Looking for new walking shoes, waterproof socks and sturdy winter shoes.
I'm in the market for several pieces of footwear.
New, ideally breathable, walking shoes: I've had a pair of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38s since 2020. I bought them because I worked at an Amazon warehouse and thus was on my feet for 9 1/2 hours, I needed cushioning. Well, the Pegasus cushioning effect has long since worn out. These won't be for jogging, I know I have to get a foot scan at a speciality running store for that.
Waterproof socks and waterproof shoe covers that don't cost a damn fortune: looking at you, Bridgedale StormSocks. $65 for one pair? What, will the socks do my taxes too?
A sturdy men's winter shoe for days with snowy/icy sidewalks. I assume the waterproof socks above can also be used with them, to keep my feet warm. I've never tried on a winter shoe before, is it better to first go to Sporting Life or something and try a few pairs, see how I like them? What are the common beginner's winter shoes for when people don't shovel their damn sidewalks?
* A specific budget in numbers: $100-125 CAD for the walking shoes, ideally less. I am not familiar with the market for everything else. If I can get several pairs of waterproof socks + waterproof shoe covers for $50 CAD, that would be ideal (can go higher if necessary). Sturdy winter shoes, I assume I won't be getting anything for under $250-300 CAD, even used. Good quality shit costs money, after all.
* Your vague location: Vancouver, Canada
* Whether you would prefer to buy in person or if online is fine: Either is fine
* Timescales: The highest urgency is with waterproof socks and shoe covers. I want to be prepared before the next atmospheric river event. Everything else: if I can get them within 2-3 weeks, that would be great.
* Whether you're happy to buy second hand: Yes
* Specific body measurements beyond your height and weight: Men's US 10 (10 1/2 in composite-toe shoes). Can go down to 9 1/2 in AF1s (mids/highs) with a long shoehorn and a lot of squeezing.
Thanks.
16 Replies
can I ask why you would need waterproof socks? Must be a very niche product if it exists because your feet will sweat and then just sit in the fluid all day
Sneakers/comfortable walking shoes that are fashionable currently vary a lot
If it were me I’d find a pair of ASICS or new balance
On sale they go under $125 CAD, even for the pricier models
For winter shoes I would probably go to an outdoor store and find a hiking boot or hiking shoe that fits. You could also try Danner or Sorel for a winter-focused boot, but I find you often have to sacrifice comfort (if that’s a priority)
Someone else may have recs for the overshoes, I’ve never owned a pair
insulated/lined blundstones + thick wool socks are hard to beat for waterproof warmth.
Wool socks in general are great for keeping your feet temp regulated and dry. Darn Tough is the most recommended socks brand here, but we've had a few sock recommendation threads recently if you want more options.
Big fan of Sorel from when I lived in Syracuse NY in regards to your winter shoes for walking on ice/snow/sidewalks
You dont need waterproof socks, just waterproof shoes
Big recommendations also on waterproof Salomon shoes/boots for walking
Hoka is the standard pick for super cushined walking shoes and are amazing. I own some on the recommendation of a few friends who are nurses (standing alll day for work)
Not sure why you'd get shoe covers rather than just waterproof shoes. Generally Sorel/Salmon waterproof boots will be waterproof short of walking through a literal river for more than a minute
at that point I'd recommend just getting some rubber boots like Hunter boots
I spend a lot of time outside in wet and cold weather (and my climate isn't too different to Vancouver) - my honest advice is to forego waterproofing and concentrate on stuff that is warm when wet. Waterproof socks are basically useless in my experience, as are shoe covers. Water gets in your ankles pretty quickly then they just fill with cold dirty water. Wool socks and a pair of lined boots or water resistant hikers are probably best bet. I have some hoka walking shoes that are pretty good in that context.
For the breathable walking shoes. Waterproofed walking shoes will make your feet sweat. But breathable ones are susceptible to standing water or puddles (which are common here), hence the waterproof socks to compensate.
They don't have to necessarily be at the cutting edge of fashion, but cushioning effects and breathable exterior material like with the Pegasus are essential because I volunteer for a food bank and thus am usually on my feet during my shifts.
