an immediate hit, which Norman attributed to their simplistic beauty and remarkable effectiveness in the Scandinavian weather. Over time, Norman鈥檚 best friend Christofer Ljunggren (also still a student), recognized an opportunity to apply his design and branding skills to the budding enterprise. With Ljunggren behind the creative helm and Norman overseeing the financials, the boot officially launched in 2019.

The business immediately hit two minor roadblocks: the original manufacturing facility in Japan flooded, and didn鈥檛 plan to rebuild, and鈥攎ore concerning for Norman and Ljunggren鈥攖o continue to make boots. There was also a global pandemic to navigate. The silver lining? The manufacturer shared the design sketches for the boots with them. So, they tweaked the designs to align with their unique vision for functionality and aesthetics. Once they settled on a final revision, they contracted a new manufacturer to make them.

Fubukis are designed for people who spend their entire day, and often a large portion of their lives, on snow.听 Norman and Ljunggren have tried most of the household-name winter boots, and have always disagreed with the idea that good quality boots need to be cumbersome and, well, boring. Their goal was to create something that was functional, comfortable, and that looked damn good. The end result is certainly a conversation starter.

They鈥檙e constructed with an EVA outer that keeps them light and waterproof, a drawcord collar that blocks snow, and a fleece lining that offers both warmth and cushioning. Each pair is shockingly light, which allows for unencumbered walking, and the cushioned midsole and shock absorbing heel are gentle on the foot. They also have added grip on the soles for improved traction. Unmistakable in their nature, Fubukis are the perfect antidote to a ski boot: cold, hardened plastic is swiftly replaced by soft, cushioned foam.

I鈥檝e been wearing them for four months straight and love them. I live in Whistler, a location known for its notoriously wet winters, with some ultra-cold snaps thrown on for good measure. In other words, fantastic testing grounds. All winter long I鈥檝e received compliments, and my feet have never been warmer. They are remarkably lightweight, whilst not feeling at all insubstantial, with impressively effective insulation and rock-solid waterproofing. My previous snow boots were a beautiful (if impractical) combination of faux fur and suede, and were almost as comfortable as hut booties. But as soon as the snowfall turned to slush, I may as well have been wearing Crocs. Now, I don鈥檛 have to dodge the bottomless puddles of slush on my walks, I charge through them with the fearlessness of a toddler in a rainsuit. There are no criss-crossed lace hooks to fumble with, no awkward tongues, and thanks to their simple design, the transition from ski boot into Fubukis is seamless.

Wrenching my stiff, frozen feet out of my ski boots and plunging them into the plush depths of my Fubukis is now one of my favorite sensations. On听 really cold days, I start daydreaming about them halfway down my last run, and I can鈥檛 say that I鈥檝e felt like that about any other winter boot.

The post Are These Funky Boots the Next Big Thing In Apr猫s-Ski Fashion? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

A couple years back I wrote about how Blundstone boots had barnstormed across the U.S. because of their versatility. They鈥檙e great for camping, look sharp at work, last for years, and take on their own personal patina over time. It’s a good bet that you either own a pair of Blundstones or know someone who does. The New York Times has even suggested that the Australian company鈥檚 boots are becoming the .

Today, I鈥檇 like to make the argument that the company鈥檚 is maybe the best winter boot ever made. Aesthetically identical to their normal boots, the insulated Blundstones have been my go-tos over the past couple winters, so much so that all my other winter boots are now gathering dust.

Let me pause to acknowledge that those of you who鈥檝e been shoveling your driveways in Lake Tahoe are certain that I鈥檓 an idiot, because Blundstones won鈥檛 cut it when there鈥檚 seven feet of snow. The same goes for anyone in the upper Midwest who鈥檚 ice fishing in seriously cold temperatures and needs arctic boots to keep their toes from freezing off.听

I unequivocally agree that Blundstones are inadequate for these kinds of extremes. But for those of us who live and play in the rest of the country, I鈥檇 argue that the Australians have somehow landed on the perfect balance of warmth, weight, style, and durability that makes these boots highly versatile from October through April.

