LINE Aprés Bootie 1.0 2023 Review: A Perfect Boot for To and Fro the Slopes
The LINE Aprés Bootie 1.0 is new for this season, and should definitely be your go-to for cold-weather jaunts outside.
LINE is usually known for its skis, poles, and bindings, but for this year, it debuted a new go-to after-ski boot that is fast becoming my favorite, easy-on boot. The LINE Aprés Bootie 1.0 is a puffy, ankle-high slip-on boot with a grippy sole and a cushioned liner.
So far, the booties have held up in cold temps and wet snow, and even kept my feet warm and dry for multiple hours outside.
In short: the new booties from LINE will keep your feet comfortable before and after the ski day, and you’ll look pretty cool, too. They offer impressive warmth and great tread for the price.
LINE Aprés Bootie 1.0 Review
Testing the LINE Aprés Bootie
We’ve had a pretty snowy start to the season in Boulder, Colorado, so I was able to test the LINE Aprés Booties in both cold temps and wet weather. I wore them in and out of the house during temps in the mid-20s Fahrenheit, during walks in about 4-plus inches of fluffy snow, and for a solid 4 hours outside in 30-degree F weather on wet, melting snow.
I wore thicker wool hiking socks or snowboarding socks during these excursions and was mostly walking around or transitioning to my snowboard boots, not hiking or doing any too-strenuous activity.
LINE Bootie Specs
- Material: Polyurethane upper with DWR coating
- Liner: Synthetic polyester fur
- Insole: Intuition foam
- Outsole: Rubber (1.0), Michelin rubber (2.0 version, and 1.0 version beginning in 2023)
- Cuff/height: 5″
- Price: $70 for the 1.0, $120 for the 2.0
Warmth
My feet are always cold — even in snow boots with thick winter socks on in mild temperatures — so I was pumped to test these out and see how my toes fared. Turns out, between the footbed and the outer, these boots are ready to go for even the coldest of temperatures.
On one instance in testing, I was standing still in about 5 inches of snow in low 20 degrees F — I was perfectly fine. I also wore them for about 4 hours outside in 30-degree F weather in wet snow and was completely comfortable. They also kept my feet warm pre- and post-snowboarding at Eldora Mountain Resort during one of their notoriously windy and cold days.
My feet can thank the thick insole made from foam (almost half an inch thick) and the synthetic outer for staying completely warm and 100% dry every time I wore the Line Aprés Booties.
It’s worth noting there is no lace or zipper closure at the top of the booties, so to lock in warmth, you’ll want to slip them on and tuck in the cuff under a pair of snow or shell pants — something to keep cold, snow, and weather out. This is the only con we can notice about these booties.
Style
At first, I wasn’t prepared for the moonboot-ness of these booties, but after testing them for a few weeks, I’m sold. Not only does the warmth make up for the funky style, but I have genuinely come to like how they look.
Every single time I wear them, I get compliments on their quality mix of a snowboard style plus a bright, fun color. Other colors include yellow and black, as well.
The puffy outer is both sleek looking and feeling, and the faux fur liner peeking over the top collar is a nice touch. You get a loop for the tongue and a loop at the back of the boot, both of which help to slip them on easily.
However, I wasn’t able to simply hands-free slide my foot in like a slipper, which would have been a nice touch for when I’m taking the dog in and out in the colder, snowier months.
The LINE Booties rise to just above the ankle, but the tongue is gusseted so no snow came in, even when I was tromping around in 5-plus inches of snow.
As for durability, the boots have no scratches or scuffs so far on the outer or the sole.
Comfort
Beyond how warm the boots kept my feet, the shoes were also comfortable in terms of support and stability. The sole is flexible yet grippy, so I stayed upright on ice and slippery sleet.
There is a slight toe guard on the front that is extended from the sole, which did trip me up a few times on carpeting when I still had the boots on inside, but it kept my toes protected while outside.
The insole is thick and comfortable but doesn’t have much arch support. Even so, when I wore the boots for a whole day of working outside, my feet didn’t ache or feel tired. The boots are also comfortable with or without socks, as the boot has a soft, faux-fur fleece lining.
Finally, Sizing
These booties are unisex, so make sure to double-check the size chart. For regular footwear, I’m a 7 and fit perfectly into the extra small size. It’s pretty awesome that LINE offers sizes 5-15 for these booties.
- Extra small: 5-6 (Men’s), 6-7 (Women’s)
- Small: 7-8 (M), 8-9 (W)
- Medium: 9-10 (M), 10-11 (W)
- Large: 11-12 (M), 12-13 (W)
- Extra large: 13-14 (M), 14-15 (W)
LINE Booties vs. Other Comparisons
Similar aprés ski booties include The North Face ThermoBall Eco Traction Bootie or the even hardier Teva ReEMBER Mid. Both options have that puffy look and are about the same ankle height as the LINE Booties we tested.
The North Face ones are comparable in price ($70 MSRP, as low as $48 on sale), while the Tevas are more expensive at $100. The Tevas are designed more for all-day wear, with a responsive footbed cushion and EVA midsole.
The North Face also makes two other bootie options similar to the ThermoBall Eco, like the Pull-On Bootie and the Progressive Zip II, both of which have a thicker sole than the LINE Booties, as well as ripstop exteriors and a waterproof, breathable membrane.
These other options offer great additions like EVA midsoles, ripstop fabric, and waterproof membranes, but they come with a higher price tag. So far, with Line Bootie’s durable exterior, comfortable fit, and the liner’s warmth as-is (without synthetic fill or more insulation), we believe they are a great competitor to other ski booties on the market now.
Line Aprés Bootie 1.0: Final Thoughts
Buy these, stay warm, and look great. Whether you are using them to and from the mountain or for quick walks outside, they are easy-on, warm, and comfortable winter booties at a good price.
If you often head out in deep, deep snow, check out the taller 2.0 version, which rises to the low calf and has a grippy Michelin outsole. The other big difference in the 2.0 is the addition of a lace cinch at the front to further lock in warmth and keep out water, mud, and snow.
Check 1.0 Price at LINE SkisCheck 2.0 Price at Backcountry
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