Gear Box: Korkers SnowJack Boots

Let's face it, innovations in snow boots are few and far between. Sure, they occasionally get warmer and more comfortable, and the designs change with both function and fashion from time to time. But there is seldom any real major changes to this type of footwear, and we usually end up buying something we need, in the price range we can afford, without much consideration for anything else.

Gear company Korkers is looking to change that with a new line of boots that features a truly innovative approach to winter footwear. Their new shoes feature interchangeable soles that can be quickly and easily switched out depending on conditions, making them one of the most versatile pair of snow boots that I've seen in a very long time.

I recently had the opportunity to test out Korker's SnowJack boots and found them to be an excellent option in every way. They are comfortable, lightweight, warm, and rugged, which makes them a great choice for any cold weather outdoor activities. The boots use 3M's Thinsulate to insulate the foot and keep your toes toasty warm, even in sub-zero temperatures, and the design is a nice mix of leather and webbing on the outside, with a waterproof bootie on the inside. The result, is a shoe that breathes well but keeps moisture out – an important combination for extended, active winter excursions.

Of course, there are plenty of excellent winter boots on the market that would match the description above, but what sets the SnowJacks apart from competitors is its sole. Or perhaps I should say soles. Out of the box, the boots come equipped with Korker's patented SnowTrac outsole, which has a solid, dependable feel. This sole is designed for keeping a steady grip in wet, snowy conditions on a wide variety of surfaces ranging from pavement to muddy trails and even powder-covered rocks. But should you find conditions worsen, and you have to deal with icy conditions instead, these boots come with a second sole that can be used be swapped out in times of need. This second sole is called the IceTrac, and it features 32 carbide studs that provide a much better grip when walking across slick, icy surfaces.

Switching between the two different soles is easy and takes just a few seconds, even while wearing gloves. Once the new sole is locked into place, you would never even know that it is removable, and other than a noticeable change in grip on the specific surface that they are designed for, you would think that they are a natural extension of the boots themselves.

Beyond the innovative system for swapping out the soles, I was also impressed with how thin these boots are while still remaining very warm. I'm not a fan of bulky boots of any kind, especially if they make me feel like I'm clumsily plodding along through snow and ice. The SnowJacks don't feel that way on my feet, and while wearing them, I actually still felt nimble and relatively light on my feet. Because of this, these boots are a great choice for winter hiking or snowshoeing.

If you're in the market for a new pair of winter boots, and you're looking for comfortable and versatile footwear for your cold weather adventures, then I definitely recommend the SnowJack from Korkers. The boots carry an MSRP of $159.95, which is actually bargain, since it feels like you're actually getting two pairs of boots at that price.

Ten Winter Activities In Yellowstone

I sent this out to my Twtter feed over the weekend, but wanted to share it here as well. As many of you know, I spent a good portion of the early part of January in Montana and Yellowstone National Park, playing in the snow. This is the second time that I've visited the park in the past six months, and my winter adventure was very different from my summer one, although I did get a blizzard in September too. As a result of this latest excursion, I posted a list of Ten Great Things To Do In Yellowstone During the Winter at Gadling.

Now, some of the things on the last are bit more relaxed than others. For instance, I recommend soaking in the hot springs of the Boiling River, not far from Mammoth. Even when it is freezing cold outside, the river is warm and comforting. I also mentioned spending the night at the Snow Lodge, which is a fantastic place to stay and serves as a great base camp for your Yellowstone adventures. But there are also some amazing outdoor activities to take part in while you visit in the winter as well, such as snowshoeing and cross country skiing, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

There are miles of groomed trails to explore in the park, and whether you're on snowshoes or skis, there is plenty to see. In the article I mentioned the Geyser Basin, which is where all the geothermal activity takes place, including Old Faithful. One of my days in the park we spent snowshoeing off the beaten path behind  Yellowstone's most famous geyser, which gave us a view of the eruption that most don't get to see. But that was just the beginning, as we continued further down the valley, there were plenty of other geysers, mud pots, and hot springs to see as well.

