How to choose men's winter boots? Tips, reviews about manufacturers

When the light autumn coolness smoothly passes into a real winter cold, it is very important to change light shoes on warmer footwear in time. This will save you from seasonal colds. For the stronger sex, in most cases, quality men's shoes are more suitable. Winter shoes can be different, but boots or ugg boots are not always appropriate, and if you have to follow the office dress code, the problem is aggravated. I want to combine quality, aesthetic appearance, and not overpay for such an acquisition, but for this it is desirable to carefully understand this issue.

Durability of winter shoes

The problem of modern footwear is irritating impracticality, and it's very annoying when in a couple of months outwardly quite decent men's shoes fall apart. Winter models, which are offered in the markets and in cheap stores, rarely reach the spring, and in particularly neglected cases they begin to pass water in a couple of weeks of socks even in relatively safe urban conditions.

Even cheap boots, designed for one season, should last in an acceptable condition from the beginning of cold weather to spring heat, but in practice this is extremely rare. It turns out that it is more profitable to buy quality footwear that will last more than one season, ideally - at least two or three years. Since men's shoes are less susceptible to fashion changes, there is unlikely to be any loss from the aesthetic side.

What kind of shoes are needed in a winter city?

The modern metropolis is a rather contradictory condition. On the one hand, there are asphalted roads around, on the other - the pavement can quickly and unobtrusively go into impassable mud, and a mixture of sand and de-icing reagents in a record time leads the shoes into disrepair. So what should be the men's winter boots, in order to protect their feet reliably from cold and moisture, while at the same time ensuring that their quality corresponds to the declared price?

On average, shoes should be comfortable enough and warm, so that the owner, without damage to health and well-being, could spend several hours on the street at a temperature of about 20 degrees below zero. Fitting will be the starting criterion for selection, and if the boots are pressed even lightly, the legs in them will freeze. Therefore, try on winter shoes on a warm toe, while it should be possible to move your fingers freely.

What are the parameters for evaluating quality winter boots?

Evaluate everything, and first of all it is important to know the classification. Men's winter boots are high enough shoes, which should reach the beginning of the ankle. The so-called half-boots open the ankle joint and are suitable for relatively dry and not too frosty weather.

Genuine leather of high quality wins in all kinds of synthetics, veal skin is better than pork, and pressed belongs to the lowest grade among natural materials. It is also very desirable insulated lining - fur or high-tech synthetics, which sometimes costs more. According to this description, it is possible to compile brief characteristics, according to which high-quality winter men's boots are genuine leather, natural fur. And do not forget about the material and structure of the sole.

Best in the winter is a corrugated "tractor" sole, which provides a reliable grip even with a slippery sidewalk, powdered with snow. In this case, the protrusions of the sole should be large enough, with deep and wide grooves between them. Leather thin sole suits only for movement in the car, maximum - a few steps along the sidewalk from the car to the office doors.

It is also necessary to evaluate the strength of the seams, the number of parts, the quality of the sole. Trifles in this issue does not exist.

Types of leather and other materials for winter boots

As already mentioned above, quality winter men's boots - natural leather, natural fur, plus a semi-rigid tractor sole. Shoes from leatherette can look good, but it is not suitable even for hothouse conditions.

Veal leather is the most expensive, but at the same time one of the most wear-resistant options. Winter boots are thick enough leather, which is additionally treated for increased water resistance and resistance to surface damage. Pig skin is less practical, but can last for an average of three to four seasons, especially with proper care.

A special issue is elegant suede shoes. As a rule, they look great, they are pleasant in the sock, but a wet urban winter quickly loses a decent appearance. It is much more difficult to clean salt bruises and dirt from suede. However, this is not an excuse to refuse to purchase, it is simply desirable to leave suede shoes for clear, dry, cold days.

Material and structure of the sole

On expensive and elegant shoes can be a leather sole, but it is suitable only for offices and well-groomed alleys. Glue prevention is not a problem. For a good wear-resistant footwear, a rubber or polyurethane footing is suitable, but different manufacturers use very different materials for this. Low-quality polyurethane in the frost becomes stiff and at a certain load can burst. However, serious firms use higher quality raw materials.

The sole is fixed by vulcanization. This is one of the best options. Shoes from ECCO are manufactured in this way. If the usual firmware is used, then you will have to additionally process shoes to increase moisture resistance, but not the fact that the result will suit you.

The best results are shown by the structured outsole from such brands, for example, as Vibram. This company produces sports and semi-sport shoes, including for long pedestrian crossings. The service life of branded shoes can easily exceed ten years.

Which lining to choose?

Any artificial fur can immediately be considered a decorative application designed to mislead the buyer. He warms very relatively, quickly falls down, wipes and "grows thin." If you choose a synthetic insulation, let it be a special structured material that is used in branded sports shoes. It reliably isolates from moisture, while leaving room for microcirculation of air.

Good winter boots in fur are made of leather with a lining of natural sheepskin. This is a thick enough and warm fur, over time, it slightly falls over the insole, forming something similar to felt, which took the individual characteristics of the foot. But rabbit or hare fur, despite its natural nature, can be considered a waste of money. "Lyset" such a heater in a matter of weeks.

Shoelaces or other types of fasteners?

There can be practically no disagreement here: a zipper on classic men's shoes is inappropriate, like stickers or puffs. Variants are possible only on the appropriate sports or tourist shoes, and then in combination with reliable laces. For example, winter boots "Adidas" for men - high-quality and comfortable shoes, but with an official costume is not combined at all.

Choosing shoes for the price

In the lower price segment there is a market, cheap shops and partly networks like "Centroobuv". The determining criterion when these budget winter boots are purchased is the price. Men's models of 2000 rubles can not long be worn by definition, but if they are lucky, they will last until the middle of winter. Of course, we are talking about daily wearing in different conditions, including bad weather.

Practical leaders

Thanks to modern materials and the latest shoe making techniques, the visual differences between types of shoes can be erased. For example, sports shoes for men's winter can look quite modest and laconic, almost within the office dress code, but they retain a high degree of practicality. For everyday wear with a semi-formal suit, such shoes fit almost perfectly.

According to buyers' feedback, the top three companies from the companies represented in our market are Columbia, Garmont and Merell. Three or five seasons such boots are excellent for maintaining, it is enough to take care of them regularly. They are followed by the brands Caterpiller, Salomon and Ecco. Vibram, GTX, Gore-tex or Sympatex technologies, already tested by consumers, are used in the products of all the listed companies, not only in urban conditions, but also long medium-range cross-country transitions.

Choosing winter boots, it is better to pay attention to the production of respected companies that rely on quality and own reputation, rather than on instant profit.