Manufacturer: Steger Designs, Inc.

Year of Manufacture: 2005

URL: http://www.mukluks.com

Phone: 1.800.685.5857

Style: Arctic with Ribbon Trim

Color/Materials: Dark Moosehide/ Natural Canvas

Normal Boot Size: Women's 10.5 Med US (42.5 EU)

Steger Mukluk Size: Men's 12 Double Wide US (46.5 EU)

Steger Mukluk Weight (with both sets of liners): 3 lb 14 oz (1.76 kg)

Steger Mukluk Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)

 

Steger Felt Liner Size (outer layer): Men's 12 Wide US (46.5 EU)

Steger Felt Liner Size (Inner layer): Women's 11 US (43.5 EU)

Steger Felt Liner Thickness: 0.35 in  (9 mm)

Steger Felt Liner Height: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)

Steger Felt Liner Material: Wool with bonded Polypropylene

Steger Felt Liner Color: Dark Gray

 

MSRP: $189.95 US ( Steger Mukluks with 1 set of liners)

MSRP: $18.95 US ( extra liners)

 

Several years ago, I decided to give winter backpacking a serious try. I knew my biggest problems would be keeping my feet and my hands happy. I had always been active in winter sports, but those sports were of the high-aerobic sustained-effort variety. As soon as the exertion was over, it was time to get back in to a warm building. I knew that wasn't going to happen if I planned on being outside several consecutive days at a time. It was suggested to me by an expedition leader, that the lightest and warmest footwear for winter camping would be some sort of mukluk. Several acquaintances of mine had made their own muks, but my thoughts went immediately to Steger Mukluks.  I had secretly coveted them in their catalogs over the years. I once again consulted with friends, and they advised me that if I were going to purchase a ready-made product,  I would need to have them sized to fit over two pairs of felt liners. I immediately was reluctant because I couldn't conceive of how I was going to be able to snowshoe in mukluks that were giant-sized (in my opinion). 

 

I looked through the Steger catalog once again, and I found out that there were only two possibilities that came in a double-wide width. Steger offers a full selection of mukluks, but there are only a few that are designed for expedition use including the Arctic Model with Ribbon Trim (the ribbon trim is optional).

 

I called Steger and ordered on the phone to insure that I was getting the right size muks and liners. They do have an excellent chart in their catalog and on their website, but it only covers usage with one liner and an extra insole for extended use. For example, it says that if you wear a size 10 Ladies US (42 EU),  for extended use you would need a size 9 or 10 Men's US (43 or 44.5 EU).  I normally wear about a Ladies 10 (42 EU) or 10.5 US (42.5 EU)  but I bought the Stegers in a Men's 12 Double-Wide US (46.5 EU) with two liners nested. The smallest liner is in size Ladies 11 US (43.5 EU) and the larger liner is in a Men's 12  Wide US (46.5 EU). To obtain the most accurate EU conversions for size, it is best to contact Steger directly as they don't indicate European conversions in their catalog or website.

 

The Arctic Model of Steger Mukluks has a moosehide shoe attached to a canvas ribbon-trimmed top (1 in or 2.54 cm wide ribbon). Above the ribbon trim, the canvas top is finished off with a tunneled drawstring arrangement. A moosehide lace can be pulled together to make a simple bow knot at the front opening in the drawstring tunnel. This seals off the top of the boot from snow and cold air. The muks have long moosehide laces which have been sewn in to the back seam of the canvas portion of the muk. There are two small loops located towards the front of the muk in that very same seam, the laces are secured or threaded through the loops. After I put my feet in the muks, I start the process of crisscrossing the laces around my lower legs to keep the boot snug to my legs. There is plenty of moosehide lace to wrap the laces at least three times around my legs. Each lace is about 6 ft (183 m) long.

 

The soles of the Steger Arctic Mukluks are made out of a durable and flexible rubber. There are nine deep lateral grooves in the base of each sole that provide necessary traction for walking without snowshoes or skis.

 

The Steger Arctic Mukluks  with Ribbon Trim arrived in time to become a Christmas present. I took them on vacation and tried them out while snowshoeing on a day hike. The initial field test went fine, so my next step was extended use. The first trip I used them on was a four day sledge trip. I wore thin wool socks in them with a vapor barrier. This has become my protocol. It works for me, as I don't get the liners wet from the inside and I don't have to remove the liners from the boot each night. I wear the muks all day long on an expedition and remove them only before I go to sleep. (I wear insulated booties for sleep).

 

Most of my winter backpacking or sledge trips were taken either in the state of Michigan, USA  or in Ontario, Canada. The terrain varies from flat frozen lakes to hilly boreal and deciduous forest. My Steger mukluks were used on most of my winter sledge trips, both in the warmer late-winter season as well as during the early frigid-winter season. Elevations ranged from 600 ft (183m) to 2000 ft (610m) and temperatures ranged from a low of -20F (-29C) in January to a high of 33F (8C) in March.

 

I have now taken and used the Steger Arctic Mukluks  for several years on winter trips. They have continued to perform well and my feet have stayed quite toasty even with low temperatures of -20F (-29C). I normally prep the moosehide and canvas before each long adventure in the field by brushing the moosehide with a wire brush and then applying a water-resistant spray called "Snow-Proof". Both are available from Steger as well. It helps keep the mukluks dry and provides protection against stains. 

 

I haven't needed to change my two felt liners or insoles after several seasons, but I do have some in reserve for when that becomes necessary - that is, when my Stegers are no longer keeping my feet warm. Care is minimal if the mukluks are used in the proper environment. They should not be used in an area where there is a possibility of contact with petroleum products, such as a gas station. This may be harmful to the rubber soles of the mukluks.

 

The only care that my muks receive during any trip is loosening the moosehide laces around the ankle so that they won't freeze solid during the night. The canvas tops on the Steger Arctic Mukluks allow the muks to be breathable, and it is easy to crunch the frozen canvas and make it pliable  - that is not very likely to happen with an all-moosehide mukluk. I usually store my muks in a plastic bag inside my over-sized bivy. I don't have enough room to store them inside my sleeping bag. In the morning they are usually easy to put back on my feet if I have taken those precautions. 

 

Although I have used my muks to just simply walk on snow and icy surfaces, the majority of my usage has been in combination with snowshoes. My bindings on my snowshoes are adequately sized to accommodate the larger size of my mukluks. However this may be an issue for other snowshoe bindings which may have to be modified. The muks could also be used in combination with back country skis that have a larger binding. Since the muks are quite flexible, they most likely wouldn't be an appropriate choice for skiing in difficult mountainous terrain, as a more rigid boot and binding system would be required.

Overall, I am impressed with the performance of Steger Arctic Mukluks. They have taken me through several winter seasons now, and there has been no decline in comfort or performance. Weight-wise, it would be hard for me to find a similar product that gives me the same warmth to weight ratio. They are easy to care for both in the field and afterwards. They are an expensive item initially, but like any good product, you get what you pay for.  I would highly recommend them to anyone who is considering winter camping or just spending a great deal of time out in the cold.

 

Pros:

• Keep my feet toasty warm in extreme weather
• The warmth to weight ratio is outstanding
• Can be worn continuously without discomfort
• Flexible
• Rubber Soles have excellent grip
• Breathable
• Many styles are available 
• Easy to care for

Cons: 

• Should not be worn where soles will contact petroleum products (gas station,etc.)
• Lacing can be tedious during frigid mornings
• Canvas discolors from contact with moosehide laces 
• Expensive 
• Double liners are initially hard to insert in mukluks