Great snow boots for the cold weather astronomer

[Dennis]

Hi Chris

I went to a sports store today with a thick pair of hiking socks in hand and found that although I could get into a size 10 US running shoe, it was a little tight, especially on the width as I have a wide foot (4E). Actually, my wife calls them hooves!

So, I ordered a US size 11, purely for the width comfort and I will live with the longer length as I really don’t enjoy shoes/boots that are too tight.

If anyone else is going to order these for astro camps in the next few weeks, get your skates on as I think that Elizabeth will be away for 2 or 3 weeks shortly.

As you said Chris, Elizabeth was lovely to speak with and very helpful.

Cheers

Dennis

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Good to hear Dennis I look forward to your thoughts on them. I had mine on Satuday night for a rather over-optimistic viewing session. No stars, rain and drizzle - and toasty comfort.

[astroron (Ron)]

I concur with what Dennis said about Elizabeth
I now await the delivery of my boots some time this week
I hope to wear them at the Ten Chain Hill opening night next Saturday
PS See Cambroon 20/06/09 thread for details on the above opening night.

[Greenswale (Wren)]

I grabbed a pair of these boots before Elizabeth headed off. A couple of points:

• Elizabeth is tremendously helpful.
• The boots are very well priced, and appear perfect for stargazers use.
• The stitching thread is fairly light, suggesting that the boots are best kept for light use.
• The upper material does not 'heal' where the thread passes through. I applied generous amounts of snow seal to the uppers, paying particular attention to the stitching, to reduce the chance of water entering.
• And best of all, Elizabeth is off for a trip to the Simpson Desert, including the Hay River. Now, that is a winner!!

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Greenswale

I grabbed a pair of these boots before Elizabeth headed off. A couple of points:

• Elizabeth is tremendously helpful.
• The boots are very well priced, and appear perfect for stargazers use.
• The stitching thread is fairly light, suggesting that the boots are best kept for light use.
• The upper material does not 'heal' where the thread passes through. I applied generous amounts of snow seal to the uppers, paying particular attention to the stitching, to reduce the chance of water entering.
• And best of all, Elizabeth is off for a trip to the Simpson Desert, including the Hay River. Now, that is a winner!!

Good to hear

I concur with everything you say. They're not a heavyweight boot like some of the Sorel models, but then again, they're priced very well and are certainly brilliant for our purpose. Elizabeth is great to deal with.

[dannat (Daniel)]

i didn't make it - their on hols for about 3wks

[astroron (Ron)]

I got mine a couple of days ago, but no observing since because of lousy weather.

[Dennis]

Hi fellow Nisquallians!

Mine arrived Friday morning and I eagerly tried them on – sheer bliss!

As mentioned previously, I was in a quandary; should I order US size 10 or 11? In the end I went for 11 based upon trying running shoes of size 10 and 11 with thick hiking socks the day before I placed the order.

The 11’s are certainly slightly too big in length and I suspect that an ideal size for me would have been 10½ although my 4E wide feet comfortably fill up the width of the 11’s. My wide fitting feet and painful experience with footwear has taught me to err on the side of slightly too large, unless you can try them on. If the full width of the 10’s were the same as the 11’s then arguably, the 10’s might have done but I didn’t want to risk a return.

In terms of boots, I am more used to wearing stiff hill walking and mountaineering boots so it was quite a novel experience to encounter the delightful, enveloping softness of the Nisqually’s. I wore them inside for a couple of hours and they kind of “disappeared” as they were so comfortable. They are a very easy boot to wear, although you do notice their size and presence!

My feet were very cosy with the thick hiking socks, inner felt liners and the soft leather outer of the boots. In terms of getting your feet in, you can either put the felt inner on your foot then insert the combo into the boot, or leave the felt inner inside the boot and slip your socked foot inside the combo – either way worked fine for me.

In terms of waterproofing, the sole/rand/lower upper is a sealed/bonded unit, with the leather/upper upper stitching at some 7-9cms above ground level so in theory, I reckon that you should be able to splash around in shallow water and keep your feet dry. Long, wet grass may wet the leather uppers so certainly some leather waterproofing treatment would be good, if not just to keep the soft uppers in good condition.

