What shoes are you wearing during winter/wet weather

[Cuvier]

Good afternoon folks,


Fall is here and Winter is on the way. I don't have much in terms of winter footwear other than a pair of Thursday Chelsea Boots. I'm looking for ideas and what better place to ask than the fine folks at the lounge.

So let's see your go to cold/wet weather footwear!

 

[TLW '90]

I only wear boots, JG vellie chukkas in the spring /summer and fall through winter it's my Thorogood 4364's

In the wet weather I have these bates USGI cold / wet weather boots that I added kilties to.

They're insulated and have a mildew resistant leather.

 

[Fifty150]

a pair of Thursday Chelsea Boots​

Thursday is not a good product. The leather is not high grade. The soles are not Vibram, Goodyear, Dainite, or some other better known brand. For $199, you are getting a shoe of the same quality that you find at the mall for $100 to $200.

They advertising is that you are getting a Goodyear welted shoe for under $200. But you really have to think about that. Okay, so it's got a welt. So what? Are you going to resole it? Are you willing to spend $150, $200, $250, $300 to resole a $199 shoe? When the heel and soles wear down, take a good look at them. Would it be worth it?


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winter footwear​

Some people may point you towards whatever their favorite brands are, or suggest something expensive like a heritage boot. You need to think about what your real needs are. What is winter like for you? Snow? Sleet? Rain? Flooding? And where does this have to go? Are you in need of dress shoes for business wear? Will you climb into trenches, do construction outdoors, or fight wild fires?


Look at shoe construction. There are shoes with Thinsulate insulation and Gore-Tex lining. Injection molded soles will be better sealed from the weather. Even something like Dr. Martens, which is flame welded, will be better than a stitched on sole.


I live in The City. We get heavy rain and flooding. I default to military & law enforcement footwear. My alternatives are pull on, high shaft style boots such as Wellington, Engineer, cowboy styles. I want something with a rubber sole for traction. In most rain, it will take a lot of water to saturate and leak through the stitches attaching the shoe to the sole. But if you are standing in puddles of water, then you had better think about rubber rain boots. For me, boots like this are sufficient:​

 

[Fifty150]

Here's a clip where the guy talks a little bit about his boots in the rain.

 

[Edward]

Sensible Oxfords with either a leather sole with a thin rubber layer glued over it, or a Dainite sole in the main. My primary shoes these days are Sanders, milspec (in part because they cam be had from surplus stores at a significant price reduction from the civilian range pricing). I have a pair of tan-coloured, Herring brogues with leather soles sitting ready for wearing soon (once I get the rubber layer glued on the soles). Got my eye on a pair of Sanders Braemar brogues in black, grained leather - did pick up a used pair a while back, but have learned in their last shape I have to go up half a size as they are unexpectedly narrower than their other shoes. Beyond that for this Winter I also want to pick up a pair of Loakes brogues in burgundy/oxblood.

If it's a boots day, we've just left the season for my Clarks desert boots, and I'll be back into my Iron Rangers (when they get resoled), William Lennon B5s (in shiny black leather), or one of a few other pairs of boots. I am hoping we get some especially cold days during December / January, as I've got a pair of side-zip, sheepskin lined Bundesmarine boots, picked up NOS a couple of months ago, which will handle even the most Siberian of Winters.

 

[Fifty150]

a leather sole with a thin rubber layer glued over it

Sole protectors. Very smart.

I've sent shoes to cobblers, and done this myself. Some people prefer leather soles. My opinion is that sole savers extend the life of the sole and shoe, in addition to providing extra traction. Any cobbler could easily replace the sole protectors as they wear down, which saves on the cost of resoling leather.

 

[Bfd70]

Muck boots

 

[Edward]

Sole protectors. Very smart.

I've sent shoes to cobblers, and done this myself. Some people prefer leather soles. My opinion is that sole savers extend the life of the sole and shoe, in addition to providing extra traction. Any cobbler could easily replace the sole protectors as they wear down, which saves on the cost of resoling leather.

That's my thing with them. I've had to resole leather soled shoes before now, but never a pair with a rubber sole protector on them. I did have a pair of brogues with the commando-style sole protector on them, and will likely do the same again this time. Not my first choice for a daily-wearer, but unbeatable in the wet. Probably the best option of them all - I find they don't let in damp the way an unprotected leather sole can, as well as being better than a rubber sole alone for replaceability when worn.

