The North Face ThermoBall™ Traction Booties Review
In continuing with our staying warm in winter theme today we’re going to talk about one of our absolute favorite piece of camping footwear across all seasons… The North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties, aka the puffy camp slippers (the men’s version can be found here). Dylan first purchased these for me a few years ago after listening to a few too many gripes about my having constantly cold feet while camping and they have kept my feet comfy and cozy ever since.
The Thermoball Booties feature synthetic insulation (equivalent to 600 fill power goose down), a durable water resistant finish and a grippy tread on the bottom that actually works quite effectively when wandering around camp in compacted snow. Wear them with a thin pair of wool socks and you will have very comfortable warm feet sitting by the fire down into the 20 degree range. They are also lightweight enough to wear around camp comfortably on a summer night without overheating.
Women’s model in TNF Black - Photo from TheNorthFace.com
Men’s model in Shady Blue - Photo from TheNorthFace.com
They are also perfect to wear in the car heading to and from the mountain to go ski, snowshoe or cross country ski. I will frequently use these at home too for things like early morning grocery or coffee runs, for taking the dog out to go potty, or when walking over to a neighbors house for a girls night, where bare feet inside is standard.
Water repellent ripstop uppers- Photo from TheNorthFace.com
Grippy 20$ recycled sole - Photo from TheNorthFace.com
We haven’t discovered too many downsides to these booties but have come to find out that they are not truly waterproof. Your feet may get a little damp in the rain or after walking through deeper snow. In those scenarios you’re probably better off putting your boots on. The tred also had an awkward tendency to collect clumps of snow under certain condtions.
Coming in at $69.00 with multiple color options, these are a moderately priced staple to add to your all season camping kit.
It’s noteworthy that The North Face also offers a low-rise version for both men and women. These models are a few dollars cheaper and slightly easier to take on and off… but we would strongly suggest going with the higher-rise variety to keep your ankles warmer and reduce the risk of snow getting in them. This category of outdoor slippers has expanded significantly in recent years with many other brands getting in on the action. If you have personal experience with any of these other slipper options we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
