The ManicaPost
WE get it winter can put you in a major style rut. After all, it feels too cold to wear anything besides a sweater and, with a bulky coat on top, who cares what you wear underneath, right? WRONG.
Winter is the perfect time to upgrade your fashion game, even if all you want to wear are your skinnies and a big, cozy sweater, we’re all about staying warm and getting dressed easy! But that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to boring, lackluster ensembles when the temperatures drop.
My favourite boots are comfortable, supportive, and have great treads for hiking on all sorts of terrain. They’re reliable, they look great . . . and they tend to spend many months of the year tucked away on a shelf instead of on my feet. Why? Because they’re just not winter boots.
Boots have to provide two qualities to be suitable for use during the winter: insulation and water-resistance. If your boots can’t help keep your feet warm and they can’t keep your feet dry, then they’re just not suitable for wintertime use. And of those two imperative qualities, waterproofing is the most important factor.
Once your socks grow sodden after snow, slush, or rain inundate your footwear, the insulation properties of the boots are no longer of much importance.
In winter, a wet foot is going to be cold feet, and one more prone to blisters and infection. So while you can always help keep your feet warm with a pair of socks (or with layered socks), you have to use waterproof boots if you’ll be hiking, working, or just walking around in areas liable to see snowfall or rain during those colder months.
It’s no coincidence that most of the boots on our list have the word “waterproof” right in the product title.
But what makes a great winter boot, beyond the warmth and dryness? It’s largely relative. You need a winter boot that offers sufficient traction for activities in which you partake, but you don’t need the same level of aggressive tread pattern for slushy sidewalks as you do for snowbound trails.
You want enough support to help prevent a rolled ankle if you slip on ice, but your winter work boots probably don’t need a calf-high rise. You want a lacing system that’s snug and secure, but you also want it to be as simple as possible, as you might be wearing gloves or dealing with frosty fingers.
In short, you need to choose a boot that fits the places in which you’ll use it and the tasks at hand in said locations.
Don’t choose a winter boot because it has lots of nifty features that seem clever and keen; choose a winter boot that’s going to serve your purposes.
We’ve rounded up the best winter boots you can buy for different uses and styles. Read on to see which of our picks is for you.
A good work boot helps you accomplish your tasks without you even knowing it’s there. Work boots need to be supportive and protective yet lightweight enough for the long hours required at the construction site, the farm, or the landscaping job.
They need to keep your feet warm and dry in the winter, but not be so heavily insulated as to make feet sweat when your body temperature is raised. And of course, work boots need to be tough enough to endure the abuse that comes with the toughest jobs.
Who said winter boots can’t be handsome and stylish? Keep your feet warm, dry, and supported, plus, they look great.
Tall boots are very essential for fall and winter seasons. They look trendy and cool when paired with jeans, dresses and trench coats. But it is really tricky when it comes to how to store them. Most of the time, we’ll put them in the shoe cabinet with all the other pieces.
Boot style tips to leave with:
Invest in boots slowly over time. Boots often cost the most out of all winter items. Take your time and choose wisely. There’s no race in accumulating a giant boot collection. Own less than 10 pairs of boots. They will last you a long time. I’d rather spend over $100 on one pair of quality boots than on three pairs under $30.
Keep the majority in the neutral family. Don’t go crazy with colour. Buy boots in neutral colours (tan, grey, beige, taupe, or black
Invest in one coloured pair of boots. Yellow is my most worn colour, so I know if I buy yellow boots, they will match with most of my wardrobe. Pick an accent colour that you wear most often if you are going to buy a boot in a colour.
Don’t be afraid to try a new boot style! Sometimes it takes a step of courage to jump out of your comfort zone and try a new way to style a bootie you currently own. Or to purchase a new style of boot in general. Don’t compare yourself with me. Find a boot style that works best for your body type and clothing you already own! You will feel better and you will look absolutely stylish! If I can wear them, you can to! — Online.