Muck boots View attachment 734881

not had a pair of wellies in nearly forty years.... Scarred by the time I was sent on a scout camp wearing a pair (bad enough they were wellies, worst of all they were *yellow*) and spent four days being viciously mocked for them. Ended up out in muddy fields in Epping with the dog las January, though, and wished I'd had a pair... Might well end up with a pair this Winter for that sort of thing. A pair of 80s Bundeswehr boots would probably be more my speed and do the same job, but nothing hoses off as easily after getting covered in mud as a rubber welly.

 

[Cuvier]

My concern isn't with casual boots and shoes. I have several options for that. My concern is with dressier or more business dress compatible. My new role involves quite a bit of walking from office to office. Dress is business casual so boots are appropriate. I also travel across the US so any contiguous region is possible.

 

[Fifty150]

Most leather is water resistant. It will take a lot of water before leather soaks through. With good top grain leather, products like oil and wax will usually bead off rain.

The sole attachment point could be where you get a leak. A good pair of welted shoes usually keeps the water out because the stitches are tight. Stitchdown construction offers the same protection. Injection molded shoes, like Timberland, will not leak - until the shoes are so old that the integrity of the entire sole has been compromised. Heat welded soles like Solovair and Dr. Martens will not leak because the PVC welt and rubber sole are melted together. An older pair with loose stitches, water may leak. A cheap pair of shoes with a fake welt, and glued on sole construction, water may leak.


Water could leak through the stitches attaching the vamp to the uppers and tongue. Some shoes are made with a single piece of leather for the vamp. That helps. Better shoes have better stitching with waxed thread.


Water goes in from the top of the shoe. Shoes and boots with a gusseted tongue help prevent leaking. That all depends on the height of the gusset and the height of the shoe or boot collar. Obviously, shoes are lower and that presents a problem in a storm. Hopefully, you will not be in over 1" of water. Some boots are over the ankle and the tongue gusset goes up to a point at the ankles or higher. That could be good for up to 3" of water. Some boots are higher, and even offer a fully gusseted tongue. Chances are that you will not be in over 6" of water.








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I did have a pair of brogues with the commando-style sole protector on them, and will likely do the same again this time.

If you can get away with it, a pair of cap toe 1000 Mile Boots could work. I have a pair with the Vibram half sole. It's attached to the leather sole with stitches. Extremely thick. They will outlast any sole protector. The Chromexel leather can be buffed to a shine.​

My concern is with dressier or more business dress compatible. My new role involves quite a bit of walking from office to office. Dress is business casual so boots are appropriate.

It all depends on what you think that you can get away with. Who is looking down at your feet on a rainy day? Who do you need to impress with your footwear? If I needed shoes to wear with business clothes, on a rainy day, I would look at Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank. Factory seconds and clearance shoes would be fine for getting abused in foul weather. Look for something with a rubber sole, or rubber half sole. Find a good cobbler who can attach a sole protector on the leather sole.




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[Cuvier]

Most leather is water resistant. It will take a lot of water before leather soaks through. With good top grain leather, products like oil and wax will usually bead off rain.

The sole attachment point could be where you get a leak. A good pair of welted shoes usually keeps the water out because the stitches are tight. Stitchdown construction offers the same protection. Injection molded shoes, like Timberland, will not leak - until the shoes are so old that the integrity of the entire sole has been compromised. Heat welded soles like Solovair and Dr. Martens will not leak because the PVC welt and rubber sole are melted together. An older pair with loose stitches, water may leak. A cheap pair of shoes with a fake welt, and glued on sole construction, water may leak.


Water could leak through the stitches attaching the vamp to the uppers and tongue. Some shoes are made with a single piece of leather for the vamp. That helps. Better shoes have better stitching with waxed thread.


Water goes in from the top of the shoe. Shoes and boots with a gusseted tongue help prevent leaking. That all depends on the height of the gusset and the height of the shoe or boot collar. Obviously, shoes are lower and that presents a problem in a storm. Hopefully, you will not be in over 1" of water. Some boots are over the ankle and the tongue gusset goes up to a point at the ankles or higher. That could be good for up to 3" of water. Some boots are higher, and even offer a fully gusseted tongue. Chances are that you will not be in over 6" of water.












