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Like many people, I’ve had all kinds of different footwear over the years. Tennis shoes for general purpose use. Loafers for something slightly dressier. Dress shoes for work. Water shoes and trekking sandals for wading in the lake. The list goes on.
For rugged outdoor situations, I own a couple of options. I have a pair of hiking boots for times I’m out hiking or, on occasion, walking in bad weather. For snow, I have a pair of snow boots that I step into when I’m shoveling the driveway. The hiking boots allow for better walking at the expense of being less waterproof; the snow boots are insulated and completely waterproof but aren’t suited to longer walks.
Recently, Aldi decided to stock a set of winter boots. These got my attention because they don’t fit neatly into the shoe categories I’ve owned. They’re advertised as being suitable for cold weather while also being suitable for walking. Would that make them winter work boots or designer boots made for cold excursions?
I decided to find out.
Adventuridge Men’s Winter Boots are an Aldi Find. They’re only in stores for a short time, and once stores sell out, they’re gone, possibly until next year and possibly forever. Aldi doesn’t do online shipping, so if you can’t find them in stores, you won’t be able to get them unless Aldi decides to bring them back.
At the time of this post, the boots were $19.99. You probably don’t need me to tell you most winter boots I can find online are more expensive. Aldi also sold a set of women’s boots for the same price at the same time.
When Aldi sold these, they came in men’s sizes 9 through 12 and in either a gray leather or a brown and black. The packaging advertises a lace-up style, a durable shell and outsole, and 3M Thinsulate lining to keep feet warm in the cold. The lower portion of the boots is rubber while the upper is made of cow suede leather. One thing the packaging does not disclose is who exactly manufactures these, although they are made in China.
Typical to Aldi footwear, there is no warranty or other after-sales support.
I found that mine were true to size. My foot fit comfortably with room to spare for the toe.
I have a few observations after putting them on. They lace up easily, with firm ankle support. They are warm: the insulation is there, especially in and around the ankles, which holds the heat in. And the sole is more rigid, which would make them a candidate for, say, rocky terrain.
With the jeans up a little so you can see all of the boots…
… and with the jean cuffs pulled over the boots.
One negative? The insoles are hard. When I press down on them I can feel a little give, but not much, and when I wear them I can’t feel much at all. They’re not comfortable on my heels, enough so that I think I’d pick up an insert if I were to wear these for long periods of time.
The Verdict:
If I were to try and pigeonhole these into a category, I would call them cold weather outdoor boots or perhaps winter work boots. They have a firm sole, warm and firm heel support, and a rubber toe and leather upper. They seem designed for cold temperatures on rough terrain. They may also have some value as a hiking boot, although I don’t know that that’s the best use for them. The insoles are hard, hard enough that I’d probably get insole inserts if I was planning to wear them for long stretches of time.
One big unknown is durability, and these don’t come with any warranty. But for the price, maybe that’s not an issue. Either way, Aldi seems to have a boot here that might be useful for the right user.
