Durable non staining fitted thermal boot cover recommendations

[robot]

Hello,
Does anyone have any recommendations for durable non-staining fitted thermal boot covers?

Currently I'm using these CRS cross neoprene thermal boot covers (https://a.co/d/aHAcgdJ), and while I really like the idea of them, reality sets in and the zipper on the white ones breaks after a few uses and the black colored ones stain my white boots.......

I also have a few fleece ones I got off of amazon, but out of all of them only 1 is fitted enough to be useful since they sent me the child size by mistake.

 

[Query]

The link you provided includes both black and white covers. Maybe white ones would stain your white boots less noticeably? (I have no idea, but it sort of makes sense.)

Not exactly an answer to your question:

A closed cell foam insole (I make mine from camping sleeping pad foams - they are designed to insulate) can insulate the bottom of the foot from cold better than most stock insoles.

TBO, I have stopped skating at rinks with unusually cold air. But that might not be an option for you.

BTW, if your boots are very tight, your circulation won't be as good, and your feet may get cold. So you can play with different socks.

If your feet are too loose in your boots, thick socks might be possible - but be aware that they may slip, and reduce control. Experiment. I have tried fleece socks. Wool may work too.

If you want thin socks, polypropylene (warning: may retain a smell) and silk liner socks are better insulation than most. Cotton is extremely poor insulation if your feet sweat.

Or go to an outdoor sports store (e.g., place that sells sports & backpacking equipment), and ask what high end cold weather "liner socks" they sell. (some retain less smell than pure polypropylene.) However, the higher performance socks are generally not be machine washable or dryable hot. May shrink, or wear out fast. Some people actually hand wash them, and hang dry.

It might help a fair bit to keep the rest of your body warm. E.g., if you aren't using them, you might be surprised how much wearing gloves and a ski cap helps. But a ski mask might make you look like an outlaw. Though at outdoor rinks in very cold weather, especially if there was wind, I sometimes used to wear a neoprene ski mask (or maybe I bought it at a paddling [watersports] store). (Possibly available at dive stores too.

 

[robot]

The link you provided includes both black and white covers. Maybe white ones would stain your white boots less noticeably? (I have no idea, but it sort of makes sense.)

Not exactly an answer to your question:

A closed cell foam insole (I make mine from camping sleeping pad foams - they are designed to insulate) can insulate the bottom of the foot from cold better than most stock insoles.

TBO, I have stopped skating at rinks with unusually cold air. But that might not be an option for you.

BTW, if your boots are very tight, your circulation won't be as good, and your feet may get cold. So you can play with different socks.

If your feet are too loose in your boots, thick socks might be possible - but be aware that they may slip, and reduce control. Experiment. I have tried fleece socks. Wool may work too.

If you want thin socks, polypropylene (warning: may retain a smell) and silk liner socks are better insulation than most. Cotton is extremely poor insulation if your feet sweat.

Or go to an outdoor sports store (e.g., place that sells sports & backpacking equipment), and ask what high end cold weather "liner socks" they sell. (some retain less smell than pure polypropylene.) However, the higher performance socks are generally not be machine washable or dryable hot. May shrink, or wear out fast. Some people actually hand wash them, and hang dry.

It might help a fair bit to keep the rest of your body warm. E.g., if you aren't using them, you might be surprised how much wearing gloves and a ski cap helps. But a ski mask might make you look like an outlaw. Though at outdoor rinks in very cold weather, especially if there was wind, I sometimes used to wear a neoprene ski mask (or maybe I bought it at a paddling [watersports] store). (Possibly available at dive stores too.

As I mentioned in my original post, i actually do own them in white as well since they don't stain. The issue with the white ones though (and maybe the black ones if I were to wear them more often) is that the zipper breaks quickly, especially if your doing things like scratch spins

 

[Mimi2789]

I've used Sk8wraps in the past - they don't stain and they don't use a zipper. Honestly though I've found that wool or fleece leg warmers work just as well as boot covers. When I'm skating at the rink in my city that is really, really, really cold I will also sometimes wear ultra thin merino liner socks.

 

[Diana Delafield]

I've used Sk8wraps in the past - they don't stain and they don't use a zipper. Honestly though I've found that wool or fleece leg warmers work just as well as boot covers. When I'm skating at the rink in my city that is really, really, really cold I will also sometimes wear ultra thin merino liner socks.

