Treated myself to some new winter clothes because it’s been a while.
Grabbed these SOREL boots because I’ve heard good things and they were on sale.
I got the nubuck and even though they say it’s waterproof and stamped as such, what says the LR? Should I treat it with additional waterproofing spray?
I love the look of those Sorel boots. If you want the leather to maintain the ‘new’ look for and not get weathered/stained then absolutely treat it with something. Lots of good products on the market for that. I personally don’t mind the more weathered look of boots (living in Denver, very casual fashion here.)
The denverite/ west coaster in me says Blundstones are what you’re looking for in a leisure walking and work pair of boots. But if you’re in NYC you may want something else for east coast fashionability.
For something a little more unstructured that are easy to slip on/off, I have heard good things from Stio’s Colter boot. They’re definitely built for snowy mountain days, shoveling the driveway that kind of thing.
Blundstones are great but they aren’t particularly warm. Sorels are much more comfortable and better in colder weather.
I wear blundstones as my daily driver (like you, very casual/non-existent fashion on the west coast) but when it gets below freezing I go for the Sorels.
Yeppers, I would grease the hell out of those boots. There are a bunch of winter snow protection products for leather. Unless they were high fashion shoes, I would never use spray on waterproofing.
As far as no fashion points ever. Muck arctic boots for yard chores, tromping in the snow, ski trippin, or workin in the barn are sort of a snow country staples.
I am not a fan of sorel anymore… they seem to have cheaped out a lot.
I would waterproof them with bees wax of some kind.
I am a big fan of irish setter wing shooters, insulated or uninsulated, depending on what you are doing. That is what I would get, they have a nice moc toe, look like work boots, but plenty nice enough to wear out and about as a midwesterner.
When I am out in the real cold, i wear Baffin Impacts, unreal warm, rated to -172f. Always put them on when they are cold…
I didn’t want to be the first to jump on Sorel, but when the outsourced their production, I sort of quit on Oh Canada. I grew up on thete boots as being the best.I like my Limmers for nasty weather, but there are some Sorel like boots built in Bozeman called Schnees that are pretty nice.
I am with you about Sorel. I wouldn’t buy a pair if I needed real cold weather snow boots. The current lineup leaves much to be desired functionally IMO. I’ve had my pair of Sorel Caribous for around 20 years and they are rock solid. Noticeably better than current boots.
That’s said, for the OP, my wife has a couple of pairs of Sorels similar to those linked. They are solid. She’s worn them in snowy conditions and without wet feet. She didn’t bother to weatherproof them when anything.
For around the house, Xtratuff deck boots are great. Totally waterproof. Easy on and off. No insulation so you will need good socks. Rock solid. I wear mine all the time fall, winter and spring.
Have you heard of Forsake shoes? Kind of a performance shoe and boot company with a strong retro fashion sense. I’ve got a pair of their hiker sneaker boots that are great. For walking around and light hiking, they are good to go. I get compliments every time I wear them.
I use Zamberlain hiking boots for general winter use. Ie going to and fro from work etc. Working in the snow my thirty year old Sorels. They are what I am wearing ice fishing this weekend
Yea I do like the look of the Sorel’s quite a bit. I already snagged the one pair as my leisure boot. I don’t plan on doing much outdoor “work” with them.
The Blundstones aren’t really my style, mostly bc of the slip on aspect.
I do like the Stio boot, especially the tall version. That’s a solid recommendation, thanks. And they look warm.
Initially I was looking at something like the Sorel Carribou. Seems waterproof and really warm.
My buddy also told me he likes Danner boots. Friggen pricey so I have some sticker shock but they are recraftable so in the long run it may be a matter of getting what you pay for and they’re an investment.
The caribou’s were the other pair I was looking at. Kinda bummed to hear the brand had been trending downhill. I haven’t worn the ones I got yet (outside) so this weekend I’ll be sporting em around the house to get a feel if they’ll suffice as my street boot. Yes I’m a bit of a fashionista that way.
Wifey and I hit the city last weekend and I bought what seemed like a nice pair of standard brown boots from DSW for like $70. I quickly realized how shite they were. Cheap material, very difficult to get on and off, and their foot break was off. The left boot broke so much differently than the R that my foot started to hurt from walking. I wanted to throw em in the trash right then and there.
Yeeper, when I was a pup I thought suede shoes were the coolest. They have a silicone spray stuff that isn’t worth a crap. I just use White’s boot oil on my suede Birks, and roughout boots. It darkens the color but actually works to waterproof. I wore the crap out of my old Sorels and gave them to my Pops when I moved to Hawaii. He got another dozen winters on em before he passed. Now the Sorels look really inexpensive made.
Those Schnees look like killers. When my Muck boots die, will prolly go se the Bozeman folks.
Blundstones are a classic! I use them in 3/4 seasons. Dressy enough w/black jeans going for dinner in NYC, and hardy for stomping about on a farm field if that’s your thing.
Is the slip on style make it hard for you to get on/off? They’re cut in such a way that it’s not hard to slip in/out.
The other classic boot, w/laces would be Doc Martens.
Can’t speak to Sorels but for leisure boots I have a pair of Danner waterproof hiking boots that I love. Super warm, really comfortable and built to last. I’m pretty sure they are the older version of these: https://www.danner.com/men/hike/jag-ii-barley.html
Maybe check out LL Bean as well. They make some Sorel-style boots and I’ve always had good luck with their stuff.
I have a pair of Danner’s with a gore Tex liner and Vibram sole. Similar to ones you show but without a moccasin toe and a slightly lower sole. Have worn them all winter for past 3-4 years. Amazingly comfortable, have never got wet (I live in Vancouver so this is a big deal), and still look amazing. I use Danner’s wax on them a few times a year but that’s minor. The sole on the heel is only this year starting to look worn, but they can be resoled. Highly recommended, even at their somewhat high price.
