I bought some new après boots just before Christmas to walk around on Japan’s snowy and icy streets when I’m not skiing.
The backcountry was amazing,” Sharlene says. “Chess was absolutely phenomenal. We met at 8:30am and spent a solid amount of time on safety – avalanche beacons, shovel, probe …everything. Her knowledge made me feel completely safe.”
Buyer Behaviour
I’ve worn a variety of brands and styles before and I get very attached to my stuff, when it’s good, it’s good and then I proceed to wear it to death before I purchase something new. The opposite to fast fashion. I like buying products built to last!
Italian Splendour
Queue in the Attiba Como I chose them because the Italians know how to make shoes (and pasta) and you cannot go wrong with anything Italian IMHO! Seriously, shoes are built to last.
The Grip?
The boots are a double threat, they have a super-study sole with strong spikes. They also have a ‘rota’ system on the sole, which means there is an extra grip tucked into the sole that you can call on if need be, calling on the heavy artillery, by just using a little red lever to flick the Rota down and turning the spikes downwards for max impact, then you can tuck them away again.
The confession is that I lost the little red lever, the first day it came in the box, I didn’t register in my mind what it was so I didn’t have it with me ….
And so…?
The apres boots were completely fine without the extra rota grip, and I was walking through Asahikawa’s slippery streets like an agile cat, and I wore them morning to night and even wore them as snowshoe boots in hardcore Tokachdake and Asahidake in knee high snow for hours on end! Better than fine – fantastic!
Warm, comfy, stayed dry, not wet at all…
Initially I wanted to purchase the zip-up boots, due to the Japanese tradition of taking our boots off and on, and I thought it might drive me bonkers tying laces. But I was totally fine only lacing them up to the ankle so they slipped off easily. The only time I took the option of lacing them all the way was during my two snowshoe trips when I needed more ankle support.
I think the extra rota would be handy for walking uphill and downhill, when needed. Or for extra slip protection, especially after knee injury or some kind of injury where you’re bracing yourself not to slip.
I totally recommend the Attiba après boots for womens, mens and kids boots, they’re great quality and super comfy. And my recommendation is to get the red lever and put it on your keyring or in your ski jacket so you don’t lose it but from some reports, you also just use a key to flip the rota.
