Winter Backpacking Footwear 

Sorry the Keen Revel IV didn't work out for you. I was one of the subscribers that recommended them to you, but the Keen Revel IV work great for me. I used them last weekend in Tahoe in 20 degree weather with just some darn tough socks and they kept my feet warm. I do like the Vibram out-sole and the snow flake shards for walking on ice. The only thing I did do was swap out the in-sole with something that had a little more support. I hope you find the right winter shoe that fits you, blister free!

If you decide to keep them, get sno seal for the leather portion to help waterproof.

I tried the Keens and found the warmth ratings to be exaggerated. Try the Quechua SH100 Ultra-Warm, Waterproof Hiking Boots from Decathlon. They are very uncomfortable out of the box but I put my super feet insoles in them and the performance of the boot is phenomenal. Literally just got back from my fourth winter trip with them and they're perfect. Waterproof and comfortably warm down to the teens in Fahrenheit. I did 22 miles in them today and that was with 13 miles with them yesterday which is a decent amount for a winter trip. No blisters or foot pain of any kind. My feet stayed warm. The boots were frozen in the morning because it got cold overnight but they loosened up after a few minutes on the trail this morning.

Try the Salomon quests. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Amazing boots. I’m in Ireland so cold wet weather is a year round issue. They feel like sneakers straight from the box. Ps don’t let goretex freeze. The moisture just from your feet sweating will destroy the goretex membrane same as for a water filter

Hey Mark, how you doing? Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. The right footwear is what works for you.

If its just the heel I'd go with the Lucko tape. But I really don't have a pair of hikeing boots anymore. I use LL Bean boots for winter "camping" / short distance hiking. I need a boot that has a large toe box and the last pair I bought were Keen and I could not take the tight fit. I think this fall I'll invest in something to hike in other than my Altra Olympus.

Those fiber glass outsoles look awesome. I'd definitely take advantage of REI's return policy. Maybe it's your walking gait. I switched to barefoot style shoes and zero drop trail runners and basically had to relearn how to walk. But try landing your feet right below you. Avoid the heel strikes. Take shorter steps. See if that helps. Sometimes it can't be avoided and I have some leukotape ready on my trekking pole.

Try powder.... moisture and friction are not good! Think about it. You are trying to control the friction, socks, spacers, tape..... try some talc powder or equivalent. Dry skin is tough skin! Let me know? Good luck bro!

Hey Mark, sorry to hear of your trials and tribulations with our colder weather. Do you happen to wear a "liner sock" along with your hiking socks? Although I haven't logged the miles you are attempting in the winter, I also wear fairly heavy winter boots and hot spots were always a problem until I started wearing a liner sock to wick moisture and also reduce the friction between the boot/sock/foot. Although there are all kinds of material used today, the first liners I ever used were made of a kind of slippery polypropylene and they have worked well for me. I happened to buy a pair of those Revel IV in high and will let you know how they work out for me. Great to get the discussions going. Jeff

As a Floridian I am upset and disappointed that he did not recommend flip-flops during Florida winters 😄

Interested to see how these work for you, I’m looking also. I have a few years old Keen Gypsum pair now, they’re ok, but think I can do better for my feet.

I have been looking at those as I also have Hoka Speedgoats5 and like them. I will be interested in how they work out for you.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been grappling with this same issue. Winter backpacking footwear is a tough call. Like whether or not to have insulation. Or boot height. Interested to see how you like these. Will you wear a vapor barrier with them?

Why not wear trail runners with sealskinz socks. Used on the AT in the cold months

Have you used silk socks underneath your normal socks?

Hey Mark. Get back to Oklahoma much?