Compared to après ski boots which I saw retailing in the ski shops in Brisbane at around the $60-$70 mark, there is no comparison in terms of build and material quality, so these boots really do seem to represent good value for money. They look tough.

I’m still getting used to the fact that the sole is soft and bends compared to my stiffened sole mountaineering boots, but that is just what I have been used to.

So, thanks again Chris for finding the Nisqually’s; it is terrific to have a pair of sturdy, comfortable, warm and cosy boots that should last many, many seasons.

Cheers

Dennis

[astroron (Ron)]

I am with you Dennis,my Boots are just a little bit to long,. I went for the Size eleven American ten aussie I would have liked a half size smaller
But it lookes like another pair of socks will fill up the gap
At least my feet will be just that extra bit warmer

[Dennis]

Hi Ron

Mine won’t accommodate 2 pair of socks, although I’m sure if it drops to negative temperatures again at the Qld Astrofest, I just might chop off my toes to fit that extra pair! LOL!

If your boots are “uncomfortably” too big, maybe see if some other big foot in your circle of local astro friends would like to purchase them and then you order the next size down to replace them?

Like you, I definitely like my toes to move in my shoes – cramped toes are no fun!

Cheers

Dennis

[astroron (Ron)]

Hi Dennis, I think I can put up with the extra bit of room as I don't think I'll mind an extra pair of socks as I have a bit of circulation problem in my right foot which seems to get cold even though my left foot is nice and warm, so hopefully the extra room for another pair of socks will be a help

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

LOL! Good on you fellas - and thanks for the write-up Dennis Chop your toes off...

Being snow rather than hiking boots, the softer sole works better to mold around slippery underfoot terrain to obtain decent purchase. They're really a glorified pair of galoshes in this regard!

I'm glad you like them - I love mine. Comfy, comfy, comfy!

Go Nasqually!

[Dennis]

Hi fellow Nisquallians

Another fabulous feature of these boots is that you can remove your socked foot and felt inner together, from the outer boot and then pad around the kitchen making hot drinks with toast and jam, using the inners as comfy slippers!

This is an unexpected bonus for me, as previously I de-booted outdoors and padded around in socks indoors, to be greeted by cool boots outside the back door!

Whoopee – warm feet all night!

Cheers

Dennis

[coldspace]

How much is a pair of these boots sent up to Brisbane?

Regards Matt

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by coldspace

How much is a pair of these boots sent up to Brisbane?
Regards Matt

Hi Matt

Hah, you just caught me indoors brewing a cuppa with the 'scope purring away outside!

The postage costs were $22.00 so it wasn’t cheap but boy, has it been worth it for my 1st night out tonight.

If you put out a “Brisbane Nisqually boot purchase” post on the Forum you may be able to attract a few other interested people and this might make the postage a little cheaper?

Cheers

Dennis

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Matt

Hah, you just caught me indoors brewing a cuppa with the 'scope purring away outside!

The postage costs were $22.00 so it wasn’t cheap but boy, has it been worth it for my 1st night out tonight.

If you put out a “Brisbane Nisqually boot purchase” post on the Forum you may be able to attract a few other interested people and this might make the postage a little cheaper?

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks for that Dennis.

Regards Matt

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

Hmm, I thought the price had been listed in a previous post but upon checking, I couldn’t find it?

Anyhow, mine cost $xx.xx for the boots + the $22.00 postage. You can pay via direct bank transfer or credit card (+2.5% for cards I think).

I believe the shop is closed/on hols until around 13th July?

Cheers

Dennis

PS – if you want to view my pair before you buy, PM me to arrange a suitable date/time.

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Matt



Anyhow, for the boots + the $22.00 postage. You can pay via direct bank transfer or credit card (+2.5% for cards I think).

I believe the shop is closed/on hols until around 13th July?

Cheers

Dennis

PS – if you want to view my pair before you buy, PM me to arrange a suitable date/time.

I will give them a call and get a pair, thanks for the offer about checking them out but all will be good as I will send them a photo of my foot next to a ruler like you did.



Regards Matt

[erick (Eric)]

OK, I'm going to knock on their door to get a pair. My el-cheapo Apres Ski boots are warm but the inside is already breaking through to a very uncomfortable heel.

[coldspace]

PM received Chris via Dennis.
Adjustment made.

Regards Matt.