View Full Version : Footwear choice for snow/icey weather
We have all recently endured the snow and icy conditions for the past month. Now is maybe the time to assess the footwear choice for snow/icey weather.
My own preference was my Derwent Muck boots, good grip, dry and very warm, quick and easy to put on.
Interested to hear from others their choice and performance.
Phil
certinaly aint safety boots as i've been on me backside three times in them...
using the german paraboots atm when at home
Don't laugh :o I've got six pairs of hiking boots, two pair of wellies, a pair of duck boots and the only ones that kept me on my feet throughout this icy skating rink of the past couple of weeks are a pair of those wee fleece lined boots that the grannies wear in Winter.
Like these ones (found this link on google, mine say Silvia on the sole)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WARM-THERMAL-WATERPROOF-LIGHTWEIGHT-ZIP-LADIES-BOOT-4_W0QQitemZ290365605634QQcmdZV iewItemQQptZUK_Clothing_Menswe ar_MensShoes_GL?hash=item439b2 38702
They're meant to keep the fragile elderlies on their feet, they don't slip in the ice :approve:, they're warm, they're comfortable, they're dry, and I got them in a size 3 :D :D
Worth every penny I paid for them.
cheers,
Toddy
w00dsmoke
03-01-2010, 00:26
Nice one Toddy!
I have...
1. genuine Canadian mucklucks. Warmest so far and comfiest but the worst thing in the wet.
2. Old pair of KSB's... Awesome but low cut. Not much insulation for the cold. I really would love an old but new pair of these in a 45...esp the Anatomically directed design ones I had years ago...:o
3. Kamik snow boots...great in snow but cack in the wet or off snow as no grip.
4. Mountain snow boots-posh ski make similar to sorrells. Clumpy but great on snow but really poor for walking distances in.
5. Brasher boots...oh dear. Comfy butfar too floppy in the wet and too low.
6. Grubbs stalker boots, awesome boots, best alround vibram sole ever on a welly type boot. Very cold without Toddy type homemade felt insoles felt insoles.:)
7. Pro boots. Warm, good grip, but floppy when wet.
8. Lowa Mountain boots, very warm, dry, good sole unit. Reasonably high boot for a mountain boot. Very comfy. Not worn them long enough to make a good judgement on them. Hopefully they'll be the best so far!:)
British Red
03-01-2010, 00:26
Don't laugh
Too late:lmao:
They're meant to keep the fragile elderlies on their feet
Sounds like they worked too!
Nothing beats crampons on ice. Did I have any in Lincolnshire when walking on packed ice? Did I chuff :(. Where did I end up? On my...... :o
My steel toecapped firemans boots were damn all good nor were my KSBs. Best were my Grubbs Stalkers but still not enough grip.
Golf spikes would have been better!
johnnytheboy
03-01-2010, 00:28
If i'm out and about I always wear wellies, Le Cham ones with neoprene
http://www.thewellyshop.com/Wellies/Insulated-Wellies/Le-Chameau-Vierzonord-Extreme/p-108-109-157/
Round town i just wear Timberland boots, they are waterproof and and seriously hard wearing, my last pair went for about 10 years, its a shame they have stopped doing the brown leather ones though
http://www.timberlandonline.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-TBLGB-Site/default/Search-Show?cgid=men_footwear_boots&pid=PS_mns6inbts&start=4&source=search&color=713
Toddy, fashion goes round in cirles, its the same thing my wife wears but because they have a "label" on them they charge through the nose
http://slickheels.com.au/Classic_Short_Ugg_Boots_Black. aspx?c=GBP
Years ago I slipped on ice in the Avon gorge and landed on my situpon. I did it at least a dozen times before I got up from the riverside and off that path.
The result was a broken tailbone and a week later two slipped discs and a nipped sciatic nerve, trying to save that broken tailbone any more damage.
I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.
I'll wear the granny boots in the ice, even if it does feel very odd when my eighty year old auntie compliments my footwear :o
Fun's fun, but the hell wi' nonsense :approve:
We used to get rubber crampons that fitted over ordinary shoes for this type of weather. Haven't seen them in a long while, they were very useful iirc.
cheers,
Toddy
johnnytheboy
03-01-2010, 00:48
Avon gorge is a horrible place, its either icey or your up to your ears in mud!!!
Yeah, but that mud is perfect potting clay :D, and you can see the salmon and trout lying in the shallows :cool: and there are kingfishers down there too :)
I know it took a long while for me to go back down after everything healed. Just no' funny.
cheers,
M
I agree with British Red about the Fireman wellies (oh its great to say as its now firefighter). Having worn them for 32 year,yes they are mince and they are getting returned for good in 18 weeks.
