petetherock
Senior Member
They are available at Royal Sporting House, but the winter models will not be there.
You have to get them overseas.
You have to get them overseas.
Footwear for Winter
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astroboy
Senior Member
Jan 5 is the official launch date for the Ice Festival so I think hotels will be full and the place packed. I plan to go mid-Jan, around 15th or thereabouts. 
Thanks, looks like I have to do mail order.
Thanks, looks like I have to do mail order.
petetherock
Senior Member
I am not sure if you need them.Thanks, looks like I have to do mail order.
Unless you do a lot of walking in snow and ice, using hiking shoes which are waterproof and thick socks maybe be better.
These winter shoes are too hot for local use once you have returned from your holiday.
i'll be back from harbin by the time the festival starts. a pity..
nonetheless, just to share, i'm wearing a pair of goretex boots with winter socks, and it's really adequate. most importantly, the boots are waterproof, so you won't get your socks wet, which is the main thing you'd want to avoid.
i tend to return to the hotel with sweaty feet.. lol...
no point spending hundreds on a pair of winter boots just to have it collect dust after you return from your trip. moreover, i'll probably bring the pair of goretex for jungle-bashing macro. try that with winterboots. =P
emart sells it for 110+ bucks (or credits, if you've friends in the force)
nonetheless, just to share, i'm wearing a pair of goretex boots with winter socks, and it's really adequate. most importantly, the boots are waterproof, so you won't get your socks wet, which is the main thing you'd want to avoid.
i tend to return to the hotel with sweaty feet.. lol...
no point spending hundreds on a pair of winter boots just to have it collect dust after you return from your trip. moreover, i'll probably bring the pair of goretex for jungle-bashing macro. try that with winterboots. =P
emart sells it for 110+ bucks (or credits, if you've friends in the force)
Yes, they would be cheaper in the US. You can just search online to confirm.
astroboy
Senior Member
Harbin Snow Festival means walking in snow and ice, no? Would be embarassing to slip and fall down in front of the ladies.
My friend over there tells me its -20C now, hiking shoes sufficient?
My friend over there tells me its -20C now, hiking shoes sufficient?
NazgulKing
Senior Member
The trouble with snow in general, is that the lower layers of snow have a habit of becoming ice largely because of the weight of the upper layers pressing down on the lower, causing the lower layers to melt and refreeze as ice. As a result, you may even step on snow and then slip and fall, because you didn't notice the ice underneath.
The second thing to note, is that shoes with high pressure points, tend to melt the ice and then you make the ground slippery. Don't forget that ice skates work based on the principle of exerting high pressure on the ice, to allow movement!
And a quick food for thought: when I was in the US to visit some friends and hike up the Rockies in Colorado, some of the Americans could get by with sneakers on the snow covered paths. The moral of the story? Walking on snow and ice requires excellent balance and footing, and knowing how to walk on snow. No amount of fancy footwear will help. Hell, I've used sport shoes to walk on snow before.
The second thing to note, is that shoes with high pressure points, tend to melt the ice and then you make the ground slippery. Don't forget that ice skates work based on the principle of exerting high pressure on the ice, to allow movement!
And a quick food for thought: when I was in the US to visit some friends and hike up the Rockies in Colorado, some of the Americans could get by with sneakers on the snow covered paths. The moral of the story? Walking on snow and ice requires excellent balance and footing, and knowing how to walk on snow. No amount of fancy footwear will help. Hell, I've used sport shoes to walk on snow before.
petetherock
Senior Member
Have you been to anywhere cold? If you are not used to the cold, it can be quite cold.
But as mentioned before, dedicated insulated shoes may not be cheap and you are stuck with a pair that is too hot for local use.
A pair of waterproof and breathable hiking shoes plus very very thick socks (or two pairs) will be ok if you are on the move.
I used my hiking shoes with a single pair of socks at -22 C, but that was not in the snow. If the snow gets into your shoes, it will be very cold. Gaitors may help.
I came back from Harbin a few days ago, pretty fine. Weather's cold indeed, about -20+ºC
walking in snow is ok, but it's ice that you should watch out for. on pathways that are regularly treaded on, the impacted snow turns to ice, which is slippery if you slide on the ice. walking properly gives you the best odds for not falling.
one standard pair of winter socks with another pair of long socks over it should do fine. high cut boots are recommended; i wore a pair of goretex boots. with that, you shouldnt have to worry about snow getting into your shoes, unless someone kicks snow around or throws snowballs at you. if you're worried about grip, you could try the metal cleat attachments that can be removed when you dont need it, not sure where you can get them.
regards. Happy New Year!
walking in snow is ok, but it's ice that you should watch out for. on pathways that are regularly treaded on, the impacted snow turns to ice, which is slippery if you slide on the ice. walking properly gives you the best odds for not falling.
one standard pair of winter socks with another pair of long socks over it should do fine. high cut boots are recommended; i wore a pair of goretex boots. with that, you shouldnt have to worry about snow getting into your shoes, unless someone kicks snow around or throws snowballs at you. if you're worried about grip, you could try the metal cleat attachments that can be removed when you dont need it, not sure where you can get them.
regards. Happy New Year!
You don't have to get a dedicated snow hiking boot.
