Have you ever looked at a pair of Duck Boots and been tempted to buy them but weren’t sure how to use them? What exactly are Duck Boots Good For?
Well, Duck Boots are an incredibly versatile style of footwear that could soon be an essential part of your wardrobe. Not only do they make great general wear boots they are also loved by celebrities and preppy fashionistas.
Here’s why buying a pair of Duck Boots might be one of the best footwear investments that you make this year.
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What Are Duck Boots Used For?
If you are looking for a pair of boots to see you through autumn and winter then you can’t go far wrong with the classic Duck Boot.
Whilst the original Duck Boots were created over 100 years ago by Leon Leonwood Bean to keep his feet dry and warm when hunting they now have a much wider audience.
- Rain Boots
- Snow Boots
- Hunting Boots
- Walking Boots
- Work Boots
- Fashion Boots
These are great all-rounders which is why there are worth paying for. You have got to love a boot that works for almost everything. So let’s talk about how you could use them and why they could become your wardrobe staple.
Are Bean Boots Fashionable?
Whilst Duck Boots are the unsung hero of many a winter footwear wardrobe they haven’t always traditionally been seen as uber fashionable.
These are boots that are reliable, dependable, and winter essentials for many people who want slip-resistant, waterproof boots to handle winter conditions.
Yet in recent years they have become seen more as a fashion statement as well. Celebrities such as Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Johnson and Kim Kardashian have been pictured wearing them in wet or snowy weather.
These boots also now feature all over Pinterest and Instagram as the footwear of choice for plenty of influencers.
Fashions of course come and go so think of Duck Boots as practical winter footwear that can keep your feet dry in less-than-ideal conditions. You don’t have to be in a fashion parade to wear them instead they are useful for outdoor activities and serve a very practical purpose.
Are Duck Boots For Rain Or Snow?
Duck Boots are now manufactured by a number of different companies in a huge range of designs and styles. Whilst some Bean Boots with their waterproof bottom are used mainly as wet weather boots there are now a number of companies that have added to their range by creating snow boots.
Are Duck Boots good for wet conditions? Well, one of the primary reasons that L L Bean created his famous boot design with a rubber section on the bottom was to deal with the rain and wet ground.
The seam-sealed rubber section linked with the leather upper is a great design for walking around in without getting your feet wet. Those rubber soles do a great job of keeping your feet dry just like wellington boots do.
With the addition of a slightly higher ankle section and Thinsulate insulation, these boots can also be transformed into a great pair of snow boots as well.
Are rubber boots good for snow? Well if they are designed well like winter Duck Boots you should have no problem unless you are dealing with extreme conditions.
Each Duck Boot manufacturer uses different insulation methods from fleece lining to Primaloft insulation which can help you keep your feet warm even when the weather outside dips below freezing.
The rubber soles on the boots can offer some excellent traction on slippery surfaces provided you aren’t going to use them in extreme conditions.
Choosing Non-Insulated Duck Boots For Wet Weather
What are Duck Boots good for? Well, non-insulated Duck Boots are the perfect choice to wear in autumn weather to keep your feet dry. They should be totally waterproof in rainy conditions and be warm enough for wearing out and about.
Bean boots without insulation are clearly not going to be designed for wearing out in sub-zero temperatures in the snow for considerable amounts of time.
If the place where you live has relatively mild winters and you mostly have to worry about the rain then these are great boots to wear as either regular shoes or even as work boots.
Non-Insulated Boots By Sketchers
A perfect example of this is these Sketchers Women’s Duck Boots with a rubber sole and water-resistant wool fabric upper. These should work well in wet conditions provided you are not going to be standing in water and saturating your boot.
They should also be relatively comfortable with their memory foam cushioned insole meaning they are easy to walk around in.
Whilst they are not exactly the same as the original Duck Boots as they don’t have a leather upper they are a good pair of non-insulated boots for winter.
Choosing Warm Duck Boots
If the climate you are living in is a little harsher than others then don’t worry because there are plenty of Duck Boot designs that have been created to help you deal with cold weather and snow.
If you need something with that extra warmth then you need to make sure that you are buying boots that have sufficient insulation in them to cope with the temperatures you may be typically dealing with.
