Are these boots snow-worthy? (longish but pls help!)

Okay, as a former Floridan and current Seattleite, I am no expert on winter boots. I ordered a whole slew of boots and have narrowed down to 2 brown pair and 1 gray pair. I need advice from those of you who have real winters whether these are realistic boots.

My criteria:

* I want two pair of boots (gray and brown) that I can wear in Lithuania this winter but that I can also wear when I return to Seattle.

* These are for daily smart casual wear with the potential of having to walk in snow and ice -- although I'll be in the city so sidewalks will be shoveled. (And I'll take my good hiking boots for times I might need to trudge through snow banks!)

Brown boots - 2 options

Sofft Metropolitan
On me - http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1263.jpg
Zappos - http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7440088/color/19979

Santana Deena
on me - http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1261.jpg
Zappos - http://zeta.zappos.com/product.....lor/157013

Gray - La Canadienne Laura
on me - http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1270.jpg
Endless - http://www.endless.com/dp/B001.....B0019T1Z14

If you are a glutton for boots photos, you can look at multiple views of the boots with a skirt and with skinny jeans!
http://s514.photobucket.com/al.....tle/Boots/

I love the LC Laura boots -- they have a buckle so I should be able to wear them with skinny jeans and skirts.

I am leaning toward the Santana Deena boots for the brown boots because I can put my orthopedic inserts in them, they are comfortable, they are $99 and by ordering them together I got 20% off these and the LC boots (which were MUCH more expensive). BUT they are kind of a reddish brown. I think that will still work with my wardrobe.

P.S. I find boot sizing so confusing! The Sofft boots and the Santana boots are supposedly the same calf circumference and shaft height but the Soffts are definitely bigger around the calf.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Hi AJ, I like them all. The Sofft ones do seem big around the calf. I'd get Santanas and LCs. One thing to watch for in winter boots is the thickness of the sole - you don't want it to be thin or your feet will be freezing. Do the boots have any lining? Many LCs have microfiber/fleece lining which makes them warmer. But since you want to use them later in Seattle, you don't really need fur-like lining - some LCs have that, too.
I agree about calf circumference - I find that information is never accurate, and I still can't find anything to wear with skirts. Good find on that buckle!
Oh, and the other useful feature is traction on the sole - very helpful on icy streets.

Nicole

Veteran

Can I just tell you that I'm drooling with boot envy! I love all of your choices and would have a very difficult time picking my favorite, style wise. But having lived in snowy New England all my life--I know a bit about snow and boots. I also own a pair of Sofft and La Canadienne--although they are new this season and have not been out in the snow, as of yet. But I can tell if something is going to be snow worthy as soon as my foot lands inside.

Not only do you want the boots to resist the wetness of snow (LC are waterproof) but you also want them to keep your feet warm. Since the LC's are meant for this type of thing, I think those are a no brainer.

The Sofft boots are patent, which makes them at the very least, water resistant and the description at the Zappo site says they are lined and have a leather footbed--so that means they'll be warm too. I also noticed their soles are pretty rugged, which means they'll be less likely to slip on ice. Even shovelled sidewalks get icy--sometimes it's actually safer to walk on unshovelled areas, because of the ice that forms when the sun melts the snow then refreezes on a shovelled surface.

The Santanas also cover all three concerns based on their Zappos description. They are waterproof with sealed seams, they are lined for warmth, and even though their soles don't look as rugged, they are designed for less slipping according to the writeup.

(I know I'm not making this any easier--am I?) Ok so now all things are equal as far as snow goes. I love both the Santana and the Sofft boots style wise. I think they both look great on you (you have really nice legs, btw--don't know if I ever mentioned that before!). So that leaves comfort and personal taste. If they are both equally comfortable, and you are leaning toward the Santana's then I think you made your choice. I love that they have a red hue to them. It gives them a little edge.

Laura

(website)

Hi - just to pipe up here and say those LC boots are incredible (and you have great legs for them - those of us with chicken legs envy you!). Now I am joining the LC fan club around here. Hope you get those! Let us know what you decide!

Lucy

I live in the Southeast U.S., so I know nothing about the snow-worthiness of shoes (or the snow-worthiness of anything for that matter). But I do think all the boots you picked look great on you--especially love the LC's.
I can identify with your frustration regarding boot sizing. I have been looking on-line for a pair of tall boots that will fit my skinny, untoned calved and have discovered that even if they list the shaft circumference, it can't be relied on. I saw the same pair of Borns listed on one site as having a circumference of 16 in. and on another site 14.5 in.!

Tanya

Wow Aj, those are all such incredible boots! I am green with envy I adore the grey LC's and both brown pairs are gorgeous, but the Santana ones do seem to fit you better at the calf so I would keep those.

About the boot sizing, well my calves are 12", so that says it all. I have one pair only that fits decent enough on my calves to actually wear it with skirts, but it's easier if you tuck the jeans in.

Amanda

Thanks for your advice! Both the LC and the Santana boots have a thin fleece lining and I can wear thick wool socks with them (tried that out first thing!) so I think they will work well. I also took a close look at the bottoms of the shoes. After all of your comments, I think I will go with the Santanas for the brown and definitely keep the LC gray boots. It's okay that the Santanas are a bit sporty because I have my dressy brown Aerosoles (definitely not snow worthy!) to wear when I am back in Seattle next year.

I looked at the measurements again and the LC are supposedly 14" circumference but they are a bit looser than the Santanas, which are supposedly 14.5"! I'm getting the idea that you just have to try them on because who knows how big they will be. I had to return a pair of Borns that said they were 14.5" but were HUGE.

greenglove

aj,

I love all boots but would also say that the Santanas look the best overall. I was thinking of getting the dark cherry ones but they do not have my size. Are they true to size or would a size up be ok? I am an 8.5 M or W depending and all that they have left is a 9M.

By the way, you do have great legs!!

GG -- I typically wear a size 8 and the size 8 fits me exactly right. I don't know how much difference a 1/2 size makes in shoes -- you can always try!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WOW!!! You have fabulous legs! They all look GREAT. Well done aj.

I’d go for comfort first. It’s imperative that your feet are weatherproof for snow and as it was suggested, LC’s are. There has to be room for warm socks too. So what’s the verdict?

I love the gray LCs so those are definitely keepers. I decided to go with the Santanas for the reasons I originally listed -- good fit, good price, discount on the LCs -- and the reddish brown is really growing on me. I'm so happy to new boots! Now onto all the other things on my list for leaving the country...

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