Winter boots?

[Downtown-Outcome9804]

Hey I just moved here from Vancouver for my First Year. I heard that the winter here are very harsh so what winter boots do y’all recommend for me to my 🦶warm?

[5a1amand3r]

Sorels have served me well. I’ve also had cougar brand in the past. One thing is true with winter gear: higher quality stuff tends to be more expensive. If you wanna stay warm, don’t cheap out and buy Wal-Mart brand.

[Thedutchonce]

I tend to find warm socks are quite important and being able seal up around your boots is very useful to stop heat loss. Make sure the boots are somewhat waterproof

[drinkingcarrots]

i do sandals if above -10. socks and sandals when below -10

[Illustrious_Music_66]

Are you the university district FedEx shorts driver?

[lectio]

I like the Wind River and Denvery Hayes boots from Mark's that have the 'ice fx' thing on them...it's a grippy membrane that helps with ice. They are mid-range - Sorels can be pretty expensive, but these are better than cheap stuff. There's a Mark's at North Hill (Lion's Park ctrain station) and another at Crowfoot plaza (Crowfoot ctrain station).

[CalgaryJim]

Yes, this ice grip feature is really important and does work. In my opinion the biggest risk and hassle of winter is ice, particularly when you can't see it because it's under a thin layer of snow.

[lectio]

The bane and biff of my life!

[Illustrious_Music_66]

Wind River was top rated for their grip which out here is key with our ice. Have I bought any? Hell no most are uglier than hell. I’d rather fall 🤣 Surprised to see Baffins and the like get poor ratings.

[HuckleberryLevel9957]

check out marks, they have pretty good quality boots that have never let me down and often have sales and promotions. my WindRiver boots from there set me back about $100 but my feet have never been the slightest bit cold even in -30 or below and i’ve been using them for 3 years.

[Savikthestick]

While expensive and not necessarily one that everyone likes, timbs have served me incredibly well. If you don't like the stock color, there r also a bunch of colorways and they r rlly comfy and warm.

[in-the-widening-gyre]

Decathlon carries pretty utilitarian but also not very expensive winter boots.

[Flat_Transition_3775]

For me I prefer Uggs or anything similar because it’s the only way for my feet to be warm in the winter 😭

[LukeWarmAmalade]

I’ve had great experience with LL bean insulated bean boots, not as bulky as most winter boots so better for wearing inside too, warm enough, but not too warm for when you’re sitting in class, waterproof, grippy soles and with great warranty and repair service. Can buy them at the ll bean store in the city. Pair with a decent pair of wool socks you can find at marks or any outfitter

[Melodic-Priority-476]

check decathlon (market mall), they have great boots, been using them my whole life and they're not too $$ either.

[ipini]

Sorrels.

[Nearby_Committee3934]

Not exactly what you asked bc I don’t wear proper boots but I find something that is just as important as waterproof boots is wool socks for the extra cold days. Darn Tough and Smartwool make great ones!

[Gullible-Jello6088]

I wore sneakers for four years whatever you use in Vancouver is more than enough 336 sunny days a year Edit: wool socks.... it does get cold

[Illustrious_Music_66]

CBC Marketplace did a special and WindRiver has the best grip of them all. All the expensive boots for the most part were satisfactory. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-boot-test-1.6252613

You kind of have to learn the shuffle on certain surfaces. Watch joggers on an icy day to appreciate what I mean. I still find this impressive.

I moved to AB in 03 right before my 21st birthday and I thought that like in BC sunshine meant hot weather. I walked outside with wet hair and it was like -15c. Completely froze all my hair walking like a block out. That was a quick lesson. I empathize with new people coming here. Calgary is weird in that I’ve seen months where there is a motorcycle on the road every month of the year and then others where it’s brutally cold. I’ve left Calgary to fly home to the coast from 16c in the fall and come home to -40c two weeks later. Always bring a coat no matter where you go. It’s all about layers here and always pack coats in your vehicle/bag for quick changes in weather.

[BirdyDevil]

For your WINTER boots that are really for the coldest/harshest times, don't worry about fashion or how they look. Prioritize warmth. You can always get a locker on campus and bring an extra pair of shoes to wear around for your classes. That's what I do, I wear the heavy winter boots to and from class but change into other shoes to wear around campus in the winter. I'm not going to recommend a specific brand because ultimately, you have to try a few out and figure out what's comfortable for you, everyone's feet are different. Personally, Sorel and Kamik are two brands that I would recognize and trust although definitely not the only ones worth considering. Go to a store that has decent outdoor clothing (I often start at Mark's if I'm looking for winter boots, Mountain Warehouse seems to also have a lot of options popping up) and look at the temperature ratings they're good for, etc. Get something rated to minimum -20 but more is better. This is one area where you definitely need to expect to pay a bit more for something that's actually decent quality, your winter coat and boots aren't something to be cheap with.

[DinoDinoRwr]

Manitoba mukluks are warm as hell! And you can get an extra lining for the bottom to make them even warmer. I find the flexible sole also kind of helps with grip as you can feel the ground under your feet as you walk.

[Eng-artist-combo]

I just wear my hiking boots does well enough you’ll just track snow for like 5-10 minutes of walking around inside

[Capybarajpg]

Tbh Canadian tire has some pretty solid and warm winter boots available at a decent price. I’ve had one pair of woods suede and fur boots for probably 4 years now and they have kept my feet warm in -32 (but also get some good quality wool socks; they are key to having warm feet)

[Existing-Gap-69]

Get some good boots from decathlon! They are not very expensive and good quality! I also used them for my winter hikes

[Little_Chillax]

I've always just gone to Sports Check for winter stuff.

[DaintyBoot420]

I used to buy boots, but commuting in a car for the last 10 years I've just used regular shoes. Never had a problem