walking boots [resolved with Lowa Boots]

[burger1]

It looks like vibram cold bay arctic grip soles seem to be good. Green diamond has anti slip soles also. The majority of footwear seems to fail and no boots got a good rating.

http://www.ratemytreads.com/about/

Spikes on ice seem to win by quite a bit but there seems to be a big discrepancy there also. And wet snow may stick more to some styles than other making them less effective. And as mentioned before some styles may make some surfaces slippery than might not normally be slippery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNiMFyTXDT0

[Morkonan]

It looks like vibram cold bay arctic grip soles seem to be good. Green diamond has anti slip soles also. The majority of footwear seems to fail.

http://www.ratemytreads.com/about/

Spikes on ice seem to win by quite a bit.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNiMFyTXDT0

Very nice find! That's probably a good choice, though I wonder how they'll fair in "snow and ice" as far as snow clogging up the treads. (A common issue when one doesn't have spikes.)

[mrbadger]

I think what you're looking for is the kind of thing burger1 described, which seem to be referred to as ice cleats. They're more like studs than spikes.

Those are exactly the thing

And they come in a nice variety too, from spikes to chain like things. I could get chain like ones for going to work, and spikes for heading into town.

I think I'd feel safer on spikes all the time, They're fantastic on my crutches, but I fear the wrath of the facilities ladies.... Maybe sharp studs?

Those Vibram ice grip things would still be too slidy for me, I can't cope with movement I don't expect. Shame really, because I could wear those indoors without taking anything off.

There is the problem of hitting non icy ground. I already find that with my crutches. They get a bit dodgy when I hit a non icy bit of ground.
But without them I wouldn't have been able to venture out at all, so it's a trade off, you just have to cope.

[burger1]

Very nice find! That's probably a good choice, though I wonder how they'll fair in "snow and ice" as far as snow clogging up the treads. (A common issue when one doesn't have spikes.)

"we found that the Arctic Grip was much less effective when the boot’s lugs were packed with wet snow."

"Once the Arctic Grip wears off, the boots and shoes will still be wearable, but they will lose their excellent wet ice traction. At this current moment, there is no way to re-apply the Arctic Grip material. When the lugs wear off, owners will need to purchase a new pair of shoes."

https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoor-g ... es-review/


I think that some of the traction was from the Sperry Cold Bay tread design and materials not just the Vibram Arctic Grip. A portion of the reviews on the Vibram Arctic Grip seem to say it's not useful. By the way the Sperry boots get a bad rating due to not being waterproof so not a good buying choice even if they have good soles. Just an fyi.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815nAVIhXyL.jpg

[mrbadger]

I can very much recommend these. Used by the military in many countries, which is a decent recommendation too. ( In my books at least...)

bookmarked, thanks

[Rug]

Pretty sound advice (after the weird crampons bit at the start).

YakTrax are good for hard compacted snow and scrunchy ice. Not tried them on sheets of hard smooth ice though. If you are planning on walking on that terrain then the micro-spike variety of thing would be better I imagine. All of these are easily removable, and work with boots that are not too stiff too. Both would be better removed before walking on wooden floors I expect.

For boots, mine are Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX. They are a lightweight boot, but really very waterproof. They have a fabric outer which can get wet - which can give the impression of wet feet with the cold feel, but the only times my feet have actually become wet in them is when the snow on my socks melts...

They are comfortable for me. But the best thing is to go somewhere with lots of boots and find what fits your feet - especially with your supporting thingies on, as it looks like they will affect the heel fit somewhat.

Go Outdoors might have a good range if there is one near you, and they have a policy of matching any internet price - 10% as well. They even let us use their computer when I bought mine - poor mobile reception.

Good luck with the search.

Rug

[Morkonan]

I can very much recommend these. Used by the military in many countries, which is a decent recommendation too. ( In my books at least...)

bookmarked, thanks

They're really good, but say goodbye to clean carpets if you're in wet/muddy conditions.

"Flight Boots" aren't too bad and don't have as tight/deep a tread. They're also a bit lighter, though some nice military-grade boots out there can be pretty light.

[greypanther]

They're really good, but say goodbye to clean carpets if you're in wet/muddy conditions.

But who the hell would walk on clean carpets in muddy filthy boots? Never mind what the ( cleaning, ) staff at mrbadger's university would say to him if he did.

( Never mind what his wife would say! )

They also have magic soles: " Vibram® "Tsavo" sole unit for long lasting grip, with self cleaning profile and 360 degree multi traction "

[burger1]

Sticky shoe sole spray seems like it's not good just an fyi.

