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NavandWife Member
Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 4 | TRs | Pics Location: Poulsbo, WA |
Aloha,
As the weather chills I realize that I may need to buy a new pair of hiking boots. Does one need a different boot for winter hiking? Does anyone have a reccomendation for a pair of women's boots that would do me well through a Northwest winter of hiking and some light backpacking?
"The Love of Mountains is Best"
-Pre-1558 Greek inscription on the summit of Niesen, Switzerland.
"The Love of Mountains is Best"
-Pre-1558 Greek inscription on the summit of Niesen, Switzerland.
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Bushwacker Comfortable
Joined: 28 Jun 2002 Posts: 834 | TRs | Pics Location: Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand |
There is a bunch to choose from.
Whatever your choice, make sure it's Gortex material and well insulated.
Some can be spendy, but well worth the extra dollars.
BW
"Wait by the river long enough and the bodies of your enemies will float by"...Sun Tsu
"Wait by the river long enough and the bodies of your enemies will float by"...Sun Tsu
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Dante Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 2815 | TRs | Pics
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Dante
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Fri Nov 08, 2002 10:51 am
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I've always used the same boots summer and winter. Right now that means a pair of the Asolos that won Backpacker's Editor's Choice Award a year or two ago. Took 'em snowshoeing last year. Worked fine. Assuming the last is appropriate for your foot, I recomment them highly.
Try your regular summer boots on a winter day trip first if they are reasonably water resistant. Maybe you can save yourself some dough.
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17855 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Fri Nov 08, 2002 11:39 am
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I agree, I've never gotten special boots for winter. The biggest factor in keeping your feet dry (and thus warm) is wearing gaitors! Of course, waterproofing helps too.
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Wetfoot Guest
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Wetfoot
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Fri Nov 08, 2002 12:28 pm
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Hmmm, not sure I agree with the goretex suggestion for winter. Goretex seems to break down, and my toes get wet. I think a stout pair of boots that use regular waterproofing might work better in the long run. Depends on how often you get out. Goretex worked great for me the first bunch of hikes, then they leaked. Everything seems to leak in the winter. Snow manages to get past gaitors and waterproofing, even with plastic boots, if you are out a long time, or for multiple days. Well, what does everybody else think?
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#19 Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 2197 | TRs | Pics
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#19
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Fri Nov 08, 2002 1:08 pm
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I agree with Wetfoot. The more you are out, the longer you are out, the better the chance of getting wet. I like owning a variety of boots and hiking shoes and choose from them accordingly depending on the trip and conditions.
Of course gators help, but they leak too if you are out in wet conditions for a long time.
and as far as goretex goes, I think it maybe the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the public - next to the supposed moon landings of course.
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Slide Alder Slayer Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2002 Posts: 1960 | TRs | Pics
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“Does anyone have a recommendation for a pair of women's boots that would do me well through a Northwest winter of hiking and some light backpacking?”
I assume the missing word here is snow, and for hiking and backpacking in snow I would recommend an entry-level plastic boot such as the Koflach Degree. Second to the plastic boot, I would recommend a good thick leather boot combined with Isolator Insoles. Isolator Insoles will provide far superior insulation over regular insoles. As mentioned by previous posts, I would also include a good gaiter that will accommodate the boot of your choice.
I would recommend against the so-called specialty insulated snow/hiking/snowshoe boots. I believe that a good leather off trail or light mountaineering boot will be far superior.
Lastly, Warm feet and warm hands have much more to do with a warm head than anything else. Get a balaclava. OR has some good light weight ones.
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