Tecnica Moon Boot Review

Cozy, fun, and warm, these boots are easy to slip on and off for around town errands or a quick après-ski wardrobe change. Definitely not for everyone, the Tecnica Moon Boot has a very specific style. Oddly, this model does not have a left or right foot and it only comes in four sizes. We tested a size 41, which is designed to work for women between sizes 8 and 9.5. The Moon Boots are warm and cozy, but we've already noticed that the padding is quickly becoming worn out. Plus, they aren't very waterproof. Read on as we break down the pros and cons of this funky piece.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

We were totally surprised during our final warmth comparisons at how well this boot performed. Thanks to its thick polyester insulation, this boot kept our digits pretty darn toasty even while standing with feet buried in the snow. Additionally, the shaft of the boot is 14 inches high, adding extra heat up the calves, and there is a top lace that seals in warmth. It's important to note, however, that they are not designed to be breathable. You definitely wouldn't want to hike in these bad boys, not only because they are bulky and lack traction, but also because your feet will quickly start to sweat and quickly lose heat. For a warm boot that works well for hiking, check out the Vasque Pow Pow II, our Top Pick for Winter Hiking.

Comfort & Coziness

When it's brand new, this boot is ultra cushy and cozy. Although they don't come with a specific left or right foot, after a few uses, the padding in the footbed molds to your feet. Although this initially makes them quite comfy, we think that the padding will quickly wear out. It's also helpful to find some way to mark your boots, so that you know which is the left and which is the right foot, otherwise you can't tell until you put your foot into the molded footbed.

Weather Protection

The Moon Boot Classic Nylon stayed dry for a while during our waterproof test, especially in just two to three inches of water. When we upped the ante and increased the water depth and time submerged, water slowly started to soak in through the polyester insulation…and we discovered that (like the Kamik Momentum) this boot is slow to dry if it gets wet inside. That said, the Moon Boot is one of the tallest products we tested, so it will protect you fairly well from deep snow drifts.

Style & Fit

We asked more than a 50 ladies aged 20 to 65 to rank our boots for style and most of them gave this boot a five or lower. That said, the Moon Boots are either your style or they aren't. Some people wouldn't be caught dead in this puffy footwear and others find that it makes a fun, hip, retro statement. Even though they aren't everyone's style, if the Moon Boots fit your look, then they're pretty darn sweet. We tested the size 41, which is designed for women between sizes 8 and 9.5. Our main tester has a size 9.5 foot and found the fit to be snug, but definitely not uncomfortable. We also had size 8 tester try these on and she found that they felt just fine with the laces strapped down tight.

Traction

The Moon Boot's rubber sole does not have very deep tread and is not well-suited to traveling across slick surfaces. In fact, this model had some of the poorest traction of any piece we reviewed. For a tall boot with excellent traction, consider the Ahnu Northridge.

Ease to Take On & Off

Thanks to its structured sides, this was one of the easiest pieces to slip on and off, especially if you don't need to tighten down the laces. When you're going to be walking farther in these boots, or if you have a smaller foot, you will want to tighten the laces, which isn't the easiest task, given that the skinny laces are difficult to pull taught around the back of the calf. If you're just taking out the garbage or making a quick run out to the car, there's no real need to re-tie the laces.

Best Applications

This boot is far from technical and is not suitable for hiking or wading through creeks. On the other hand, we really liked wearing it before and after skiing. It's the perfect antidote to spending all day in stiff, heavy ski boots. Additionally, they are OK to drive in (unless your pedals are very close together) and they are ideal for activities like quick errands and short dog walks.

Value

At only $100, these were some of the least expensive boots in our review. If you are looking for some fun, comfy footwear to wear around town or at the base of your favorite ski resort and the Moon Boots are your style, then they are a pretty good value. Unfortunately, they aren't very durable and have some major downfalls (most specifically their lack of waterproofing), but if you aren't concerned with long-term durability or high performance in super wet weather, then the Moon Boots won't put too huge a dent in your wallet.

Conclusion

A throwback to the 1970s, the Tecnica Moon Boot in Classic Nylon is cozy and cushy when new and will keep your toes warm during short stints in single digit temperatures. This is a non-technical boot with a very specific look. If you don't want to make a statement with your footwear, then these shoes are probably not for you.