Still in Canada for a few months. I was talking to you about the Nobis parka, it's time to address the essential question of shoes.
As I have experienced several times, a pair of classic sneakers no longer constitutes, after a few hours , serious protection against the cold, because the sole is not effective enough to protect against the cold which arrives from the ground. In addition, if the snow has fallen, the cold will creep in even more quickly because the shoes will quickly become damp.
H ow do you wear shoes effectively when you have your feet in the snow or are exposed to freezing cold? Remember, even after choosing an effective parka , your feet are also an area to be carefully covered .
A good pair of winter boots
Without talking about style, first consider that your shoes must:
- have a thick sole (we can’t repeat this enough, it’s a “key factor” as Benoit would say.)
Note: Vibram is known for its thick and comfortable soles. A feeling of walking on a cushion of air, with a little more style than an Air Max sole. I can only advise you enough to invest (again and again) in these kinds of brands that have proven themselves .
- be waterproof (optional) if you plan to use wet places.
The shoe covering can be a technical material or leather waterproofed by you. Beware of chemical waterproofers which will suffocate the leather and damage it more quickly. A Famaco bomb will save you a lot of hassle. Dry your shoes thoroughly after use, with newspaper on the bottom to absorb moisture.
- be comfortable . Because feeling too compressed and developing blisters during your little walk is not cool.
Don't listen to the salesman who will tell you that " it relaxes" . Unless they are made of leather: you will then need to wear them a little before, so that the leather relaxes and takes the shape of your feet . The presence of " padded leather collar " (these cushions at the top of the heel found at Timberland) is a good indicator of the care taken to ensure user comfort.
The composition of a “ Ye llow Boot” Timb e rland
leaves no room for chance.
- be solid : to have time to make your investment profitable. Do some research on product longevity based on your usage.
The materials used will give you an idea of what you have in your hands. If you handle the shoe a little, you will be able to see the apparent solidity of the product and the quality of the assembly, in particular the stitching and the care taken in fixing the rivets. Even the laces that come with the shoe can be an indicator of quality.
Abington Collection by Timberland
When the cold penetrates through the fine leather of your sneakers, it's time to upgrade to a more sturdy shoe. That's how I trusted Abington , the Timberland range inspired by American workers, which aims to offer a more robust shoe suitable for hard work, without having to sacrifice its design.
Concretely: a lumberjack boot that crosses rivers, cuts trees in the early morning and sometimes (often) goes camping in the Klondike.
Are you tired of Yellow Boots seen and reviewed? Attention, let's go for the test!
When Abington and Nobis did not exist,
we had to wrap ourselves in leathers and furs.
Abington's classic model is the Hiking Boot. Faithfully representing the brand's DNA, it is designed with:
- a Vibram outsole , in a shock-absorbing material, it allows you to walk on rocky terrain and distributes the weight for better, improved support and improved walking comfort.
- a GoodYear assembly which prevents water from penetrating through the gaps in the shoe. The foot is therefore isolated from any infiltration of any kind.
- anti-fatigue technology which further improves walking comfort, developed so that heavy walkers can walk all day without suffering.
In addition to that, we find the “Padded Leather Collar” which softens the friction of the ankle on the edge of the shoe .
The " eyelets " have been replaced by "D Rings", securely anchored lace retaining rings, which allow easier lacing of the shoe . Do not hesitate to apply hiker lacing techniques , always useful to know, to release tension on the top of the foot or to ensure the firmness of the lacing.
I would like to draw your attention to the quality of the leathers used: particular care was taken in the choice of materials (= sourcing ), since these are two century-old companies, with experience in the field of tanning, which supply the leather to make these shoes.
We find Horween Leather , an American company which has worked with many industries, including the automobile industry (Chrysler, Chevrolet, Ford and General Motors).
The second company is Charles F. Stead & Co , an English company which participated in the manufacture of derby shoes, brogues and other desert boots, for many brands for the Queen.
Abington X Woolrich A/W 2013
For Winter 2013, a new collaboration was carried out with two big brands in the textile sector: I named Woolrich and Cordura.
Woolrich is an "outdoor" ready-to-wear brand that offers quality clothing, suitable for the cold. Twice a century old, this company has kept its heritage from the American Civil War and offers clothing very inspired by American trappers and hunters of the 70s . Geoffrey also acquired a parka and cargo pants from them, and seems very satisfied!