Again each brand of Duck Boots will have its own versions of insulated boots and each of their designs will be able to cope with different temperatures.
One of the best-insulated Duck Boots for Snow is the Sorel Caribou Waterproof Boot. This Duck Boot sits higher than your ankle and is made in designs for both men and women.
This boot combines the traditional style of a Duck Boot with a snow boot so that you get a great cold-weather footwear staple.
The upper section of the boot is made from waterproof nubuck leather and the bottom section has a rubber sole with additional traction for slippery snow and ice. Both sections are linked together and seam sealed so that you should have warm dry feet even when you are walking even in heavy snow.
The felt liner inside the boot (which can be removed) is designed to insulate you from freezing temperatures so you shouldn’t feel cold unless you are in extremely cold temperatures.
Do They Have Good Traction?
Bean Duck Boots were famously created with a chain link pattern on the rubber soles in order to help with traction in wet weather and in snow.
This rubber section should be more than adequate in snowy conditions however as with many boots you may find the traction is not so great when it comes to really icy conditions.
The fact is that if you experience really icy cold conditions regularly where you live then you may need to think about either using ice cleats over your boots or investing in some boots that have been specifically designed for really icy conditions.
Remember that as different brands make different types of Duck Boots there may be some boots that are going to have a rubber outsole with better traction than others.
Pick your boots according to your needs. Most Duck Boots can cope with cold weather conditions but may not fully be useful in more extreme conditions. They are also not usually suitable for winter hiking because the traction is not sufficient for the rougher slippery terrain.
Are Duck Boots Comfortable?
The flexibility of Bean Boots
Duck Boots aren’t just flexible boots to wear in different situations. Their unique design also makes them physically flexible shoes that work brilliantly when you are walking in them.
The leather uppers of the boots both move and mold to your feet with wear which increases the comfort factor.
Most Duck Boots also don’t tend to have chunky soles which means that they are much easier to walk in. The sole is thick enough to provide cushioning, and comfort and keep out the cold but not so thick that it feels as if you are stomping around in inflexible boots.
This flexibility is a great USP for these boots and makes them stand out from other styles of footwear.
Are Duck Boots Good For Walking?
If you are intending to wear your Duck Boots for walking around in during the winter then sure they are a great choice of footwear.
Duck Boots however are not quite so great if you want to walk long distances such as on hikes.
There are some simple reasons why you probably need specialist winter hiking boots for longer walks. Firstly when you are hiking you need to protect your feet and ankles from damage. Good hiking boots do this because of their ankle support and lacing systems that make sure your feet aren’t moving around.
Duck Boots however don’t have such rigid ankle support which means that you are going to potentially have problems on rougher terrain.
Secondly, the rubber outsole of a Duck Boot isn’t breathable and that means your feet can get sweaty in them, especially on a long hike. Sweaty feet equal blisters which is obviously the last thing that you want to suffer when you are walking.
Finally whilst Duck Boots have sufficient traction for walking around in they are not great for slippering rocks and paths on hikes. For this type of walking you need hiking boots with great traction to keep you safe.
So save your Duck Boots for general use and if you are a big hiker invest in a quality pair of hiking boots for more complex trails and terrain.
Wearing Duck Boots For Work
Finally, what are Duck Boots Good for? Well, we can’t overlook the fact that Duck Boots can also make good work boots as well as footwear for everyday use.
The key is finding a style of Duck Boot that has the safety features of a work boot. So looks for styles that have composite toes and thicker soles.
Remember that some work safety requirements are more stringent than others when it comes to wearing boots for work. Whilst you may not find Duck Boots that meet the requirements for complex safety issues there are plenty of boots that can work as general work boobs.
These Iron Age Brown and Black Work Boots are a great example of a hybrid style of Duck Boot. They have the classic leather meeting rubber outsole design but they are chunkier offering greater protection in a work environment.
Buy the right Duck Boots to meet your needs and you can’t go far wrong because they are useful in so many different situations. Yes, you may pay a little more than cheaper boot brands but you will have a durable, comfortable, and great pair of winter boots that are built to last.
Find Out More About Duck Boots
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