<p>could use some help. On line merchants don’t exactly tell how to size the snow boots.</p>
<p>also can the normal hiking boots work?..the snow boots weigh about 4 lb. that is 4% of his weight.</p>
<p>if you look at sites like what outside magazine runs that evaluate gear- there are usually reviews taht indicate how things fit ( or even zappos)
I have found them to be pretty true to size- I especially like North Face boots- they also have a little notch on the heel that so they work for snowshoes too</p>
<p>He’'l be going to Princeton, right? waterproof hiking boots will work fine. Those made with GoreTex are breathable and are more expensive (~$100). LLBean and Land’s End both sell waterproof hiking boots for less (~$50). The concern is not so much snow but slush and rain. My S, who walks to school, often comes home with sneakers sopping wet (ditto knapsack, but that’s another issue). He occasionally wears snow boots. They’re light. I forget the brand but I remember they’re made in Canada. But we get more snow than Princeton.
For size, either buy the same size as shoes or one size higher, especially if he is going to wear thick socks.</p>
<p>Hey Simba,
even athletic shoe sizes vary–within the “same” size. Where is your son going? If you’re really looking for snow boots, I’d recommend a “pack” boot like the Sorel Caribou. They tend to fit big, but I’m sure you can find someplace where you are to try them on, and then you can compare the online prices. Normal <em>waterproof</em> hiking boots can work as well, as long as they’re tall enough. Pack boots are a bit heavy, but they do keep the snow out, and your feet very warm and dry in the worst conditions.</p>
<p>Sorel is the brand of boots my S has.</p>
<p>marite: sorel caribou weigh 5 lbs…I think we will just wait and buy the snow gear from NJ. Today, I spent several hours looking for those and heavy duty winter jackets. My city doesn’t carry them - including REI store.</p>
<p>Simba, In NJ you can get away without snow boots for the most part! I had assumed you were talking about NE.</p>
<p>Simba:</p>
<p>My S did not buy the Sorel Caribou: that would be good for the North Pole! He got a much lighter and less warm model (remember that he was in school–overheated–for six hours a day). As for heavy duty winter jackets, I doubt you can find them in catalogs yet. In Boston, we’re having 90 degrees weather right now. He can wait until he gets to Princeton. Driver is right. He won’t need snow boots for much of the year.</p>
<p>Princeton! Oh my, no, I was thinking Williams/Middlebury–maybe Boston etc. when I mentioned Sorels. At Princeton, you could easily get away with Totes high-top galoshes worn over your sneakers on rare occasions. Seriously.</p>
<p>New Englander, so I usually get my boots a size larger than usual in order to accommodate the thicker socks. However, if you’re talking about New Jersey, some decent warmer-than-sneakers shoes with a good tread should be fine. Worry more about the coat than the shoes.</p>
<p>Driver & Simba:</p>
<p>Last winter, my H hunted high and low for Totes galoshes locally. He was told that with waterproofed shoes–some look exactly like regular shoes–. Totes are less popular. This is Boston.</p>
<p>Look up this site:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.shopping.com/xGS-waterproof_shoes~CLT-DYK[/url]”>http://www.shopping.com/xGS-waterproof_shoes~CLT-DYK</a></p>
<p>Marite,
The last time I bought Totes, we were in Williamsburg, and there were torrential rains. We needed something to wear over our sneakers. We saved them, and they’ve become useful contingency elements of our travel packing.</p>
<p>NJ? My son wears his converse sneakers through the winter here in Northeastern PA. If he’s really going to be out in it, shoveling or snowblowing, he will put on his hiking boots but I wouldn’t buy them early. Just wait until Christmas break.</p>
<p>Driver, my H takes public transport to work, and he likes to wear Totes over his shoes in winter if it rains or snows. Unfortunately, they split, hence the hunt for Totes. I think he now has bought some over the internet, and, concerned they may disappear, has gotten some spares. My kids wear waterproof shoes or boots. So do I.</p>
<p>I either wear my clogs if I really want to get out of the water- or my Lowa hikers ( Nordstroms also carries some boot that have waterproofing- but they are only good if you aren’t drowning in it).
Marite
vermont country store often has items that used to be popular but have been pushed aside in favor of NEW things that don’t work as well
They still have the bonne bell musk oil that I used to love in junior high for instance 
These don’t look like the kind that go over your shoes though
<a href=“The Best of Vermont from The Vermont Country Store to your door!”>The Best of Vermont from The Vermont Country Store to your door!;
<p>About the totes… I’ve never seen anyone under 35 wearing them…</p>
<p>You’re darn straight I own Totes. 
Fashion means a whole lot less when it’s -15F out and there’s four feet of snow on the ground. Get what works, not what looks good.</p>
<p>Of course, I’m talking about boots, not the things that slip over shoes (never seen those before).</p>
<p>I think what kathie means is that totes appear to be made for people who want something to go with their business clothes
there have always been alternatives for those who are wearing boots with jeans and goretex.
I like my docs in snow even if it is slushy they have fantastic soles and I can adjust the temp with socks
WHen I was growing up in the outer wilds of Kirkland- all we had in snow were rubber rain boots that went over your shoes. your shoe got stuck inside so you wore a plastic baggie over your shoe between the boot. They didn’t come up high enough to keep the snow out, but theoretically they kept your feet dry ( but they really didn’t because what with the rubber boot and the plastic bag your foot was wet with sweat and slush.)</p>
<p>I like trail runners too they have good soles and if I am just walking around town in Winthrop- where they more or less shovel the sidewalks they are fine- for 15 below I am probably inside at least you know if it is that cold it is dry, I hate the slush that we get then it freezes so you might as well have ice skates as anything.</p>
<p>Most kids I know wear “hikers” in the winter. They are ankle high, with lugged sole and uppers of suede or leather and gortex. If you don’t get gortex ($$) you can spray the outside with waterproofing once or twice each winter.</p>
<p>Yes, I was talking about the slip on totes. For real snow days (or Eagles football games) my husband wears an outgrown pair of our son’s Merrell hiking boots. These are warm and waterproof and yes, same size as his sneakers. Our son wears his Asolo hiking boots, also leftovers from Philmont hiking. But, we really don’t have MONTHS of snow. We’ll have a few weeks and unless you are clearing it, or playing in it, once the sidewalks and roads are clear sneaks are much more comfortable. </p>
<p>Hiking boots are heavy and also a very personal purchase. My daughter wanted a pair of hiking boots for summer camp and it took a few pairs until she found one that was comfortable. After we bought them and she was sure that she was going to keep them, I waterproofed them. That waterproofing stuff works really well. You can buy it at any outdoor type store.</p>