Boot and Gloves

[UP Oliver]

I have been really disappointed in the quality of boots and gloves I have purchased the last few years. I live in an area where there isn't a lot of options as far as stores are concerned, and I am not crazy about spending big bucks for something online without getting it on my foot or hand first. I don't want to rip into a particular brand, but I have spent $20-30 on a pair of cheap lined rubber boots that crack and leak in a couple years and I know that is about all I am going to get out of them. I get it. But when I spent well over a hundred on a pair that last me only 3 or 4 years before they start to crack and leak that is not acceptable to me. Same idea with gloves. I know things don't last forever, but it seems to me they should last longer than they do.

Where I live we had 15 below the last week, but for the most part if it gets cold it is usually only in the single digits below zero, really nothing compared to some temps guys are throwing out there on these posts this last week where it is -35 or whatever.

So I am asking for whatever input you are willing to give on the brand of boots and gloves you have that are good quality and last awhile in the cold. I am only a hobby farmer and spend most of my work day inside so I have to believe a lot of you full time guys have some good advice on a brand or an online store that has good stuff.

Thank you in advance and Happy New Year to all.

 

[Janicholson]

Mickey Mouse Boots. Military surplus and new are available. I have had a pair for 14 years and they are as good as ever. They are rubber inside and out with dry felt between. Just real value and never cold feet ever. I have been satisfied with Wells Lamont gloves. Not cheap, not flimsy. Jim

 

[SVcummins]

I had a pair Of whites that lasted 14 years they need rebuilt . I bought kenetrec boots this time they are much lighter than the whites and my feet stay warm no matter what as far as gloves I wear kincos pigskin lined or Wells Lamont lined gloves

 

[Janicholson]

One source. Jim
Mickeys

 

[Russ from MN]

I never had a pair, but I remember people complaining about them being slippery! But I suppose a person could find a solution to that, like paint the bottom with non-skid.

 

[moresmoke]

I've had good luck with LaCrosse boots. They make both cheap and good high end boots. Look for the ones marketed to loggers/miners.

 

[IndianaSteve]

I must say I have never found a warm enough pair of gloves either but I am a Super fan of the military mickey boot. I have a pair of them and my feet never get cold. https://colemans.com/ Cool website.

 

[Janicholson]

They are not slippery They have full rubber deep tread,

history

 

[SVcummins]

I?ve had four or five pair never been any more slippery than any other boot

 

[RBoots]

I like these, Baffin Ice Bear. They are a polyurethane, designed that way so they won't get hard and crack. They are expensive, but I.needed good boots for work, wading around in the snow felling trees. I have to have safety toe boots at work, which these do, and it's a composite toe so it doesn't get as cold. Has really good traction as well, and doesn't feel heavy or bulky. I can't remember where I ordered mine from, but I paid around $250 for mine. Love them.

Baffin Boot

 

[Russ from MN]

Sorry, I was thinking of Bunny Boots, they were white felt and very warm, but a smooth sole.

 

[SodBuster87]

I have a pair of Irish Setter boots that I got used and Ive had them about two winters now. Also got a pair if Rocky pack boots I 've had about four years. Liners are about shot but the boots themselves are still realy good shape.

 

[kcm.MN]

I have an old ankle injury that keeps getting worse. Couple months back, went to town wearing the only shoes/boots that I could still stay on my feet in. Ended up stopping at a small local shop and wearing out a new pair of Bogs boots (https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/g-4454-bogs-mens-classic-mossy-oak-high-rubber-boot.html) They're made from 7mm neoprene and are supposed to be good for up to -40F. I normally wear over-the-calf sports socks (Wilson) year-round, and there's a noticeable difference in comfort when temps get down below -25 or -30. However, they're not clumsy to walk in and fit very well.

The bad news is, they have harder rubber on the soles and therefore have less-then-stellar traction on icy spots.

The best all-around winter boot I've seen is made by Sorel. Yes, they're expensive, but they're worth it! For your needs, might look at something like these:
https://www.sorel.com/mens-bear-xt-...1573911_variationColor=010&cgid=men-boots
Rated to -40, but notice the tread design.

https://www.sorel.com/mens-glacier-...en-boots&dwvar_1573891_variationColor=010
Rated to -100F. Again, notice the tread design.

I mention the tread because I also have a pair of Wellco brand military mukluks (https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Militar...58&hash=item466c8edd5f:g:hPMAAMXQs6FRMR5~) These are really good boots, but by the time you buy 2 sets of liners, you're paying nearly as much as for the Sorels. The mukluks hold a little better on ice due to softness of the rubber, but do not grip as well. With the Sorels and other boots that use the rounded nubs, those nubs seem to grip ice really well! Boots are a little clumsy for some folks though.

