Lightweight hiking gear is all the rage in backpacking circles: In recent years, as gear has gotten lighter, the footwear needed to support carrying it has gotten lighter, too. Indeed, many hikers and other outdoor adventurers have abandoned traditional hiking boots entirely, in favor of trekking shoes or lightweight hybrid shoe-boots. But in winter, weight issues have to give way to environment. In extreme cold, frostbite become a much more immediate problem than the extra exertion required to lift a heavy boot. Trudging through the snow is not easy in any kind of footwear, and yes, all things being equal, lighter is still better. But as with so many things in life and adventure, all things are rarely equal. Here are some considerations for choosing a cold weather boot.
Choose the Right Winter Boot for Your Activity and Climate
What will you be doing, and where and in what conditions? Sitting motionless on a snowmobile? Ice-climbing? Hiking and ice-climbing? Snowshoeing? Ice-fishing? The more active your activity, the lighter your boot can be, although you also need to remember that when you stop to rest, you can chill very quickly. Consider the following issues:
- Temperature: Below freezing is just the starting point!. There's a huge difference between 20 degrees Fahrenheit (normal leather boots might be fine) and minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit (bring out the heavy ammunition: insulated double boots or cold weather military "bunny boots.")
- What kind of snow? Light dry powder is one thing; wet slushy snow is another. The wetter the snow, the more waterproof you'll want the boots to be.
- Time you'll be outside: If you plan to hike for two hours then come inside to a nice warm fire, that's different than staying out for a weekend of winter camping. But if you do choose to go with lighter boots, be sure to carry some chemical foot warmers for emergencies, and a pair of dry socks, as well.
Types of Outdoor Winter Boots
Only once you know the activity and conditions you'll be traveling in is it time to choose a boot.
- Traditional Hiking Boots. Traditional leather hiking boots with good Vibram soles may be outdated on summer trails, but they remain a good choice for winter. They'll keep in warmth, especially when paired with gaiters, and the soles will grip on slippery surfaces. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail starting in January, which meant a fair bit of trudging through snow. A pair of relatively lightweight all-leather boots (just under four pounds for the pair) was ideal. I've also tried using even lighter-weight fabric-and-leather boots in light winter conditions, but they tend to freeze up, especially in slushy snow. One way to make a three-season boot do four-season duty is to pair it with a vapor-barrier sock liner, available in outfitting stores.
- Insulated, lined boots. Insulated boots can be lined with old fashioned felt, as in the traditional Sorel boots, or they can be lined with other soft insulating material such as Thinsulate. Basically, these boots have an inner bootie that acts like a super-sock. The boot's outer shell is made out of some combination of leather, rubber, or synthetics. Insulated boots can be used for activities where you don't work up a lot of sweat – snowmobiling, horseback-riding, ice-fishing. They can also be used for short hikes and showshoeing, but in moderate temperatures, they may actually be too warm. And most of them don't offer much in the way of foot support.
- Climbing Boots: Double climbing boots are a variation of insulated lined boots, but they have a harder shell and a more rigid sole to support crampons. These boots have changed radically over the last 20 years or so. Once almost completely rigid and all but impossible to walk in, they are now fairly flexible and even comfortable for approach-hiking (for example, when ice-climbing), although they are much heavier than traditional boots. If you anticipate having to use crampons in very cold weather, these are the way to go.
- Bunny Boots: For extreme cold – and by extreme, I mean temperatures down in the minus-double-digits Fahrenheit range – military cold weather boots, nicknamed "Bunny Boots" are the ticket. At more than six pounds a pair, these boots are incredibly heavy, which makes them hard to walk in over long distances. And they don't offer much in the way of arch support. (Orthotics can be added to help with support issues). But the key thing about Bunny Boots is that they will keep your feet warmer than anything else on the market.
The important thing to remember about winter adventuring is that conditions can quickly change and become dangerous and even life-threatening. Thus, winter gear needs to be selected not only for optimum function for the activity (comfort and weight), but for the worst possible conditions. By understanding the activity, the climate, and the boots available, you'll be able to choose gear that will both work for your activity and keep you comfortable – and maybe even save your life – if and when the weather turns foul.
Karen Berger - Karen Berger is the author of 15 books. Please click on her name to read her full bio.
