Boots

[destrekor]

Alright y'all, what's a good "casual boot" that also works pretty damn well in wintry conditions?

I am not looking for a thickly-insulated winter boot, because it would be worthless during any other season for that same reason.


If it could handle walking in snow somewhat decently, at worst, and not get my socks wet, that would be desired.

The sketcher's boots I got somewhat cheaply two years ago have been falling apart at the heel for awhile now (interior, back of heel), and now if I even so much as look at a little bit of water or snow on the ground, the one foot sees the front toe area of the sock become soaked. Not cool, not when I have to walk around like that for 8 more hours.

I'm looking at DSW since, through a family, I can get a 30% discount off their already discounted price.
They seem to have a decent selection of boots, and one I checked, the Dr Martens "Jasper", was in stock at the local store according to their website. Not sure how many will be in stock locally, they do have a ton of boots online (have to buy locally to get discount).

 

[Stifko]

I like Keen boots, shoes and sandals. They are very comfortable.

 

[xanis]

Do you have a Bass outlet near you by any chance? They usually have some awesome sales going on and their stuff seems to be of decent quality. My dad actually just got a pair of winter boots for $45 that were originally marked $120 IIRC.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Wing-Iron-...gs+iron+ranger

 

[destrekor]

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Wing-Iron-...gs+iron+ranger

No tread?! Nuts.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

No tread?! Nuts.

Oh, right.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/57044?feat=0-ppxs&dds=y

 

[slightlyhuman]

love doc martin steel toes. they look good with jeans and khakis too.

 

[destrekor]

love doc martin steel toes. they look good with jeans and khakis too.

Are steel toe still comfortable and flexible? I don't think I've ever worn steel toe, but I can't imagine it's not a bad bonus to have that added protection from random hazards.

And are they water proof, or at least resistant, so if walking in puddles or sloshing through slushy snow, the inside remains dry? I don't care if they are super insulated and toasty, that's what good socks are for.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Got an outlet mall nearby? I'd check there. I got some awesome re-soleable (vibrams), leather Timberland boots for like $30 at their outlet store this summer.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Merrell Thermo 6 - 200 grain

Those are some bad ass boots. I've worn those exclusively for my job for the past 4-5yrs and have gone through less than the suggested Red Wings, Carolina, etc. with the exception of Georgia boots. Those Merrells are truly amazing with water proof like no other hands down. I work outside all year round and RARELY do my feet get wet even after walking in a foot of snow all day long. End of story.

 

[timosyy]

This is what you want: Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boot

Edit: Here's a 70+ page thread about them: Click

 

[rudeguy]

Merrell Thermo 6 - 200 grain

Those are some bad ass boots. I've worn those exclusively for my job for the past 4-5yrs and have gone through less than the suggested Red Wings, Carolina, etc. with the exception of Georgia boots. Those Merrells are truly amazing with water proof like no other hands down. I work outside all year round and RARELY do my feet get wet even after walking in a foot of snow all day long. End of story.

I love my Merrell boots. Best for cold weather hands down.

However they are really, really waterproof. I made the mistake of wearing them into work and not bringing a different pair of shoes to change into. My feet sweat like a gusher.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

UGGs

 

[destrekor]

Merrell Thermo 6 - 200 grain

Those are some bad ass boots. I've worn those exclusively for my job for the past 4-5yrs and have gone through less than the suggested Red Wings, Carolina, etc. with the exception of Georgia boots. Those Merrells are truly amazing with water proof like no other hands down. I work outside all year round and RARELY do my feet get wet even after walking in a foot of snow all day long. End of story.

Those look great for what they are, but they sound like winter boots, and look like them too, which is not what I'm looking for.

 

[IronWing]

Limmer

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Those look great for what they are, but they sound like winter boots, and look like them too, which is not what I'm looking for.

I wear the 400 grain version of those in the winter. The Thermo 6 is good till about 30-40*F They are fine for summer.

 

[lxskllr]

Are steel toe still comfortable and flexible? I don't think I've ever worn steel toe, but I can't imagine it's not a bad bonus to have that added protection from random hazards.

And are they water proof, or at least resistant, so if walking in puddles or sloshing through slushy snow, the inside remains dry? I don't care if they are super insulated and toasty, that's what good socks are for.

I despise steel toe boots. I dislike them enough that it would potentially keep me from taking a job if they were mandated. I like combat boots. They're tall, so you can tuck your pants in the top, and it keeps snow and mud from getting packed into the cuffs. You have to be conscientious about keeping them greased, but as long as you do, they'll stay pretty dry. They're also nothing but leather, so they can be worn year round, and tend not to stink the way synthetics do.

 

[destrekor]

I wear the 400 grain version of those in the winter. The Thermo 6 is good till about 30-40*F They are fine for summer.

They still look like a winter boot, and hell a trail tennis shoe, and that is, again, not what I want.

It's hard to say what I do what, but it's super easy to explain what I don't want.

Also, if it's not brown, I don't want it.

 

[blackangst1]

Doc Martens.

 

[pontifex]

Those look great for what they are, but they sound like winter boots, and look like them too, which is not what I'm looking for.

any insulated waterproof bot is going to suck in warm temperatures. I don't think you can have it both ways.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Doc Martens.

I had my Docs for 10 years and now I finally need to replace them. They were given to me as a gift so I have no idea what I am looking for. The website has like 1000 different styles, etc.

The docs I had were not heavily insulated but I usually would only wear them in the winter months. Since they were getting kind of beat up I just been using them while doing yard work.

 

[destrekor]

any insulated waterproof bot is going to suck in warm temperatures. I don't think you can have it both ways.

Well I'm not looking for insulated.
Being truly waterproof would be a nice feature, but as long as being occasionally exposed to water on the outside leaves my feet dry, I don't care what they are technically rated.

 

[stargazr]

any insulated waterproof bot is going to suck in warm temperatures. I don't think you can have it both ways.

I more or less agree, although you can get hiking boots with a Gore-Tex membrane which can do both - to a certain degree anyway.

 

[bigrash]

North Face boots.

 

[Imp]

Timberlands. Timberlands. Timberlands.

Just make sure to get a leather pair. I wore my sexy canvas ones two winters ago and ruined them. I have a crappier (completely flat bottom) leather pair that rapes my calf (no padding), but is warm and looks casual. I realized they kind of looked like Uggs a week ago...