Fubuki Niseko 2.0: The warmest, lightest winter boot?

Fubuki means snowstorm in Japanese, and their Niseko boots are suitably named after the ski town in Hokkaido, Japan, one of the snowiest places in the world.

The striking colourways, including almost fluorescent yellow, orange and pink, make these boots fun to look at as well as to wear. The EVA outer keeps them light and waterproof, and a drawcord collar helps to block snow. A fleece lining laminated onto the outer offers both warmth, (according to Fubuki, down to -30 C), and cushioning.  The cushioned midsole, reinforced ankle and tracked rubber outsole make them comfortable and secure on slippery surfaces.

Time was, a pair of winter boots came with liners that made them heavy, and closures that made them hard to put on and didn’t add much to their comfort. Amazingly, despite all its features, the Fubuki comes in a package that feels as light as a pair of slippers on your feet.

The boots were the brainchild of Swedish skier Kalle Norman, who first saw similar footwear on lifties and roadworkers in Hokkaido. He bought a pair for himself, and the demand from people who saw them was so high that he ordered a hundred pairs that sold right away. His budding importation business ended when a flood engulfed the manufacturer in Fukuyama in 2018, but the factory sold the patterns for the boots to Norman, and his partner, Christofer Ljunggren and the Fubuki brand was born.

These boots are highly recommended for light snowshoeing, après ice climbing or skiing, and any general purpose winter outdoor lifestyle application. Fubuki recommends women size up one to two sizes and men go up one size, compared to their typical shoe size.

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