As somebody whose extremities are at all times ice-cold regardless of the climate, the thought of down booties as an addition to my gear arsenal — particularly as winter rolls in — was fairly engaging. The Sierra Designs Down Booties declare to be “your foot’s new BFF,” not too long ago upgraded with extra colours, extra inclusive sizing, and a modified outsole to extend tread and sturdiness. So in fact, I needed to attempt these plush out of doors slippers for myself.
After weeks of romping round within the snow, ice, and chilly of Colorado’s excessive nation, I can’t declare they’re my foot’s ride-or-die simply but. Nonetheless, these ultra-warm insulated slippers are actually a luxurious I’d not need to dwell with out. Consider these booties as mini sleeping luggage on your ft.
For backpackers embarking on an in a single day journey the place the temps will drop, people who look ahead to an annual ski hut journey, or thru-hikers who see the worth in a luxurious merchandise splurge, these down booties can be a fantastic addition to your packing checklist.
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Sierra Designs Down Booties At-a-Look
MSRP: $79.95
Weight: 9.5 ounces (Measurement Medium)
Fill: 550-fill DriDown
Supplies: 100% Polyester Tricot Liner and 50% Recycled Nylon Ripstop Shell with PFC Free DWR
Circumstance of Overview
I examined these booties within the coldest climate Colorado may muster from late fall by means of December, with temperatures starting from low 20s to 40s Fahrenheit.
The booties have been utilized to traverse by means of recent pow to cut wooden on a backcountry hut journey atop Vail Cross, throughout frozen floor at camp after lengthy days of mountain climbing on cool autumn eves, and have been incessantly stashed in my bag as belay booties for days on the crag whereas climbing each rock and ice.
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Photograph Credit score: Sierra Designs
Sierra Designs Down Booties Options
- Silicone Backside Sole: Sierra Designs successfully enhanced the flexibility of this footwear in comparison with its opponents by incorporating a grippy, silicone sole for traction and sturdiness. These booties may be worn on a wide range of terrain and the corporate even claims they will function an impromptu shoe for round city, inside or out.
- Sturdy Shell: For a light-weight materials, the double ripstop shell, made with 50% recycled nylon, felt sturdy in opposition to the out of doors parts, which may stand extra put on and tear than a extra fragile ultralight material.
- Tricot Liner: The delicate internal liner of the booties enhances consolation and feels clean in opposition to the pores and skin, whereas permitting your ft to breathe and wick away any moisture.
- Cinch Wire Cuff: A characteristic that’s simple to miss is the added cinch twine on the ankle cuff to seal in heat, maintain out drafts, and guarantee complete insulation.
Insulation
You could possibly arguably carry any ol’ pair of home slippers in your subsequent winter backpacking journey. Nonetheless, should you’re looking for an possibility that’s each light-weight and packable, these down booties are a no brainer.
Thus, for insulated slippers, the most important takeaway when testing this product was how heat my toesies really stayed. Sierra Designs delivers on this entrance, with their 550-fill DriDown insulation to make sure a comfortable footwear expertise. Testing these water-repellent booties in freshly fallen snow or traipsing across the wood flooring of an previous, historic hut earlier than the morning fireplace roared, I felt as if a cloud of heat enveloped my ft.
Sierra Designs Down Booties Professionals
Grippy Backside Soles
One of many quirks of most different down booties is that they’re sometimes solely constructed for indoor lounging, with outside-the-tent actions an enormous no-no. Reasonably than needing to pack two separate camp sneakers, I like that these down booties are thoughtfully crafted to face up to out of doors terrain. Whereas I gained’t advocate swapping your path runners for these slippers simply but, they’re actually able to quick jaunts round your campsite, and I can assure you gained’t need to take these off each morning.
The silicone soles of those booties supplied grippy traction and insulation from the chilly floor.
Moderately Priced
At $79.95, these fall proper in the course of the common price for the same product. Whereas they could not essentially be an important merchandise, you will discover alternate choices for considerably pricier tags.
Distinctive Heat
Sierra Designs’ high-quality 550-fill DriDown ensures your ft keep toasty, regardless of the event. Whether or not I used to be kicking by means of the snow, or wandering outdoors amidst chilly temperatures for extended intervals of time whereas establishing camp, my toes by no means felt like they have been about to freeze.
Light-weight & Packable
Regardless of being non-essential, the Sierra Designs Down Booties pack down pretty small and weigh a mere 9 ounces, making them handy for an in a single day backpacking journey or thru-hike. Even with a bit of further weight, I thanked myself prematurely for packing these on particularly chilly nights.
Survives Additional Put on and Tear
The sturdiness of those booties’ outer materials pleasantly shocked me, particularly when in comparison with comparable merchandise. Most different down booties sometimes have a extra fragile outer to take care of their ultralight standing, however the Sierra Designs booties nonetheless handle to weigh subsequent to nothing. Time will inform with these, however after packing them on quite a few backpacking journeys this fall and winter, I can toss them in my pack with out worrying they’ll rip, they usually nonetheless look model new after a number of makes use of.
Responsibly Sourced Down
For my eco-conscious buyers on the market, Sierra Designs’ dedication to accountable sourcing and environmentally pleasant processing is commendable. 100% of their down is responsibly sourced from licensed farms and processed with environmentally-friendly detergents.
Sierra Designs Down Booties Cons
Match Points
Whereas the insulation and delicate internal liner present next-to-skin consolation, the construct of the boot is a bit awkward. Their size appears to run small, whereas the soles are very large. I discovered my foot sliding uncontrollably round within the booties regardless of the cinched ankle cuff, making it tough to stroll. Because the shoe’s heel is delicate with no construction, they don’t present a lot assist to your foot, and I typically needed to readjust in order that I wasn’t stepping off the footwear’s soles.
Not An Important Merchandise
As a lot as I beloved indulging in having cozy ft on chilly mornings, I can’t see these booties making the checklist of necessities for a thru-hike. They have been quintessential for in a single day backpacking endeavors or hut journeys the place I wasn’t a lot of a stickler for weight. Nonetheless, they really feel pointless for an extended journey, particularly in hotter climates or through the summer season months the place I’d slightly go for a breathable camp shoe like my Crocs or Tevas.
Limitations of DWR
A DWR (Sturdy Water Repellant) therapy prevents the material from wetting out, and these booties most actually withstood sporadic snowy situations. Sierra Designs makes use of a PFC-free coating, which omits dangerous chemical compounds that increase critical well being considerations. Nonetheless, as with all water resistant clothes, the DWR coating nonetheless must be refreshed sometimes to make sure they repel moisture. That mentioned, I can’t think about too many situations the place the booties are getting drenched in a storm.
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These DWR-treated down booties held up surprisingly effectively in opposition to recent snow.
Total Impression
The Sierra Designs Down Booties provide glorious worth for these looking for final heat and luxury whereas lounging round camp. Regardless of the match points and their non-essential standing for thru-hikes, these booties have confirmed to maintain ft cozy. And for individuals who are prepared to hold a bit of bit of additional weight for this consolation on an extended trek, they could simply change into your foot’s new greatest pal.
Store the Sierra Designs Down Booties
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The Sierra Designs Down Booties have been donated for the aim of evaluate.
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