What qualities should you look for in winter boots: warm, waterproof and maybe stylish. Also Made in Canada
Winter here in Toronto, Canada is cold and snowy. Take today for example, at a bone chilling -18C, with a light dusting of snow on the ground. Going out of your house is necessary to get food and some fresh air, so the purchase of winter boots is mandatory. Children and adults have the same need for winter boots: They need to be warm, waterproof, rugged, and maybe even stylish. Unlike other Internet posts about consumer products I am not trying to sell you boots, only to point out what to look for in a quality pair. Winter boots that are rated to -40C are available for $70CAD, $35CAD on sale.
The photo here depicts my daughter’s new winter boots. Though I think pink is most revolting, she finds them pleasing. In a rare moment of practicality she chose warm feet over a more aesthetically pleasing purple with stripes. It is the minor and surprising advances that make the victory sweeter. That and the fact that she has been complaining of cold feet for a couple of months. Encouragement can come from within.
Interestingly I find that most consumer products offered here in Canada are made in China, particularly those offered at Walmart. It is truly difficult to find quality value priced products still made in Canada. Most high quality and fairly inexpensive winter boots I find are made in Canada. Who would have thought? It seems Canadians are most qualified to design and make winter boots, and they are actually doing it.
Winter boots should have the following qualities: 1) waterproof bottom of thicker rubber, 2) slip resistant sole, 3) inner synthetic wool liner that is removable, and a 4) water resistant upper with a draw string.
Winter boots: A waterproof lower keeps your feet dry and therefore warmer
The winter boot’s waterproof lower will keep your feet dry. Dry feet are therefore warmer. Note that the lower is only waterproof up to the point where the nylon upper is sewed to the rubber lower. Of course there are boots that are waterproof all the way up to the knees. These boots are called rain boots. Rain boots are hot and will make you prone to sweating. Once wet your sweat will chill and make your feet wet and therefore cold. The adequate ventilation of the winter boot’s rubber lower reduces this risk. The lowers and soles of rain boots are also thinner than winter boots. The rubber lowers of winter boots must be thicker because repeated kicks into ice, particularly with kids, will destroy thinner rubber. More aggressive lugs in soles are also needed to reduce slippage on ice.
Winter Boots: Thick soles and aggressive lugs provide better durability and traction
Certain younger kids are prone to jumping into deep puddles where the water level is above the rubber lower. I can only offer this advice: scold them harshly. The synthetic wool liner can absorb and retain a lot of water, making wear very uncomfortable and cold. Even the most absent minded child with a 10 second attention span will call their wet winter boots to your attention. A liner that is non-removable will take many days to dry out, so ensure you boots come with removable liners.
Winter Boots: Removable synthetic wool liners with a reflective coating allow for adequate drying
Surprisingly this year all the winter boots available at Walmart come with permanently sewn and therefore non-removable inner liners. These boots are difficult to adequately dry out, particularly so for kids. My advice is to shop elsewhere. Last year Walmart offered better designed boots, so this is a step backwards for the world’s largest retailer. A lower price at the expense of practicality is not a worthwhile trade-off.
Available in higher quality winter boots, some inner liners come with a metallic reflective coating that reflects and retains more of your body heat. This design will supposedly keep your feet an extra 10C warmer. Some extra material on the heel area of the liner will reduce wear on the heels from rubbing against the rubber lower. If more insulation is required, some stores offer reflective insoles of synthetic wool which can be inserted into the rubber lowers. They will keep you warmer. Add some wool socks and you should be toasty for hours outside without being overly bulky. Also note that some stores sell extra inner liners, which will allow better air drying by swapping inner liners.
Winter Boots: Nylon uppers are windproof. A drawstring will keep excess snow out.
The nylon uppers of winter boots are windproof, offering a wind break that allows the synthetic wool inner liner to provide insulation. These nylon uppers do allow your feet to breath by easily shedding sweat from your feet. A velcro buckle is provided to tighten down your boot so it is difficult to lose your boot in deep snow. The tighter the buckle the more difficult it is to lose your boot, but also more difficult to doff your boot. The elastic drawstring can be tightened so that snow does not enter your boot, melt and cause you discomfort.
The nylon upper can be of any colour you wish, but must be non staining and be able to easily shed dirt. Snow will melt and turn into slush, mix with road dirt and is very messy. Reflective striping on the back and sides of the boot will make you more visible at night. At the peak of winter it gets dark here at 16:30. I let the kids choose their own boots, so an eye catching design will appeal to them and they will be more prone to wear them in inclement weather.
A stout pair of winter boots can last you for years if well taken care of. Kids will outgrow their boots almost yearly, so get a size or two larger and write their names on the inside of their boots. You need not get leather, which requires more care. Remember, form before fashion. It’s better to be warm and dry than to be a cold, wet and angry fashionista.