[mrbadger]

There’s a ‘Go Outdoor’ store in a town near me. I can get there easily enough by train. They certainly have a better selection than anything local. I’ll check what they have in against any of the brands recommended, maybe get some pre ordered in bedore I go.

[greypanther]

Am I remembering correct in thinking you live in the Oxford area? If so there are these two Lowa stockists in the area.

If not you can use the search function for elsewhere.

I have not seen Lowa boots in Go outdoors, at least here in Cheshire.

Edit: Not that they stock the patrol boot it seems.

[Ezarkal]

My Lowa Terrano lasted me for 9 years of intense usage so far... (intense as they are both my hiking boots and my winter boots.) They are a bit pricey, but the quality and durability is there. And I never had any trouble fitting foot spikes on them (or ice cleats as mrbadger called them. Thanks for the info! )
They are full leather boots, so you don't have to fear about the waterproof part, plus it's one of the reason why they are so durable. It also make them a bit more adaptable to the foot, and they are a bit faster to mold to your foot. You will still require a bit of walking for that, though, no matter which boots you pick.

But whatever we say, you will have to try some boots and see how they fit you. No amount of advice will beat how you feel with your feet in the boots.

A word on ice cleats, from someone who use them a lot:
-If you're only in the city, the smallest versions is what you need. I'm talking about the ones that looks a bit like little studs. They come in various models and are sold in various places. They don't look like much, but basically all you need is a small surface of metal to make a solid contact with the ice. A small chain would do, and some cleats are designed like chains.
-The half inch (1.2cm) version should be kept for hiking, as they are a uncomfortable with anything less than a full cm of ice or packed snow. You will find them in outdoor-oriented sport stores
-Anything bigger is for very intense and specific usage, like glacier walking or ice climbing. You usually find them only in specialized stores.

[Warenwolf]

Are we really talking about crampons here, or just about some kind of non-slip or studded attachment for walking in slippery conditions? I'm asking because I can't quite imagine mrbadger needing this kind of thing designed for high-level mountaineering, which is what you need harder boots for. Maybe I'm underestimating him though!

Yep, just me using the wrong word. Had bit of chuckle imagining mrbadger waltzing around with cramptons you linked to.

This is what I had in mind: https://unikia.com/products/nordic-grip-walking

PS:
As to YakTrax, they are deathtrap on hard ice.

[Ezarkal]

As to YakTrax, they are deathtrap on hard ice.

Good to know. I'm more used to the half-inch spikes. I do a lot of hiking.
What you suggest is pretty good stuff!

[mrbadger]

Am I remembering correct in thinking you live in the Oxford area? If so there are these two Lowa stockists in the area.

If not you can use the search function for elsewhere.

I have not seen Lowa boots in Go outdoors, at least here in Cheshire.

Edit: Not that they stock the patrol boot it seems.

we're going to Bicester next weekend, we'll drop by and I can try them on

[Redvers Ganderpoke]

I wear leather oxdford dress shoes with slip-resistant soles.

I've a pair of Loakes' shoes (mainly as they do different width fittings) with "commando" Goodyear rubber soles and they are very good in the snow, ice and wet and resist slipping. Unfortunately they don't meet mrbadger's requirement for "no breaking in" as they took several months and a supply of blister plasters to get comfy - they are now very comfy - in fact one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I've had in a long while.

[Rug]

My Lowa Terrano <snip> are full leather boots, so you don't have to fear about the waterproof part.

This is true if you alwys clean them properly, and regularly treat the leather with nikwax or similar. Otherwise leather turns to sponge over time ... I'm not sufficiently disciplined (unlike the army, I suppose) to put enough hours into cleaning and drying and polishing and treating muddy boots, so the synthetic option works better for me... Drop them somewhere warm, and leave them until the mud dries and falls off !

Horses for courses

Rug

[mrbadger]

I have no objection to cleaning/polishing boots to maintain them.

I object to buying boots that I'd then have treat in order to make them waterproof on first getting them home, because that just means they're rubbish and will only get worse.

My Dryzabone Coat needs, or will need rewaxing, and I have to be careful looking after that. But when I first got it, apart from smelling rather a lot of wax it was fantastic. With the Marino wool lining it's like an oven inside unless it's *really* cold weather. At which point it becomes just rather warm. I can't wear anything other than a t-shirt on my upper body under it when the wool linings in.

I anticipate never replacing it, but that's what happens when you buy stuff to last.

[BugMeister]

put the boots and soak them well..
- they then will shape to suit your feet

[berth]

I like Meindl personally.