Looking for Urban Snow Boots
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a good pair of hiking boots for walking on snow without slipping. I don’t hike much but need them for city/urban use during snowy days. I live in Italy, so US brands are often hard or expensive to find.
How I’ll Use Them:
- Taking my nieces/nephews out to play in the snow, build snowmen, and throw snowballs. We usually stay in the city, but sometimes we go to small wooded areas nearby.
- Walking around with my partner to enjoy the snow.
- Commuting during snow or heavy rain.
I’d use them maybe 1-5 times a year, mostly for an afternoon or early evening.
Why Hiking Boots?
Some may say I don’t need snow boots for this, but I feel safer with sturdy, grippy boots. I had an accident last year, slipped, and broke my arm, so I’m a bit more cautious now.
I was considering the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid, but I got worried about the PU midsole and hydrolysis after reading about it on their site. Am I overthinking this?
Any advice on boots that fit my needs would be greatly appreciated. I’m a bit lost and could use some guidance! Thanks in advance!
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Anything with a Vibram Arctic Grip sole is worth looking for. In Italy, you should have no trouble finding anything.
PU hydrolysis is not a major issue as long as you keep your boots indoors and wear them rarely.
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Hello! Thanks for the answer and trying to help me 
You should have no trouble finding something in Italy
Eh, I’m not so sure about it, I have no physical store near me for this kind of footwear, so my only resource is online buy and…maybe I’m doing something wrong but I don’t always find what I read about online
As long as you store your boots indoors
What does “store your boots indoors” mean?
Dumb question I know, but I’m truly clueless on this and reading about PU Hydrolysis the moment I was about to hit the purchase button got me scared…it’s a lot of money purchase
wear them occasionally, PU hydrolysis is not a big problem
I think that the boots may go unused for long, like they may get their day of use from december to february but the rest of the year they’d unused 
I’m really sorry if I sound so “clueless” but it’s my first pair and neve purchased anything similiar before
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These boots are from Italy. See what more you can find by searching.
I have previously utilized this Spanish retailer.
Those that struggle with hydrolysis are keeping their boots in a car, shed, garage, or basement and haven’t worn them in years. Keep them in your closet and wear them once a year.
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I don’t understand why there is snow but no stores that carry winter shoes, or have you just not looked?
Get some spikes or grips to use on your other boots if they are waterproof and comfy. A special pair of shoes is not necessary for use for one to five days.
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I don’t understand how there is snow but no where that stocks winter footwear or is this a case of your haven’t really looked?
I live in a pretty small area, way smaller than one may think; of course, in italy there are store that stock such footwear, but to reach one I’d have to drive quite a distance and it’s kinda of an hassle, considering they’d upsell you stuff