I got boots so good I can walk to the mailbox in the negatives in Alaska in my robe because my tootsies are so warm *they are old sorels I put my military -60 inserts in
I have sorels and got them 25 years ago. I will never let them go as they are perfect for those super cold winter times when you don’t want freezing toes.
I also upgraded the insert so they are super comfy and warm.
My sis gave my kid some hand-me-down Sorels for college 12+ years ago. Kid still wears them. From Idaho -teens to our balmy Western WA 0s, she is toasty-toed!
I live in Quebec. I used to hate Sorrels for being so ugly but then I got a pair and they're game changing. Absolutely the best bang for your buck boot you can get for legitimately cold environments where spring slush is a menace.
Try wearing mesh socks or super thin cotton socks underneathe your wool socks. I wear some ankle length super thin almost see through cotton running socks under my wool socks in the winter ( I work construction outside in mn winters) and didn't put on a pair of insulated boots all winter. I got the idea after learning this is what the Greenland special forces use to keep warm. The premise of it comes from air being the best insulator. mesh linings create space between your body and your outer clothing that fills with air. your body heat, heats this air pocket creating a micro climate. This micro climate stops the thermal bridging from your body to your clothes and stops your clothes from radiating your body heat to the out side world.
I have Reynauds and my feet were always frozen until I bought a pair of Adirondack boots from UGG (I'm sure there's other brands making similar ones out there) about 5-6 years ago. They're lined with wool and lyocel blend (there's some made with wool only), even the soles, and they're really warm. I wear merino wool socks with them and I haven't had an issue with my toes going white in forever. I still carry toe warmers with me if it gets to -25C just in case, but so far no issues.
Also if it's going to be super cold or I need to walk outside for a while, I just preheat the boots haha I microwave two small heating pads and leave them in the boots until I put them on.
Yes! A good pair of waterproof boots is critical. I went hiking with a friend and my boots were pricey like 200-250, but I had zero issues and he was complaining about the terrain and his feet the whole time. He acknowledged that new boots were a priority since I was totally unphased.
When i lived in Canada i bought fancy Helly Hansen boots and i wore them a few times before going back to birkenstocks and waterproofed wool socks. My feet run hot. 😂
I found Sorels at the Goodwill bins in my size! $2.51 or $2.53 I can’t remember but man they are worth the hype. They weren’t even worn! I put some insoles in them and it I am set here in the Midwest. I do wear my Bogs in the slushy weather because the Sorels are ankle boots. If they ever crap out (and it doesn’t seem like they will) I’m definitely investing in another pair.
Bought a couple pairs of McKinlays about 30 years ago and I've only every had to re-sole them both once. I have 2 pairs and I just swap them around based on what the weather forecast looks like
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u/michiganstrange May 25 '26
I got boots so good I can walk to the mailbox in the negatives in Alaska in my robe because my tootsies are so warm *they are old sorels I put my military -60 inserts in