Interested In the German Paras(thinking of getting a pair) , my pal bought a pair of Australian ex Army boots which look great but poor on grip.
Got 3-4 pairs of Karrimor boots which were too much hassle, also snow boots from Lidl which were alright. The neoprene wellies were just tickety boo though.
Phil
Celt_Ginger
03-01-2010, 09:52
Years ago I slipped on ice in the Avon gorge and landed on my situpon. I did it at least a dozen times before I got up from the riverside and off that path.
The result was a broken tailbone and a week later two slipped discs and a nipped sciatic nerve, trying to save that broken tailbone any more damage.
I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.
I'll wear the granny boots in the ice, even if it does feel very odd when my eighty year old auntie compliments my footwear :o
Fun's fun, but the hell wi' nonsense :approve:
We used to get rubber crampons that fitted over ordinary shoes for this type of weather. Haven't seen them in a long while, they were very useful iirc.
cheers,
Toddy
Try here
http://www.blacktoe.co.uk/ice%20Grips/ice%20grips.htm
On ice:
Icebug Vadun BuGrip 2.0 with carbide studs (their website seems to be down right now, but here is another link).
http://www.varuste.net/tuotetiedot2.asp?_prodid=31946&nimi=Icebug+Vadun+BUGrip+2.0
In snow:
Sievi Arktis:
http://www.sievi.com/index.php?sivu=kengat_en&kengat_id=178&koko=400&&ammattijalkine=1&varrellinen=1&otsikko=ProfessionalShoes_Boot s&PHPSESSID=aba252ea3b506a2263ad 1521fd253b32
Those Blacktoe rubber grips look useful :approve: thanks for the link :)
Very posh compared to the old ones which were really just a stretchy rubber grid with a springy edge.
I think HWMBLT might find some of those new ones a good idea too.
Susi those Icebug's look ideal :D Sizes are too big for me, the Lady Snow is small enough however :)
Incidentally, the boots I'm wearing have no studs, just very fine grooves in a thin rubbery sole. I'm just using them on solid ice paths, walking through the snow and over half thawed slush though, I haven't tried up hills or rocks on them.
cheers,
Toddy
Susi those Icebug's look ideal :D Sizes are too big for me,
Don't worry! :) Icebug do them in smaller sizes, it's just that the "Varuste" site only sells them down to a 40. I'll keep and eye on the Icebug website and let you know when it's back up (seems their domain subscription lapsed at the end of last year, no doubt they'll be back next week, once someone realises :) )
The only negative side for me though, was that all the marketing material tell how the boots are Swedish, but once the parcel arrives, the label tells that they're "designed in Sweden", but manufactured in China :(
Years ago I slipped on ice in the Avon gorge and landed on my situpon. I did it at least a dozen times before I got up from the riverside and off that path.
The result was a broken tailbone and a week later two slipped discs and a nipped sciatic nerve, trying to save that broken tailbone any more damage.
I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.
I'll wear the granny boots in the ice, even if it does feel very odd when my eighty year old auntie compliments my footwear :o
Fun's fun, but the hell wi' nonsense :approve:
We used to get rubber crampons that fitted over ordinary shoes for this type of weather. Haven't seen them in a long while, they were very useful iirc.
cheers,
Toddy
Were they like these ones www.icegrips.co.uk wore very similar last week and was very impressed .
bikething
03-01-2010, 11:15
When we were kids, (back in the days when you still had to go to school when it snowed :rolleyes: ) we used to wear a pair of cheapy sports socks OUTSIDE our shoes for walking along the pavements...
used to work quite well as I recall, but the socks didn't last too long :lmao:
back in the days when you still had to go to school when it snowed :rolleyes:
Phew!
Kids get one concession here in winter if it drops below -25°C....they don't have to go outside at break time.
Wallenstein
03-01-2010, 11:45
These got a decent review at Ourdoors Magic... Icebug MRs are trail-running shoes with carbide steel nubbins on the sole to grip the ice.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/5867
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/mrbug01.jpg
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/mrbugrip02.jpg
Cael Nu Mara
03-01-2010, 12:16
http://www.bushwear.co.uk/styles.php?ProductID=202208&ClassID=33
I started wearing these about a year ago when we went on "holiday" to churchill. I still wear them for when im on the flat, but not when its wet. If its raining/not that cold/going up steep bits. I wear these http://www.blackislander.co.uk/clothing/about-us.asp?pageid=15
Sam
mr dazzler
03-01-2010, 14:22
I've had no problems with my swedish army boots, best I've ever used.
Try here
http://www.blacktoe.co.uk/ice%20Grips/ice%20grips.htm
Those look very useful, and not too expensive either - just one question though, whould they be ok to wear while driving, or would they have to be removed??
