Dainite soles' traction in winter

[Patek]

Swims brand Golashes...

http://swims.com/#/galoshes/classic_ii_orange

Yes, I have them in Orange.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I don't like golashes because when you take them off your shoes' finish is all smeared up. Plus to get somes that fit are a pain ********** to take on and off. I'd say at that point you're better off just bringing your shoes in a bag with you to work and wearing boots.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I'd say at that point you're better off just bringing your shoes in a bag with you to work and wearing boots.

Exactly!

 

[Siwash]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Bad on ice, especially on hard surfaces like pavement.
+1 I too own several Dainite chukkas, be very careful when you walk in from outside to a hard surface interior, that seems the most dangerous point for me. Outside they seem fine in slush/snow/mud etc..

 

[makewayhomer]

do people think commando is really that much better on actual ice?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

do people think commando is really that much better on actual ice?

Yes. I feel that they are more durable in general too. I have found dainites to actually wear down pretty fast.

 

[Patek]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't like golashes because when you take them off your shoes' finish is all smeared up. Plus to get somes that fit are a pain ********** to take on and off. I'd say at that point you're better off just bringing your shoes in a bag with you to work and wearing boots.

What kind of golashes have you tried. I have never had either of those issues and have worn them with my best shoes and no "smearing". Good golashes have a soft cotton felt lining like a shoe bag.

However, this year I purchased a pair of Baffins for when it gets really bad. Found them on sale at REI:

http://www.rei.com/product/804468

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Ok, I will just come out and say it. Galoshes are ugly and I don't want to be seen wearing them. I would rather be seen wearing functional footwear than go through the trouble of dealing with galoshes and my own vanity.

 

[nringo]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't like golashes because when you take them off your shoes' finish is all smeared up. Plus to get somes that fit are a pain ********** to take on and off. I'd say at that point you're better off just bringing your shoes in a bag with you to work and wearing boots.

I picked up a pair of the Swims brand golashes at Allen Edmonds and they've got a nice soft finish on the inside that so far has not messed up the finish of my shoes.

 

[Patek]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Ok, I will just come out and say it. Galoshes are ugly and I don't want to be seen wearing them. I would rather be seen wearing functional footwear than go through the trouble of dealing with galoshes and my own vanity.

I kind of agree with you. However, I figured out since I need to protect my shoes anyway I picked up the orange swims. I figure I might as well have fun with it.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

do people think commando is really that much better on actual ice?
For snow and slush, yes.

 

[makewayhomer]

damn. I may end up returning my Dainite shell boots then, which I bought for this purpose exactly - winter wear.

I sit at a desk all day, I just need these (for now) for a short walk to car every day

maybe I'm better off getting another pair of LHS's for most days + duck boots for really bad days

 

[Slewfoot]

I think what this all comes to is that as far as elegant looking shoes in inclement weather, dainite is MUCH better than leather soles. Will they work as well as things like Bean Boots? No, but there's always a trade off. Bottom line is don't worry too much about it because if the ground is slippery enough no shoe will work 100% the way you want it to.

 

[cptjeff]

Originally Posted by JayJay

For snow and slush, yes.
That wasn't the question. The question was hard ice, which people were saying that both danite and bean boots did bad on. I believe the point of that question was to question if ANYTHING was good on hard ice. And in my experience, short of crampons or hobnails, the answer is no. Even my (high end) hiking boots with big lug vibram soles will slip on hard ice.

 

[ktrp]

I picked up a pair of dainite boots a few weeks ago* and was wearing them yesterday when there was a light snowfall.

I was extremely impressed by their traction. I slipped a few inches twice in my mile walk, both times on sheer ice.

Nothing has perfect traction on snow. I had commando _type_ soles and it is quite easy for snow to pack into the grooves which then gives bad traction. Commando soles give great traction on rough ground. They are not necessarily made for snow. The best traction on snow is from something with a very 'open' tread, i.e. big gaps between the knobs so that it is harder for snow to pack in, and perhaps saw shaped cross sections that don't hold snow as well. I couldn't find a picture of the bottom, but you can see this sort of tread from the side on these Sorel's:

And how would such a boot's wear? It will wear out fast - the amount of rubber in contact with the ground when walking on pavement is quite small and will wear down quickly. These boots are made for walking in deep snow, NOT on pavement.

If you want a wear to the office all weather boot with great snow performance you are dreaming. True snow boots are things like the sorel's. The dainite handled light snow on a sidewalk well, and looks good enough to be worn office casual. For me, that makes it a good combination. YMMV.

*for future forumers searching on this sort of thing, I got the Charles Tyrwhitt pebble grain cap toe lace up boots (made by Loake, shilton design but pebble grain tan). They are made in the UK. I wear a size 11-11.5 in most US shoes, more often 11 in dress shoes (ie. AEs). Size 10 fit great. 9.5 would have probably been okay but snug, 10.5 would have been too big.