The Bogs boots and other hunting boots like them do not have removable liners, so you will NEED to have a decent boot dryer. Body steam/sweat will eventually soak the inside of your boots and your feet will have a much harder time staying warm. Natural wool socks help a lot, but are very difficult to find....and expensive! They're mostly wool-blend nowdays, and that can mean anything as low as 3% wool!! So you really have to pay attention to the materials. I recently bought wife and I some socks from Sportsman's Guide that are called Lifetime socks, as any time they wear out, you send them back and they send you a replacement pair for free. Wife says she loves them, and she's definitely a freeze baby!

As for gloves, that's a tough call. Cheap chore gloves can be quite warm, but not offer much grip. Bulk leather work gloves work well down to -10 for me, but some folks can't wear them below 40F. Two things I look for in gloves for extreme cold weather is, I like leather that is NOT smooth, and I like a bit of a loose fit. Anything tight-fitting, my fingers get cold fast! Same with boots and other garments - need that air space for best insulation and long-term comfort.

I like Kinco brand deer hide gloves. They're very warm and comfortable. And as always, make sure to have dry clothing on whenever possible. Once you become sweaty, time to change out.

Oh, lastly, when I need minimum bulk and it's not "too" cold outside, I use mechanic's gloves. Which ones is a difficult call, as it seems some get cold really fast while others don't. The Max Performance mechanic's gloves available at Walmart and elsewhere, for me, get cold really fast!

 

[Kansas4010]

You got several responses on boots, some I might look into. I use Arctic Muck boots. The quality of them has really gone down hill and they're not as warm as they used to be and if you get a couple years out of them you're doing good. If you don't need finger dexterity I use a heavy pair of mittens. They are the warmest. When I need fingers I've found that Cabelas snow mobile gloves are the warmest. I've had them for 3 years now. They're expensive enough that I try not to use them when I think they might get torn up so I can't really testify to how long they'll last doing hard work.

 

[Bruce from Can.]

I just wear cheap unlined rubber boots, and one pair of socks winter/ summer, and cotton blend chore gloves that can be bought anywhere for 3-4 bucks. One pair of gloves last all winter, boots last 3-4 months, where them 7 days a week doing chores

 

[showcrop]

I wore Red Wings for many years until my foot spread wide and longer so that I had a fit problem. I got a pair of Keens that lasted a month. I got a replacement pair that lasted a month. The current pair was no better, but I was able to wear them for six months. I kept them for when I go wear course asphalt paving walking around on tack coat. I have a pair of lined Timberlands now that are holding up very well. For walking around in snow and for snowmobiling I have found nothing that compares with Sorel. My first pair lasted me over thirty years!! The key to warmth in rally cold conditions with pack boots is to put a set of insulating sole cushions under the felt liners and to pull the felt liners out after each day of use, so that they can dry.

 

[K Effective]

We use Working Person's store to provide safety boots to everyone at work- I had used their website before that, as well. They have no problems sending two different sizes or returning a size that does not fit.

I have been using a Nautica hiking boot style the last five years- composite safety toe, no metal at all for easy passing of the security checks, and they last over two years on my feet on concrete/metal grating. The air bladder in the heel is really nice, until it lets go and the boots squeak like i haven't paid for them! Or, maybe it is just my knees and ankles squeaking!

Kinko leather gloves with the tight cuff are my choice for cold weather work, like our grape trimming Get mine from Northern Tool.com

 

[Bret4207]

Surplus Mickey Mouse boots, 100% wool socks and chopper style mittens. All can be ordered on line. Get the boots one size larger than normal. The mitts can be either the traditional style with the removable wool liners or the type with the faux wool lining, but mitts are always going to be far warmer than gloves.

 

[Janicholson]

I have had the white ones as well, They are rated even lower temps than the black. Both have the same tread. Put in White Bunny Boots and select images. Jim

 

[Determined]

Might actually be too warm for you.
Baffin Titan rated -100
Fully waterproof
Stay warm all day
Get an extra set of liners and swap them out to dry daily or you will ruin the liners.
So warm that your feet will perspire at -40 even with minimal activity.

 

[Russ from MN]

The ones that I saw were in about 1960, they have probably changed.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Zappos.com is what you need for boots. Free return shipping. I buy several sizes and return what doesn't fit.

Look at Baffin and Kamik brands.

Grouse