Ordering Lundhags in USA or Alaska

[w8n4snow]

I have two pairs of AKs, 46 and 47. The 47s fit better, and would be perfect except I have a nerve tumor issue in one foot (too many years of climbing shoes etc, just had to have those La $portiva and Dinofit boots!!?). Usually wear 46 shoes.

That foot has widened around the injury, and requires plenty of space during long days. I’ve carefully cut through the rubber rand in hopes of allowing the leather to stretch in the offending region-it hasn’t much. So looking for more real estate. The Swedish flavor this time! I may have something worked out with one of the fine members of this forum over in the Eurozone.

The Skare boots caught my eye. In your estimation, what is your max cold temp while working/moving in them?

Thanks for the detailed and thoughtful info. Chinook weather here after a strong start to the winter.

[lilcliffy]

The Skare boots caught my eye. In your estimation, what is your max cold temp while working/moving in them?

Skare boot- definitely comfortable at -30C as a moving/hiking/field boot-
~ -20C for standing around for long periods.

I bring a dry set of liners with me and that extends their warmth range across the board.

They are not as warm as my Baffin Snowmonster boots for standing around at below -30C.

[mca80]

@lilcliffy, with all that rubber on the lower won't your sweat, if active, just condense inside and basically render your warm footwear useless? I think also about the US Army bunny boots, which I can't understand being effective when active, but only for standing around.

[lilcliffy]

@mca80
The liners absorb sweat- just like the lining of a conventional BC-XC boot- and the liner can be easilty switched out and easily dried. Whereas a conventional BC-XC boot needs to be taken off to dry out the liner- which takes a lot more time than a removable liner. The removable liner can be switched out in the field/on tur if necesary. By comparison- I have had conventional BC-XC boots freeze solid on my foot during an extended tour in very cold weather.

[Musk Ox]

@lilcliffy, with all that rubber on the lower won't your sweat, if active, just condense inside and basically render your warm footwear useless? I think also about the US Army bunny boots, which I can't understand being effective when active, but only for standing around.

Yeah. I suspect functionally there's really very little difference between rubber and a greased/ impregnated leather upper in the cold, if the issue's breathability and condensation inside.

Incidentally, the Lundhags uppers are actually lined with thin leather inside, too. I remember the old Lundhags site used to claim that your wool socks wicked moisture out of your boots like a chimney, which I always thought was kind of a hilarious concept.

Gareth's right, though, there's a lot to be said for those liners. When you get in to the warm you can take your boots off and keep the liners on while you light a fire and whatever, which is really nice.

[Manney]

Yeah… rubber, greased leather. It does pretty much work the same.

Some of the synthetic weaves are better. Suede too, provided aerosol grease free protectants are used. Pretty much everything west out from the inside. The only questions are how long it takes and how easy it is to dry them out.

[lilcliffy]

Yeah. I suspect functionally there's really very little difference between rubber and a greased/ impregnated leather upper in the cold, if the issue's breathability and condensation inside.

I have actually read applied research that confirms this.

Incidentally, the Lundhags uppers are actually lined with thin leather inside, too.

From what I can feel/see- the entire interior of the ski boots I have (Guide/Expedition models) are completely lined with thin leather- including the rubber bottom (so is my Juare field boot). No ruff or rigid edges/seams- no liner/insulation to absorb moisture (and no forever toxic synthetic waterproof interior bootie (eg goretex/alpitex etc).

I have had these boots completely full of water from fording watercourses- taken them off- poured out the water- changed my socks/liner- and continued on with completely dry and warm feet!

When you get in to the warm you can take your boots off and keep the liners on while you light a fire and whatever, which is really nice.

[mca80]

Good to know, thanks for the info.

Edit: maybe someone with knowledge can explain why when I wear my full rubber boots (that go well up the calf) if working out in mud on garden or other stuff I certainly feel my feet getting very, very clammy. I mean, rubber is not vapor permeable. But won't leather be, so long as not treated with something that totally inhibits that?

[Manney]

Two things… perspiration and condensation.

Perspiration we all understand.

Condensation occurs when the warm layer of air inside a boot comes into contact with the inner surface of a cooler rubber boot. Water droplets form on the inside of the boot and turn things into a clammy mess. This doesn’t require heavy perspiration… just a temperature difference between the air and a surface.

It would be no different than if your home had a vapor barrier but no insulation. The shell of the house would eventually rot from the inside out due to water saturation. Even though it keeps the rain out.

Google “do cows sweat”. It will give you a clue about how permeable their skin (leather) is.