I love writing positive reviews. When I find a product or service that I love, that worked well, that surpassed my expectations, or simply one that was a fun experience – I want to share my thoughts and experience so others can perhaps also enjoy it. But I’ve almost never felt the same drive to share negative reviews, even though they can be just as useful.
I also shop online, more so in the last 5 years, and I tend to read reviews on new purchases. Not all of them of course, but the most recent few good and bad ones (if any) before making new purchases. I learned long ago not to simply trust ratings (don’t get me started on book “reviews” and ratings but that’s an entirely different rant) but to actually read a few of the reviews. I’ve seen negative reviews on a non-fiction book on a paddling trip when the reviewer said there was too much talk about paddling and his experience on the water (kind of the entire point of the book) or a one star review of wide hiking boots when the reviewer said they were too wide for her narrow feet (which just left me wondering why someone with narrow feet would buy “wide” shoes/boots). But usually, the criticism is warranted (waterproof boots not being waterproof, sizing is weird, breaks after a few uses; etc.) and therefore, helpful in deciding whether or not to buy a product or service.
It’s in that light that I decided to write this review.
Ohio Short Womens Thermal Snow Boots by Mountain Warehouse
Late last fall, I bought a pair of Ohio Short Womens Thermal Snow Boots in Khaki, from Mountain Warehouse, as I wanted a pair of short winter boots or winter shoes for walking home from work and around the city. I have a pair of tall, warm winter boots but they are frequently too much for Toronto’s winter (and definitely for this year’s warm, virtually snowless winter) so I wanted something lower like a winter shoe or ankle boot that was good for walking. And these looked cute and were on sale.
Warmth
While this winter wasn’t the best test of this category, they did keep my feet warm on the couple of days that dipped below -10C. Unfortunately, there were only two, maybe three days that cold so it wasn’t the best test but still, they were warm.
Tread
Again, this winter wasn’t the best test but there were a couple of days of snowy and/or slippery sidewalks, and I had no issues with traction.
Waterproofness
I had no issues here and while Toronto didn’t have a lot of snow (or cold) this winter, it did rain a lot in January and my feet stayed dry.
Price
I bought them on sale for $53.99 which was a great price for winter boots.
Appearance
I thought they were cute and liked the colour. They looked great with leggings or skinny jeans and not too bad with work/dress pants (over the top of the boots).
Comfort
It felt like there was virtually no cushioning in the foot bed and the longer I walked, the more uncomfortable my feet were. While they never made my feet truly sore, they weren’t comfortable either.
Verdict
Unfortunately, while they hit the mark in virtually every winter boot category I might judge them on – warmth, good tread, waterproof, affordable, appearance – they failed in a key one – comfort.
Don’t get me wrong, if I was a car person, they would probably be okay. But I’m someone who walks everywhere, including walking home from work – which is about 6km. And by kilometer 2, which isn’t that far, my feet are starting to feel uncomfortable; and it only got worse. I tried adding an insole, which helped a little, but I ultimately stopped wearing them mid-winter.
But I was so disappointed in them as I expected more from a winter boot bought from an outdoors company, that before I stopped wearing them, I started to compose my review of them in my head while I was walking home. And I ultimately decided to actually post it because winter boots by a company that specializes in outdoors products should be comfortable on normal winter walks. Comfort is a key factor, for anyone but especially for someone who walks as much as I do, and shouldn’t be something we have to sacrifice. Maybe I just got a reject pair as the reviews on their website are all positive but I’m not happy with them.
And so, my search for a great winter shoe (or ankle boot) continues… I will find one which checks all my winter shoe/boot boxes: comfort (good for walking up to 10km), warmth (to -20C min), good tread for snow & ice, waterproof, affordable (under $120 ideally), appearance (the least important box).
If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
Rambles and Walks 