You can use a normal goretex show/boot and there are those spikes that attach to shoes/boots you can get that will 'convert' your regular shoe into a snow/ice shoe.
I think I've seen them at Adventure 21 (Pearl Centre) and the Outdoor Life shop at Velocity.
You can use a normal goretex show/boot and there are those spikes that attach to shoes/boots you can get that will 'convert' your regular shoe into a snow/ice shoe.
I think I've seen them at Adventure 21 (Pearl Centre) and the Outdoor Life shop at Velocity.
SK1968
Senior Member
Let me share what I have experienced.
I bought a pair of Merrell goretex high cut boots in 1998. Served me well during the almost 4years I worked in Sweden. It also offered adequate protection when I was in the Arctic circle twice during Xmas period. While it worked fine on powdery snow, it was hopeless on ice. You just got to be careful walking on icy surfaces. After that, I came back to Sg and left the boots in the wardrobe for 4 years and the rubber sole just disintegrated.
This year, while I was in Sweden for work, grabbed a pair of similar Merrell boots with Vibram rubber sole this time....supposedly to have better grip. Went Harbin with it. While it is still waterproof, its sole insulation isn't good enough and I had to add a pair of inexpensive 3 RMB cotton insole to save my toes from freezing. The grip is still equally hopeless. Again, you just have to be careful about where you put your feet down.
The irony is that some of members on my tour group got their boots from the local shops there as they didn't know where to get in Sg. Some models even have build-in metallic spikes that can be extended or retracted at will. What's more important is that those boots are the same that the locals are wearing day-in and day-out and they cost around 100 RMB so even if it doesn't last long after your trip ends and deteriorates after being placed in the wardrobe for a year or two, it only costs you 100 RMB
Therefore, my suggestion is that you just wear a pair of normal leather shoes there and buy a pair of their local version before heading for the snowy and icy playground Don't worry about not able to find them, they are sold everywhere.
I bought a pair of Merrell goretex high cut boots in 1998. Served me well during the almost 4years I worked in Sweden. It also offered adequate protection when I was in the Arctic circle twice during Xmas period. While it worked fine on powdery snow, it was hopeless on ice. You just got to be careful walking on icy surfaces. After that, I came back to Sg and left the boots in the wardrobe for 4 years and the rubber sole just disintegrated.
This year, while I was in Sweden for work, grabbed a pair of similar Merrell boots with Vibram rubber sole this time....supposedly to have better grip. Went Harbin with it. While it is still waterproof, its sole insulation isn't good enough and I had to add a pair of inexpensive 3 RMB cotton insole to save my toes from freezing. The grip is still equally hopeless. Again, you just have to be careful about where you put your feet down.
The irony is that some of members on my tour group got their boots from the local shops there as they didn't know where to get in Sg. Some models even have build-in metallic spikes that can be extended or retracted at will. What's more important is that those boots are the same that the locals are wearing day-in and day-out and they cost around 100 RMB so even if it doesn't last long after your trip ends and deteriorates after being placed in the wardrobe for a year or two, it only costs you 100 RMB
Therefore, my suggestion is that you just wear a pair of normal leather shoes there and buy a pair of their local version before heading for the snowy and icy playground
Don't worry about not able to find them, they are sold everywhere.petetherock
Senior Member
Buying a new pair of boots on the spot works only if you do not intend to hike far.
Otherwise the problem of blisters is a real issue.
You can buy normal hiking boots which are CRAMPON ready.
Otherwise the problem of blisters is a real issue.
You can buy normal hiking boots which are CRAMPON ready.
astroboy
Senior Member
That is an excellent piece of advice. I had half a mind to do my shopping in Shenyang before proceeding to Harbin where I hear the shoes and clothes are much cheaper than here. Yes, no point spending a lot of money on stuff that's going to be used like once or twice.
Let me share what I have experienced.
I bought a pair of Merrell goretex high cut boots in 1998. Served me well during the almost 4years I worked in Sweden. It also offered adequate protection when I was in the Arctic circle twice during Xmas period. While it worked fine on powdery snow, it was hopeless on ice. You just got to be careful walking on icy surfaces. After that, I came back to Sg and left the boots in the wardrobe for 4 years and the rubber sole just disintegrated.
This year, while I was in Sweden for work, grabbed a pair of similar Merrell boots with Vibram rubber sole this time....supposedly to have better grip. Went Harbin with it. While it is still waterproof, its sole insulation isn't good enough and I had to add a pair of inexpensive 3 RMB cotton insole to save my toes from freezing. The grip is still equally hopeless. Again, you just have to be careful about where you put your feet down.
The irony is that some of members on my tour group got their boots from the local shops there as they didn't know where to get in Sg. Some models even have build-in metallic spikes that can be extended or retracted at will. What's more important is that those boots are the same that the locals are wearing day-in and day-out and they cost around 100 RMB so even if it doesn't last long after your trip ends and deteriorates after being placed in the wardrobe for a year or two, it only costs you 100 RMB
Therefore, my suggestion is that you just wear a pair of normal leather shoes there and buy a pair of their local version before heading for the snowy and icy playground
Six-GHz
Senior Member
Boots from emart are waterproof provided you laced them tightly. But I really don't recommend them in snowy, or worse, icy conditions as they are designed primarily for rocky rough terrain. Try those in a local wet market and you'd know what I mean!
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