Sealskin waterproof socks are bomber for making sure your underlayer of merino wool socks stay dry. So for me its, foot > thermal leggings > merino wool sock over the calf > Sealskinz waterproof sock over the calf (extreme cold has merino lining) > waterproof boots > Softshell pants > Mont waterproof pants with built in snow gaiter > OR Helium Gaiter if i want extra protection.
Dude! Thank you so much for this. I've got some "waterproof" hunting boots that definitely are not. In the mean flats of Rigby, a bit of snow, and my toes freeze. Throw in a creek crossing or two and it's a sh*t show right quick.
I used to have the Sorel's and loved them. Absolutely agree pack boots are the best thing for really cold snowy conditions. Suggestion for you. Put a 4-6 inch piece of climbers webbing over the strap of your gaiter. It will make the strap last longer. I use OR crocs and have it on mine and have never had any issues with the buckle.
Thanks, this is great info. I´m not even a hiker or live in a snowy area. I just have really really cold feet, so I might get myself the outdoor research booties just to walk around the house lol
If it's cold enough and there's snow......and you don't need crampons, Neos overboots do all of the above, and you can wear trail runners inside. Since they fit over your shoes, they're bigger. Since they're bigger, you get more flotation in the snow and have to post hole less. The built in gaiters come above the knees and are fully waterproof for knee high stream crossings. They're good down to the minus 20 F or so range when static, minus 40 if moving. They have ice cleats for traction. The insulated inside is waterproof, so no liners to dry out, just let them flash freeze in the morning and bang the frost out before putting them over your shoes. They also cost about the same as your pakboots and gaiters combined. They're a bit too warm at 20 F, but they are quite comfortable at 0 F.
It's odd you didn't have good luck with 'regular' waterproof boots. I've found the ones from reputable brands to be 100% waterproof as long as you don't exceed the puddle depth. Water intrusion is gonna happen at the tongue above a certain depth, that's not a boot fail but a user fail. For ref I live in Tahoe and hike in Salomon x ultra 3 GTX mids, but if it's deep out it's gaiters and snowshoes. ;) 100% agree with pac boots and gaiters for the type of hiking/backpacking you're doing. This vid actually makes me want to try some winter backpacking!
ya Kamik's are pretty good, but 200g of insulation isn't the greatest. I just bought the Solamon Toundra's (with the stitched sides so they don't come apart like the ealier versions did) and they are REALLY warm. They're almost as warm as my Baffin Eiger's but aren't as big and clumsy. Totally waterproof and really comfy. Highly recommend them.
I find that insulated 'pack boots' are way too warm and sweaty for hiking or climbing, so your feet end up clammy and wet from.internal sweat that doesn't evaporate, ending up with cold or uncomfortable feet, especially once you stop moving. I much prefer to just wear a pair of Scarpa Manta mountain boots (non-goretex version with 3mm thick reversed leather) which remain warm and dry even crossing cold streams. They are also extremely comfortable and bullet proof over all types of terrain in all weather conditions. I'll add a pair of Trekmates Argyll Dry gaiters when going through heavy overgrowth, forests or wet and muddy terrain. For periods when I'm less active during severe cold winter conditions I'll just wear a pair of Rab Expedition 800 goose down boots inside a pair of Outdoor Research Brooks Rangers Overboots.
I've heard of Kamik, very good reviews as to Sorels which are worst compared to 6/7 other winter boots. Just received my KEEN Revel lV. Hi Polar boots, impressive.! Super comfy
I know they're not technically pack boots, but have you ever looked @ or considered the "Muck" boots? They basically have the gator built in & are about knee high.
@@JonConti I believe they're a compression/elastic sealed fit below or above the knee & just the compression holds them in place. I would also be curious & like to test them in waist deep snow.
Yeah your feet stay warmer when you use one pair of socks because it gives your room to breathe your feet to breathe and your insulation isn't all packed up so the air around your foot actually heats up with your body heat
SOREL... USED to be very good Canadian boots. But they're now real crap since they were bought by Columbia, a USA company. KAMIK is another Canadian brand and they are OK. Much better than Sorel, but not THE best. If you like KAMIK, then you would love BAFFIN. BAFFIN is also a Canadian company and it's THE ultimate brand at the moment. They cost more, but they are worth every penny. Other than that, you have made an excellent video! Well done!
