Functional winter boots and socks for my mom with thick calves

December 6, 2016 9:43 AM

Hey guys! I need to get my mom some new winter boots and nice, thick socks asap. Eh...snowflakes within...

The quick and dirty...

- she's in the Midwest, just got the first pummeling of the winter a couple of days ago
- I'm on East Coast (so online shopping will have to do)
- she's 71, short and a bit on heavy side, so she's got thick calves and wide feet
- she walks in the winter since she does not own a car (e.g., couple blocks to bus stop, couple blocks to my siblings, etc.). Past couple of winters, she has experienced a couple of slips - thankfully, no broken bones.

I would like to find:
- purely functional and warm, nothing fancy
- flexible fabric boot shafts or durable laces (zip up might end up being too tight, unless it's flexible fabric with zip up)
- wide toe area
- sturdy, non-skid bottoms (of course)
- waterproof (at least the bottoms - of course)
- some winter socks that would be comfortable that would fit wide calves (I've seen the diabetic socks in pharmacies, maybe something along those lines?)
- price under $100

I'm sure you all get the idea. Thank you for any suggestions and happy holidays to you all!

posted by foxhat10 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (18 answers total)

For sturdy, waterproof boots that can take a beating, you can't go wrong with Kamik. I wear this style myself, and my feet are as wide as
Fred Flintstone's. They're in your price range, too. Bonus: Made in USA!
posted by BostonTerrier at 10:03 AM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Hi. I also have large-ish calves and wide feet. The only boots I've ever loved are made by Blondo. They have sizing specifically for wide calves and they come in double wide sizes. They're also very warm and very water-proof while also being stylish. I can't recommend them enough. Looks like they're a little pricier than you would like, but they go on sale on Amazon sometimes.
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:16 AM on December 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Tall shaft boots are really difficult to purchase for people with wide calves. I strongly recommend that you get your mother's actual calf measurement before you start shopping online so you can see the range of what is available. Further, short people have short calves, so that can mean more fit issues even if the shaft width should be correct.

I have wide calves and I wear Bogs for winter boots. The mid height ones with neoprene calves work pretty well for me but I am probably taller than your mom, so I can't say for sure. The width of the toe area is comfortably huge with plenty of room for thick socks, which you'll want because the rubber boot part is not terribly warm without good socks. They're on sale at 6pm in your price range but you might not have a great choice of colors.
Highly recommend Smartwool or Icebreaker wool socks.
posted by aabbbiee at 10:23 AM on December 6, 2016

Best answer: Does your mom definitely want calf-height boots? I've found that the best solution to the wide calf problem is to buy shorter boots, specifically winter hiking boots. The only hiking I am doing is around the city, but I find these work just great for that. Because they're designed for outdoors/uneven ground, they are are 100% waterproof, super warm, and very grippy. So far mine have withstood Montreal's subzero puddles and also Midwestern Canadian windchill. These are Keen (especially good for wide feet) but I am sure that similar styles by other companies would be just as good, so you can probably shop around.
posted by snorkmaiden at 10:35 AM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Thick-calved Midwesterner here. I agree with aabbbbiee - it's hard enough to buy tall shafted boots for yourself, let alone someone else. That being said, I recommend Land's End Boots. I wear an older version of these for daily dog walking and if the snow is really deep, I have a pair of these.

As for socks, I love my over-the-knee socks from SockDreams (which I am not seeing on their website), but they offer plus-size socks for the well-endowed of calf folk.
posted by sarajane at 10:57 AM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: My recent question on wide socks might be useful for you.
posted by FencingGal at 11:01 AM on December 6, 2016

Response by poster: To clarify, I am looking for boots that are mid-calf or slightly above the ankle height. She's 5'1".
Thanks for all the answers so far!
posted by foxhat10 at 11:01 AM on December 6, 2016

Response by poster: Sorry if I misled about the height of boot! I am thinking along the lines of what snorkmaiden linked to -the Lands End boots.
posted by foxhat10 at 11:03 AM on December 6, 2016

Best answer: Whatever boot you end up getting her consider also getting some of those things you attach to your boots for walking on ice, like maybe these. If I had to live in ice and snow country again I would want something like those, especially since I'm getting close to your mother's age. Falling is a lot more dangerous the older you get.
posted by mareli at 11:20 AM on December 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Woman Within carries a range of wide-calf boots. I can't speak as to how well any of them work, as my foot problems means I have to have rigid soles, so I've never tried them.
posted by telophase at 11:25 AM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Torrid online and Lane Bryant sometimes have them specifically for wife calves since they sell for plus size women. Also, any kind that might lace up the back of sides would make for a better fit and she could adjust them to her width a little better.
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 11:34 AM on December 6, 2016

I find that boots that go up too high may be difficult to put on and take off.

My suggestion would be what I use: Insulated Timberland Chukka Boots.

They are waterproof; Insulated; go up only above the ankles; wide opening to make getting in and out very easy; the soles are really good traction wise to walk on snow and ice; have both a lining and added insulation layer.

I wear the men's version and this has made my winters in Chicago bearable.
posted by indianbadger1 at 11:36 AM on December 6, 2016

I've heard great things about Columbia boots from multiple people here in the Northwest; my mom is a bit younger than your mom, but not very steady on her feet, and she loves hers. I haven't tried them myself but I'm ordering a pair of these since none of my Sorels are good on ice or snow (despite being warm and cute).

I also have to respectfully disagree with the suggestion for Blondo boots; I have average if 'athletic' size calves and even the wide-calf styles of that brand don't fit me.
posted by stellaluna at 11:39 AM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

Did not see the 100 bucks restriction. Here is a place that is selling the Timberlands I suggested for less than a hundo.

EBAY
posted by indianbadger1 at 11:55 AM on December 6, 2016

Also just a note on stabilicers/yak traks; please only buy these if you trust your mom to take them off BEFORE she gets inside anywhere with non-carpeted floors. They are a real pain to take on and off your boots, so a lot of people try to get by without it, but if you walk on linoleum/tile/concrete/hardwood you will fall, guaranteed. One of my colleagues did this, broke her wrist, and had to have surgery :(
posted by stellaluna at 2:05 PM on December 6, 2016

Response by poster: So I ended up going with this pair of boots (using a promo code, free shipping was very helpful with price ;). I actually own these myself, same brand, style and everything. They performed very well on a recent trip to Montana. I didn't think I'd find them since I bought them in upstate NY 3 years ago. Long story short, decided to search online for them, and voila! There they were - at Target no less, which will help if mom has a size issue. But these boots have ample room at the toe (thick sock-friendly) - great for wide feet. I do prefer mine with an odor eater/cushion thingy for better comfort.

Just thought I'd share for others who may be looking as well. But thank you all for providing your suggestions!
posted by foxhat10 at 2:09 PM on December 6, 2016 [1 favorite]

I lived in Chicago for 10 years and it wasn't until the last three that I discovered how wonderful LL Bean Boots are. They changed my winter experience in Chicago. They are thinsulate lined and have a great rubber sole. They are US made and will quickly ship online. They are also very affordable (just over 100 bones).
posted by maryrosefromthedead at 4:48 PM on December 6, 2016

For socks, I would recommend the Wigwam socks - have worn them for years (I work outside all year round), and they hold up quite well. My SO has the wide calf thing also, and she loves them - they stretch to fit her calves, but never seem to lose that bit of elasticity so they fall down.
posted by PlantGoddess at 7:31 AM on December 7, 2016