Where is he living? My DS went to college in Boston…and never owned a pair of boots like the ones we are talking about here. He had some high top inexpensive lace up things…sort of looked like sneakers. He wore good socks with them.
DD never owned a pair of boots in HS. She got UGGs when she went to college at Santa Clara where it never snows. Ok.
Oh…and we live in the northeast.
Is your kid planning to do winter hiking or snowshoeing?
Somerville, MA. He’s been wearing sneaks during a this snowstorm. They plan to go shopping over the weekend. They said this thread was very helpful.
Both of my kids are anti-Timberland. My son found a great pair of weatherized boots at Vans last year that he really liked. I checked out their website and don’t see that style but they do have other weatherized boots in sneaker or chukka style. I don’t think these are “shovel the 12” of snow in the driveway" boots but are definitely casual walk around snow/slushy sidewalk boots.
Here are the boots he got: They work great for walking around campus on snowy days (again when you are not the one responsible for clearing the snow).
They look nice. Is it ok to ask why your sons don’t like Timberland? U made me curious
I am curious too why not Timberland? My two that really like them…and they do last imo more than vans or other boots from a non-boot company. my two have very different feet so it can’t be a narrow wide thing. It’s probably that fad from 4 or 5 years ago for those timberland work boots that were “banana yellow” maybe. They were super popular with the late teen set back then.
My 19 year old son loves Timberlands. He works in a supermarket, is frequently unloading trucks, and they keep his feet warm and dry.
I think it was a bit of “everyone is wearing them” in our high school and they didn’t want to just go along with the crowd. He’s worn his Vans for a year now (but clearly they get less wear than his Van sneaks since they are a winter only shoe) and they still seem to be in great shape. But other than that, I would agree that Timberlands are generally a nice quality boot. I own a pair of Timberland winter boots that I think look nice and are well made and are not the traditional Timberland style - my only complaint is they are not as warm as I was expecting for extended wear when outside in the cold.
For spending any real amount of time outside in snow, our local Costco had Kamik winter boots for around $40. I have had my much pricier Sorels since the late 1980s and they are still going strong., similar style. They would be sledding hill-worthy but not mountain backcountry-worthy.
Many of the recommendations (including mine) look like walking around town boots. Intended use is most important.
When S2 was in Somerville, he had a pair of LLBean boots (the rubber bottom, fabric & leather top). They are size 15; I can put both of my size 9.5/10 feet inside one boot and have plenty of room left over. They really worked for him the winter of 2015 when there was so much snow.
I have scanned past the header for this thread a half dozen times, and until just now, I rept reading it as “books for a 30 yo man!”
Yes for super cold and snowy nothing like sorrels but the pacboot style is alittle warm for classrooms or to wear all day for work if you don’t work outside.
Once more…get GOOD socks. They can make all the difference regardless of the kind of boot you choose.
LL Bean boots are widely used as snow boots here. Just add good wool socks.
Timberlands also called Tims, especially the yellowish color, are very much seen as “hockey bro” footwear by my son, especially untied with laces dangling. He would not wear them for that reason as that isn’t who he is. Maybe it is just our area/circles.
@adlgel DS3, my young fashioisto, has Vans for school. Timberlands for hiking with scouts,
LLBean boots that are snow boots not duck boots. The tread is different.
We can talk all day about brand or style of boots but in the end he’s going to get what he likes - surely if he’s in college he can figure out how to buy a pair of boots! BUT what I would stress if he’s going to be using them in snow/ice: good treads, high enough that walking in 4 inches of snow doesn’ buy him a foot full of snow and waterproof. I also agree with the good socks comment by @thumper1
He’s in grad school, and lives with his g/f. She’s enjoyed reading this thread and has welcomed all the suggestions. They will shop on the weekend. As I’m in FL, I’m totally out of the loop. My son can Rely on me for fashion advice, just like I rely on him for tech advice.
My sons wear LL Bean, Timberland and Chukas. And why the comment @abasket ??? I think it’s great a Mom is helping her son with some suggestions.
Jeez!
bookmama, I saw the thread title and said to myself, “It’s BOOKMAMA! Why does she need help picking out books?”
If I were to ask this question again, I’d write “Waterproof boots for a 30 year old man”. It’s so important to have someone edit.
Keen, I haven’t met a male who doesn’t become a Emelda Marcos of Keen once they try a pair.
SIL is 28 and wears Sorels that D bought for him. They live in Brooklyn.