Spotting wildlife was especially fun and easy in the winter too. While we didn't get the opportunity to see any wolves, we were able to spot plenty of bison, elk, and sheep, as well as coyotes and even a bright red fox. There were lots of trumpeter swans in the park this winter too, and the famed ravens of Yellowstone were making their usual rounds and being quite the nuisance. The Lamar Valley is a great place to go looking for critters, and I'm told there is an active family of otters in that area this year as well. The fresh blanket of snow makes it easy to see them all, and because there are no crowds during the winter, you're likely to have much of the place to yourself. The park now boasts 3 million visitors a year, of those just 100,000 come during the winter.

So, if you don't mind a little cold (It was -10ºF one morning) and you enjoy a little snow (Old Faithful gets about 200 inches per year!) then I can't think of a better winter playground than Yellowstone. Just e sure to dress warmly and invest in a good pair of boots before you go. Then grab the camera and prepare for a great time, as Yellowstone is even more beautiful in the winter than it is in the summer.

Gear Box: Keen Summit County Winter Boots

Living in Austin, Texas I don't have the need for snow boots very often. In fact, up until a week and a half ago, I hadn't even owned a pair since I moved here from Iowa more than five years ago. But when I received an invitation to visit Yellowstone in the winter, I knew I'd need good boots to keep my feet warm and dry while spending the days playing in the snow. As usual, I turned to the Keen catalog of footwear to see what they had on offer, and ended up going with a pair of Summit County Boots. A choice that would prove to be very wise.

Made from an interesting mix of leather and Keen's patented KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane, the Summit County boots are warm and comfortable, while allowing us to stay active in harsh winter conditions. In fact, the first thing that impressed me was just how comfortable these boots actually are. Often times I put them on at the beginning of the day and didn't take them off until it was time for bed that night, and yet my feet remained comfortable going from the lodge to a snowcoach to a four feet deep pile of snow. It is a real testament to any boot that you can wear it for hours on end without having a negative effect on your feet, and better yet, these boots didn't seem to need any kind of break-in time, as they were comfortable out of the box and didn't cause any kinds of blisters or other discomforts.

Yellowstone is the ultimate winter playground and a perfect place to test any cold weather gear. There were times when I was up to my waist in snow or walking across thick ice. No matter what the conditions though, my pair of Summit County boots kept a firm grip on the surface, and I don't remember slipping once while I had them on. Something that I appreciated throughout my trip. Best of all, even when I was in deep snow, the powder stayed on the outside of the boot and my toes stayed dry throughout.

In fact, the only time that these boots didn't keep me warm was on a morning that we spent watching wildlife. We ended up standing around in the cold weather for long periods of time, and my toes did begin to get quite cold, even wearing a thick pair of socks. To be fair though, the temperature was hovering around zero degrees, and the lack of activity played a roll in chilling my feet. Later that day, when the mercury had climbed to a balmy 5ºF, I wore these same boots on a snowshoeing excursion that lasted for several hours, and my feet stayed warm the entire time.

If you have some cold weather adventures planned for the months ahead, then I'd definitely recommend a pair of Keen Summit County Boots. They are a great blend of comfort, warmth, and quality, all wrapped up in an incredibly light weight package. For the first pair of winter boots I've owned in a half-decade, they are an impressive set of footwear, and one that will serve me well for any snowy adventures I have in the future. In fact, I'd venture to guess that these boots will be perfect for any cold weather activities short of a trek to one of the Poles.

Excellent gear once again from Keen.

(MSRP: $140)

Back From Montana!

Just a quick note this morning to let everyone know I'm back from my trip to Montana and will resume regular updates and postings as soon as possible. I had a fantastic time in Yellowstone, which I'll be sharing  with you more in depth soon, but for now, lets just say that the park is even more beautiful in the winter and far less crowded.

I had the opportunity to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing through some fantastic landscapes, and spot plenty of wildlife as well. The critters of Yellowstone are on fine display during the winter months, as they are often far easier to spot then during the summer, and many of them have come down from the higher altitudes in search of food. As a result, the bison, elk, and big horn sheep are common sights, with plenty of coyotes, trumpeter swans, and even a fox or two as well.

If you'd like to check out some photos of the trip click here. Otherwise, check out my new friend below and I'll get on with the regular adventure news.