Tried the Appalachian Trail in winter boots last October

Thought they'd be fine for a weekend section hike in Georgia. Feet got soaked by day two from sweat and no breathability. What boots actually work for wet cold weather without turning into sweat boxes?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_barnes873d ago

and honestly thats exactly why a lot of folks switch to uninsulated leather boots like the Danner Mountain Lights or even trail runners with waterproof socks. The trick is to let your feet breathe during movement so sweat doesnt pool up, then layer a neoprene sock or vapor barrier over dry liners when you stop for breaks. Pair that with gaiters to block moisture from the top and youll stay way more comfortable than any insulated winter boot.

colegarcia2d ago

Respectfully @wadejenkins, I gotta disagree on the uninsulated leather route for wet cold. My feet got way colder in breathable boots when temps dropped below freezing, cause the moisture just froze inside the leather instead of drying.

wadejenkins3d ago

Yeah man, I had the same problem last winter. Switched to a uninsulated leather boot with a Gore-Tex liner, like the Asolo 520s, and paired them with thin merino liners and a midweight wool sock. Sweat still happens but it dries out way faster than those insulated boots. I also started using a pair of cheap nylon gaiters to keep snow and slush from dumping in the top, which made a bigger difference than I expected. Your mileage may vary, but ditching the heavy insulation and focusing on layering my socks worked for me.