Waterproof boots during winter?

[converse2010]

Hi Bro and Sis, I'm heading to Tokyo and Hokkaido coming January.

My first time travelling during snow period though, not sure if getting a pair of Timberland waterproof boots would be essential or just any casual sneakers will do?

Will be walking around Tokyo and skiing in Hokkaido too..

 

[evilerniex]

Will be good to get a high cut waterproof boots for winter.
Coz it is going to be very cold and uncomfortable if snow gets into ur shoes, or melted snow seeps into it

 

[thwysg]

Waterproof boots are important. Get crampons if needed. Was using lightweight height-cut Columbia snow boots throughout my journey this Jan to Feb (three weeks). The mister bought mid-cut Montbell boots. Please don’t try your luck if your sizes were above US12. We had a hard time hunting his shoes in Sapporo.

 

[martin]

Waterproof boots are important. Get crampons if needed. Was using lightweight height-cut Columbia snow boots throughout my journey this Jan to Feb (three weeks). The mister bought mid-cut Montbell boots. Please don’t try your luck if your sizes were above US12. We had a hard time hunting his shoes in Sapporo.

The light weight columbia snow boots you wear good? Do they have the male equivalent? I have the Columbia Peakfreak Nomad Chuka, not a winter boot specifically, I wear them most times when I travel in cool weather and wore them in snowy conditions before too. Like it a lot but always felt i need a true winter boots someday but i only want light weight ones.

 

[thwysg]

The light weight columbia snow boots you wear good? Do they have the male equivalent? I have the Columbia Peakfreak Nomad Chuka, not a winter boot specifically, I wear them most times when I travel in cool weather and wore them in snowy conditions before too. Like it a lot but always felt i need a true winter boots someday but i only want light weight ones.

For me, it was good enough. It’s a Minx Mid II Omni-heat. Whiteout at Sounkyo Gorge so the powder snow was almost knee high. Had Bugaboot but couldn’t take the weight and the top of the boots was cutting my calves after one night. Too hard to walk around with a lot of pain. Only wore that twice for two separate winter trips (only 2D1N - Niigata and Sapporo) and I switched to sneakers instead. Bought Minx when I was in Sapporo (2nd trip) since we still had at least 10D in Hokkaido.

 

[deodorant]

I just wear waterproof hiking boots from decathlon, low cut ones, good enough for me. Don't really see the need to have super expensive 'proper' winter boots unless you're going to be stepping into deep snow.

 

[thwysg]

Agreed. If the places you’re heading to are not having powder snow, then you can just get any kind. For skiing, there’s shoes for rental. For my case, we were in outskirts (stayed at a lodge in Tokachi) plus the usual places, so we needed those shoes.

 

[deodorant]

For my case, we were in outskirts (stayed at a lodge in Tokachi) plus the usual places, so we needed those shoes.

Agreed and that's a good point, it really depends where you're going to walk around in. If (like me) you only stick to cities/towns and ski villages, there's really no need for dedicated winter shoes. On the other hand if you're planning to hike up to Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan peaks it's totally different story

 

[martin]

I just wear waterproof hiking boots from decathlon, low cut ones, good enough for me. Don't really see the need to have super expensive 'proper' winter boots unless you're going to be stepping into deep snow.

What model?

 

[converse2010]

Agreed and that's a good point, it really depends where you're going to walk around in. If (like me) you only stick to cities/towns and ski villages, there's really no need for dedicated winter shoes. On the other hand if you're planning to hike up to Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan peaks it's totally different story

Ahh.. pretty sure my itinerary got no hiking. Just around city and Hirafu village.

But even then, got no idea what sort of winter shoes/boots is suitable..

 

[thwysg]

Ahh.. pretty sure my itinerary got no hiking. Just around city and Hirafu village.

But even then, got no idea what sort of winter shoes/boots is suitable..

If your current shoes are waterproof, save the money and just get a pair of crampons. They cost less than ¥2,000.

 

[Din0saurus]

Ahh.. pretty sure my itinerary got no hiking. Just around city and Hirafu village.

But even then, got no idea what sort of winter shoes/boots is suitable..

I prefer wearing my my non-waterproof trail runners in the city although I always bring my waterproof boots. It’s just more comfortable. Never had snow melt and soak through so far. The important thing is to keep your core warm and wear long and thick merino socks. Darn Tough feels better than Smartwool although the price is similar.

 

[penanglang]

Hi Bro and Sis, I'm heading to Tokyo and Hokkaido coming January.

My first time travelling during snow period though, not sure if getting a pair of Timberland waterproof boots would be essential or just any casual sneakers will do?

Will be walking around Tokyo and skiing in Hokkaido too..

I'm living in Tokyo,my advise is ,the weather here is keep changing ,you should buy it after you arrive in Japan.See my facebook..Tokyo helper jane.

 

[WJY]

Get waterproof and skidproof boots

check this out

 

[Laundryman]

The key is you live in Tokyo. Converse2010 might not have time or know where to shop for the winter shoes in Japan.

Converse2010, consider buying from Amazon, can get fantastic branded winter/hiking shoes for less than S$100. My whole family did that without any mistakes. Just read reviews carefully. Another option is to quickly buy from Decathlon NOW before all gets snapped up.
Main danger is not water proofing, it’s black ice that can cause serious damage when you slip. Crampons are not that comfortable frankly. Our fashionable winter boots saw us safely from ski resorts to the cities. Your SG sneakers will not protect you from the cold and after wearing those thick socks will be too cramp.

I'm living in Tokyo,my advise is ,the weather here is keep changing ,you should buy it after you arrive in Japan.See my facebook..Tokyo helper jane.

 

[WJY]

This one seems like a good deal
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019NPIBLW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Alyeska]

I'm sorry for intruding. I'm traveling to West Japan this coming late November - I'm not too sure on what i should wear over there, especially footwear.
Personally did not travel in Fall before, could use some guide/advice or two. Much appreciated!

 

[Laundryman]

Hi Alyeska, unless you going Hokkaido, most places on other major island should not experience snow yet in late Nov.

Any good pair of comfortable walking shoes should suffice as can expect lots of walking from huge train stations

I'm sorry for intruding. I'm traveling to West Japan this coming late November - I'm not too sure on what i should wear over there, especially footwear.
Personally did not travel in Fall before, could use some guide/advice or two. Much appreciated!

 

[snap99]

I'm sorry for intruding. I'm traveling to West Japan this coming late November - I'm not too sure on what i should wear over there, especially footwear.
Personally did not travel in Fall before, could use some guide/advice or two. Much appreciated!

Normal shoes good enough. In japan wear comfortable walking shoes because you will be doing lots of that.

 

[Ruriel]

I'm sorry for intruding. I'm traveling to West Japan this coming late November - I'm not too sure on what i should wear over there, especially footwear.
Personally did not travel in Fall before, could use some guide/advice or two. Much appreciated!

I'm going mid Nov till late Nov, and I'll just be wearing my trusty Asics sports shoes. I went Tokyo in Dec2016 with this pair of shoes too and there's no issues (except for the day I went Shirakawa-Go coz it suddenly snowed quite hard on the day we reached and we didn't expect it.) It won't be snowing in Nov though, so you'll be fine with a good pair of comfortable shoes.