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Thatotherguy
Just Starting
Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject: Footwear for Russian winters |
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What sort of footwear should I be looking at purchasing as Im going into a Russian winter at the end of the year?
Some people say boots, others say thermal boots. Could WTR or any users please enlighten me on whats more suitable for St P, Moscow and Murmansk as Im looking for something that I can wear in the city (without looking like a fool) and outdoors in the wild.
Any advice would be awesome. Thanks  |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:29 am Post subject: |
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Well... it depends. How out in the wild are you talking about?
City wear? Pretty much anything you'd wear in any other urban winter city. Light-weight boots, snow boots, etc. All day outside? Or just to and fro?
Out in the wild? Will you be walking through the snow all day? Will you need waterproof boots? Thinsulate, goretex, etc.?
I'm generally out and about in the cities in the wintertime and use either a light-weight boot or sturdy shoes with rubber soles and some sort of insulation. While I'm not hoofing around the wilds of Russia in the winter (or, uh, ever...!), I do plenty of that in the Midwest in the US and generally pick my entire outfit with care when hunting. Thermal underwear, maybe wool socks, sturdy hiking books with goretex, layers of outer wear with thermals, fleece, and goretex outer wear. A few minutes at REI.com or Cabelas.com or GanderMountain.com or someplace like that should answer all your questions.
For city use? A lot less than you think. You'll likely NOT be outside all day long unless you're doing the tourist thing in the wintertime and your plan includes a lot of walking. (that's pretty much how I do it, but most folks don't tour in the winter...!)
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nicmac
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:48 am Post subject: Boots ... |
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I wore comparatively lightweight bushwalking boots for winter wear in the city and countryside. A thick sole (like a care tyre tread) is good to keep the snow and water from the soles of your shoes. Russians are particualr about keeping their clothes clean, so take a tube of shoe-cleaner. Also, if you are visiting houses (relatives, etc) you will be required to take your shoes off, so slip-on boots is a good option (if you are lazy and can't be bothered undoing laces all the time).
Unless you live in a cold climate, buy your thermal wear in Russia or you won't get the good stuff (or you will pay a fortune for them). I bought some and lived there for 9 months in summer and winter and I didn't really need them. The best way to do it is to buy a really good outer coat and then you don't need the thermals and stuff (unless you go north). The idea is to wear fewer layers of better quality clothing.
Nick. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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St. Petersburg and Moscow are very fashion conscious cities. Your best bet is to buy good winter boots when you get there, seriously. They will be mouton lined leather boots and hard to find outside of Russia. Not cheap either.
Believe it or not, Russian socks are terrible. Wool socks are warm yes, but they're all made from incredibly scratchy wool which will drive your feet mad. Here, the best thing to do is get good thermal socks in the west and bring them with you. We lived in Russia for 5 years and bought all our socks on trips home or had relatives send us some.
Out in the countryside many people wear traditional Russian 'valenki' which are the felt wool boots. They are wonderful insulation against snow but are without soles so not good on pavement. You can get valenki in Russia cheaply.
For the happiest warmest feet, bring with you from the west some of those packets of hand warmers, widely found in backpacking and camping type stores in the west. Hard to find in Russia. Follow the directions and just slip the packet into your shoes or mittens for toasty warm feet and hands. Generally last about 8 hours per packet. Once I discovered them I just loved those things. |
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Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Location: Urals
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| overseas_expat wrote: | | Believe it or not, Russian socks are terrible. |
We have -35C here and ordinary cotton socks are ok. Just buy good winter shoes. I don't see a problem here.
| overseas_expat wrote: | | Wool socks are warm yes, but they're all made from incredibly scratchy wool which will drive your feet mad. |
They aren't supposed to be worn on a bare feet. Wool socks are worn over cotton socks. |
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Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Location: Urals
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Footwear for Russian winters |
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| Thatotherguy wrote: | | What sort of footwear should I be looking at purchasing as Im going into a Russian winter at the end of the year? |
There are different kind of winters in Russia. Winter in Moscow is wet. A rain in January is quite probable. Winter in Urals or Siberia can freeze you if you stop for a few minutes. Winter somewhere in steppe will blow all your warmth off.
| Thatotherguy wrote: | | Some people say boots, others say thermal boots. Could WTR or any users please enlighten me on whats more suitable for St P, Moscow and Murmansk as Im looking for something that I can wear in the city (without looking like a fool) and outdoors in the wild |
What is "thermal boots"? |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:50 am Post subject: |
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You want to argue about socks??? 
