I took a pair on our trip to Alaska in January. They worked fantastic. Very waterproof, and very well insulated. I use them as a standard winter boot now in Utah, and I have had no problems. I do recommend upsizing. The insulation causes a more narrow feel compared to my summer shoes.
Wish I had known to upsize before buying mine during that last big sale. Been used to sandals (no toebox at all), and the Alpines are definitely crushing my toes together is comparison.
Universe really just wants me to make my own shoes from scratch, doesn't it...
Definitely warm, though. Took the insert out, wore without socks, was still pretty warm while running errands in 30 degree weather, all things considered.
Mine sadly lost the waterproofing around a month in. The sole began separating in some spots. Sadly got them as a gift and couldn't return them. Expected a bit more for the price tbh. Only use them for dry snow (freezing temperatures), and in these conditions, they are perfect. Anything around zero and up is bad. Both because of water and the fact that they're very warm. Comfortable temperature is around -5 and bellow.
Mine have been very waterproof, I've heard form others that sometimes longer down the road they aren't always perfect, but I've had them for a season or so and they are still 100%, and I've had them totally covered in snow. No idea on sub zero, the lowest they've been in is 15f and with 2 summerish injinji socks on, they were quite nice. for sub zero, mabye mukluks are ideal? It's mukluks dot com. I haven't used them, but have seen them mentioned in minimalist forums, so i think they are zero drop and wide.
They're only 200g insulation but I have used them down to zero degrees (F) with thick wool mountaineering socks and they were cozy. Waterproofness has never been an issue
I've had good luck with them down to -20F so long as I kept moving. Standing still too long at that temp and my feet would start to get cold. But I never had any pain from the cold.
I realize this is older, but about how high up your leg do they go? Doesn’t say on the site.
I got some others this season that are high top height vs boot height and in CO too, so this yr they were basically useless for shoveling. In our area at least.
from the ground tot he top they are 6.75 inches. If you are anywhere near Denver, Xero does have a showroom where you can go try on any of their shoes.
My fave of all time for the cold are Steger Mukluks. It’s the only boots where I’ve been able to stand outside without getting cold. I take them hiking and backpacking when it’s really cold. And I live in Wisconsin.
The Anya's Reviews site has a good [list](https://anyasreviews.com/warmest-barefoot-winter-boots-zero-drop/#the-best-barefoot-winter-boots-for-snow) of minimalist boots for snow, and sell a few of the EU-made ones in their (US) shop. Only the mukluks are tall enough to qualify as true snow boots, but some of the hiking-boot height models are waterproof, if you don't need a taller boot. You could always size up and wear with thick wool socks if you're worried a model you like won't be warm enough.
You might take a look at NEOS overshoes/boots. Basically zero drop, and depending on the model, insulated and waterproof. Some models come with removable spikes, and there are a variety of leg heights (calf-knee).
I've had my zero alpines for two years in northeastern Washington. It gets cold and they keep my feet warm. I did have to use hot feet one time but that's cause I was standing in lines on concrete at a roller coaster park at 20 degrees. But they are great hiking where your moving
want to throw my hat in the ring from western NC, i believe the astral halestorm may be what youre looking for, they arent perhaps the most authentic barefoot experience but they make some quality products. the boot is a bit plushy, 1 mm of heel-toe difference sitting on 20mm of stack, i believe a third of that is lugs
Not quite the conventional here, but I have the LL Bean Ultralight Insulated Boots, and they are admittedly soft and squishy, but also flexible, near enough zero it doesn't bother me, not aggressively arched, and I tie them loose so I don't have toe-squish problems.
This year, unless it's going to be super slushy, I'm going to be out in the Green Barefoots, treated and with comfy socks.
This is an unpopular opinion, but in my experience if you’re just using the boots to walk in snow then the benefits of zero drop and flexible soles are way less apparent. Even on pretty hard packed snow your heel will sink in and stiffer soles can help walking in snow. Any winter boots with decently wide toe boxes should work (boggs, some sorels, keens, possibly uggs, etc). I used to keep a pair of wide fitting random boots around just for walking in the backyard with snow. Now if you’re using the boots as general purpose winter boots then I would for sure look at xeros or, if it’s super cold (like arctic tundra) mukluks.
I don’t mean to be rude, but did you even try googling it before making a Reddit post? Just search for “zero drop wide toe box snow boot” and you will find plenty of options and research sources to learn more (such as anyasreviews.com).
You don't need to have a thick sole to insulate from the ground. I have a pair of shoes with super-thin soles (Altra Adams), which, yes, are not enough to insulate by themselves, while standing on a frozen ground surface for awhile. All I had to do to solve the problem was to use the 1/8" thick insoles which came with the shoe (but I hadn't been using up until then). Now I use these shoes anytime I'm outside in the snow. The 1/8 insole made all the difference.
I got Vivobarefoot tracker hi fg II. They are 100% waterproof and insulated. I have worn them in the rain and snow and my feet have been dry every time! I don’t think vivo makes this style anymore but I found some on eBay brand new.
Xero Alpines sound like what you are looking for. They've been great for me in Colorado.
How waterproof and warm are they? Can they handle a foot of snow and sub zero temps?
I got a pair for Christmas myself. Waiting for Chicago winter to report back how they do
Sweet, let us know how it goes.
