Inexpensive but good winter boots (Rome: military, stores, safe)

[chickadee]

For everyday working/hiking socks that are thick and durable, my favorites over the last 12 years are the Wigwam El-Pine ragg wool socks, which I order from Campmor:
https://www.campmor.com/c/wigwam-el-...agg-wool-socks
[Note: The "grey twist" color is a mixture of taupe and off-white.]

I have problems with my feet that require orthopedic shoes, and these ragg wool socks comfortably cushion my feet all the year round. Yes, I wear them in the summer, too. I machine-wash the socks in cold water and hang them to dry. They are made in the U.S.A. and last for years.

Merino wool socks are made of a softer, finer wool that is not nearly as durable, and they are more expensive. I occasionally wear merino wool knee-high socks for less casual use than the ragg wool.

[399083453]

Depends on your budget. You can find good boots at Goodwill for $4 or LLBean for $250. Either way, you want wool socks. Instead of gators, I simply wear snow pants when shoveling or snowblowing.

[Submariner]

I have not used a snow shovel in a couple years. I park my tractor under a roof, so snow-blowing does not require much physical labor. However, once my tractor is running, warming up, I shift to wearing sneakers. Insulated muck boots are great for walking through snow or mud, and feeding livestock. But they feel clumsy on the accelerator / brake pedals. Also climbing up onto the tractor, I have slipped a few times when I was wearing the heavy boots.

If you need to be in and out of a vehicle frequently, trying to operate brake / clutch / accelerator while wearing heavy boots, you will soon see the problem of wearing heavy clumsy boots.

I have found that 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are an absolute requirement. When you get a solid base-layer of ice, and then a dusting a snow on top, you can very easily slip and fall. I carry buckets of pig slop every day, I need solid footing. I have gone through a dozen different flavors of ***-traks and whatnot to give your shoes better grip. 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are the best that I have found. They are like a hard-sole Roman-style sandal that goes onto any sneakers or boots.

[chickadee]

Originally Posted by Submariner

I have found that 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are an absolute requirement. When you get a solid base-layer of ice, and then a dusting a snow on top, you can very easily slip and fall. I carry buckets of pig slop every day, I need solid footing. I have gone through a dozen different flavors of ***-traks and whatnot to give your shoes better grip. 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are the best that I have found. They are like a hard-sole Roman-style sandal that goes onto any sneakers or boots.

Thank you for suggesting STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats, which I had not seen. I tried stretchy Yaktraks, and they were hard to put on. They broke after a couple of wearings. After looking at other brands, I gave up the search.

Visible ice is hazardous enough for walking, but I am most wary of the possibility of black ice and of ice beneath a dusting of snow. When you are unaware of their presence, you can be moving along at a too brisk pace that ends up with a fall. I want to avoid fracturing bones.

These STABILicers look like they would be easily applied and work well for safer walking in icy conditions. I am going to order a pair for this winter.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by chickadee

Thank you for suggesting STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats, which I had not seen. I tried stretchy Yaktraks, and they were hard to put on. They broke after a couple of wearings. After looking at other brands, I gave up the search.

Visible ice is hazardous enough for walking, but I am most wary of the possibility of black ice and of ice beneath a dusting of snow. When you are unaware of their presence, you can be moving along at a too brisk pace that ends up with a fall. I want to avoid fracturing bones.

These STABILicers look like they would be easily applied and work well for safer walking in icy conditions. I am going to order a pair for this winter.

They are a bit pricey.

I found that the velcro straps can get packed with manure and they lose their grippiness. So after I put them on, I then use zip-ties to make the velcro straps more secure. But if you are not walking in a foot of manure, you should not have that problem.

I think 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are well worth every penny.

[American girl]

Originally Posted by boiselover

Great thread! I could use a nice pair of boots and for the heck of it grab some socks!? I recommend wig wam mills (costco does good prices on them) USA made and warm!

Agree. And again, Reny's will have on sale the first Saturday in November. Usually they're four pair for the price of three, and then 20% off on sale day.

[chickadee]

Originally Posted by Submariner

They are a bit pricey.

I found that the velcro straps can get packed with manure and they lose their grippiness. So after I put them on, I then use zip-ties to make the velcro straps more secure. But if you are not walking in a foot of manure, you should not have that problem.

I think 'STABILicers Heavy Duty Ice Cleats' are well worth every penny.

I am a couple of decades removed from slipping around in manure, and have no plans to repeat it.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Hockeygirl063

Bean boots! You can get them insulated with thinislate or gortex. I Just ordered a pair. They were actually in stock and I should get them next Tuesday. I went with the 6 inch non insulated since we don't usually get snow here in Oregon but we do get a lot of rain in the fall and winter.

I have always wanted a pair and with the guarantee from LL Bean I can't go wrong.

Thinsulate is the insulation, Gore-Tex the waterproofing layer.

I have most of my boots (all of them now that I think of it) from Cabela's.

Women's Winter Boots & Footwear : Cabela's

I linked to Women's.

[slyfox2]

I use my summer hiking boots, with stabilizers and winter wrap arounds. The winter wraps connect under the shoe, at the end of the laces and velcro to the knee. They make my summer hiking boots become a winter knee high boot for a fraction of the cost of buy and knee height boot.

I also have several sets of alpaca wool socks which are just wonderful.

[Submariner]

Soon enough it will be snowshoes.

Then will come snowshoes over chest-high waders. Oh, how I hate snowshoeing carrying maple sap on my back, only to punch through into river water. Every spring though it happens. Scares the heck out of my every time.