Because the rain in Vancouver isn't like the downpours you see east of the Rockies, yet it can still soak my sneakers, especially after an atmospheric river event. The region's topography makes standing water easy to hide.
Oh and it goes without saying, but an "atmospheric river" is not literally a river. It looks more like this.
Speak of the devil, I'm near an outdoor wear store. I'll bring all the suggestions there.
-Wool socks
-Lined boots or water resistant hikers
So wool socks to keep my feet warm when wet, and lined Hokas for comfort (that won't also make your feet sweat Iike a motherfucker), would be the best combination?
@Chopper Yesterday I went to my local Sporting Life. Closest U.S. equivalent would probably be a cross between REI and a more upscale Dick's Sporting Goods. Here are my notes; anything that stands out? For wool socks, they have Smartwool hiking socks for $30 CAD/pair.
I tried three Hoka pairs:
* Clifton 9: Roomy and cushiony
* Rincon 4 and Mach 6: Too tight along the tongue/throat
Sporting Life didn't have any water-resistant Hokas, only the fully waterproof ones (Transport GTX more specifically).
As for winter shoes, the salesperson recommended two pairs.
* North Face Bergen Leather WP: Loose around the shaft even at the highest eyelet level, but comfortable up front.
* Columbia Bugaboot (10 1/2): Too tight. They didn't have size 11s.
For a lark I also went to the nearby Nike store. Pegasus 41s fit perfectly, they also had Pegasus 41 GTX and Infinity RN 4 Gore-Tex but I didn't try them on because, you know...feet will get sweaty. I also saw a spray-on water repellent but don't know if it actually works.
If you want any kind of waterproofing you'll have to deal with compromised breathability. I find modern lined shoes not too bad in this regard, certainly better than waterproof socks. Your mileage may vary.
Smart wool socks will be decent. Water repellent spray is a waste of time and money.
My hokas are some eVent lined tor ultra low. They're water resistant, not waterproof and I've done 25 mile hikes in them in the height of summer without concerns about unduly sweaty feet.
Nearly no gtx or eVent lined shoe is waterproof though. Ankle hole and rate of immersion will get your feet wet pretty quickly regardless.
These ones?
https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/all-gender-footwear/tor-ultra-lo/1130310.html
Nearly no gtx or eVent lined shoe is waterproof though. Ankle hole and rate of immersion will get your feet wet pretty quickly regardless.Hence the question about winter shoes. The tops of my Pegasus 38s are swiss cheese and we're due for more snow tonight, so Pegasus 41s and North Face Bergen Leather WPs are both on my list. Opinions? Also, these are the only Tors in stock. What do you think? https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/search/?q=Tor&lang=en_CA
Those and wool socks are what I use without any issues. A high top might help in snowy situations. But your mileage may vary, or you find you have different preferences to me. North Face Bergen's certainly look a better option than the pegasus 41 to me (which is a summer road running shoe?) for winter.
Some clarification:
-I wouldn't wear a Pegasus when there's snow out (which is extremely rare in Vancouver anyway, unfortunate timing on my part). I just need to replace my old 38s.
Didn't know it's strictly a summer shoe, does that mean it's not to be used when it's raining? Like I said, these were originally for Amazon. Now I volunteer for a food bank and my shifts are in a climate controlled warehouse, I can keep them in my backpack and l swap out snow boots when I get to the warehouse.
-Unfortunately, the OG Tors are no longer sold. They've been replaced by:
* Tor Summit
* Elite Terrain Tor Summit
* Elite Terrain Tor Ultra Lo
* Elite Terrain Tor Ultra Hi
Which alternative SKUs do you recommend for lined Hokas? Failing that, another option would be something like a Clifton 9, which is $75-100 cheaper than a Tor. Like the Pegasus, I can keep them in my backpack.
https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/mens-view-all/
I have hoka tor summits and they are decent. Fit slightly tight in the toe, would have gone half a size bigger for my foot. They are not generally advertised as waterproof but I haven’t had any trouble in snow or wet conditions
They're also nearly $300 CAD. Dear God that's pricey
I wear a 10 in most shoes, would an 11 be too roomy?
Probably would work for me but likely depends on the shape of your foot
I got mine for around 150 CAD on sale I think