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I am normally quite cold. My hands and feet are always chilled. I wear layer upon layer of clothing. I take a sweater with me even when it’s +35C outside, just in case. So in winter, when I say I’m cold, I’m REALLY cold. Especially my feet.
Last winter, after years of suffering in silly, “fashionable” winter boots, I broke down and decided to buy Sorels. You know what I’m talking about. Those huge, ugly white boots that your Dad used to wear to shovel the sidewalk? Yup, those are Sorels. However, to my surprise and delight, Sorels have really upped the stylish factor without sacrificing the function. I bought a really awesome pair of boots called “Joan of Arctic.” They’re easy to walk in, keep my feet toasty warm (weather-rated to -32C), and they’re totally waterproof. Plus, they look pretty good as far as sensible footwear goes.
Here’s my top three picks for stylin’, yet sensible, winter boots. (And they’re all waterproof!)
1 SOREL Joan of Arctic / 2 Denver Hayes HD2 Leather Boot / 3 The North Face Greenland Zip II
I just found a pair of vintage Sorel’s at the thrift store in the men’s section. This is about the only time it pays off to have a size 9.5-10 women’s shoe. You get to shop the men’s side b/c really, winter boots like that, it doesn’t matter. And those are good boots. I have what I like to call the ‘ugly winter boot’ in my closet what I wear almost all winter and after about month 2 of snow I have people asking me where I got them. Fashionable boots are hilarious. I used to watch people in downtown TO try to use basic leather riding boots through the winters and I thought you may as well walk in the snow in your heels b/c they’re not going to prevent you from falling on your butt.
Yeah, leather riding boots just ain’t gonna cut it, even in the big city. City walking can be treacherous in the winter. I’m all about grip, and even though I’m short, I tend to forgo the heels in the winter. When I lived in Toronto, I wore hiking boots all winter.
(Side note: My first winter in Toronto was the year they called in the Army Reserves to shovel. I was amused.)
Nice score on the vintage Sorels! I keep an eye out all the time – the new ones are so very expensive, but I suppose that’s because they are really good boots and they last forever.