Made in Canada - What a Shame!

I have been on a wild hunt for tall winter boots lately and haven't had much luck at the second-hand shops.  

My needs are just like everyone else's when it comes to winter foot wear:

• Good grip - I walk with the stroller and kids and don't want to lose my grip and fall...and same when walking the dogs and I'm being dragged around sometimes.
• Warmth - yesterday was -18*C and it's supposed to drop to -26*C soon...
• Water-resistant or even better, water-proof!
• A fairly tall boot so my legs are warmer.

Pretty simple - right?

Well, because I didn't have any good luck at the second hand shops (they were either too big, mostly too small, made for skiing only or didn't have a price on them) - I thought I'd take a peek downtown.

I had to go to Antilla anyway to look for some rubber bands - so I thought I'd swing by and look at the winter boots section.

I was looking in the kids section - which typically goes up to size 39 European (about a 7.5 - 8 US size) and fits just fine.

Well, look what I found!!!!!  There's even a sign above them announcing in Finnish that they were made in Canada!!!  WELL, I can't go wrong with that, right?!

These were only 15� and made in Canada apparently.
The white fluffy lining is only on the top to make them look warm... they're not lined like that on the inside.

You would think there would be better grips - since Canadians are no strangers to ice and snow...
The bottoms were very smooth.

The tag that comes with them....

But it was such a good price - I couldn't resist!

Don't buy them.

I hate to be all anti-Canadian when it comes to supporting my home country - but these boots are awful.

They fit well - which was nice, as I was wearing cotton knee-high socks and thick wool socks on top too....the laces seemed tight enough and they were just the right height.

But the lining inside was VERY poor....it wasn't warm at all.  I am pretty sure my feet were dry - which is good...but it'd be nicer if they were just as warm as they were water-repellent!

I tested them out last night on the lake in about -18*C weather and was very disappointed.  Let's put it this way...I can go out on the same lake (marsh/swamp whatever) with the dogs and stand there talking with my friends while our dogs run around and play in my RUBBER BOOTS (0 lining) and my feet were warmer.

Why don't I keep using those rubber boots?  They're cracking with age - so I 've been on the hunt for new winter boots.

Didn't you BRING winter boots with you?!

Of course I did - don't be silly.  But my husband has been wearing them (they're men's boots from Payless...best $40 I spent!) and they're kind of short - so they've been chafing my legs (hence the knee-high socks now).

Anyways, I'll be returning these boots to Antilla and asking for a refund to be applied to another pair of boots (will try them first like I did with this pair) made by Adidas that have way better grip, possibly lined better (I can't remember) but a steeper price.

They're black and pink and on sale for a little under 60�...normally double in price.

I hate spending a lot of money on things - but winter boots are a must for living and surviving a Finnish winter.

I'll try looking at other shops too if I can.

The typical return or exchange policy on items bought in Finland is about 14 days, provided you have the receipt and even better, the price tags still.

Just check with your shop to find out their refund policies!