The collaboration with Woolrich consisted of covering the shoe with synthetic wool (entirely from recycled plastic), in order to provide the shoe with additional insulating power .
The covering features a light pattern of red tiles on a dark gray background. The red laces contrast with the general look of the shoe which, with its black sole, gives a massive and raw appearance to the whole.
The black leather finishes give an original style to this frankly virile and effective collaboration.
You can count on between 180 euros and 220 euros for this collaboration with largely achieved objectives: comfortable, effective against the cold and with a very successful design.
In terms of size, I would say it is a TTS (True To Size). I wear 45, which is 11 US and 10.5 UK, which corresponds more or less to 29 cm of insole.
My opinion on this pair
My experience with these shoes was positive! As with my parka, my foot felt like it was well wrapped. I wore them non-stop for the first two weeks and never had my feet hurt at the end of the day.
It is also important to note that the shoes smell very little after intensive use . Timberland has used anti-bacterial materials to limit the appearance of bad odors. A more than welcome innovation knowing that the foot does not breathe much with this covering.
No need to wear socks that are too thick either. On the one hand, they are compressed by the shoe and reduce blood circulation in the feet. On the other hand, the wool which insulates the shoe is already very effective.
Abington X Cordura A/W 2013
Cordura fabric is designed to resist friction and impact. It is on average 4 times stronger than nylon and is used for work clothing, bags or even army equipment... Property Of, Herschel, Carhartt and many other brands sometimes use Cordura for their products intended for workers, travelers and even students.
On the Abington X Cordura Hiking Boot , we find the characteristics of the classic Hiking Boot in addition to being covered with the famous Cordura fabric.
The color chosen for the sole and laces differs from the collaboration with Woolrich. I really appreciate the green and black touches of the shoe which give it a more “military” inspiration.
I acquired this pair after wearing the collaboration with Woolrich for a while. I was so satisfied that I absolutely had to try the collaboration with Cordura (I was able to get them in a store that was having a promotion for 80 dollars :D).
This collaboration is slightly less effective in resisting the cold , but still remains sufficient to be well insulated, without excess heat.
I intend it for use in uneven terrain , where they will be more suitable than the Woolrich, because the Cordura absorbs shocks and scratches very well without marking the blows.
For me, this is the better of the two collaborations because it is more likely to last over time .
My review of Abington
Repeated use of these 2 pairs of Abingtons in difficult conditions allows me to have a much more informed opinion: neither the snow, nor the hours of walking, nor the daily -20°C to -30°C, have not succeeded in diminishing my satisfaction in wearing these comfortable, practical and much more elegant shoes than a usual pair of hiking shoes.
Maintenance is not laborious since they are not covered in leather.
In the case of a leather shoe, I should have cleaned the leather every evening to prevent it from being eaten away by the chemical salt (spread to melt ice) which discolors and alters it . Its effect is much more moderate on the materials of my shoes as you can see after 1 and a half months of intense use.
With a brand like Abington, which I did not know at all at the start, I see that Timberland is very different from what I imagined until then: the recently developed ranges are full of innovation, with the creation of very good designs ( see Earthkeepers ).
You can keep Abington in the back of your mind for your next shoe purchases. Note that the summer range also contains some good surprises that I will let you discover.
Bonus Bresciani Socks
The pair of socks you see appearing in the Hiking Boots Abington photos come from Bresciani and are provided by MesChaussettesRouges .
Very warm and pleasant to wear, don't hesitate to use fairly large geometric patterns and flashy colors. They bring a fairly visible original twist to my outfit and contrast with the rest of my clothes which are sometimes more sober (and dark).
The reminder with the shoe laces is a detail that will please purists but know that you can also be more subtle (yes, yes, it's possible).
For warmth and guaranteed comfort, I prefer natural materials such as wool , cashmere or cotton, even if certain weavings of synthetic products also give good results.
If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, put your blind trust in Uniqlo which will equip you against the cold with thin but effective clothing .
I also have a few pairs of Kodiak socks , which are cold-proof.
The final word: remember that the hardest part is not the cold, but the wind and the humidity. Fight against the formation of humidity in your clothes with breathable clothes that do not absorb water (wool for example).
Compose your outfits with technical fabrics (windproof, waterproof, etc.), which will, when combined, constitute the best possible protection .
Have a good trip!
