{groan} I forgot that one kid doesn't have boots yet this winter...

[worthy]

We live where it's cold and have always been able to get good boots via hand-me-downs or cheap ebay buys.  My oldest is a size youth 6 (so women's 7, I think? correct me if I'm wrong).  It's that time of year when I don't have the time to "shop" thrift or even drive to solve problems like this.  Ebay is (duh, predictably in mid-winter) sparse on what I had in mind.  If I am going to spend more than a few bucks on boots, I want them to be very sturdy and last all four kids, so I'm thinking Bogs or Muck, but they are soooo spendy I am not sure I can justify it.  Or maybe I'm just whining; we get practically all their clothes for free, so what do I have to complain about?  Nothing, right?

I couldn't find great deals on these kinds of boots when I looked online, but maybe someone here likes that kind of challenge and can help me out...pretty please?  Muck doesn't even make youth 6, so I'm assuming it's women's 7 that we need.  We live in an area with cold winters and slushy/muddy spring so dual-purpose boots seem like the best investment.  I'm irritated with myself that I put it off so long (and it's just lucky that we haven't had crazy snow yet, and he's conveniently at that "look how cool I am, no boots/no hat/no gloves" stage...)

What would you do?

[HollyBearsMom]

I love the bogs and feel the a good investment, especially if you have more than one kid that will wear them.  Because you can take the insole outs my son gets 2 seasons wear out of them.  And I usually get at least 50% of the original price when I consign them!  If you can swing it thats what I would do!

[belovedofbast]

We live where it gets cold to (very much so, sometimes) and we have bought SD Columbia boots or Sorel.  They are both a little spendy, but I think her younger siblings are wearing the older pairs now.  I'm not super sure, we just give her mom all the hand me downs...however, we like the Columbia and Sorels because they have good tread, water proof foot and are warm (rated to -30C I think)

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by belovedofbast 

We live where it gets cold to (very much so, sometimes) and we have bought SD Columbia boots or Sorel.  They are both a little spendy, but I think her younger siblings are wearing the older pairs now.  I'm not super sure, we just give her mom all the hand me downs...however, we like the Columbia and Sorels because they have good tread, water proof foot and are warm (rated to -30C I think)

I have had good luck with Kamik's too (very similar to the Sorels) but DS1 did manage to bust the buckle on last pair (after three years of hard use).  We have cold snowy winters, DS1 loves it outside, is generally hard on clothing/shoes, and we currently walk 3/4 mile to school most days.

 

Edited by mnnice - 12/23/10 at 10:14am

[belovedofbast]

I forgot about Kamik's!  They are DH's favourite.  He has a pair he takes when he goes hunting in the fall.  They keep his feet toasty warm (apparently sometimes TOO toasty)

[Lucy Alden]

Lands End has a pair of winter boots for $19.  These are the girls ones in navy.  The boys ones are sold out in every color except red.  What is your price range?

[Norabella]

Originally Posted by belovedofbast 

We live where it gets cold to (very much so, sometimes) and we have bought SD Columbia boots or Sorel.  They are both a little spendy, but I think her younger siblings are wearing the older pairs now.  I'm not super sure, we just give her mom all the hand me downs...however, we like the Columbia and Sorels because they have good tread, water proof foot and are warm (rated to -30C I think)

My mom invested in Sorel's when my siblings and I were young. At least three and maybe four of us wore the pair that my 2yo DD is wearing this winter. We played outside a lot in the winter time, and the boots are still (27ish years later) in awesome condition, practically new looking. Now, they are probably not built to that level of quality anymore (seems like nothing is a good as it used to be) but I would bet they are still a really good investment.

[zebra15]

http://www.columbia.com/Youth-Powderbug%E2%84%A2-Print/BY1281,default,pd.html 

Poke around on www.columbia.com  you may find something else too.

Rei has kids sizes up to 7 as well

http://www.rei.com/category/4501287 

[spedteacher30]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=2614J&cdf=TopSeller

We got our son a pair of these in red earlier this year. they are perfect for our winter weather. check STP's other offerings for something more appropriate for your winter.

[mtm]

Maybe check 6pm.com? I saw bogs on sale there a few weeks ago but can't remember what sizes they had.

[worthy]

Thanks for all the responses.  My kid nixed the $35 Sorels, unfortunately; he's really attached to how Bogs feel on his feet.  I found some through shoebuy with 20% off and free shipping, so I "only" spent $53 (gah, falling over dead at that price) but I'm realizing that in 12 years with four kids, I have only ever once bought brand-new boots, and that includes winter and rain boots, as nearly all of our boots have been free/hand-me-down.  And I had my other kids give their thumbs-up on the style since all four of them will wear these, and per kid it works out to $13 each, so...anyway. Ugh, I hate buying stuff new!

The coupon code at shoebuy is today only, "TREE" for 20% off and free shipping, in case anyone is looking...

Now, if the kids will stop growing, we'll be all set.