If you can get away with it, a pair of cap toe 1000 Mile Boots could work. I have a pair with the Vibram half sole. It's attached to the leather sole with stitches. Extremely thick. They will outlast any sole protector. The Chromexel leather can be buffed to a shine.​

View attachment 735075 View attachment 735073 View attachment 735074​

It all depends on what you think that you can get away with. Who is looking down at your feet on a rainy day? Who do you need to impress with your footwear? If I needed shoes to wear with business clothes, on a rainy day, I would look at Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank. Factory seconds and clearance shoes would be fine for getting abused in foul weather. Look for something with a rubber sole, or rubber half sole. Find a good cobbler who can attach a sole protector on the leather sole.




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View attachment 735083 View attachment 735079 View attachment 735082 View attachment 735081 View attachment 735080 View attachment 735078 View attachment 735077
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That's what I was looking for. Great recommendations and info! Thank you!

 

[大馬伕]

hello!

Hi

 

[Fifty150]

That's what I was looking for. Great recommendations and info! Thank you!

Glad that you got a little help. Keep us updated with what you chose, and why.

 

[Fifty150]

hello!

High 5

 

[Fifty150]

It rained today. I wore 1000 Mile Boots. Horween Olive Tanned Leather. I'm not quite sure what that means. Maybe olive tree bark or olive oil is used in the tanning process.






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[Cuvier]

Glad that you got a little help. Keep us updated with what you chose, and why.

I found a couple pairs of boots I like. I ordered these.

They're a little lighter in color than I prefer but I should be able to darken them a bit with a darker polish. I don't need much darker but a shade or two would be good.

 

[canvas]

Just a heads up - the Allen Edmonds Daltons notoriously run narrow. If you do a google search, you'll find posts that it's on AE's narrowest last. If possible, I would recommend order 1 width larger (i.e. if you are a D width, order E width). I had a pair and my pinky toe would get extreme hot spots from rubbing against the side because it was so narrow.

Also, it looks like the model you bought has a Dainite sole. Dainite soles are super slippery on wet surfaces (ice, snow) - so watch out.

The key thing about wearing any type of leather boot through the winter is proper care (mainly brushing them occasionally so that any ice salt gets brushed off). If your boots get wet - make sure that you condition them occasionally, as water tends to pull the oils out and dry the boot.

 

[canvas]

They're a little lighter in color than I prefer but I should be able to darken them a bit with a darker polish. I don't need much darker but a shade or two would be good.

They'll probably darken quite a bit with normal wear and conditioning. You may not need to use a darker polish.

 

[Fifty150]

An excellent choice. Congratulations on being able to find your size.

Allen Edmonds describes the shoe as:​

• Classic fit: Take your regular size

  

I have heard people say that it is long and narrow. I have a pair in my Brannock size, and I feel that it fits fine.


Here are some tips from the pros:






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I found a couple pairs of boots I like. I ordered these.
View attachment 737217
They're a little lighter in color than I prefer but I should be able to darken them a bit with a darker polish. I don't need much darker but a shade or two would be good.

 

[Fifty150]

This was what I wore in the rain. This is what I wore in today's rain.

There was a time when I didn't really know, or care, about how my shoes were made. I had other ideas about what made a good shoe. None of the selling points of heritage shoes; like Goodyear welt, leather insoles, or designer leather uppers meant anything. Comfort, and durability. My feet had to feel comfortable. I was not willing to wear shoes that hurt my feet. Actually, that is still the most important thing to me. I will not wear shoes that hurt. Durability, to me, was that the shoes didn't fall apart, AND, they couldn't leak. I was not willing to wear boots that leaked in the rain, or every time I stepped into a puddle. Rubber soles were a must. I had a preference for lug soles. The wedge style soles grew on me.


I've worn these for almost a decade. Utterly reliable. And cheap. I got them from Sears. They have survived every winter storm, and all of our atmospheric rivers. They got worn. They got used. They got dirty. They look bad. But they still wear as good as the day that they were new.


They don't make them anymore. You'll never be able to buy Sears boots like these again.




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