Nokian Naali Boots

  1 of 3

  Nokian make winter car tyres and use a lot of rubber. These boots are a lot of rubber! Very much like a pair of firemans wellies. They are strong and tough. I found sizing a problem and initially ordered up 2 sizes, then 1 size then true to size. The felt lining throws you off a bit in that it tricks you into thinking you are at the end of the boot when you still have plenty of room. The calf is generous and you would need bowling ball calves to pad them out - even with 2 thermal layers and 2 socks there was generous play - which can allow snow to play. The strap synching is the only thing that lets down the boot. It does not stay synched and will let a generous gulp of snow in when unlocked. So if you have narrow calves you will need a lightweight and baggy (the top of the boots are vast) overtrouser to stop the snow getting in. If you live in snowy climes this would be your go to wellington boot - good in slush as well as snow. If you need a boot with a ski binding ability then this is a great choice. The felt liner allows the boot to dry really quickly. They are toasty unless you get wet into the interior even down to large minus numbers - 30 or lower. The nubbin at the front works well-ish with bindings but is not super generous so if your binding is worn etc they can release - but there is not much more that Nokian could have done there or I guess it would already have been done. Hope your kids have the same size feet as you as these will last so long they will be wearing them. Lost one star for the synch/strap being less good than the rest of the boot otherwise these are a great product if you have the need. As always great service from Woodlore on the supply and return sizing faff.  

  Andrew Smith

  2 of 3

  A surprising product. Basically a Wellie boot for the arctic. A very heavy Wellie boot, to boot. Non breathable - 100% rubber with a detachable felt liner. Suited for deep cold or if you are standing around in the cold. The felt liner is essential to allow removal and quicker drying. The felt liner does not easily compress and keeps its shape in the boot. Tricky to size up because of the sock and felt liner interaction. In the end tried three sizes and actually it was the true to size that I kept. It does not matter if they are a little larger as you can take up the gap with varying your sock, but then you are always suspicious that if the felt liner relaxed a bit then they would be too big. The felt liner has not shifted in use as it turns out. Very generous on the calf and suits people with calves like footballs. I do not have these so end up a bit baggy here even when the space was taken up by clothing with 3 layers and 2 socks. The cinching of the top does work but releases quickly allowing you to 'fill your boots with snow' which is irritating for those of slimmer calf. Gaiters will not go big enough to close the trouser boot gap. You need to buy a cheap pair of baggy over trousers or a more special pair of snow over trousers to prevent annoying/dangerous (at minus a big number) snow entry when digging or falling in the snow. Works correctly with certain cross country bindings by the wide toe plug at the front and the heel groove to accept the spring binding. Works well on the ski despite being a wellie. Can look a bit silly in the UK but is entirely normal in any country that gets deep cold and you want to ski.  

  Andrew Denison Smith

  3 of 3

  Just received these this morning and I can say I am very pleased with them, at first I thought they were too small but it was just a matter of my feet getting used to the wool liner, anyway I have christened them taking the hound out in the wood near where I live and boy are they warm, I know it's not cold today but wow. They are quite spacious even with the liner and even with a pair of sports socks and a pair of boot socks they seem a little loose. Perhaps a wool insole could be required but on the whole they are better than the top range of wellingtons that the country Gent may like wearing I should imagine. Thanks to Paul Cook, Purchasing and Project Manager for answering my query. I would have been waiting for a size 10 to come in stock only to send them back to get a size 9. First impression, Great pair of boots.  

  Peter Walker