There’s a strange thing that happens every year where I live, usually around October, but sometimes if we’re lucky not until November. The temperature will dip below freezing, and one day these little white crystals, known as snow (the frozen water kind, not the drug kind) start falling down onto the ground. Sometimes they go away, but they usually come back, and there they’ll stay for several months, most likely until late-March but sometimes they even come back in June.
You’d think having been born in Edmonton, where -30C (that’s -22F) and lower temperatures have been known to occur every winter that I’d get used to this, but every year when the snow starts falling I get pouty because it’s going to get cold for several months. I know winter doesn’t have to be that bad, and considering how long winter can last here it would probably serve me much better to try and embrace winter. I’m not saying go out and get frostbite, or attempt to lick a metal lampost (seriously, not a good idea), but there is something to be said about going for a walk on freshly fallen white powdery snow.
Winter. There’s snow (usually), there’s cold (definitely), but it’s pretty. Photo taken in Camrose, Alberta.
Most of enjoying winter comes down to two things being prepared and having a good attitude. The preparation part usually boils (freezes?) down to the clothes you wear. Layers, and good outwear; a winter coat, preferably waterproof, good gloves, a scarf, a toque (pronounced like tewk), and of course boots.
Good winter boots are important. Trust me. I’ve tried to buy some cheap winter boots thinking they’ll last, but they usually fall apart quickly, or they’re not waterproof. Do you know what happens when you wear nonwaterproof boots in the winter? You get snow on your boots (pretty inevitable), when you go inside where it’s warm the snow starts to melt. The inside of your boots are now wet, and if you have to go outside before they have time to completely dry that water freezes. So now instead of having on warm boots, your wearing freezing icy boots. Not fun people.
This is why I was pretty excited when I got a pair of Jordanelle’s from Teva to try out. They came just before a nice cold snap, so I was able to put then to good use. The Jordanelle’s I got were black with blue highlights (like the one shown in the picture below), but they were also available in a pink, or a grey/aqua green colour combination.
The Good
- The Jordanelle’s are rated to a temperature of -32C (-25F), so I knew they’d keep my feet nice and warm outside for 99% of what old man winter has to dish out.
- They’re waterproof so I didn’t have to fret about that whole icy boot situation I mention earlier. I walked through several deep snow banks to test them out and they worked great.
- Considering they’re a winter boot they’re not too heavy, or bulky, and they have a removable inner layer that’s actually quite warm. A few days I just wore the inner boot around my house instead of slippers, and my feet got nice and toasty warm really quickly.
- The Jordanell’s have good rubber grips on the bottom of them. When I was walking a friend’s dog I didn’t need to worry about losing my footing and slipping on ice.
- They’re comfortable. I’ve worn these boots several times, and they felt great.
- They look nice.
- When I opened the box there was a little note in the box that said for every pair sold Teva will clean a foot of shoreline. Plus they use recycled packaging for the box. That made me feel all warm and fuzzy… in a good way.
A Jordanelle Boot. Snazzy, and it keeps your feet warm in the cold winter.
The Bad
- They Jordanelle’s are a bit hard to get on. This was my first time ordering boots from Teva. I got a size 10, which I normally wear. While the boots felt comfortable when they were on, actually putting the books on took a few minutes because I had to undo all the laces to get the boots on. I think I’d recommend going up half a size from what you normally wear, and that would probably make a difference.
- There’s a lot of laces. These aren’t a slip on/slip off kind of boot, and I found that they did take a couple minutes to do up, and to undo.
The Verdict.
If you live in a cold, winter climate and you know you’re going to be spending some time outside (and not just going from one warm building to another in a matter of minutes) the Jordanelle Boots are good option. They’re not the easiest boot to get on or off, it does take a few minutes, but once they’re one the boots are warm, waterproof and comfortable. You can walk, run (if you’re crazy), and hike outside in the winter without worrying about your toes freezing, or that you might slip on ice. For an active, adventurous, and/or winter loving traveler these are great boot to try. If you’re like me and a bit winterphobic these are boots that might make you embrace winter, or at least give you a better perspective on this season.
Disclosure: I recieved a pair of Teva Jordanell’s to review, but all opinions are my own.
We’re also from Edmonton, and know all about the cold/wet winters. Hope those boots got you through this winter. We seem to never learn, and end up wearing non-winter proof shoes all winter through the unshovelled side walks.
The boots have been working out great this winter, although there have been several warmer days this year which has been great. Always nice to see some other bloggers from Edmonton. Thanks for the comment.
Hey Alouise! Those look like quite the nice boots. Something I haven’t properly owned in years! I remember making it through a Canadian winter in my sneakers once… that lead to a number of soggy socks being hung by the chimney with care… in hopes they would dry out so I didn’t catch pneumonia
The nice thing about living in Thailand now… no soggy socks, and no winter boots… though I don’t mind the snow, it’s novelty seems to wear off for me after about a week! 
Hope they serve you well this winter!
They sure look nice! And even in other Western countries where it might not get to temperatures of -30°C, winters are still mostly cold and wet and snowy and muddy, so any shoes that are waterproof, warm, and have a good grip, are very much appreciated! I think you’re right when you say that they might help you with your winterphobia – and I can imagine why you developped one with the story about the freezing ice boots…;) Have a merry Christmas and a good (short:)?) winter!
They sound like a good boot to wear when you’re planning to stay outside for long periods of time. Thankfully, most of my activities are indoor but defiently something to consider when you’re travelling and need something to keep you warm.
Ooh! I love these! I want some. Ohio winters aren’t as cold as those in Canada, but my feet freeze just the same. I just know I’d spend more time outside if only I weren’t risking frostbite every time I walk the dog. (Okay, he’s more likely to get frostbite on his paws, but he doesn’t seem to mind it as much as I do.)
Thanks for sharing your opinion of these.