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Tecnica Moon Boot Review

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Tecnica Moon Boot Review
Credit: Tecnica
Price:  $175 List
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Manufacturer:   Tecnica
By Amanda Fenn ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 12, 2015
60
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 20% 8.0
  • Comfort - 20% 6.0
  • Weather Protection - 20% 8.0
  • Style - 15% 2.0
  • Traction - 15% 3.0
  • Ease of Use - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

A reproduction of the iconic Moon Boots from the early 1970s, the Tecnica Moon Boot Classic Nylon is a funky piece of footwear that will either make you cringe or bring a huge smile to your face. These women's winter boots are anything but subtle. They come in 13 bright colors and are emblazoned with huge “Moon Boot” logos. Similar in appearance to a snowboarding boot, they are wide and bulky-looking and the shaft comes up well above the mid-calf. The puffy, lightweight polyester insulation is shockingly warm and we really liked how easy these crazy winter boots were to take on and off. Whether you are preparing for space travel, or just want something cozy to slip into after a long day of skiing, if the Moon Boots are your style, you're going to love them.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Cozy
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Not everyone's style
Not very waterproof
Padding wears down quickly

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


tecnica moon boot - they'll make you cringe or grin! these retro boots definitely aren't...
They'll make you cringe or grin! These retro boots definitely aren't everyone's style, but they're a fun way to stay warm this winter.
Credit: Christina Dickerson

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.

tecnica moon boot - a look down inside the moon boot reveals its thick, yet lightweight...
A look down inside the Moon Boot reveals its thick, yet lightweight polyester insulation. If you're standing still out in the cold, these boots are surprisingly warm.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

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.

Oddly, these comfy boots don't have a specific left or right foot designation. For an ultra plush boot that does have a left and right foot, consider the UGG Adirondack II.

tecnica moon boot - unlike other tall models like the joan of arctic, the moon boot...
Unlike other tall models like the Joan of Arctic, the Moon Boot Classic is super easy to drive in. Amanda slipped these on before and after spending a frigid day skiing Keystone in 4 degree temps. Warm? Cozy? Check and check.
Credit: Skiy Detray

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.

tecnica moon boot - the lace at the top of this boot allows you to cinch the upper down...
The lace at the top of this boot allows you to cinch the upper down against your calf to seal in warmth and keep out snowflakes.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

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.

tecnica moon boot - no left or right foot on the moon boot! these boots don't offer...
No left or right foot on the Moon Boot! These boots don't offer great traction, but they do leave funny identical footprints.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

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.

tecnica moon boot - the moon boot's backside. this boot's laces wrap around the backside...
The Moon Boot's backside. This boot's laces wrap around the backside of the calf before coming back around to the front to tie. You can also see the abrasion resistant mudguard that lines the base of the boot.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

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.

tecnica moon boot - out of ski boots. into moon boots. we were surprised at how warm the...
Out of ski boots. Into Moon Boots. We were surprised at how warm the thick, puffy Moon Boots were when we wore them around town in even super cold temps.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

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.

tecnica moon boot - some might consider this some pretty goofy footwear. we found them...
Some might consider this some pretty goofy footwear. We found them ridiculous at first, but soon grew to love their slipper-like comfort and funky style for around town use (and car rides to the ski hill).
Credit: Amanda Fenn

Amanda Fenn