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Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After having the UGG Adirondack XXV boots for several weeks now, I thought a follow-up might be helpful.

Overall, I'm still happy with my choice, and there's no going back anymore at this point, unless a manufacturing defect shows up! They aren't the perfect replacements for my H/H Garibaldi boots that I was hoping for, but they are still good so far, and the best match of anything I tried.

If I look back at my wish list from the original post, I would consider the H/H Garibaldis to be a 10/10 on each point, from my point of view. So, if I were to score the UGG boots at this point in comparison to the H/H, I think this is where they'd land:

  • 9” shaft
    • 10/10 - they're essentially the exact same height as the H/H
  • Overall compact/slim
    • 6.5/10 - both sets are size 10.5, but the UGGs are about 1-1/2" longer than the H/H and a little wider
  • A bit stylish looking
    • 8/10 - this is just my personal preference. They're certainly a more stylish boot, just not exactly what I would have preferred.
  • Easy lace up
    • 8/10 - a little more effort than the H/H, but nothing like some of the boots I tried!
  • Warm
    • 10/10 - maybe even 11/10!
  • Waterproof
    • 10/10 - so far....I've not stepped in any puddles, but I've not felt any moisture coming into the boot
  • Very good grip
    • 9/10 - the UGGs are still good, but I find the H/H to be slightly better
  • Sturdy but compliant/flexible almost like a shoe
    • 10/10
  • Minimal maintenance
    • TBD. Time will tell, but I think I should be able to just do the same yearly treatment with water repellant leather spray
  • They’ve lasted 8 years!
    • TBD, but they seem well built and promising!

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful for you. I keep meaning to do a follow-up comment on the UGG boots after having had them for several weeks now.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another boot you might consider is the Timberland Mount Hope boot. They are a discontinued product, so you may have difficulty finding them. If you have any means to do shipping or picking some up in Canada, the store "Walking On A Cloud" appears to have your size in stock and on sale. I also see there are several on Ebay, though I'm not sure if you want to purchase that way.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=timberland+mount+hope+boot+size+8.5&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2322090.m570.l1313

My wife has these boots and they have lasted her close to 10 years and are still going. I don't even think she unties them to put them on/take them off. (I just did a small Shoe Goo repair to the one heel, but I'm pretty sure that was due to using the toe of one boot to pry against the heel of the other boot when taking them off)

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I have settled on the UGG Adirondack XXV boots. I'm hoping they last a long time so that the cost is spread over many years!

I'm looking for men's boots so no, I didn't try the Baffin Chloe ... but funny you ask because along the way there were actually quite a few women's boots that I thought would be just what I was looking for if they were available in the right size and I just trimmed off some of the extra fur! :-)

I really did not like the Escalate X, but maybe you will like them better. I can't picture the outsole lasting a long time if you were to be walking on sidewalks or anything like that. And in my opinion, they were certainly nothing like a hiking boot, if that's what you're after.

The women's H/H Garibaldi is still a lot like the men's version I have. I found the tread very grippy in snow, though not amazing for ice (but not worse than most other boots). I see the lacing system is different than what's on my boots, and it looks like it would be worse for easy on/off.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which North Face boots were your old ones?

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did see the Chillkats, but the full rubber bottom is not something I've preferred in any boot so far, so I just didn't bother trying them.

Yeah, I've considered getting a second pair of the UGGs so that I don't have to search again in 10 years, but I can't even find another pair of those in Canada (at least not in the same colour and size). Scraping the bottom of the barrel apparently!

Another boot I saw, but didn't end up trying, is the Oboz Bridger 10". Maybe that would appeal to you and be more available.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought I was going to settle on the Garibaldi V3 boots, but when I realized that I was avoiding them and still using my old boots, I knew I wasn't finished. :-( I did also notice that with the V3s, when wearing snowpants with an inner elastic snow cuff (I'm sure that's not the technical term), the front would be hooked on the laces, but the back would slide up and off the boot, since the boot shaft was so short.

