# A question about winter boots

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-winter-boots/709538>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 11, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-winter-boots/709538 "2015-01-11T15:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-winter-boots/709538/21 "2015-01-14T04:41:30Z")

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> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> The answer is [Sorel](http://www.sorel.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Sorel_US-Site/en_US/Default-Start) Boots. They’ve gone upscale on design, but these things are WARM.

You bet. I’ve been wearing Sorels for nearly 15 years and love them. The felt liner is so warm that I can wear my boots barefoot for short dog walks and my feet stay warm.

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**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-winter-boots/709538/22 "2015-01-14T16:25:48Z")

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Sounds like you might be a good candidate for Vapor Barrier socks. The concept is counter-intuitive; they keep the sweat next to your skin which appears to stop further sweating. You can find lots of theoretical arm-chair explorers who say they can’t possibly work and you can also find people hiking for weeks in alpine or polar conditions who depend on Vapor Barrier clothing and equipment for their very survival.

Here are a couple of starting places:

[Stephenson’s Warmlite](http://warmlite.com/vapor-barrier)

> **[Vapor Barrier Liners: Theory & Application - Andrew Skurka](https://andrewskurka.com/vapor-barrier-liners-theory-application/)**
>
> Occasionally during the FAQ portion of my slideshows, and frequently at the start of every winter, I receive questions about vapor barrier liners (VBL’s). The content and tone of these questions suggest a general misunderstanding of and slight...

Note that you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You can do some very cheap experimenting with plastic bread bags or freezer bags once you understand the concept.

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**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-winter-boots/709538/23 "2015-01-15T01:26:39Z")

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> [@Hello\_Again](#):
>
> Yes, wool _socks_ are the shiznit for all the next-to-skin properties you describe, but as an insulation, wool is so much heavier than the other options, you can’t get enough into a boot to make it comparably warm.
> 
> As I said, synthetics are warmer for the weight. That doesn’t make them the best choice in every application.

Merino Wool is the type I’m talking about. It’s far lighter with same properties. I never have any troubles with them…supposedly they are good for summer wear as well but no way I’d try nor do I see how.  
Perhaps this videos helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGu1PyxFQ64

The issue for me typically is when I'm on the snow/ice and sometimes on steel equipment for some 8 hours....the cold soaks through regardless of how dry you are. I'll probably just end up trying some of those 2400 gram thinsulate boots and avoid the PAC liners.

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