All-purpose winter boots for a damp, slushy, snowy city?
I'm looking for something sort of "white sneaker equivalent". Not in terms of color, but something comfortable, practical, and good-looking enough to be worn for most informal, non-athletic purposes in an environment where snow is a factor and water resistance and traction are important. Being able to drive in them is key, which I mention because someone suggested to me that driving in thick hiking boots is awkward. I imagine this must be a pretty common use-case, so how are you filling it? I've been looking at stuff like the Vans sk8, preferably under $200, but I'm willing to look for more expensive stuff on Ebay.
9 Replies
blundstones
Also re driving it’s going to be a personal decision. I can drive in blundstones fine (automatic transmission), but you can always keep a pair of car shoes in your car. Blundstones (or alternatively Solovair/Dr Martens chelseas) are quick to get in and out of anyways.
Two recs:
1. Check out the recs on r/goodyearwelt for some quality leather boots. Most will work fine, you can apply a waterproofer or protectant to them to make them more weather-resistant.
2. OR buy yourself a pair of more hiking-oriented boots with Gore-Tex, i.e. Danner's.
As far as driving goes, any boot will be harder to drive in compared to a sneaker, they're simply thicker and communicate less info to your foot. I drive in my boots all the time, but for longer drives just keep a pair of driving sneakers around. Vans slip-ons or something :-)
Has anyone used Blundstones All Terrain (vibram soles)? I do own the regular ones - but at times felt need for better traction in downtown snow/ slush.
Thanks everyone. There seems to be a robust consensus in favor of chelseas. Are lace-ups less practical, other than being slower to put on? I do sort of like the look of metal eyelets etc.
Also, what am I looking for in terms of leather? I'm sort of concerned that these nicer boots will require dress-shoe levels of care and delicacy. https://us.nps-solovair.com/products/s0-900-bk-rd-g?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=48d6becea&pr_rec_pid=5248792363080&pr_ref_pid=5248799047752&pr_seq=uniform)
NPS Solovair US
Red & Black Dealer Boot | Solovair | Handmade in England
Red & Black Limited Edition Dealer Boot made of calf leather using Goodyear welted construction with a signature soft suspension sole. Handmade in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England.
Part of what makes leather cool is the wear it shows with time. You can use a protectant like Obenauf’s to make it more wear and water resistant. In a snowy wet environment, embrace the worn in look!
Generally a waxy leather will be better for a more rough and tough lifestyle. Solovair offers a crazy horse leather that is very nice. Typically dress shoe leathers (like boxcalf) don’t take as well to rougher products like Waxes (that are beneficial to waterproofing) as a more open pored leather would making it harder to waterproof them without damaging the leather.
A little practiced option is to get a roughout type of suede and wax it heavily. This will in the long run make it look no longer like suede but it will be very waterproof because suede taxes to absorbing waxes incredibly well. Careful: this might ruin your boots look or make them insanely cool looking.
An advantage that chelseas have over lace ups (at least without attached tongue) is that nothing can get in except for the top. And boots with attached tongue can be hard to put on, especially if they’re higher.
Thank you, that's really helpful!