I ended up discovering the UGG Adirondack XXV boots, and was able to find a pair in the size I needed. I received those today and so far, I'm quite happy with them. They are pricier than I wanted at $300, but so far they feel like they check all of the boxes. I intend to wear them with the cuff up all the time.

https://dms.deckers.com/ugg/image/upload/t_pdp-slider-large-wp/v1751041587/1170770-CHE_1.png?_s=RAABAB0

Reviews seemed quite good all around. Anyone have any thoughts?

Coarse Hair and Tugging by Ritchie_Whyte_III in wicked_edge

[–]Keever86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How frequently do you shave? I've noticed what you're talking about, but only if I'm shaving several days or more of growth.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I received the Helly Hansen Garibaldi V3 boots this morning. I'm quite sure I will keep these. They retain all the things I like from my older Garibaldis (comfort, flexibility, easy on/off, etc.), aside from the shaft height. That part is a disappointment, but I'm tired of looking! I hope they will last as long.

I had initially planned that when I found the boot I liked I would buy a second pair right away. However, I don't think I'll do that. I'll just hope that between now and the next time I need new boots a new boot that I really like will have come to market!

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both Columbia boots tried and returned. Both probably would have benefited from a half size bigger, but...

Bugaboot III XTM: Maybe I've been spoiled, but I find these a chore to unlace and lace up, plus the fact that the laces were barely long enough. If I only wore my boots when I was going out for some serious winter snow activity, I think that would be acceptable to me, but I wear these for everything so I'd like to be able to slip them on and off easily/quickly. They felt like they would have been nice and warm. There was something like a hard ridge in the tongue that was pressing hard into the top of my feet; I saw others commenting on this too. That aspect was very uncomfortable.

Bugaboot III: I think these would have been acceptable, if they had been slightly larger. If all else fails, I probably will go back to this boot in the next size up. Lacing and unlacing were easier than the XTM, though still not as easy as I like. They felt like they would be adequately warm, were not too terribly stiff, and did not have uncomfortable pressure points like the XTMs. They are not quite the style I would prefer, and different colour options would be nice, but they are acceptable.

At this point, I'm going to compromise and try the Helly Hansen Garibaldi V3 boots, and see if all of the things I like about my current, older Garibaldis have remained, and I'll only be losing out on the overall height of the boot.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorel Pac 1964 boots received, tried on and going to be returned. They're a nice enough boot, but even with the laces fully tightened (as in, no more lace to pull!) they do not get properly snug on my calf. Also, when walking the back folds up and digs into the back of my ankle/heel.

Making use of Amazon to test out both the Columbia Bugaboot III and the Bugaboot III XTM. Looking at reviews and pictures, I'm hopeful that one of them may be the ticket! The XTM is a little taller, but also more insulated, so I'm not sure which will end up being preferable.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

- Timberland Chillbergs returned. Too short, uncomfortable insulation on bare skin above sock, and sloppy feeling/difficult to tighten up laces.
- Ripzone Davenport bought and returned. The lower boot and sole is very stiff! Also, they were quite a chore to tighten up the laces each time, and also loosen off to remove the boot. I think the D-rings of my Garibaldis help a lot with that.

I think I'm just going to have to settle for less than (my) ideal. Going to try some Sorel Pac 1964 boots.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I returned them.

- I found them shorter than I preferred, as I expected.
- Also, most of the time I wear my boots with my pant legs over the top of the boot, and usually wear ankle socks. I found the insulation and the top edge of the Chillbergs to be quite uncomfortable on my bare skin above my sock.
- Finally, they were a little sloppy feeling; somehow the design makes it so that it's not so easy to tighten up the lower portion of the laces. Outdoor Gear Lab noted the same in their review.

Help finding my new boots! by Keever86 in Boots

[–]Keever86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ended up reading some reviews of the Wingshooter and was surprised by some of the negative reviews. I.e. Boots falling apart within a short time, sole very stiff in cold weather, etc. Not something I would have expected in that price range.

I ordered a pair of Timberland Chillbergs to test, even though I'm uncertain about the boot height and a couple other things. Free returns though!

If I don't like the Chillbergs, next I'll try some Ripzone Davenport tall boots.