Steger mukluks are as their name implies winter footwear. They are not waterproof, glopping them up with boot grease, snow seal or reindeer fat/ beeswax or any other water proofing products will defeat their purpose. They are for cold dry snow only, wearing them much above +20° F.(-28.889° C) is not what they are made for. They are light weight like wearing house slippers or dancing shoes. The soles are made of commercial tanned moose hide (not much thicker than glove leather) with some sort of shoe goo on the bottom for traction and wear. The tops are of canvas, with leather strings for securing them to the feet. With a couple of felt inner soles and felt booties, with warm wool socks are almost perfect for extended outdoor activities in cold climates. They were originally designed by Stegers ex-wife for a sled dog expedition to the North Pole. Made to mimic footwear like the northern native nomads of the Arctic and sub-arctic of North America. She later started up her current business.
I am currently wearing out my fourth pair, that will need to be replaced by next winter. The sole goop doesn’t like vehicle fuels or home heating fuel oils, so don’t wear them to the gas station or around any place that is subject to fuel spills. For wearing around fuels, wet snow or water, I wear Tingley rubber boots over the mukluks. I wear my Stegers on my daily 3-5 mile nature walks during the winter October through March. People with flat feet or high arches or whatever might want to add in super feet insoles for arch support.
Steger Mukluks are becoming a fashion statement and the company has expanded their offerings to the masses in all sorts of native North American inspired fabrics.
I am currently very interested in the Lobben felt tall boots with the rounded toe, sold in USA by Pia’s Woolens in Anchorage, Alaska or in Ely, Minnesota by Ely Bike & Kick Sled. I understand that long distance sled dog drivers are wearing them with over boots by Neos.
My wife has worn the Lobben boots for nearly fifty some years as her primary outdoors winter boot for daily living in Alaska's interior dry cold climate. She loves them for their warmth, lightness, breathable and do not overheat while shopping or driving in a heated car. She used them for years training & racing sled dogs and play ground duty as a elementary school teacher.
I have no idea how either of these boots would be for use in the sloppy wet snow, that the eastern seaboard has. In my mind insulated LLBean Boots would more likely be the cat’s meow.