Or stretch fleece leggings that cover most of the boot, with an instep strap that fastens by Velcro. (The first ones that I remember buying used snap fasteners that were always coming undone, or worse, the whole fastener would tear loose and fall off and everyone would have to stop and find it on the ice somewhere.) But I do tend to wear thigh-high knitted legwarmers myself.

 

[Query]

Just curious:

Is there a tendency for leather boots to be more or less warm than other materials - both in the outsoles and the uppers? Or is that too generic a question?

I occasionally tried thin neoprene socks - though more for skiing and paddling than skating. I think they worked pretty well - perhaps they cut the wind better than woven socks?

If you have poor blood circulation that contributes to making you cold, perhaps compression socks or stockings would help keep you warm? And in fact, poor blood circulation might also make your feet temporally larger, which would make your boot fit tighter - cutting off circulation more, and so making you even colder. But I understand using compression socks or stockings, if for some reason you shouldn't, has potential medical consequences - maybe talk to your doctor first?

At one point I tried chemical heat packs (designed to prevent frostbite in outdoor sports) and battery powered heaters inside my skate & ski boots. I wasn't happy with them, and they weren't very effective. And I had to redesign my insoles to make room for them. But batteries are lighter now - I wonder if it is a plausible option.

o.p.: I'm sorry if I didn't read your post carefully enough to see what you said about the white covers. Were the bad zippers on just one pair, and in just one batch? I might even have been tempted to call the manufacturer and discuss the zipper issue.

When I briefly used neoprene covers, I tended to accidentally catch my blades on them, and they interfered with "neat feet". But maybe that is because I'm not a great skater, or wasn't used to them.

 

[robot]

I've used Sk8wraps in the past - they don't stain and they don't use a zipper. Honestly though I've found that wool or fleece leg warmers work just as well as boot covers. When I'm skating at the rink in my city that is really, really, really cold I will also sometimes wear ultra thin merino liner socks.

Oh those Sk8wraps would have been perfect.......... I think they went out of business though since I can't find a pair of them online listed in my size anywhere ....,,

 

[robot]

Or stretch fleece leggings that cover most of the boot, with an instep strap that fastens by Velcro. (The first ones that I remember buying used snap fasteners that were always coming undone, or worse, the whole fastener would tear loose and fall off and everyone would have to stop and find it on the ice somewhere.) But I do tend to wear thigh-high knitted legwarmers myself.

Am I....... a fashion icon?

I actually normally pair thermal boot covers with leg warmers or over the heel fleece skating leggings so........ I take my warmth and ability to not stab myself very seriously apparently

 

[robot]

Just curious:

Is there a tendency for leather boots to be more or less warm than other materials - both in the outsoles and the uppers? Or is that too generic a question?

I occasionally tried thin neoprene socks - though more for skiing and paddling than skating. I think they worked pretty well - perhaps they cut the wind better than woven socks?

If you have poor blood circulation that contributes to making you cold, perhaps compression socks or stockings would help keep you warm? And in fact, poor blood circulation might also make your feet temporally larger, which would make your boot fit tighter - cutting off circulation more, and so making you even colder. But I understand using compression socks or stockings, if for some reason you shouldn't, has potential medical consequences - maybe talk to your doctor first?

At one point I tried chemical heat packs (designed to prevent frostbite in outdoor sports) and battery powered heaters inside my skate & ski boots. I wasn't happy with them, and they weren't very effective. And I had to redesign my insoles to make room for them. But batteries are lighter now - I wonder if it is a plausible option.

o.p.: I'm sorry if I didn't read your post carefully enough to see what you said about the white covers. Were the bad zippers on just one pair, and in just one batch? I might even have been tempted to call the manufacturer and discuss the zipper issue.

When I briefly used neoprene covers, I tended to accidentally catch my blades on them, and they interfered with "neat feet". But maybe that is because I'm not a great skater, or wasn't used to them.

The bad zippers were on both pairs of the white ones that I bought, so it's definitely not a one off.

It's a shame though since if it weren't for the zippers and the black ones staining the skates I'd be a big fan since they do work well at the beginning until they break. The issue is that they are just too expensive to replace regularly, and zippers are just too hard to fix for making this item work to be feasible. I'm pretty sure the price has dropped ~$20 from when I first bought them, so currently I'd give them a 1/5 but if they fix the zipper and staining it's a 5/5

 

[NanaPat]

The bad zippers were on both pairs of the white ones that I bought, so it's definitely not a one off.

