Better than Sorels?

[marley]

+1
I agree the Bean Boot tread design is for hunting i.e. standing and walking through the wet fields and woods of Maine. Childhood memories of my cold feet/slipping and sliding all over while shoveling the drive way. Everyone wanted Bean Boots when I was kid (F*ucking New England WASPs and wannabe Preppys) Maybe Ivy-Style will run a piece and change my mind. I almost threw up in my mouth when I followed that link.

Where is that Grump Thread?

[vertical_doug]

+1
I agree the Bean Boot tread design is for hunting i.e. standing and walking through the wet fields and woods of Maine. Childhood memories of my cold feet/slipping and sliding all over while shoveling the drive way. Everyone wanted Bean Boots when I was kid (F*ucking New England WASPs and wannabe Preppys) Maybe Ivy-Style will run a piece and change my mind. I almost threw up in my mouth when I followed that link.

Where is that Grump Thread?

If we solve this in typical Vsalon fashion, Joe should buy top of the line HMK Team Boots for snowmobile riding. Once he has the $300 boots, it's only natural to wave in a brand new sled for $15 grand or so. You can use the sled to access the backcountry and go snowboarding. He can even get a little trailer in back to haul the dogs around.

[Badonkadonk]

This is a reason why the Bean boots are so great, they look great with everything, denim, snow pants, or chinos and a sweater. Classy......

gawd you have become SO fairfield county

[nahtnoj]

Kamik's are designed by Canadians and are still made in Canada! Not much more you can say about that, eh?

You're telling me Maine isn't part of Canada?

[Justin@BlackOakVelo]

gawd you have become SO fairfield county

I learned from the master.

[Philster]

The way to find the "new" Sorels is to:

1) Go to your favorite ski area.
2) Find a lifty
3) Look down.

Please report back!

[sonnybiker]

bean boots aren't a good suggestion here.

[Moke]

If money is not a factor White's makes a pretty goo snowboot. With or without caulks.

[xjoex]

I picked up a pair of Kamik Nationplus boots. Made in Canada and sold in my hardware store. Thinsulate liners, I dig it.
NATIONPLUS


Although, REI has those Vasque Arrowheads on sale right now...

-Joe

[nahtnoj]

Those are serious, and bonus points for the local hardware store carrying them

[AngryScientist]

here's a tip i just came across that is working awesome. i just purchased a pair of bean boots too, the uninsulated Main Hunting boots. Thinsulate insoles have made them very warm. i think unless you're in deep snow most of the heat in the foot is lost through the sole to the great heat sink of the ground. putting these between your feet and the earth makes a huge difference. for those with thinner soled boots and cold feet, these rock.

[xjoex]

I spoke too soon on the Kamiks. I laced them up for the first time today, walked 20 feet and one of the D-rings popped right out. So I'm still looking.





-Joe

[dutchess]

I laughed. Is that permitted?

[j44ke]

Aigle Harward boots. They aren't listed on their website any longer, but Zappos has some. See if you can find a pair some place. Rubber is what Aigle does. Ask any French farmer.

[dutchess]

Can I just ask why you are looking for Sorel style boots?

A bit off topic: The first snowboard boot was made by Sorel. It was heavy and miserably suited for sporting use. They eventually gave up and all the other manufacturers the idea was shopped to realized it was beyond their normal means. A lot of money suddenly appeared in the sport that resulted in a lot of development and everyone moving on from leather and rubber construction by the late 90's. (Bet you didn't know DC shoes bought and developed modern BOA lacing, $$$$$$) The entire footwear industry changed with the mountain related boots and shoes gaining the most.

The point is that you might get over the odd looks of the new style of boots and be much happier with the near weightlessness and higher performance they offer. The more you get into improvements like Stealth rubber soles and Boa lacing, the more you will realize the quality that Sorel and many other brands used to represent. Look at Schwinn or any other brand name that still stands for the complete opposite of what their name goes onto nowadays. BTW, 5.10 branded shoes are improving but the shoe part is vastly inferior to a dedicated makers with their, non-dotty, rubber sole incorporated.

[Matthew J]

The point is that you might get over the odd looks of the new style of boots and be much happier with the near weightlessness and higher performance they offer.

The OP manifest was a boot to wear shoveling the driveway and general purpose wear.

[dutchess]

Snow riding, shoveling, and general Winter duty. All of which are considerably more of and undertaking at elevation in the mountains than navigating the parking lot at the grocery store or whatever other paved challenge Chicago offers.

[charliedid]

Schnee's made in Bozeman. LL Bean still gets my nod for a lightweight basic rain boot but they don't even compare...

SCC-509.jpg

[j44ke]

The OP manifest was a boot to wear shoveling the driveway and general purpose wear.

And really, whatever the modern innovations are, there are still plenty of situations where the Sorel-style boot is the perfect tool.

[Too Tall]

I hate you. My Bean's won't wear out in my lifetime and these look just amazing.

Schnee's made in Bozeman. LL Bean still gets my nod for a lightweight basic rain boot but they don't even compare...

SCC-509.jpg