Boots for cold weather Soaring

[Dave Nadler]

Hi All - After my Soaring report Tuesday (frozen toes), I got a
recommendation for "Sorel Bear" boots. These look like they
might be stiff in the ankle making rudder operation annoying
(a problem with my current poorly-insulated boots):
http://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Mens-Bear-NM1023-Black/dp/B000VWB8D0

I was thinking maybe Sorel Alpha Pac:
http://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Mens-Alpha-PAC-Boot/dp/B001OTZ024

Anybody have experience with either of these, or another
recommendation ?

Thanks,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

[Bob]

On Jan 5, 1:32*pm, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Hi All - After my Soaring report Tuesday (frozen toes), I got a
> recommendation for "Sorel Bear" boots. These look like they
> might be stiff in the ankle making rudder operation annoying
> (a problem with my current poorly-insulated boots):http://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Mens-Bear-NM1023-Black/dp/B000VWB8D0
>
> I was thinking maybe Sorel Alpha Pac:http://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Mens-Alpha-PAC-Boot/dp/B001OTZ024
>
> Anybody have experience with either of these, or another
> recommendation ?
>
> Thanks,
> Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

I've been flying with Sorel boots on my feet during gliding flights
for about 8 years, and swear by them. Most of my summer flying is in
SW Colorado between 16k and 17.9k where it tends to be below freezing
much / most of the time. And, it can be pretty cold during winter
flights in Arizona, too. I listen on the radio as others grouse
about cold / frozen feet on long high flights / gotta go down and thaw
out, and I just smile and keep on flyin. Numerous gliding friends
have now bought them, too, and are MUCH happier in the cold air. Not
sure which style mine are but they look pretty much like the Sorel
Bear boots. I fly in an 1981 Ventus B, which has LOTS of room
everywhere, and have had no problems with them with the pedals or
anything. They seem plenty flexible to me. They probably would slow
an emergency egress, tho, if I ever needed to bail out. They aren't
toasty electric socks, so my feet do get cool on long high flights,
but not cold, so no complaints from me. I'm a happy camper with my
Sorels.

Bob T.
19

[Evan Ludeman[_2_]]

> Anybody have experience with either of these, or another
> recommendation ?

Steger Mukluks. See www.mukluks.com. Not cheap, but comfortable,
warm, not bulky, nicely hand made. Tested in Mt Washington wave to
-20 F OAT. Vent system on my 20 leaks cold air onto feet no matter
what, so pretty tough test (on todo list to fix before wave camp next
year!). My feet did *finally* get cold. But it took several hours.
Can fly all day at anything above about +5 F with one pair wool
socks. If you want warmer, buy em a size large and bulk up on socks.
Much nicer in the cockpit than any rigid soled shoe or boot.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[Evan Ludeman[_2_]]

Grrrr.

link should be http://www.mukluks.com

[Fred[_5_]]

Dave:

Unless you're planning to do much walking, I swear by shearling boots
(almost high-top slippers) in a larger than normal size. They're
available during winter in Costco for less than $50. They're slip-on,
so if you bailed out they would probably come off when the canopy
opens. I guess you could put some kind of tie around the ankle, but
any constriction of circulation will only exacerbate the problem. I
think Sorels would be good if you worry about bailing out and still
having boots when you reach the ground, but in my size they would be
much too large for most gliders -- my toes would hang up on the nose
of the glider. Think about the shearlings -- I put them on before
going to the flight line, and even when there's snow on the ground and
they get wet they still work very well in wave.

[wiktor256]

These boots are popular amongst Polish glider pilots:
http://pokazywarka.pl/anetleatherco/

Cost is about $60 + shipping

Info:
Aneta Bednarczuk

[Dave Nadler]

Evan, those are a bit pricey, but
I really like the fringe and pom-poms,

[Dave Nadler]

Further to above:
- looking for waterproof, suitable for wear
on ground before and after flight,
- plenty of room in Antares for big boots.

Thanks all !

[Dave Nadler]

Looks nice, especially the "L" and "R" labels.
I always get those confused...
Are these sold in USA ?
Thanks !

