Leather boots for harsh winters?

get some wool socks dude.

You'll need a pair of fleece lined boots and thick woolen socks.

I've never had to walk on iced over roads the like you'd get in the midwest. The worst I've had to deal with was muddy slush in Beijing in Army surplus boots with thick thick socks.

Thick socks and some sturdy boots (Wolverine, Red Wing etc). You can also get shearling lined bean boots which would be good, but hard to wear outside without looking like you just got back from a hunting trip in Maine.

The Wolverines I'm thinking of all have leather soles which is something you might want to think of.

There was a thread on this last winter.

-40° / -50° CELCIUS ?!!!

i dont even think it gets that cold in alaska, where you moving to, north pole???

the coldest i've ever been was -25°C in sweden, and believe me in that kind of weather, forget about looking good,
redwings would be a bare minimum but yea i'd probably invest in the most technical sorel type boot i could afford, and a canada goose all day!!

Where in the Prairies are you moving? I live in Winnipeg, and the need for fleece-lined boots is minimal. Wool socks and sneakers have served me well my entire life.

I survive the Rochester winters just A-Ok with bean boots and thick wool socks...sometimes i double up on the socks though =P
Rubber is a necessity, simply because not even sno-seal will protect you from just getting completely soaked through and having your toes freeze off.

Toronto and Montreal hit -40°C a few times each winter if you count wind chill, if not it still reaches at least 30 below.

The prairies are colder.

Think utilitarian. You're going to be accidentally stepping into a lot of slush puddles. Also the road salt will mar leather boots.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43351?feat=31180-ppxs&dds=y


Scarf. Keeping your neck warm and keeping the wind from getting into your torso area is key.

Get a Vornado Heater for your bathroom with a timer that you can set to start just before you wake up in the AM. Seriously. It's terribly uncomfortable shitting, shaving, showering when the room is frigid. You'll thank yourself for getting one. http://www.vornado.com/product.aspx?CategoryID=acfe1c93-73df-488a-93b7-9afd00b63be1#
Edited by willpower - 8/16/11 at 12:49am

I know it's a girl, but this was taken in -25C, so it's not impossible.



Being Scandinavian this is right up my alley.

I have a pair a 10 year old Timberlands which I use in the winter time with thermo socks and that was warm enough last winter, when it hit -16C with a chill factor of -25C, when buying boots for snow make sure it's a proper sole and not one a those crappy white vibram soles, as they have no real grip on snow and ice (I have a pair of Diemmes lying in my closet, which I can only use when it's not snowing, due to the shitty sole).

I would say your best friend is thermo underwear and some waterproof clothing, most Canada Goose stuff is water-resistant and not waterproof, so be aware of that before you buy, if you get one which isn't waterproof water WILL start seeping through the stitching and you get wet, which I can tell you from experience isn't that great.

Sorrel and Lacrosse both make boots for when it gets REALLY cold, both of them are really popular here in Scandinavia, from my experience it's a question of taste and shape of your feet.

Most people around here opt. for sorrel etc. due to the fact that leather isn't very good (unless you snow seal it) in heavy snow as water will start seeping through the cracks and the leather gets wet and so will your feet, but if you are set on getting leather get some Vibergs with the ice and oil sole.

+1, get thick insulated rubber boots rated for -40C and forget about looks or you will regret it when your toes freeze. And make sure they have good grippy soles.