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As long time readers know, we love the outdoors. Much of our blog shows us hiking, carting with the dogs, or just enjoying our mountains. The weather here can be very unpredictable and it is important to always wear the proper outdoor gear. Winters can be especially harsh with snow as early as October and as late as May. Readers also remember that we tested a Columbia Sportswear shirt recently in a way that it was never meant to be tested – and it survived (that shirt, for the record, we bought and was not provided by Columbia).
Because of the blog, we are often asked to plug or test products. We decline the vast majority of these requests, but, every now and then, we are asked to test a product that intrigues us. Our rules are simple – we disclose that the product has been provided to us without charge, we do not accept any other sort of renumeration, and we reserve the right to tell our readers EXACTLY what we think about the product – even if we don’t like it.
With that in mind, the good folks at Columbia asked if we would test their new Bugathermo Boots. While I have a number of pairs of hiking boots, I was already in need of a good pair of snow boots and could not pass up the opportunity to test them out.
The verdict – I love them! The high cut and waterproof Nubuck material kept my feet very dry, despite the deep snows we had this past week. The Omni-Grip grabbed hold of the ice and prevented slips (without having to add my usual ice cleats). And, most of all, the thinsulate kept my feet warm despite the well below freezing temperatures.
For extra wow factor, though, you have to add the built in rechargeable heating system. Frankly, I did not really need it with the thinsulate doing its job, but I had to test it out. Nothing like a heater on your feet when the Siberian Huskies want to play just a little more. I was outside for hours with the dogs and turning on the heat was easy and very nice. The switch is conveniently located on the side of each boot and is easy to turn on and off – as well as choose between the three heat settings. Charging the boots is a simple matter of connecting to any electrical outlet.
They are snow boots, so they are relatively heavy (1 lb, 14 oz or 855 g) and difficult to put on and take off because of the high cut. But what are you going to do? That’s what makes them so effective against the weather.
Most importantly, these boots kept me warm – which means we stayed outdoors in this wintry weather. The Herd certainly approves of humans staying outside as long as possible!
DISCLAIMER: In case it was not clear above, the boots featured in this product review were provided to me at no cost by Columbia Sportswear Company with a request to provide review information directly to them and, if I wished, to publish a review on the blog. No other compensation was expected or delivered to me. I try my best to keep my reviews honest and unbiased, but believe that my readers deserve to know of any relationship I have with a product that I mention.
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Hu-Dad's Novels
His books pay for our food!
Those look like the perfect prescription for our nasty winters. Built in heating system sounds like a dream. Great review!
Furry interesting!
It is nice to see what khan be done fur the species not adekhwately developed fur the SNOW as we are!
Mom did get some Sorels three or four years ago at a great great end of the season price at Gander Mt but she’s still not broken them out of the box –
She’s one of those ‘saver’ types –
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: BTW, what is this SNOW of which would paw?
Hi Guys,
We’ve just been catching up on what you guys have been up to! Wow you live in a very beautiful place…what it all the white stuff? It looks cold, is that why you are all fluffy? 🙂
Licks and lots of slobber,
Lexi and Jasper the Danes
Boots! Wow! How vogue!
Wish i could wear boots but we dont need it here..no snow..! I’m only made to wear doggie booties if i injured my paws..
Cheers,
Maxx
This is something I’d be very interested in if we ever move to snow country!
Sam
Oh wow! I love Columbia’s stuff, and those boots sound awesome! I have never heard of that particular kind, but I’m impressed that you could have a heater in your boots. Walking around doesn’t bother me, but stand outside in subzero weather waiting for a herd of three to six year olds to get off a bus and your feet get pretty darned cold! I have to look these up!
Dear Herd, sounds like now woo don’t have to go inside but once in a while – your human can stay out & play play play!
Our mom really hates having cold feet, and she says she’s never found a truly waterproof pair that are comfortable. our Siberian paws are perfect in all kinds of weather, but if we have a sore paw, mom puts a bootie on us, too. (They are not nearly as fashionable as those Columbias!)
enjoy the snow!
jack & moo
My mum says she is very glad she has no need for such warm boots here! They sound very good though.
Those must be great boots if they are Herd Approved!!!
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
They sound wonderful – my mom would love a heater in her snow boots!
Anything that extends snow-time with the herd is a good thing! They look so happy in today’s shots. Probably because they know your feet are warm!!
Those do sound like awesome snow boots
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
snow boots with a built in heater… Im intrigued! I dont know if I have poor circulation or what, but no matter how cold it is my toes are always freezing and numb when we go out. A built in heater sounds like it could do the job! Great product to review!
Wow, very cool that you have people offering you products to try out and you get to give an HONEST opinion. Glad that you liked them. 🙂
I bought a pair of Sorel Pac Boots last year before I went to Iditarod…had to return them because they were so heavy, I couldn’t walk in them…
Thanks for this info!
Hugs and belly rubs to the pups,
Kit
Mom would love a pair of good warm boots, but her foot is so darn skinny that she walks right out of most anything or else her foot just sloshes around inside and that cause more pain that it’s worth. She would also love to find a pair of gloves that would keep her hands really warm AND still allow her to “feel” the leashes. KB has given her some options she is going to try too.
Of course, without any snow, who needs boots anyway?
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Thanks for the thumbs up on those boots. My sorels are wearing out, and I think I’ll give the columbias a look!
Love the snow!
Our humans really like the idea of the heated boots but they don’t have much use for them down here but if we lived in the moutains we are sure they would have some!
Licks & Nibbles,
Kody & Nia
Now if we can get them to do heated doggy boots……. Just thinking ahead. Our Chauffeur has heated electric clothing for riding his motorcycle, he just plugs it in, turns the thermostate up to “Miami” and heads out in the cold. But he does not take us along, you have the better deal….
Mogley G. Retriever
Wow! I can say that Mom is significantly intrigued with the heater feature. She think she might need a pair of these for when she has to go play with the horses. She mentioned a heater in the coat, gloves, and hat might be useful as well. She already gave up “looking good” when she goes out there, in fact once she was accused of scaring the horses since she had so many layers on she could barely walk. Thanks for risking your life to test these products. The Siberian world really does appreciate your sacrifices.
ECHO
for the record, i’m coveting a pair of columbia boots here in CH but they never have my size at the store i go to. they have low stock here. i’m not sure i’d want a battery heater, but i can see how it would be great if you were a HUGE snow bunny and was out all day long…
cool! neat review!
Heater seems like overkill. We are having sub zero weather here and my feet stay warm and toasty w/o a heater. A friend drilled short hex top screws into the bottoms of my Sorels and I haven’t slipped since.
It’s good to live in Alaska!