What's the point of that?
Look, I was just trying to help, I used my personal experience of years in Russian winters as a reference, and I know how I dealt with it.
But that's it for me, you can be the expert on WTR from now one. I'm done. When people feel a need to dispute a post on footwear, there is no longer any point to coming here.
You're in charge now. Have at it.
Do svedanya. |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:44 am Post subject: |
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Dear expat,
I for one value your generosity in sharing experiences.
I hope you will continue to look at the forum, and respond to questions.
Yours,
rom. dur.
P.S. I haven't yet had the courage yet to visit "the North" during winter, and am truly curious about this topic, and read the responses with interest. My Ukrainian colleague here in America plays football on an all-FSU team, and says that the guys from Siberia are very knowledgeable about dressing for cold.
Thanks to all who make kindly posts here! |
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Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Location: Urals
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:51 am Post subject: |
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| overseas_expat wrote: | You want to argue about socks???
What's the point of that? |
I just remembered about a guy who was looking for a pelmennitsa in Russia and was surprised that there was none around. Or a guy who was looking for a special device for tobacco chicken preparation.
| overseas_expat wrote: | | Look, I was just trying to help, I used my personal experience of years in Russian winters as a reference, and I know how I dealt with it. |
Relax. Nobody argues about your personal experience. However having many years spent in the russian winter you could think: "How russians survive their winters without thermal socks?".
| overseas_expat wrote: | | But that's it for me, you can be the expert on WTR from now one. I'm done. When people feel a need to dispute a post on footwear, there is no longer any point to com here. You're in charge now. Have at it. Do svedanya. |
I'm an expert already. Because I live here all my life.  Don't be so sensitive.
BTW, if you don't want come here you should say "Proschay". "Do svedanya" means rougly "see you later". Is there similar difference in English? |
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Thatotherguy
Just Starting
Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject: Thanks |
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To all the contributors,
a big thank you for the sound advice. I reckon I'll just pack in a good coat or two (options help) and get myself a decent pair of lace up boots (I dont like the zip function, laces rock) and the beenie and gloves.
Yeah, I'lll mostly be in the city but I was just thinking I'd need something special for Murmansk as I hear its dreadfully cold up there.
Danbrew, I am planning on doing the touring thing in the middle of winter. My justification is that I come from a seriously hot country (South Africa) and that at least once in my life I should check out a cold Russian winter and enjoy the snow. People here have been saying Im mad to do it in winter but I rate it would probably be more memorable in winter with more photo oppurtunities. I have been checking out your photos of the Trans-Siberian and other travels and I really enjoyed the photos. Thanks, keep it up.
Thanks to WTR for all the info.
Cheers
Carl |
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erolgirl
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:54 am Post subject: |
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Im actually quite scared about travelling trans sib! Worried I am going to freeze to death haha could anyone post a link to the kind of boots should be worn? Will be travelling late december-january...(are we mad?!)
appreciation in advance |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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stanj
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Location: St Petersburg Russia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| erolgirl wrote: | Im actually quite scared about travelling trans sib! Worried I am going to freeze to death haha could anyone post a link to the kind of boots should be worn? Will be travelling late december-january...(are we mad?!)
appreciation in advance |
If you are on the train for 6 days your main concern will be keeping cool with the overheated cabins and little chance to get fresh air.
If you are starting in the west the weather will likely be pretty mild.
For several years the North West of Russia has has been relatively warm during the winters. Last year here in St Petersburg we had only a few days down to -15c, most were +2 to -4c or similar so it did not require winter clothing, just normal street clothes and shoes. Winter lasted only 40 days each for the last 3 years. Other regions as you travel east will likely have more traditional weather.
It was so warm that many people were complaining of having a dry New Years again and the ice fisherman were denied yet another year's sport. Ski resorts suffered financially even if they had snow making equipment.
In the west boots that are fashionable and still keep your feet dry if there is a thaw that turns any snow and ice into a mess of dark slushy water that needs to be waded through to cross any street will always be appropriate. Thin layers will work better for regulating your comfort level by allowing shedding a layer to compensate for the always too warm trains.
If you are going straight through you won't have to pack too much winterized clothing but if you are breaking the trip up into smaller legs with extended layovers in several point en route, you will need to think of a more carefully planned wardrobe, and the added bulk of carrying it. |
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