Boots for Michigan and East Coast Winters

[Stephen M]

Hi folks,

I am moving to Michigan from Europe soon and think my -15C rated Scarpas will not be warm enough.
Intended use will be for General hiking, snow shoeing and East Coast steep stuff with crampons.

Any recommendations.

Cheers,

Stephen

[chuck w]

First, welcome to MI. Some of the best BPing in the Midwest is right here. NMI, MRT, NCT, HCP, Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore, Porcupine Mtns., Isle Royle, etc….

I use Sorel's for my winter activities. I'll have to check on exactly what model they are, but they are comfort rated to -60* F and cost around $190…. I think.

[Stephen M]

Hi Chuck,

Thansk for the reply.

Cheers,

Stephen

[rOg w]

deleted

[Stephen M]

Hiya Rog,

Hope all is well mate.

Cheers for the recommendations, those boots do look nice and warm :-)

Happy Holidays :-)

Stephen

[Ben F]

I'm rocking the momentums, they're awesome.

[Stephen M]

Cheers Ben,

I just tried a lower volume foot bed in my Scarpa Freneys and they will allow to wear much thicker socks, I will try them out oin the cold when I move to Michigan in a month :-)

[David Goodyear]

It's not that cold here yet. Not much to climb unless you go th da UP eh. We use the Baffin Terrains for most of our off trail stuff. plenty warm, but they are waterproof. When we need total breathability and deep cold – we go to custom mukluks made by empire canvas.

Welcome,

Dave

link: http://www.zappos.com/baffin-terrain

[Stephen M]

Hi Dave,

Cheers for the info.

Those boots certainly do look very warm indeed, I will check them out.

Thanks,

Stephen

[rOg w]

deleted

[Stephen M]

Hi Rog,

I think I will keep the Freneys if they are warm enough for steep stuff back east.
I will definitley get a pair of uber warm flexible boots for putting in the mileage in Michigan.

Cheers,

[Andy F]

Here's what I currently use:

http://bushcraftscience.blogspot.com/2010/12/footwear-for-really-cold-weather.html

Camuks by Steger Mukluks are a similar, better-fitting, more durable, but more expensive solution. I'm trying to convince myself I don't need them, but we'll see. :)

None of these are suitable if you need stiff boots for mountaineering.

[David Goodyear]

Andy,

Good system, cool blog. I would only go the steiger route if you can dry them out by a fire or bring them inside at night. We tried them a few years ago and it was difficult to get the liners out at night to wear in our sleeping bag. They would freeze to the shells. Kind of expensive also.

One of our members, who wasn't satisfied with the commercial options available, took a pair of the rubber overboots and cut off the top and attached a custom breathable nylon upper – two nested felt liners, a neo insole and a frost plug and he was done.

Of course if you use a VBL all of the above is mute, but my feet get funky in a VBL after a couple of days.

Nice to hear other options – especially cost effective ones !!

Dave

[Paul Hope]

Stephen,

Your Freneys will be fine for active winter use, vertical ice and general mountaineering. My suggestion is to carry a pair of chemical toe warmers, put those between you inner and outer sock and that should be plenty.

[Stephen M]

Hi folks,

Thanks all for the info.

Happy holidays,

Stephen

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