It's a shame though since if it weren't for the zippers and the black ones staining the skates I'd be a big fan since they do work well at the beginning until they break. The issue is that they are just too expensive to replace regularly, and zippers are just too hard to fix for making this item work to be feasible. I'm pretty sure the price has dropped ~$20 from when I first bought them, so currently I'd give them a 1/5 but if they fix the zipper and staining it's a 5/5

It shouldn't be hard to replace the zippers. If you still have them, give it a try! Or ask around to find someone who will do it for you. If you replace with YKK zippers, they should last for years.

If zippers are glued in rather than sewn, you could sew a new zipper to the old one (assuming there is some of the old zipper fabric sticking out).
______________________________________

Edited to add: looked at them carefully on the website, and the zippers are sewn in. It should be easy to replace them.

I was shocked at the quality of the zippers shown (super cheap) considering the price of the covers. Also, don't zip them up the way the show in the video (just yanking on them). Pull the two sides close so the zipper runs freely and just closes, not pulls them together.

What does the broken zipper look like? (for example, pull off, teeth twisted and distorted, pops open behind the pull as you close them, etc).

 

[Query]

If you don't need it to look pretty, basic repair sewing is actually pretty easy, though you may need a sturdy needle for neoprene, and you my want a needle threader.

Many "seamstresses" (no gender intended) routinely replace zippers. They often work at dry cleaning stores, and other places. Some shoe repair places may have people who can replace a zipper too.

I used Zandstra boot covers, which are deep blue. They didn't stain my boots, but my boots are black. Instead of a zipper, they use velcro. But it was a bit of a stretch across my relatively wide boots. I can't say whether they would stain white boots.

 

[NanaPat]

You could also have the zipper replaced by Velcro (or even leave the zipper there and just add Velcro). You would have the "hookey" side of the Velcro facing out and put that strip sticking out from the edge of the cover. The "fuzzy" side of the Velcro would be facing in on the other side, with the whole strip just inside the cover.

Where do you live?

 

[robot]

It shouldn't be hard to replace the zippers. If you still have them, give it a try! Or ask around to find someone who will do it for you. If you replace with YKK zippers, they should last for years.

If zippers are glued in rather than sewn, you could sew a new zipper to the old one (assuming there is some of the old zipper fabric sticking out).
______________________________________

Edited to add: looked at them carefully on the website, and the zippers are sewn in. It should be easy to replace them.

I was shocked at the quality of the zippers shown (super cheap) considering the price of the covers. Also, don't zip them up the way the show in the video (just yanking on them). Pull the two sides close so the zipper runs freely and just closes, not pulls them together.

What does the broken zipper look like? (for example, pull off, teeth twisted and distorted, pops open behind the pull as you close them, etc).

All of the above - first the teeth got distorted, next the zipper self opens in the middle, and finally the zipper came off. Yikes!

I actually zip them together above the boot on my calf, and then pull down the now zipped boot cover over my boot since I wouldn't be able to completely zip them up otherwise

 

[NanaPat]

All of the above - first the teeth got distorted, next the zipper self opens in the middle, and finally the zipper came off. Yikes!

I actually zip them together above the boot on my calf, and then pull down the now zipped boot cover over my boot since I wouldn't be able to completely zip them up otherwise

It sounds like the cover is too small. Plus a coil zipper is prone to all the weaknesses listed above. A YKK with teeth is much stronger. picture of YKK toothed zipper

 

[Query]

If the cover is too small, as Nanpat suggests, then a seamstress (or the o.p.) could add Velcro as she also suggests, sewn on in such a way as to add a little extra size.

Velcro (and other generic hook and loop strap systems) eventually wears out too. But could be easily replaced.

If you can't find a seamstress, maybe a tailor or dressmaker could do the same things, though probably at a higher price. Are there people at your rink who get custom skating dresses or production costumes made, or have them repaired? (Some skating parents do that to help support the price of lessons.) Whoever does that could probably sew on a new zipper or Velcro too - maybe also at a higher price.

If you ask around in the lobby of a skating rink, while the kids skate, you might find someone who would do it for a fair price. It's only a few minutes work. And unless you have very high standards of appearance, it doesn't require extremely skilled labor.

OTOH, playing with different socks might give you adequate results too.

Good luck!