As a child growing up in Colorado, there were only two choices when shopping for winter boots – Sorels and Moon Boots. Boy how times have changed. Nowadays every outdoor company that manufactures shoes also has a line of winter boots that are warmer and lighter than the clunky stompers of year’s past. The Garmont Momentum Snow GTX Winter Boots are a good example of how much cold-weather footwear has evolved.
Garmont is an Italian company known the world over for their quality hiking, backpacking, ice climbing and ski touring boots. Right out of the box, the Momentum Snow GTX shows off that same rugged, Garmont quality. But picking them up, I feared they felt too light and insubstantial for a boot that supposedly keeps toes warm in temperatures as low as -35°F. But after wearing them for the past two months in all types of Utah’s cold, snowy weather, it turns out those fears were unfounded.
The Garmont Momentum Snow GTX Winter Boots are downright comfortable despite their stripped-down personality. The boots feature leather uppers with nylon mesh panels, along with GORE-TEX liners that keep feet breathing and dry during activity. The boots are also insulated with 400g of Thinsulate polyester fiber for exceptional warmth. Other features include a roomy toe box to accomadate thick winter socks, rugged G-Grip soles that provide good traction on snow and icy sidewalks, and a plastic shank to protect the forefoot and increase stability on uneven terrain.
If you’re thinking that the Garmont Momentum Snow GTX boots are perfect for snowshoeing, then you are correct. Hiking in these boots is a joy. The lighter weight and flexibility makes walking long distances a breeze. While trudging up creek bottoms in the Wasatch canyons after huge snowstorms, I never got frozen feet. And the generous ankle height keeps snow out of the boots, even when wallowing in thigh-deep blower.
If mountain hiking in the dead-of-winter is child’s play for the Garmont Momentum Snow GTX, then just think how well they perform during benign duties like shoveling the driveway, or walking the dog in the city.
As for warmth? Well, it never got to -35 degrees here in Salt Lake, but hiking in Neff’s Canyon in single digit temperatures was a good test for the boots. Happily, my toes never felt the chill, even though my fingers were popsicles inside my gloves.
Of course nothing in this world is perfect, and I do have some nitpicky complaints. First, even though the roomy toe area is nice for warmth, the rest of the boot also felt a bit loose unless I wore the thickest wool socks I own. The boots are true to size, and the roominess is by design to accommodate thick socks. Problem is, you have to wear thick socks if you want to be comfortable. But not every day is a thick-sock-kind-of-day, which takes points away from the Momentum Snow GTX versatility factor.
My other complaint is a problem I encountered with the top of the boot where it wraps around the calf. The material is hard and thin…almost sharp. After walking for a while, I could feel the boots digging into my legs and chafing the skin. Loosening the laces would relieve the pain, but take away ankle support. Although the minimalist design of the boots keeps ’em swift and light, they could benefit from some sort of plush liner around the calf area for added comfort.
Here are all the technical specs from the company:
- Upper: Goretex
- Sole: EVA Midsole
- Weight: 551 gr
- Color: Black
- U.S. MSRP $139.95
- Canada MSRP $179.95
On the whole, if you’re in the market for a warm and sleek winter boot that shuns the clomper-style boots of old, while maintaining the features needed for snowshoeing or helping the kids build snow forts, then seek out the Garmont Momentum Snow GTX Winter Boots.
For more information, visit Garmont online.
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First, you neglected to mention that they are actually made in China. Second, there is a Mid height version which might reduce the cuff problem you mention. Third, the size you wore are too big, you should have tried a half size smaller. O, and the mid style are lighter and still have a -15 comfort rating, plus they are now on sale at Campsave.com for just $75