I got the chance to really test the warmth of the boots on a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, during which the temps never got about five degrees. I was warned by a friend to bring more traditional winter boots, but since I didn鈥檛 want to pack something bulky I wore my insulated Blundstones onto the plane, packed a couple pairs of thick wool socks, and told myself I鈥檇 put up with cold toes if they proved inadequate.听

Surprisingly, I never once felt like the Blundstones couldn鈥檛 handle those temps鈥攅ven after sitting outside for an hour without moving (on a sleigh ride in an elk preserve, believe it or not). While walking around town, where I had plenty of blood flow and where I was in and out of heated restaurants and hotels, my feet were perfectly regulated and happy.听

To create the added warmth, Blundstone lines the boots with a layer of Thinsulate insulation. Underfoot there鈥檚 also a removable shearling footbed that鈥檚 plush and fights the cold coming up from the sole. Because of the insulation, the boots feel slightly heavier than the original Blundstones, but they鈥檙e still significantly less bulky than your traditional Sorels.

On the outside, Blundstone uses a waterproof leather that sheds snow and rain and won鈥檛 leave you with soaked feet. Plus, the boots have an above-the-ankle cut to keep snow from sneaking in. For the past several Saturdays I鈥檝e worn the boots while helping my kids change into their ski kit or chasing them into snow banks at Ski Santa Fe in New Mexico where they have ski lessons. Even with five or six inches of new snow on the ground, I鈥檝e stayed warm and dry. If I鈥檓 worried about snow getting in I just pull down the gaiter from my ski pants and snug it around the boot cuff.听

The TPU outsole isn’t as aggressive as what you鈥檇 find on a hiking boot, but I鈥檝e never had a problem with traction, even while navigating ice and packed snow. Since they鈥檙e boots, the Blundstones take a little work to pull on, but they鈥檙e still plenty easy to change into while standing in the snow next to my car, and don鈥檛 require any lacing.听

I also wear the boots while driving to and from the ski area because I can actually feel the pedals, which I can鈥檛 in bulkier, more traditional snow boots. Foot dexterity is important because when you鈥檙e driving on snow, you want to have a soft touch on the brake to avoid locking up your tires and sending your car into a dangerous slide.听

When I鈥檓 not traveling or adventuring, my insulated Blundstones are still in heavy rotation. I like that the insulation layer is fairly thin so that my feet don鈥檛 end up sweaty when I sit in a 68-degree office for a couple hours. I鈥檝e also removed the footbed and replaced it with a non-insulated footbed to turn down the coziness.听

In terms of maintenance, I鈥檝e beaten the boots up plenty and they show no signs of slowing down. The only thing I鈥檝e needed to do to keep the leather in top shape is to occasionally apply or, if the boots start wetting out, .听

Finally, because I鈥檓 no style guru (just ask my wife) I鈥檓 glad the insulated boots look the same as their non-insulated counterparts so they go with nearly anything. I wear them with work pants and then turn around and wear them with nice jeans鈥攁nd they fit right in whatever the combo or setting.听

The post Why Insulated Blundstones Are the Only Winter Boots You Need听 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Price: $195
Size: 惭别苍鈥檚 7-14 / 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 7-11
Weight: 惭别苍鈥檚 16.7 oz / 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 13.9 oz

I鈥檝e tested winter boots for years now, and over that time I鈥檝e come across many hiking boots that were good at keeping my feet warm and dry鈥攁 prerequisite for winter hiking. But too often, boot makers have focused on solely these aspects of the design while forgetting that they also have to hike well. I鈥檝e seen bulky builds that try to cram in too much insulation and leave the boots feeling clunky; overbuilt boots that walk like I鈥檓 wearing lead weights; and boots that don鈥檛 fit well because the designers were too preoccupied with warmth and water-resistance.

So my testers and I were pleasantly surprised when we came across the Vectiv Fastpack Insulated Futurelight. From the very first wear it was obvious The North Face designed these boots as hikers first, and then went about figuring out how they could smartly make them warm, waterproof, and breathable.

Read more: Check out our complete rankings and reviews of this year鈥檚 winter hiking boots

They perform well as hikers for a couple key reasons. Most importantly, they come with a rockered, high-rebound EVA midsole that doesn鈥檛 stiffen in the cold and yields a propulsive, poppy ride. This design is enhanced by a rockered sole and a high-rebound EVA midsole that鈥檚 designed to boost forward propulsion. It鈥檚 not like the shoes were noticeably shoving us forward, but over time they made us feel faster and more nimble than we normally would after a few miles of hiking. Plus, stability comes from a partial TPU plate in the forefoot.

