My new favorite brand of Winter shoes
I bought these using my wife's account to consolidate our order. We are from Texas and are preparing to move to Western New York. We both have been to that area before and knew, we needed really good winter/snow shoes. We bought really heavy weight super duper waterproof snow boots for heavy snow. However, we both wanted a tall but not too tall lighter weight winter shoe for light snows and ice. Being we are still in Texas and haven't *crosses my fingers* had any major ice or freak snow storms yet as of the New Year 2024, I cannot speak to the shoes grip on snow or ice.I did a lot of searching for over a week before I bought our winter boots, this shoe was on that list for me. It went on the list for her after I tried them on and had her try on mine to feel the fit.I chose this one because it is tall but not as tall as tactical boots. They looked as if they had good arch and ankle support, and decent ground grip. When we make it up to New York State, I know we will go hiking too. I wanted something that would keep my feet warm, was supportive, and kept grip on all surfaces. They look really smart/sleek too so that helps.Now for what I wanted to know when looking at reviews:The sizing fit:I am 5' 7" with moderately muscled calves. I swell in my ankles and legs sometimes because of diabetes and joint pain. I usually wear a US Men's size 11. I had to return a different brand of snow boots because I ordered one size up and it was still too small without my orthopedic insoles inside. With these I ordered a size 13. I am very glad I did.I have worn them with my alpaca wool socks for a whole day and I have worn them with my half calf everyday cotton socks. Also, I put my orthopedic plantar-fasciitis insoles inside them under the great quality removable insole that came with the boots. After a bit over a week of wearing these shoes on and off, I cannot express how freakin' COMFORTABLE they really are!! These shoes are so comfortable. I don't ever actually want to take them off. The ankle support is so good, I feel like I am wearing my ankle brace. I am rarely impressed by the ankle support on boots from the start. I just hope over time, they keep this highly supportive feeling around my ankles. Also, these didn't need a break in period like most boots. They were comfy all day from the first day.Going two sizes above my normal size was just the trick to allow room for the custom insole and my toes to not feel strangled. My feet do not slide around inside the boots when walking on regular pavement, dirt, or hiking through the thick underbrush of the woods around us. My ankles feel so darn secure. I have no worries about my knees hurting either. Which is really important to me as well, because I had a knee replacement years back in my mid-30's. I need another knee surgery for the other knee that is damaged now.Warmth while in Texas:If I am moving around pre-dawn doing stuff while it is 26-39 degree fahrenheit temps, my feet get really warm. I cannot wear the wool socks with them unless it is windy or my feet will get too hot. I know for sure these boots will keep my feet quite warm while hiking even if it is colder than mentioned with light snow on the ground. If we ever go tent camping up there, I could sleep with these on. They would keep my feet warm enough and are comfortable enough to sleep in for me. If you wanted to wear these while hunting, they would be wonderful for that. Between the comfort, ease of movement, good grip, and lack of sound they make when you move, I know I will be wearing these while hunting.The grip:The grip seems to be very good. I am always conscious of being careful on muddy and wet surfaces because of the knee problems. I have no desire to accidentally slip and eat the ground or an ER trip because my foot slipped the right way to screw up one of my tendons again.After it has rained some and a few early mornings has been a bit icy out, I can tell you wearing these I don't slip on crunchy iced over grass and woodland weeds covering our property. That is a first with any shoe I have ever had. I appreciate it when taking the dog out to go to the bathroom.After walking with these during a hard rain and in the mud here at our house, I am not the least bit worried. I am excited to feel how much grip these have on a good amount of ice and light snow pack. These shoes make my feet feel like our car with really good all climate tires gripping the road while trotting along.Waterproof:I am not really sure yet. I read the instructions that came attached to the shoes. They said that after cleaning the shoes off, they needed to be re-waterproofed. That told me, they were probably water resistant to a degree but not waterproof like rubberized muck boots. When I have shoes that are advertised as waterproof, I still give them a double coating of heavy silicone waterproofing spray for camping/hiking equipment and shoes. While my feet did not get wet walking on pavement with heavy rains, I have not been in conditions where these shoes have been exposed to enough water/snow to completely attest to their waterproofing.The laces are really long. They are great quality laces, even standing up to my cat who likes to attack my laces every time I tie my shoes. i will be replacing them with slightly shorter laces, or no-tie laces. I am not sure which yet. I like my hiking boots to be very secure on my feet to prevent my ankles from rolling.Update: January 2, 2024.... Just had to walk through the grocery store parking lot with the water going over the tops of my shoes. Even with a little bit of water leaking through the lace holes, my feet stayed dry. The waterproofing spray helped to keep the water from soaking into the fabric. My pant legs are soaked but my feet inside are dry minus some very minor bit of water leaking through the laces holes.Longevity:I cannot speak to their longevity yet. I have only had them a bit over one week. I will get back to update this, if I remember, at the end of 2024. They do seem really well made. The seams near the rubber and fabric look to be well sealed with good glue, only time will tell. I can say the level of construction for these boots feels sturdy and high quality. The arch area is not high, if you need arch supports, this will give you a good solid base for flat footed people or people with plantar-fasciitis to help their insoles. They felt great without my personal insoles in them. However, I could tell that after a couple of days of wearing just these shoes all day, I definitely needed to add my insoles to help my archless feet. I don't have any worries about anything other than a nail or a mesquite tree thorn or locust tree thorn busting through the soles to your actual foot.Even then, you would have to step on it just right for it with a good amount of force to go all the way through these. The blackberry thorns and greenwood vine thorns in our woods do not poke through these on the bottom or the cloth-esque sides of the shoes. Even the stitching has withstood two mild calm walks through the bramble and thorns without any damage. That is impressive to me, my leather boots even get scuffed and scratched from that same bramble and woodland thorns.The only two Cons:#1) The bottom inside shoelace hook on my left foot, when I tighten the laces, hits right on my ankle bone. When I need to squat or bend the shoe it is quite uncomfortable. I am hoping as I wear these a bit more that will stop. (See picture for the circled shoe lace hook)#2) Not really a con but could be. =} I don't ever want to take these shoes off. Again, they are sooo dang comfortable!!!! I need a quilt for the bed and couch that is as comfortable as these shoes, for reals.100% plus more recommend these shoes!!! I actually bought a pair of these in grey for my wife. They will be delivered this week sometime. The women's version was not tall enough for her, but she liked the colors of the women's better. I do wish men's shoes had more colors besides the usual green, grey, black, grey-blueish.We will be getting this brand's lighter summer hiking shoes as well after we move to New York. I really do not want any other brand anymore for hiking boots but these. We will probably order extras to keep in storage at home. That way once the original pairs wear out we know we can find them again, just in case they aren't selling this kind anymore.