The Mudroom: Winter Boots

from the chatroom—your winter shoe question answered.

Happy Tuesday, TOGS!

Today, for our mini bonus letter, we wanted to bring you a letter from The Mudroom: curated recommendations on what togs to wear for mountain sports and lifestyle.

Today, we respond to a few recent chat* questions regarding what winter boots we each like wearing in our respective locales. Hadley writing in from Chamonix, Kellyn from Telluride, and North from Bellingham.

*If you don’t know about the chat, it’s a lovely little place where subscribers can ask questions, look for recommendations, rave about good gear, and connect with other likeminded folks. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already :)

Now, here are our winter boot picks. Enjoy!

Hadley’s Picks

1. Chamonix is snowy, but it’s also a much wetter climate than my dry-as-hay hometown of Jackson, Wyoming. And while the enormous peaks flirt with the sky, the town is almost three thousand feet lower than Jackson, resulting in a pretty wet valley floor. The snow I walk in is often wet, like pure rain and puddles wet. I bought a pair of Baffin Boots for an expedition years ago, and find that they are a nearly daily driver during storm cycles. They are 1000% waterproof, have zero puncture holes even after what must be seven years or so of use, and, with the removable, washable, warm liner, result in an unstinky and very toasty pair of winter romping boots.

   

   Other Chamonix winter essentials for snow, which often is closer to rain, are an umbrella and a wool coat which works better than down in these instances.

2. I love a boot with a Euro-heritage, hiking vibe that mixes some degree of shearling for warmth and pizazz. I have a taller pair from Grenson and a shorter pair from Chloe (both scored in the spring at steep discounts if you’re willing to wait). You could sub in the classic Danner, or this more water-oriented version from Arizona Love called the Colorado, or if you have money to burn, this incredibly chic pair from Legres.

3. If the roads are dry and the temperatures aren’t too bad, I live in Clarks. The Gore-Tex version or the Warm-Lined version are both good options for “booties with traction”. Perfect for when you’re over wearing something heavy and tall on your feet. These from J-Crew are of a similar vein.

*And while we were keeping ourselves to three, at the top of my pricey wishlist are this chic pair from Hereu, or the Le Monde Béryl x Diemme collab, or this practical but always sold out pair from Tretorn.

North’s Picks

1. Can a clog count as a boot? It can in Bellingham, WA! Here in town, it snows just once or twice a year, so, most of the time, winter primarily brings puddle problems. These Crocs have just enough of an enclosed heel to keep some splash at bay. They’re also borderline too cushy, but I’m not going to complain about that. I’ve been pulling them on for a bit of everything: quick errands, romps through the yard, after soggy runs and bike rides, and more.

   

   Come and get me, water!

2. There is something childlike and wonderful about wiggling into a tall, waterproof pair of boots. I picked up these Muck Boots a number of years ago while I was working as a snow shoveler in Jackson, WY. Not only are they super grippy and warm, but their mix of sleek and chunky forms give them a futuristic, gorp-y look that can also handle afternoons when the Mt. Baker parking lot looks like this:

   

   The fate of parking lot pow when the freezing level rises from 4,000 to 5,000 feet.

3. I first encountered Japan-based Playground while browsing around Anonymous Ism in LA this summer. I don’t own the PG - CAVE2 (and, admittedly, they’re hard to find here in the U.S.), but they have all the features that I look for in a PNW winter boot: a lugged sole, a decent mud guard, and a detail or two that contends against some inevitable amount of moisture. (These ones have a neoprene liner, which means they should stay warm-ish even if the leather upper gets a little wet.)

* My fun and off-kilter ghost pick is the BUNNY BOOT VBX LITE, a heavy-duty insulated + waterproof boot that Spencer Harkins put me on to earlier this winter. Their cartoonish proportions (and comical weight—about 5 lbs/pair in my size) cut against their somewhat intense combat boot aesthetic. Next time it snows, I’ll be romping around in these for sure.

Kellyn’s Picks

1. The winter snow boots I’d recommend the most are SOREL’s Caribou Boot. They’re tried and true, they last forever, they’re roomy to allow for thick socks and proper blood flow, they’ve got a sturdy rubber sole, and the liners can pull out to dry or replace. They are heavier than some winter boots, but I actually love their weight. After taking ski boots off and putting these on, it feels they can simply take it from there. They’re so molded to my feet that—and I know this is cheesy—it feels like coming home. Perhaps, in part, because when I do come home, my family’s line up of matching SOREL boots signifies we’re all in one place like the Weasley’s magical clock. My parents have had their pairs for the better half of their lives now and are still holding strong. My mom has customized hers with red laces!

   

   Caribou boots at home and abroad

2. The Remy from Reformation is a boot I’m obviously not wearing in the snow, but I’m almost exclusively wearing to special events/nicer things in the wintertime. I often forget how much warmth a knee-high leather boot gives you in the cold—under jeans or a longer skirt, this is actually adding a fair bit of warmth, and often hiding leggings, mismatched fuzzy socks. I got these on sale from another site, so don’t mind the sticker shock! I think these are a great, unique shape that can be dressy and still feel appropriate in mountain towns and casual settings.

3. The Inuikii Mountain High Boot is the boot I opt for for things like bonfires, après ski hangs, playing fetch with my dog outside, building a snowman, etc. The tall padded height is really warm and cozy—they are snug all the way up with a cinch to ensure no snow gets in. I wouldn’t go hiking in these, as I think the left and right foot are exactly the same shape, Barney the Dino style. But they’re great for certain occasions. These scratch a Moon Boot itch but are more functional. I also like the Fubuki Niseko tall boot for the same purposes! (Caveat below)

   

   From Left to right: The Reformation Remy, Inuikii Mountain High, and Fubuki Niseko

Honorable mentions:

Fubuki Niseko— Pros: so light, warm, waterproof, easy to bring in a ski bag. Cons: The liner can’t be removed and they have no ventilation, so if they get damp they STINK and don’t dry easily. Make sure they’re not the only shoe you bring on a trip, trust me :’)

Ulu Outdoor Raven— Pros: so cozy and warm, great traction, incredible, unique design. Con: expensive.

Le Chameau Wellingtons—Pros: more of a spring/muck boot, gorgeous heritage design, functional but can also be dressed up. Con: not warm enough for snow/winter.

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Thanks for joining us in The Mudroom today for this bonus letter! We’ll see you on Friday for Hadley’s regularly scheduled program.

Happy, snowy trails!

x

TOGS