ML staff and gear partners highlight some rad new winter footwear, ski boots and socks, in alpha order.
Dahlgren Socks
DAHLGREN has pioneered and patented a system that absorbs moisture created by your foot and continually moves it up and out of the sock to where it can evaporate, leading to drier, more comfortable feet. Available in a ton of great gender-neutral colour combos, you can’t go wrong with these ones as a holiday gift. Toasty toes for the win! www.dahlgrensocks.ca
Dri-Stride Tech
Dri-Stride TechHillsound Trail Crampon Ultra
The HILLSOUND TRAIL CRAMPON ULTRA is a lightweight, reliable and comfortable option for winter trail running, hiking and fastpacking in the mountains. They provide the confidence to focus on your performance and the experience, rather than worrying whether next step will be a slippery one. www.hillsound.ca
Durability
DurabilityLOWA Trident III GTX Winter Boot
The sporty-but-burly TRIDENT III GTX (available for men and women) includes some new exclusive technologies like the LOWA Monowrap frame and the warm, featherweight GORE-TEX Partelana lining. And with the LOWA Snow Trac outsole (boasting a grippy triangle-shaped stud profile and optimized rubber compound), this waterproof-breathable boot will serve for late-autumn or early-spring strolls (and won’t overheat) or ploughing through the deep during a hike or snowshoe. www.lowa.ca
Winter-Ready Outsole
Winter-Ready OutsoleMerrell Bravada 2 Thermo
Winter-capable and trail-ready, the MERRELL BRAVADA 2 THERMO is a women-specific hiker that fits like a sneaker and hugs the ankle with added insulation to keep you warm and confident throughout winter. The waterproof-breathable membrane and nubuck-and-nylon upper lets you stride in all-conditions comfort.
www.merrell.com
Eco-Forward Choice
Eco-Forward ChoiceYou might also like:
Muck Apex Pro
With a Vibram Arctic Grip All Terrain outsole, MUCK’s APEX PRO offers way more traction and stability than your average slip-on boot. It’s lined with 4mm CR Flex-Foam neoprene for flexibility, shock absorption and heat retention, and a dual-density footbed with memory foam adjusts to the contours of your foot to resist blisters and chafing. Meanwhile, the breathable mesh lining reduces moisture buildup and overheating. Comfort range: -30°C to 10°C. www.muckbootcompany.ca
Grip
GripPulse ProFit Liner
Manufactured in Italy’s Dolomites, the customized PULSE PROFIT LINER fills the gaps between the skier’s foot and the shell providing unparalleled performance, control and comfort. The fitters at Pulse work with every skier to find the perfect balance, backed by the industry’s best guarantee. For a boot lab near you, check www.pulsebootlab.com
Footbed Support
Footbed SupportTecnica Mach1 MV 130
With its revolutionary carbon-fibre shell, the MACH1 MV 130 is the benchmark for performance, fit and customization in the high-performance medium-volume, all-mountain boot world. www.blizzard-tecnica.com
Adaptable Fit
Adaptable FitCheck the ML Podcast!