Meanwhile, The North Face鈥檚 designers didn鈥檛 skimp on warmth or waterproofing, but also didn鈥檛 overdo it. The shoes are packed with a reasonable but toasty 200 grams of eco-friendly insulation across the entire upper, and lined with a waterproof, breathable membrane. One tester wore them in deep, wet snow in Greenland and said her feet were totally dry, even after hours of postholing. Meanwhile, in mild Santa Fe, I found that the waterproof membrane breathed well enough to keep my feet from getting sweaty (and blistered) in above-freezing temperatures. Other key features include a knob on the heel that kept a rear snowshoe strap in place for long walks, and a high cut that manage four to six inches of snow without a gaiter.

Curious about how The North Face managed to design such a well-rounded boot, I called Brett Rivers, the Senior Global Category Manager for Mountain Sports Footwear. His answer was surprisingly simple. 鈥淭o be honest, our design philosophy was based on selfishness,鈥� he said. What he meant is that the designers who conceived of the boot asked themselves what they would want on their own feet鈥攊nstead of asking something like, 鈥渨hat might sell?鈥�

If there鈥檚 one key takeaway that we have, it鈥檚 that more brands should pay attention to The North Face鈥檚 approach. Too often we see boots that are only meant to keep you warm, but perform just mediocre on the trail. Rivers and his team prove that with some patience and ingenuity, both parts of that equation can come into play.

听is a former Gear Editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 and now a columnist for the magazine. A father of four, he鈥檚 a platinum-level weekend warrior, knows how to squeeze in a run or ride between Zoom meetings and kid dropoffs, and has his trip calendar planned out a year in advance. He鈥檚 most happy when backpacking, backcountry skiing, or overlanding with his family.

The post The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Insulated Futurelight: Long-Term Test appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Those who live in northern climates know: the wrong footwear at the wrong time can lead to dire consequences鈥攅ven for something as simple as apres bar-hopping or grocery shopping. But, as our favorite casual winter boots, shoes, and slippers have proven, real warmth and serious style don鈥檛 have to be mutually exclusive.

Looking to host some top-notch apr茅s-ski parking lot hangs this season? Check out our reviews of the best winter tailgating gear.

Reviews: The Best Snow Boots for Women and Men

Icebug Pace3 Bugrip GTX ($220)

Ice is the enemy, especially while navigating a treacherous ski area parking lot in the dark on tired legs. Enter the Pace3, a mid-cut winter boot that has 16 steel studs embedded in its partially-recycled rubber sole that act like miniature crampons. The studs actually retract into the soft sole on hard surfaces like asphalt鈥攕imilar high-end snow tires鈥攁llowing for more stability while walking off of the snow and ice. The boot鈥檚 waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane kept our testers鈥� feet warm and dry during a five-degree winter trudge along .

Size: 惭别苍鈥檚 7-15 / 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 5.5-10.5

Bottom Line: Like studded snow tires for your feet.

Deckers X-Scape SPSK Mid ($200)

It鈥檚 billed as a stodgy 鈥渞ecovery鈥� shoe, but this suede sneaker is absolute luxury, with a DWR-finished sheepskin upper and a cozy shearling interior. All-day comfort is thanks to its ultralight polyurethane foam midsole wrapped in protective TPU. With dozens of honeycomb-shaped lugs on the ultralight EVA-rubber blend outsole, this funky urban lace-up shootie kept us upright on hard-pack snow and icy trails. While we wouldn鈥檛 recommend its mid-cut for deep lunges through thigh-high snow, these deluxe winter high-top sneakers are ideal for resort-town bar-hopping.

Size: 惭别苍鈥檚 8-13 / 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 5-11

Bottom Line: Opulence with real-world utility.

Forsake Lucie Boot ($170)

Sometimes bulky boots are overkill, especially on milder days when all you need are some kicks with a little style to get you to your car. This waterproof, full-grain leather and suede sneaker-boot is low key, classy, and easy to get into thanks to the faux front lacing with a reliable side zipper that鈥檚 easy to use with light gloves. A cushioned EVA midsole and stable rubber outsole offer just enough traction to handle icy parking lots and moderate snowbanks. Even our Minnesota-based testing squad preferred these for quick trips to the co-op or for a mellow after-ski aperitif at a local distillery.