That’s my problem. Haha. I just started looking for winter hiking boots, and I have “special” feet. Narrow, not that high, very narrow in heel. I appreciate your videos and the time you take to help fellow adventurers.
@@JonConti after all these weeks, I’ve found and purchased a winter boot that works for me. Kamik State. Laces high and does not have any heal lift. I did augment the sole with a thin insulate I stole from my 25-yr old boots. Yes, if you can believe it. Haha. It’s going to be 80 here in the Midwest this weekend, so I’ll test them out in January
As a rule always go a size bigger with snow boots, you could always use thick socks like he mentioned to make it fit better. But if it’s too tight it’s not good for warmth.
I use these with my snowshoes, but I don't know if they work well. I haven't really found a great snowshoe/boot combo but I've always attributed that to the snowshoes and not the boots.
With MSRs, Tubbs Mountaineer and Wilderness, Garneau Blizzard and Everest, and GV Mountain Extreme and Wide Trail, I’ve never had a problem with my Sorel Conquests. The GVs especially have plenty of strap for just about any boot I can imagine.
I used the Oboz Bangtail with my snowshoes last year and they did great. Needed to reapply the dwr coating by the end of the season, but my feet never got wet (other than some light sweat which went unnoticed thanks to my smartwool hiking socks)
Sealskin waterproof socks are bomber for making sure your underlayer of merino wool socks stay dry. So for me its, foot > thermal leggings > merino wool sock over the calf > Sealskinz waterproof sock over the calf (extreme cold has merino lining) > waterproof boots > Softshell pants > Mont waterproof pants with built in snow gaiter > OR Helium Gaiter if i want extra protection.
Dude! Thank you so much for this. I've got some "waterproof" hunting boots that definitely are not. In the mean flats of Rigby, a bit of snow, and my toes freeze. Throw in a creek crossing or two and it's a sh*t show right quick.
Ya man I was struggling with that. Hope it helps!
I used to have the Sorel's and loved them. Absolutely agree pack boots are the best thing for really cold snowy conditions. Suggestion for you. Put a 4-6 inch piece of climbers webbing over the strap of your gaiter. It will make the strap last longer. I use OR crocs and have it on mine and have never had any issues with the buckle.
Awesome thank for the tip! Cheers.
The only issue i see with pac style boots is they can be too large for snowshoes and even microspikes.
Thanks, this is great info. I´m not even a hiker or live in a snowy area. I just have really really cold feet, so I might get myself the outdoor research booties just to walk around the house lol
Hahahahaha nice!
If it's cold enough and there's snow......and you don't need crampons, Neos overboots do all of the above, and you can wear trail runners inside. Since they fit over your shoes, they're bigger. Since they're bigger, you get more flotation in the snow and have to post hole less. The built in gaiters come above the knees and are fully waterproof for knee high stream crossings. They're good down to the minus 20 F or so range when static, minus 40 if moving. They have ice cleats for traction. The insulated inside is waterproof, so no liners to dry out, just let them flash freeze in the morning and bang the frost out before putting them over your shoes. They also cost about the same as your pakboots and gaiters combined.
They're a bit too warm at 20 F, but they are quite comfortable at 0 F.
It's odd you didn't have good luck with 'regular' waterproof boots. I've found the ones from reputable brands to be 100% waterproof as long as you don't exceed the puddle depth. Water intrusion is gonna happen at the tongue above a certain depth, that's not a boot fail but a user fail. For ref I live in Tahoe and hike in Salomon x ultra 3 GTX mids, but if it's deep out it's gaiters and snowshoes. ;)
100% agree with pac boots and gaiters for the type of hiking/backpacking you're doing. This vid actually makes me want to try some winter backpacking!
ya Kamik's are pretty good, but 200g of insulation isn't the greatest. I just bought the Solamon Toundra's (with the stitched sides so they don't come apart like the ealier versions did) and they are REALLY warm. They're almost as warm as my Baffin Eiger's but aren't as big and clumsy. Totally waterproof and really comfy. Highly recommend them.
What are you using for a universal crampon with them?
I find that insulated 'pack boots' are way too warm and sweaty for hiking or climbing, so your feet end up clammy and wet from.internal sweat that doesn't evaporate, ending up with cold or uncomfortable feet, especially once you stop moving.
