We also appreciate that the design of these booties is considerate of accessibility. With both the adjustable drawstring and heel pull-tab, the Full Moons can be put on with one hand. Hold the two DPNs with your left hand. Insert the wool needle purl-wise into the first stitch on the front DPN and pull the yarn through. Don’t take the stitch off the DPN. If you’re planning on wearing your down booties in snow, rain or sleet, you’ll definitely want to consider purchasing a pair that’s waterproof or water resistant. Many of the options listed in this guide have varying degrees of water protection and some more than others. When thinking about sustainability in down booties it is important to consider their down, manufacturing processes, and use of environmentally friendly materials.

When you’re shopping for down footwear, think about where you’ll be wearing the booties and how much durability you might want. Do you want an insulating slipper with a sturdy sole? Or do you want something with fewer shoe features, maybe to wear inside your sleeping bag? Continue to knit each round until desired length before start of heel (for me, this is about 75 rounds in total including the rib). The reason I’m pulling the yarn from the centre is that I want the stripes from both balls to go in the same direction and because I always knit from the centre of the ball, taking the big chunk out and then knitting from the yarn that’s still coming out of the ball means that will happen. It’s not really necessary to use a stitch marker to indicate the end of your round when using DPNs, although I find it useful to mark needle one. I use a safety pin, which I pin into the knitting on needle one – although more attractive markers are available!Many down booties in this guide incorporate recycled materials in their construction. This can include using recycled fabrics for the outer shell or utilizing recycled down insulation. Choosing booties made from recycled materials helps reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Additionally, you can opt for booties that use eco-friendly dyes and coatings in their production to prevent any harm to the environment. You will also see down booties designed with a quilted upper, like the Teva ReEMBER. Quilted exteriors keep the insulation from shifting around too much thus allowing the insulation to retain heat even better than before. Think about how warm your childhood quilt was as a kid — basically the same science! A 5-inch cuff protects the ankles and helps to retain body heat. The polyurethane upper is coated to keep out moisture.

Designed with a Vegan quilted upper insulation, the Teva ReEMBER will keep your feet warm while doing chores around the house or hanging out by the bonfire at camp. Their treaded soles are sturdy, allowing for extended outdoor use and mileage. While we wouldn’t want to hike in the snow with these on, they are perfect for that morning stroll to the local coffee house. RUBBER: If durability is your major concern, and you want to wear your booties more like camp shoes, then go for a pair with a waterproof rubber outsole for an added protective barrier. Leading the testing squad for down booties is GearJunkie contributor Meghan LaHatte. Having lived in one of the coldest regions of Colorado for the past five years, LaHatte is no stranger to cold feet. After suffering from a chronic foot injury due to a nasty case of frostnip, she understands the importance of keeping her feet well insulated both indoors and out. LaHatte tested these down booties on frigid dog walks, working in her home office, camping in the desert and transitioning into her ski boots on deep powder days. She can assure you that all of these down booties were put to the truest test in varying climates and elements. We like that, for added measure, the sole is made with an ultralight, water-resistant Primaloft Aerogel insert, which offers continuous insulation even if compressed. The booties close around the ankle with a cinched drawstring and run to mid-calf, making them a warm option.

900 Fillpower Down

If there’s an area that’s stained or especially dirty, dab at it with a touch of mild soap and a sponge before washing. Weigh your yarn again if you’re worried that all the shuffling of colours will have affected the weight, and if you’re happy with the match that you’ve got, then and only then can you cut the yarn so that you’ve got two matching balls to work with. I quite often make the loops ready for putting over my needles in the yarn before making the cut so that I’m absolutely certain I’ve got the match where I want it to be. Down is the warmest and lightest, but it comes at a premium price and doesn’t do well in wet conditions. Synthetic is less expensive and works well even when wet. Down is rated by fill power. The higher the fill power, the greater the down will loft, creating more warmth per weight.