Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase a new pair of men's winter boots and was hoping to get some suggestions. Main uses would be winter hiking, clearing the driveway of snow, and ice fishing. Hoping to spend ~$150 or less. Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Kind of depends upon your location and the type of snow normally encountered. If you live where the snow is dry, Mukluks are a good choice. I recommend Cooke Custom Sewing, Empire Wool and Canvas, or Stegers.

Mukluks are warmer than boots because your feet flex and move inside them.

I have a pair of Baffin control max that have been great the last 8 years. They make some nice warm, light boots. Lace up or not, leather or not, take your pick from Baffins. Some are built warmer than others.

For general purpose winter use you can't beat the old military mickey mouse boots for the price. I've spent 5 times as much on other boots and keep going back to the mickeys. Very warm, waterproof, simple, and tough as nails. They just keep kicking. :)

Look for the white ones if you can find 'em. They're warmer.

My only other winter boots that see much use now are mountaineering and skiing boots. There are SOME things you can't do with the mickeys...

I have a pair of Danner Pronghorn all leather boots that I got at Cabela's. They are insulated so they are pretty warm. I've not been ice fishing where I would have to stand around all day on ice, but I have been walking the dog every morning recently when the temp. has been in the neighborhood of -20 and have been very comfortable.

Keen Summits

Columbia Bugaboots. They're lightweight, waterproof, comfortable, and warm. I use them for all the things you mention, plus winter camping trips pulling sleds while on snowshoes. They usually run around $110, but Cabelas has them on sale for less than $70.

Sorel Bear XT or Sorel Caribou depending on how high you want them and what temperature you're going to be out in.

I'm not afraid of investing money on gear but sometimes the unexpected works remarkably well. Surplus Air Force Mukluks
For comparison I have owned Mickey Mouse surplus, Redwing Iceman, Sorel packs. These are cheaper, warmer, more comfortable. Problem is they are less stylish than even Mickey Mouse Boots. Still they were the first pieces of gear hauled out after returning from the holidays in Arizona. Been in the woods wearing them 3 times since New Years.


butthead

PS: Forgot an important consideration. The mukluks work great in very cold and DRY conditions, not so good if nearer freezing and wet as they absorb water. Under wet conditions I prefer my IceMan leather/rubber pack boots. bh

I use a pair of Keen Summit County boots. I use them for everything from shoveling snow to snowshoeing and winter hiking. Very comfortable and keep my feet warm even in -20 temps. Run true to size.

LaCrosse Ice Kings for fishing. They'd be too hot for hiking, though.

After owning Baffins, I don't even consider bothering with anyone else's products anymore both for personal use and for winter forestry work (my Baffin Barrows are still great after years of heavy forestry use).

I've tried a fair number of different winter boots but this year I've been using my non-inuslated leather Redwings without an issue. I wear them year round for work and this year they've been used for most everything else too. They're just a simple and comfortable boot and they've been working great. No goretex or rubber. The only thing I do differently in really cold weather is put on warmer wool socks.

As long as I'm moving cold weather hasn't been a problem. I've been going on 5 mile walks after dark down to -20 this winter and no issues. One day at -18 we stopped to start a fire and had some bannock and tea. My toes got pretty cold standing around for an hour but otherwise not an issue.

The other day it warmed up to around freezing and the boots got a bit wet from the snow. In colder weather it hasn't been a problem.

This winter I think my feet are warmer overall than they were when wearing insulated goretex boots. With warm boots my feet would sweat in the house, in the car, or at work leaving me with wet feet which equals cold feet. The plain leather boots don't cause my feet to sweat much and when they do they seem to dry off much faster.

Alan

I've had my Baffins for many years and they're still great. Now my wife has a pair and we just got her dad a set.