Size: 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 6-11

Bottom Line: The perfect everyday winter boot when mukluks are overkill.

Amundsen Winter Mucks ($350)

Designed in Oslo and handmade in Italy, these retro lace-ups were a favorite of a fashion design student tester, who was especially impressed with how functional these beautiful boots are. The wool loden鈥攁 type of woven, boiled yarn鈥攁nd suede outer naturally sheds water, while a soft and insulating nylon mesh inner liner is removable for speedy drying times. (Bonus: this removable insert has a grippy sole, so it doubles as a house slipper.) All that, plus a sticky Vibram Arctic Grip sole, meant our tester could handle everything a Minneapolis winter threw at her.

Size: Unisex 37-46

Bottom Line: A functional fashion statement with bonus indoor slippers.

Reviews: The Best Slippers of 2023

Rab Down Hut Slippers ($65)

The 鈥渓ike-pillows-for-your-feet” analogy may be an old saw, but it鈥檚 spot-on for 鈥檚 dreamy slipper. It鈥檚 stuffed with 700-fill recycled down with a Nikwax hydrophobic finish, and encased by a 30-denier DWR Pertex fabric with an elasticized fleece-lined cuff. Some testers reported keeping them on for a full day and night. While this is decidedly an indoor slipper, we also tested it on quick trips to the mailbox down a long, icy driveway. Spoiler: even there, it performed, thanks to a grippy polyurethane outsole and a 600-denier nylon edge. Weighing a mere seven ounces per pair, the Hut Slippers are ideal to stash in a backpack for winter camping or a carry-on headed to an alpine resort. They even come with their own carrying case.

Size: Unisex XS-XL

Bottom Line: Down kicks for inconsolably numb feet.

Oboz Whakata Puffy ($100)

Of all the slippers we tested, this pull-on moccasin feels the most shoe-like, thanks to its beefy molded rubber outsole, structured arch support, and a tightly woven Cordura upper filled with 100-gram Primaloft Bio (100 percent recycled and biodegradable.) We found the Whakat to be an ideal transition shoe, like when changing from sweaty winter fat biking boots to run errands around town. The rugged outsole tread has solid grip for icy parking lots and the crushable heel makes for easy slip-on access when you鈥檙e in a hurry. It鈥檚 also one of the most eco-friendly slippers on the market, thanks to an algae-blended resin used in the footbed and midsole.

Size: 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 6-11

Bottom Line: Eco-conscious moccs with winter grip.

Bioline Kappa Rosso 3004 ($145)

Bioline might be new to Americans, but variations of these slipper shoes have been handmade in the foothills of the Italian Dolomites since the 1930s. Made from a boiled wool upper with a removable leather-wrapped footliner, a cork insole, and a grippy thermoplastic outsole, the Kappa Rosso has the support and traction of a shoe and the plush comfort of a slipper. We used it as an indoor-only shoe slide, but there鈥檚 a back heel with a generous loop to quickly secure it to the foot. Bright red, yellow, and blue dyes make the Kappa Rosso a rustic eye-catcher.

Size: Unisex 34-48

Bottom Line: Snazzy Italian booties with slip-on comfort.

Kyrgies Nomads ($119)

This slipper is backed by history: Made by hand in the mountain community of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, it鈥檚 modeled after the classic Russian Valenki, the traditional winter footwear worn by nomadic Russian people for centuries. The flexible boiled wool upper, cinched by an elasticized band running around the ankle that replaces lacing, can be flipped up or down depending on how warm you want your ankle to feel. With vulcanized rubber soles and the naturally water repellent wool upper, these simple, durable slippers can handle real snow (stay away from slush) let alone a mild night around the campfire.

Size: 惭别苍鈥檚 7-15.5 / 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 5-14

Bottom Line: If it worked for nomads on the frozen Russian steppes, it can definitely handle some light apr茅s duty.

More 2023 Winter Gear Guide Reviews

• The Best Sunglasses of 2023
• The Best Winter Travel Gear of 2023

Back to the Winter Gear Guide

The post The Best Snow Boots of 2023 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.