boots

By Jen Shragge

In the ten years I lived in Vancouver, the expression “Polar Vortex” did not cross into my vernacular. Two winters into living in Toronto and I have heard this expression more times than I ever needed to. This was a huge part of why I moved to the west coast. I hate winter. I really, really, really hate winter. I tend to get cold in the middle of the summer so winter weather just isn’t for me. I knew that the one thing I would have to do when we moved was stock up on heavy duty winter gear. Coats, hats, mittens and boots. The whole she-bang. I was also worried about my big kid, since even in the dead of winter they are playing outside at recess and lunch and I am that mean old mom who makes her kid walk to school every day.

winter

Finding truly warm winter boots for him was a top priority for me. I settled on a pair that had a solid reputation for warmth and durability and had both an outer shell and warm inner liner. He has been wearing these all winter. This winter wasn’t cold. And this is coming from me! We have had almost no snow this year and very few days where the temperature dipped much below zero. But then this weekend happened. Our first long weekend of 2016 (Family day in Ontario). Day time highs of -25 degrees Celsius. Yes, that was the high yesterday. So cold you barely want to leave the house and your car doesn’t want to start. It was also the perfect time to try out his new Original Muck Boot Company boots. The company, which was started in 1999, set out to create 100% waterproof boots that are actually comfortable as well as rugged and durable. I got him a pair of the Kids Rugged II (extreme winter boot), which are styled like another popular brand of winter and rain boot that I see on many people these days, with a neoprene upper and a heavy-duty slip-resistant outer sole. The boots are rated to -40 degrees (there is a fleece lining inside the boot) and are fully 100% waterproof.

boots

I loved that these boots were tall. Much taller than the winter boots my kid already has. I also got him to run around outside in them to see how they felt. He said they were really comfortable and he wanted to go play in the backyard in them. I also got him to try on one of these boots at the same time as one of his own winter boots to see if he preferred one over the other and he chose these immediately. I asked him why and his answer was that these were more comfortable because there wasn’t the inner lining like his other pair. I think that these make a perfect fall winter boot given that they are waterproof. They are also a slip on and off style, which makes them very easy to get on quickly since there are no laces or zippers to worry about. I also love that neoprene dries very quickly and this is critical for kids who are going in and out of the cold and wet multiple times a day. There is nothing worse than stepping into a pair of boots and finding that they are still wet from the last time they were worn.

The Original Muck Boot Company has a huge variety of boots and a great selection for men, women and kids. The Kids Rugged II retail for $89.95 USD and are available online and at many specialty retailers. If you are looking for a great waterproof boot for yourself or the kids, these are a fantastic option.

giveaway

THE GIVEAWAY

Win it: One very lucky US/CAN reader will win a pair of Kids Rugged II boots (same ones reviewed here, colour of choice). Approximate retail value: $90USD. Enter to WIN below via Rafflecopter. Good Luck friends!

Disclosure: I was gifted product for review consideration, this is however not a paid post and all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.