[T8]

On Jan 5, 7:59*pm, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Evan, those are a bit pricey, but
> I really like the fringe and pom-poms,

Yeah, I reckon they might cost as much as a week's hull insurance on
an Antares.

Rubber soles on traditional mukluks worked fine at Gorham on soggy
turf runway, no issues at all. I would not use them in wet snow/
slush.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 1/5/2012 5:37 PM, Dave Nadler wrote:
> Looks nice, especially the "L" and "R" labels.
> I always get those confused...
> Are these sold in USA ?
> Thanks !

You are supposed to put the same markings on your feet (or, your hands,
if you wear socks on your feet), not just the boots.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Bruce Barnard[_2_]]

I wear my Sorel boot liners only w/o the boots and carry walking shoes
in the glider. The felt is flexible enough to not hinder pedal
operation. I change out of my shoes just before entering the glider.
Inside the Sorel liners I use the foot warmers called Thermal Soles
($100US). Lithium battery shoe soles that maintain 98F so you never
get overheated. Only about 8mm thick at the heal and 3 everywhere
else. Very well made and last 8+ hours. This combo works excellent. I
plan to try the warmers in normal shoes instead of the felts. You
just missed the window to put these on your holiday gift list. ~Bruce

[Dave Nadler]

Bruce - Are these the battery-powered inserts you use ?
http://www.verseo.com/thermosoles.html
Thanks !

[Dan Marotta]

Plenty of room? Well, then, try Bunny Boots. Over 1,000 hours of Arctic
flying during my Air Force days and never a cold foot. Great in snow, and
provide plenty of ankle support should you need to use the "nylon
letdown"... http://www.loadup.com/us-military-bata-bunny-boots-white.html


"Dave Nadler" > wrote in message
news:24828416.671.1325812330111.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@vbfy18...
> Further to above:
> - looking for waterproof, suitable for wear
> on ground before and after flight,
> - plenty of room in Antares for big boots.
>
> Thanks all !

[toad]

I found a pair of mountaineering overboots at the used gear store in
North Conway during wave camp one year. You might check out the
outdoor catalogs. They slip over your normal boots or shoes.

[Darryl Ramm]

These work for me ... http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-nuptse-bootie-iii.html

Obviously like all large boots make sure there is space around the rudder pedals, while the Antares should be fine my ASH-26E can get tight.

These are not hiking boots but more err on the very comfortable and warm side. If I was on a serious XC or worried about a landout I'd throw a pair of hiking shoes/boots into the back.

Darryl

[Darryl Ramm]

Dave

Also with all that electrical power you can plug in some boot heaters. These are very good.... http://gerbing.com/Products/insoles.php

Darryl

[Walt Connelly]

Looks nice, especially the "L" and "R" labels.
I always get those confused...
Are these sold in USA ?
Thanks !

Yeah, we wouldn't want to have the R on the L and the L on the R. Are you guys serious though? I have trouble getting my Addidas clad hooves on the pedals in a 1-34.

Walt

[Bruce Barnard[_2_]]

On Jan 6, 8:41*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Bruce - Are these the battery-powered inserts you use ?http://www.verseo.com/thermosoles.html
> Thanks !
Dave,
Yes they are. Sorry for the delay, I was away from technology for a
few days. They have their own site also: www.thermosoles.com.
They're very well made, I'm on my third year with them and no problems
at all. I also use them for ice boating, which is about as cold as it
gets. You're either standing on ice or going 60mph without a cockpit.
~BB

[Bruce Barnard[_2_]]

On Jan 6, 8:41*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> Bruce - Are these the battery-powered inserts you use ?http://www.verseo.com/thermosoles.html
> Thanks !

I forgot to mention that the Thermo-Soles fit inside sneakers quite
well, I just haven't flown with that combo yet.

[Dave Nadler]

I bought a set through Amazon, $75 including tax and shipping.
Looking forward to trying these.
Also bought the more flexible Sorel boots;
hopefully they are warm and don't interfere with
using the rudder.
We'll see...
Thanks all for the inputs (except the ones including duct-tape),
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"