Winter is coming! I need new boots (wrong board?)

[wingnut]

I couldn't figure out where else to put this question, so I'm putting it here knowing it might be moved to a more appropriate board.

I've learned that the best way to deal with taking care of my horses in the cold winter months is to have the proper gear that allows me to stay out as long as I need to/want to without getting too uncomfortable. The first winter (2009-2010) I bought tall barn boots made by Boggs. I still have those boots and they are my "go to" boot when we have snow or a lot of mud that sometimes gets a bit deep in spots. Or when I want the extra layer of warmth on my calves. They are in good shape and I expect to get several more winters out of them.

I also bought a pair of Boggs ankle boots. Love them for every day work around the barn when it's cold. Unfortunately, they cracked during the second winter I had them. They're okay as long as it's not wet out but after 2+ years of wearing them this way, I want to replace them. I'm hesitant to go with Boggs again because of the way this pair did not hold up to only very moderate use.

What I want is a ankle boot with good water*proof* and insulation properties. Slip on is a must too...I hate tying shoes! LOL. Your suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[MountainWoman]

I love my Bogs. I've tried many different boots but they just fell apart with daily use. I wear my tall Bogs boots year round and just purchased a pair of their new rain boots for warmer weather. The only other brand I got a fair amount of mileage out of was the Tretorns and they were comfortable and they weren't as high as my tall Bogs but they didn't last too long but our weather is pretty extreme. Sorry your Bogs didn't hold up.

 

[romewhip]

Ariat Terrain H2o are my favorite winter yuck and muck boots. Western WA in winter is not really my idea of a nice place to live, and I've found it far more bearable when my feet are warm and dry. Plus the Terrains have great support and I can walk all day in them. I also wear them on the field with the dogs, and in snow, and even to work when it's really deep out- the boss doesn't care, he's just happy someone showed up.

If you find the Terrains buy a half size larger- they do run a hair small.

 

[Jenny]

I got a pair of boots for Christmas by the Muck Boot Company. I love mine! I have tall ones, but I know they make ankle boots. They are really well made and SO comfortable. They're rubber on the foot part, and neoprene on the leg.

 

[candycar]

I love my muck boots! I have the "chore" boot and it slips on easily, is warm, waterproof and has good traction. They have lasted 2 winter/fall so far. I Got some of the garden shoes and the short garden boots but the tread doesn't hold up past a year of constant use.

If you go with Muck boots get the chore (12in) kind.

 

[bevann]

I swear by LL BEAN boots.They make so many styles.I have several different kinds.For everyday decent weather I have tie shoes.I also have slip on type clogs for just running out to the barn for quick trips.I also have felt lined boots.Be sure to get boots with Thinsulate for warmth.Bottoms are rubber with good traction.You never have wet feet even in rainy weather.Go online and you can see the many styles.Nice people to deal with.I've been wearing their boots since 1985.

 

[wingnut]

Thanks everyone! Time to go shopping

 

[vickie gee]

I loved my Bogs mid calf ones but they bit the dust this past winter. I got 2 or 3 years use out of them. I recently bought some $30 copy cat version at TSC. Likely will be a case of I got what I paid for...but since we are on furloughs...

Funny you mention winter being on the way. Heat index here today makes it 108 degrees. The summer I bought the Bogs we were having a severe drought. The guy that got them down from the shelf at the store grinned at me and said, "You expecting some rain?"

There was another thread some time back where other brands were mentioned and there was a brand I wanted to check out. Now I don't remember what it was.

 

[shorthorsemom]

For tall boots try the new Tingley tall boots called Ultra lites..eva boots. They are so light when you pick up the box you swear it is empty. Feel great and I have been wearing mine since February non stop, on concrete, dirt, snow, poop, almost no wear, no leaks, awesome flexible and they have good grip on slippery surfaces (our cow barn and wet poop). I paid $34.95 at our milk supply store. Going out tomorrow to buy more for the kids now that I know they hold up. I love my bogs and swear by them for warmth, but shudder at the price and my kids walk the heels and sole right off and they have sprung leaks. Nobody likes wet feet. Better than the muck boots for us, but I can buy more than two tingley ultralites for the same price as a pair of bogs. My daughter loves hers too.

I was boot shopping and my daughter says.. hey mom... try these. I say.... that box is empty.. there are no boots inside that box. She says, nope, look mom... I open the box and sure enough there was the lightest boots I have ever seen. All the amish guys in the store were wearing them too and so I got a pair and now I am recommending them to everybody. Wish they made them in short boots, they are catching on ,so maybe in the future. ..

 

[chandab]

I like my Muck Boots, I get the subzeros (might be called Arctic) in the 12" height and they keep me pretty warm

 

[FurstPlaceMiniatures]

I've destroyed too many muck boots and had too many slips in them to ever reccomend them. I personally LOVE my rubber LaCrosse boots. Make sure you get the insulated winter kind. I work on a farm, and in -20 degree weather, Im out in the freestall making sure everyone's ok. Never have my feet get cold! LOVE them!

 

[susanne]

For barn and corral work, I buy the cheapest rubber boots available in feed stores and consider them disposable. You do need to wear thick socks, as they have no arch support and no insulation, but they last just as long as the more expensive, supposedly more durable boots, and since nobody is going to see them, who cares if they're ugly? Although I consider them disposable, my latest pair have lasted for 4 years and they cost about $12. They are cheap enough that we keep spare boots around for visitors.

I have nice boots for when I meet my public; by not wearing them to slosh around in the muck, they last forever.

 

[misty'smom]

I got a pair of Muck boots last fall when we got our Minis!! They kept me warm in the winter and dry during our rainy spring!! Easy to slip on to go out to my barn!! They are in good shape and I will be wearing them again as soon as the fall weather hits here in Va!!

 

[AngC]

I’m not a boot expert, but I cast my vote for the Muck Chore ST.

Prior to owning horses, my experience with boots was hiking boots. The husband and I really like La Sportivas. They’re great for hiking but really suck for any kind of wet dirty work. (They’re suede; and the tread gives you good footing, but the mud/poop gets in the tread and can’t be easily knocked out.) So then we tried the cheap boot option. Only it wasn’t all that cheap; we were buying rubber boots at the local co-op that cost 20 to 30 bucks a pair. Three months was about the best we got out of them. I’m a big cheapskate, but spending that amount on boots where the soles split so soon just didn’t make sense.

So we drove to a store (similar to the Tractor Supply people mention here) and looked at Boggs and Mucks. The Boggs just didn’t look as well-made. We bought Mucks for both of us. ...love ‘em!! They cost about $125 a pair, but they’re well worth it. We’re on the second year with them and I can see no appreciable wear. The thing I really like is they have steel toes.

As I type this my foot is in a pan of salt-water (husband’s prescription)... I don’t have many steel-toe boot options other than the hiking boots and today was farrier day; it was hot and I didn’t want to put those insulated (hot) Mucks on. Baby stepped on my toe and did a bit of damage to my toenail. Yup! ...love the steel-toes, and I should have worn them today, hot or not.

 

[anoki]

I'm a Muck Boot fan too, but I always get the Chore model as they have a far better tread than the 'original' model. The Chores are a little clunkier, but....

My first pair lasted me 3 years....I consider that pretty good for the money.

~kathryn