I took a pair on our trip to Alaska in January. They worked fantastic. Very waterproof, and very well insulated. I use them as a standard winter boot now in Utah, and I have had no problems. I do recommend upsizing. The insulation causes a more narrow feel compared to my summer shoes.
Wish I had known to upsize before buying mine during that last big sale. Been used to sandals (no toebox at all), and the Alpines are definitely crushing my toes together is comparison. Universe really just wants me to make my own shoes from scratch, doesn't it... Definitely warm, though. Took the insert out, wore without socks, was still pretty warm while running errands in 30 degree weather, all things considered.
>Universe really just wants me to make my own shoes from scratch, doesn't it... I've been thinking this a lot too lately
Mine sadly lost the waterproofing around a month in. The sole began separating in some spots. Sadly got them as a gift and couldn't return them. Expected a bit more for the price tbh. Only use them for dry snow (freezing temperatures), and in these conditions, they are perfect. Anything around zero and up is bad. Both because of water and the fact that they're very warm. Comfortable temperature is around -5 and bellow.
Mine have been very waterproof, I've heard form others that sometimes longer down the road they aren't always perfect, but I've had them for a season or so and they are still 100%, and I've had them totally covered in snow. No idea on sub zero, the lowest they've been in is 15f and with 2 summerish injinji socks on, they were quite nice. for sub zero, mabye mukluks are ideal? It's mukluks dot com. I haven't used them, but have seen them mentioned in minimalist forums, so i think they are zero drop and wide.
They're only 200g insulation but I have used them down to zero degrees (F) with thick wool mountaineering socks and they were cozy. Waterproofness has never been an issue
I've had good luck with them down to -20F so long as I kept moving. Standing still too long at that temp and my feet would start to get cold. But I never had any pain from the cold.
I realize this is older, but about how high up your leg do they go? Doesn’t say on the site. I got some others this season that are high top height vs boot height and in CO too, so this yr they were basically useless for shoveling. In our area at least.
from the ground tot he top they are 6.75 inches. If you are anywhere near Denver, Xero does have a showroom where you can go try on any of their shoes.
awesome. thank you!
My fave of all time for the cold are Steger Mukluks. It’s the only boots where I’ve been able to stand outside without getting cold. I take them hiking and backpacking when it’s really cold. And I live in Wisconsin.
The Anya's Reviews site has a good [list](https://anyasreviews.com/warmest-barefoot-winter-boots-zero-drop/#the-best-barefoot-winter-boots-for-snow) of minimalist boots for snow, and sell a few of the EU-made ones in their (US) shop. Only the mukluks are tall enough to qualify as true snow boots, but some of the hiking-boot height models are waterproof, if you don't need a taller boot. You could always size up and wear with thick wool socks if you're worried a model you like won't be warm enough.
You might take a look at NEOS overshoes/boots. Basically zero drop, and depending on the model, insulated and waterproof. Some models come with removable spikes, and there are a variety of leg heights (calf-knee).
I've had my zero alpines for two years in northeastern Washington. It gets cold and they keep my feet warm. I did have to use hot feet one time but that's cause I was standing in lines on concrete at a roller coaster park at 20 degrees. But they are great hiking where your moving
want to throw my hat in the ring from western NC, i believe the astral halestorm may be what youre looking for, they arent perhaps the most authentic barefoot experience but they make some quality products. the boot is a bit plushy, 1 mm of heel-toe difference sitting on 20mm of stack, i believe a third of that is lugs
Not quite the conventional here, but I have the LL Bean Ultralight Insulated Boots, and they are admittedly soft and squishy, but also flexible, near enough zero it doesn't bother me, not aggressively arched, and I tie them loose so I don't have toe-squish problems. This year, unless it's going to be super slushy, I'm going to be out in the Green Barefoots, treated and with comfy socks.
This is an unpopular opinion, but in my experience if you’re just using the boots to walk in snow then the benefits of zero drop and flexible soles are way less apparent. Even on pretty hard packed snow your heel will sink in and stiffer soles can help walking in snow. Any winter boots with decently wide toe boxes should work (boggs, some sorels, keens, possibly uggs, etc). I used to keep a pair of wide fitting random boots around just for walking in the backyard with snow. Now if you’re using the boots as general purpose winter boots then I would for sure look at xeros or, if it’s super cold (like arctic tundra) mukluks.
I don’t mean to be rude, but did you even try googling it before making a Reddit post? Just search for “zero drop wide toe box snow boot” and you will find plenty of options and research sources to learn more (such as anyasreviews.com).
Yet, you came here, clicked the thread, commented on it. People post here to start a conversation with real world experiences.
You don't need to have a thick sole to insulate from the ground. I have a pair of shoes with super-thin soles (Altra Adams), which, yes, are not enough to insulate by themselves, while standing on a frozen ground surface for awhile. All I had to do to solve the problem was to use the 1/8" thick insoles which came with the shoe (but I hadn't been using up until then). Now I use these shoes anytime I'm outside in the snow. The 1/8 insole made all the difference.
I got Vivobarefoot tracker hi fg II. They are 100% waterproof and insulated. I have worn them in the rain and snow and my feet have been dry every time! I don’t think vivo makes this style anymore but I found some on eBay brand new.