![]() ![]() The Ugg Adirondacks, an unexpectedly well-reviewed boot, got lost in the mail. I never heard from Bogs, either, which was too bad because I wanted to do a head-to-head Bogs vs. A few I was interested in testing never made it to the Yukon: Sorel never got back to me about its popular Joan of Arctic (winner for best boot name!). From those, I put together a list of boots that repeatedly cropped up and that seemed to fit an active lifestyle-no faux-fur heels here-and then requested pairs for testing. ![]() I started out by reading a pile of other reviews and roundups of women’s winter boots. How We Picked the Best Boot (Eva Holland) It’s my considered opinion that those numbers don’t always mean very much, especially when it comes to temperature ratings, so I tried to test each pair using a set of hands-on tasks and my own observations. Where I have biases, I’ve tried to be clear about them.īoot companies often list detailed information about the materials used in a given boot, types and amounts of insulation, measurements of height and weight, and official temperature ratings. But I know other people’s rankings will be different from my own, so I’ve assessed the boots I tested based on all these factors. You’ll note that price, style, and waterproofing don’t make my list of concerns. Does it chafe or hurt? Is it generally pleasant to wear? All-day ice fishing demands different boots than a nightly dog walk.įor me, here’s what matters in a winter boot, ranked more or less in order of importance: What about precipitation-do you tend to see deep drifts of powder or frequent freezing rain? Finally, think about what you want to do in those conditions and for how long. To start, consider average winter temperatures where you live and just how far it drops during serious cold snaps, the occasional “bomb cyclone” aside. I’ve done my best to contextualize my reviews here with that in mind. Maybe you only really need winter boots for your après-ski and drive home from the hill. Or you might not want to spend top dollar for a pair of boots you’ll only wear a few times a year. Or you might prioritize waterproofing over an extreme cold-weather rating (Pacific Northwest, I’m looking at you). But for folks with shorter or milder cold-weather seasons, a lighter boot may do the trick. I’m happy to spend serious money for heavy-duty performance and reliability. For me, living in the Yukon, winter boots are a pretty big deal. What you need in a winter boot depends on what you plan to use it for, how often, and in what kinds of conditions. What Should I Know Before Buying Winter Boots? If I learned one thing in this process, it’s that finding a winter boot that can be all things to all people-one boot to rule them all-is really hard, so I’ve written about several boot options for climates and lifestyles beyond the Arctic Circle.īut the best boot I tested was the Steger Mukluks Arctic, a comfortable and versatile boot that stands up to serious cold. This winter, I researched and field tested a half-dozen of the best boot options on the market. The Yukon is a good proving ground for footwear testing. People here wear boots everywhere-at dogsled races, on winter camping trips, to the bar. I’ve lived in Canada’s Yukon Territory for nine years, where we get subfreezing temperatures and snow for at least seven months out of 12 and lows down to minus 55 Fahrenheit (before factoring in windchill). I have strong opinions about winter boots. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |