Winter walking boots (3 Viewers)

[PhilW]

Mine are not the arctic type, but are plenty warm enough anyway. I think they are pretty much guaranteed warm down to temperatures that we are not likely to ever see in the UK.

I seem to remember when I bought mine that the Muckboots website did give estimated temperature ranges / comfort info for the various models available.

Second vote for Muckboots. You can wear them all day and they're as comfy as a good hiking boot. Some of the lads I know who are out and about doing survey work all day swear by them. :t:

 

[NoSpringChicken]

What sort of Muckboots are we talking about here? I have just had a look at the Uttings site and they list about 15 different versions.

Ron

 

[Edward]

What sort of Muckboots are we talking about here? I have just had a look at the Uttings site and they list about 15 different versions.

Ron

I spend a lot of time walking around in cold weather, walking through snow, piles of seaweed on the beach, wet grass etc. and bought Muck Boots last year, these ones (I think):
http://www.uttings.co.uk/Product/48...old-weather-wellington-boots-green-mbtayspmg/
Absolutely great, highly recommended. Took them to Greenland in May and they passed with flying colours there, but I wear them in much warmer weather without overheating.

 

[eenymac]

I can't remember which ones I got, might have been Tay or Spey I think. Mine are all over camo which don't seem to be available now.
Love 'em and they usually start getting a lot more use on the weekend walks at this time of year.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Those cold weather Muckboots certainly look good. I won't be buying any yet, though, as I received a pair of Aigle Parcourse Vario wellingtons and Gotland fleece socks for my birthday in March. Unfortunately the weather dried up as soon as I got them, so I haven't had a chance to try them out properly yet. I will bear the Muckboots in mind for the future though.

Ron

 

[PhilW]

I spend a lot of time walking around in cold weather, walking through snow, piles of seaweed on the beach, wet grass etc. and bought Muck Boots last year, these ones (I think):
http://www.uttings.co.uk/Product/48...old-weather-wellington-boots-green-mbtayspmg/
Absolutely great, highly recommended. Took them to Greenland in May and they passed with flying colours there, but I wear them in much warmer weather without overheating.

Thats the ones Edward.

 

[squidge]

Are the Tay muck boots the arctic boots just in a different name.

 

[Marmot]

I have had the ladies version of these for about 7 years now and they are still going strong, they are waterproof up to the ankle and fully lined with a sheepskin type of material inside so are toastie warm and are easy to get onl an off quicky due to the velcro fastening....the only complaint I have it that were the welllie bit joins the rest of the boot can sometimes catch the back of your ankle it you are wearing thin sock, but I wear thick hiking socks 90% of the time. But Ian my Husband got these and they only lasted him about 2 years before the sole split, but he seems to do this to a lot of his footwear.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CLE838/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=11069352365&ref=asc_df_B004CLE838

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I have been using my Aigle Parcours Vario wellies this winter and really like them. I went for a walk in the snow on Friday and the grip was excellent. However, since then the snow on the roads and pavements has compacted and become extremely icy. I stepped outside to go for a walk this morning but had to give up after 5 minutes as it just felt too insecure and dangerous.

Can anybody suggest the best soles for gripping on ice? The tread pattern on my wellies is fine for mud and snow but hopeless on ice. Crampons are not an option.

Ron

 

[iveljay]

Some people use something like this http://www.gizoo.co.uk/Products/IceTraction.htm there are lots of versions around and I cant vouch for this particular version as I havn't tried them.

I do have an old set from somewhere else with replaceable tungsten studs from a different manufacturer which fit my waterproof walking shoes, mine probably wouldn't fit wellies though.

Most of the time I use sharp cleated Trezeta walking boots and tungsten tipped walking poles, but I don't have many pavements out here its mainly country roads and frozen tractor tracks are fairly not slip.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Thanks Iveljay. They look quite interesting. I have just remembered that I have a pair of heavy leather Karrimor boots with well cleated Vibram soles. I don't wear them much these days but I might give them a go and see how they perform on ice.

Ron

 

[Perry Grin]

I got a pair of Bogs wellies from Santa this year, I've never been comfortable in wellies but these are the bees knees.

 

[iveljay]

Thanks for reviving this thread, I wanted some Wellies that work on the inches of chalk/clay slurry that our local paths turn into on uphill slopes - which is what we have now as the snow melts. In the end I bought a pair of Muckboots as some folks recommended last year, 'Torray' as no one seemed to have most of the others with this cleat pattern in my size. Having tried them, they do seem to be the best I have used so far for deep clingy mud.

A few comments - I need to experiment with sock thickness as not being laceups (obviously) they are a close fit. This is probably not a problem as they are really well insulated and a thinner sock will be adequate.

I have a high instep and getting them off was a challenge!!! I have ordered a boot jack as my old one broke a long time ago.

I can get padded Craghoppers tucked in on these since there is more give than the last pair of wellies I owned.

They are warm and comfortable and while the tree bark cammo pattern is not strictly necessary it doesnt show the muck.

 

[Edward]

I have been using my Aigle Parcours Vario wellies this winter and really like them. I went for a walk in the snow on Friday and the grip was excellent. However, since then the snow on the roads and pavements has compacted and become extremely icy. I stepped outside to go for a walk this morning but had to give up after 5 minutes as it just felt too insecure and dangerous.

Can anybody suggest the best soles for gripping on ice? The tread pattern on my wellies is fine for mud and snow but hopeless on ice. Crampons are not an option.

Ron

If you have to walk on sheet ice quite a bit then microspikes would be an idea, such as Snowline Chainsen Pro Spikes or Kahtoola Microspikes. You said no crampons and these aren't really crampons. Not sure how much use you'd get out of them in a British winter but they'll do the job.

 

[squidge]

I ended up getting a pair of Tay sport muck boots but the way my health has been the last few weeks it'll be next winter before I get to use them. I tried them on indoors and they seem comfortable enough but hopefully i will be able to give them a good test in the next few weeks.

Regards Gerard.

 

[CharleyBird]

Alt-Berg in Yorkshire do some really great boots.
I wanted some to keep me warm & dry walking through long wet grass and splashed out on a pair of their Velthog country high. Best boots I've ever owned.

 

[Paul Jarvis]

For the price of decent boots, its worth looking at a good pair of wellies for winter and walking in long grass. I got a pair of seeland estate neoprene which are really good.

 

[iveljay]

Update - Muckboots off in seconds with a boot jack as opposed to the 20 minutes without! Great investment!

They are warm, comfortable and brilliant performers in mud, slush and associated undergrowth, far better than my other boots - on greasy hard surfaces i.e. wet algae covered rock or ice they perform like all unstudded wellies - great for skating/breaking legs etc. - very much horses for courses, but very pleased I bought them.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Update - Muckboots off in seconds with a boot jack as opposed to the 20 minutes without! Great investment!

I agree with this whole heartedly. I bought one from B&Q and it completely eliminates the struggle with recalcitrant wellies when you are knackered after a long walk.

Ron

 

[CharleyBird]

I came into a small inheritance in March and before the bulk went on family needs, decided to spend a little on boots, something by which to remember my Uncle whenever I wear them.

With money no factor, I decided I didn't want another high-leg like my Altberg, but rather something to complement them, 3/4 season, warm, waterproof, leather but with modern comforts, still protecting the ankle when in rocky areas.
I'm not one for the modern protective rubber rand, either on toe or full, having seen them come away from the boot before.
So, this is what I splashed out on, and let me say, they were comfortable and pretty much perfect right out of the box:

Zamberlan 1024

USE:
Very comfortable, tough and durable boot for mountainous terrain, field or forest.
KEY FEATURES:
The Zamberlan 1024 Lagorai NW GT is a close relative of the award winning 1025 Tofane NW GT RR. The 1024 Lagorai NW GT is another addition to Zamberlan's Norwegian Welted boot line and is one of the most capable and beautiful boots ever made by Zamberlan. Using Norwegian Welted construction to apply a new, lightweight PU sole to waxed Tuscan leather uppers, Zamberlan has created a truly a unique combination that includes a Gore-Tex liner.

The Zamberlan Vibram NorTrack sole is a lightweight, dual-density PU sole with a tread ideal for navigating a variety of terrain. Hydrobloc waxed tuscan leather adds a layer of water-resistance to the very capable Gore-Tex liners. Norwegian-welted construction provides a lasting quality that will ensure you enjoy your boots for years to come and are easily re-solable.

Handcrafted in Italy, 930g