I much prefer to just wear a pair of Scarpa Manta mountain boots (non-goretex version with 3mm thick reversed leather) which remain warm and dry even crossing cold streams. They are also extremely comfortable and bullet proof over all types of terrain in all weather conditions. I'll add a pair of Trekmates Argyll Dry gaiters when going through heavy overgrowth, forests or wet and muddy terrain.
For periods when I'm less active during severe cold winter conditions I'll just wear a pair of Rab Expedition 800 goose down boots inside a pair of Outdoor Research Brooks Rangers Overboots.
Great info. I like the mid version of the Napoleon Dynamite boots…
What are the Napoleon Dynamite boots!?
Omni-wool socks is what I recommend
have you ever looked at high end all leather hunting boots? i use Kenetreks n luv them. your kamiks work fine for deep snow tho.....
Waterproof Ok, but are they breathable?
Micro-spikes - ice traction!
I've heard of Kamik, very good reviews as to Sorels which are worst compared to 6/7 other winter boots.
Just received my KEEN Revel lV. Hi Polar boots, impressive.! Super comfy
I know they're not technically pack boots, but have you ever looked @ or considered the "Muck" boots? They basically have the gator built in & are about knee high.
My buddy Brett bought muck boots. When you're waist deep in snow how do you keep those things on?
@@JonConti I believe they're a compression/elastic sealed fit below or above the knee & just the compression holds them in place. I would also be curious & like to test them in waist deep snow.
Yeah your feet stay warmer when you use one pair of socks because it gives your room to breathe your feet to breathe and your insulation isn't all packed up so the air around your foot actually heats up with your body heat
SOREL... USED to be very good Canadian boots. But they're now real crap since they were bought by Columbia, a USA company. KAMIK is another Canadian brand and they are OK. Much better than Sorel, but not THE best. If you like KAMIK, then you would love BAFFIN.
BAFFIN is also a Canadian company and it's THE ultimate brand at the moment. They cost more, but they are worth every penny.
Other than that, you have made an excellent video! Well done!
Really great information. Thank you.
I have the same issue with the OR brand gaiters that and the top strap is to narrow and will open when you are flexing the caves to much
"Blow the skirt off my back." --My new phrase LOL
We are looking for a glove system...what do you use?
I have a pretty thin pair of Ozero touch gloves I keep in my pocket and I have real heavy duty pair of Tough gloves in my bag.
Hi, Do you have to go a size up with the Kamik boots?
Did you end up buying a pair? What’s your impression?
Thanks for the great info
You bet!
Blow the skirt of my back lmfao 🤣
😂
I tried on some Kamik boots and the heel lift was pretty bad
Do you have a pac boot you prefer?
That’s my problem. Haha. I just started looking for winter hiking boots, and I have “special” feet. Narrow, not that high, very narrow in heel.
I appreciate your videos and the time you take to help fellow adventurers.
@@JonConti after all these weeks, I’ve found and purchased a winter boot that works for me. Kamik State. Laces high and does not have any heal lift. I did augment the sole with a thin insulate I stole from my 25-yr old boots. Yes, if you can believe it. Haha. It’s going to be 80 here in the Midwest this weekend, so I’ll test them out in January
@@GorgoScrobo That's great Scott I'm glad you found a pair that work for you!
Do they fit to size? I'm running around in an 8.5 - 9
As a rule always go a size bigger with snow boots, you could always use thick socks like he mentioned to make it fit better. But if it’s too tight it’s not good for warmth.
Do you have and suggestions on boots that work well with snowshoes? These don’t seem to be it.
I use these with my snowshoes, but I don't know if they work well. I haven't really found a great snowshoe/boot combo but I've always attributed that to the snowshoes and not the boots.
With MSRs, Tubbs Mountaineer and Wilderness, Garneau Blizzard and Everest, and GV Mountain Extreme and Wide Trail, I’ve never had a problem with my Sorel Conquests. The GVs especially have plenty of strap for just about any boot I can imagine.
I used the Oboz Bangtail with my snowshoes last year and they did great. Needed to reapply the dwr coating by the end of the season, but my feet never got wet (other than some light sweat which went unnoticed thanks to my smartwool hiking socks)
new sorel are garbage....only the old ones that were made in canada or usa (kaufmans) were excellent boots
👍👍🦶🦶
Stockingfoot waders for walking through creeks.
Dude NASA means...space will freeze you to death up there...so astronauts wear those fluffy gear.
🤣
I think those are nation pros btw