If ok i might get a pair, would have been very useful the past couple of weeks at work!
bikething
03-01-2010, 14:52
look what I just found (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/snow-chains/shoe-chains.php) :)
something similar to the 'Bergsteiger' ones used to be issued to the Posties 20-odd years ago (I used to 'borrow' my dads :D)
As aposed to buying new boots you could just adapt your own with some of these
Inlaws use these
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/petzl_spiky_plus_anti_slip_sol e/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR¤cy=GBP&country=GBR
I use these
http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html
There are some other options out there, all mean no need to buy new boots, unless you want to that is
Saw this after posting over on Clothing & Footwear re. slippery Altbergs: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51208.
Celt_Ginger
03-01-2010, 15:34
Those look very useful, and not too expensive either - just one question though, whould they be ok to wear while driving, or would they have to be removed??
If ok i might get a pair, would have been very useful the past couple of weeks at work!
I'd recommend taking them off for driving.
Overlander30
03-01-2010, 18:55
Sorel Caribous.
Not had them long but boy they're warm. Even standing in deep snow for long periods youre feet just dont get cold at all, and I get cold at there mereset whiff of snow. I had them up on the north yorkshire moors on boxing day and was waist deep in snow at some points, waiting to tow a stuck landrover, they're definitely the best snow/cold weather boots I've ever had. Not particularly expensive either (as boots go)
johnnytheboy
03-01-2010, 22:00
Actaully i have a pair of boots upstairs that have metal studs in them, i had to stop wearing them as i used to forget i had them on and wander about the house with them on the wooden floor!!
rancid badger
03-01-2010, 23:25
I recently bought a pair of 'muck boot taks' they are really designed as equestrian wellies, for mucking out and whatnot but are great for walking and canoeing too.
Not super grippy on ice but gloriously warm and comfortable, compared to ordinary wellies. Add a set of those stud things and they'll go anywhere:D
R.B.
treefrog
04-01-2010, 01:03
http://www.nokianfootwear.fi/eng/outdoor/
Several models allow tungsten studs to be inserted in the sole for grip on ice.
I wouldn't be without my YAKTRAX Pros now I haven't fallen once since I got them for myself & family. You can wear them with mos types of footwear. The only drawback I found is if you go inside & don't remove them (they dont like a smooth tiled surface)
I wouldn't trade my british army cold weather boots for anything.
Ultra comfy, speed lacing, give support with freedom of movement, thinsulate, gore tex, toasty warm, even better with an insole inside, and they were broken in in a matter of hours.
Highly recommended.
http://www.cadetdirect.com/order1.php?pg=57
http://www.nokianfootwear.fi/eng/outdoor/
Several models allow tungsten studs to be inserted in the sole for grip on ice.
Yup. Also some models have very soft rubber on the sole, which is very good on the ice. I have the trek plus model and these are very soft soled.
forestwalker
04-01-2010, 12:09
Y
We used to get rubber crampons that fitted over ordinary shoes for this type of weather. Haven't seen them in a long while, they were very useful iirc.
Stores here are "full" of these of different types. Nice when you have snow--melt--freeze--bambi-on-ice conditions.
I have a pair of boots fitted with ‘Skywalk’ soles; I was shocked when I took them to deal with some icy conditions and found them to have absolutely no grip. They are fine in snow or mud where you can get grip, but for ice or slippery rock, forget it.
However I have some lightweight Clarkes ‘boots’ which from new, effectively have no tread pattern on the sole at all, i.e. they are smooth soles…….and yet they grip the ice pretty well.
In other words I have found for rubber/plastic soles the grip in these conditions is not necessarily improved by the sole tread pattern but more by the actual composition of the sole itself.
I’ve looked for another pair like this but alas they were old stock when I bought them years ago.
Susi those Icebug's look ideal :D Sizes are too big for me, the Lady Snow is small enough however :)
Their site is back up now, sizes down to a 36:
http://www.icebug.se/Product.aspx?m=143
Lots of clever clippy-on cleats here ....
http://www.basegear.com/icecleats.html
Could do with a pair or two this morning round here.
Bushwhacker
05-01-2010, 11:12
Walking technique is also another thing that helps.
Normally I have a very long striding gait, but in the ice I have to remind myself that small steps are a better option.
forestwalker
05-01-2010, 13:54
Walking technique is also another thing that helps.
Normally I have a very long striding gait, but in the ice I have to remind myself that small steps are a better option.
Once upon a time, in a dojo far far away I learnt a technique for running on ice. Basically it is a rolling step, with very short strides, slightly bent knees, and the body weight balanced at all times. It is surprisingly efficient, even one looks somewhat silly[1], but being the only one that (a) catches the bus, and (b) does not slip and fall on the sheet of clear ice is worth it.
[1] Not quite John Cleese DoSW level, though.