Functional Winter Boots - suggestions?

Hi YLF friends!

I am a Canadian who needs functional winter footwear. I was too cheap in my college years to invest in any decent winter boots, but finally coughed up the cash 2 years ago, and my Sorels have been a game-changer. Instead of cold, wet, miserable feet, I now have warm, dry . . . and still miserable feet. My boots cut into my heels and make me bleed, and they are very heavy and clunky to walk in. I will keep them for very cold days and shoveling the walk.

So I'm looking for some suggestions before I drop a few hundred more on winter boots. Of course I would like them to look nice, but honestly my biggest priorities are:

- warmth
- waterproof
- comfort (not too stiff to walk in)
- lightweight

So, who loves their winter boots? What are your suggestions? This is my pinboard where I'm gathering ideas, to show you what I've seen so far. Some of these aren't really "pretty" boots, but I haven't seen a lot of pretty winter boots that can hack the cold for under $400.

10 years ago

Kristin SF

Veteran

Have you tried La Canadienne?
http://www.lacanadienneshoes.com/boots.html

There are several YLF members who love their Canadienne boots, and they are weatherproof, to boot! (See what I did there?)

It looks like their website gives you lots of filter options, so definitely fun to browse.

Happy hunting!

catgirl

I have a pair of Kamiks that I love - the Brooklyns. They are not stunningly stylish but are warm and waterproof and don't cost a fortune. Suz has them too.

kkards

Not a Canadian, don't even like in a really cold snowy place,but I can't stand to be cold or have wet feet. Love my la canadienes, I think they are going on their 6 winter. Last winter I added these shearling lined llbean boots to my winter gear, and I loved them.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....ling-lined

L.L.Bean

Women's Bean Boots by L.L.Bean, 10" Shearling-Lined

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Top Pick

sparlingo

(website)

Active Member

Thank you for the suggestions so far! I'm browsing the La Canadienne website right now and will look at LL Bean next.

As an additional detail (in case it is relevant to anyone's suggestions), I have a wider calf - I'm a size 6 shoe with 14" calves and I'm 5'0", so the widest part of my calf is often lower in the shaft of the boot than the widest part of the boot, if that makes sense. So that's usually where my pain point is in boot shopping - simply fitting my legs into the boots, especially with skinny jeans.

Diana

I love my BLondo Vitalias. They are waterproof, have good traction, and fleece lined. I can wear them throughout the winter in Boston, although I use my Sorels during actual snowstorms. For city walking when there's snow on the ground, the blondos are great, and they basically look like a riding boot. I have a 15" calf and they fit me perfectly (there's an elastic gusset in the top). Only thing is, I have long legs and am taller than you so they may be too tall for you. Still, other blondos may work, and they are a Canadian company!

Amazon

Blondo Women's Vitalia Boot

jastrooner

I live in North Dakota, and I couldn't live without my UGGs in the winter. Though they might not be the best for a wider calf? I also have a great pair of Pajar boots, and they're a Canadian company!

suzyq

I have a pair of Pajars that I love (found a great deal on Amazon). They are showing a little wear since I lived in them the last two winters. I am searching for a replacement. I tried a pair of Blondos during NAS--they were gorgeous, but too narrow for me. Good luck!

Gigi

I have a pair of Bare Traps that I have been wearing for a couple of years. They are suede on the outside and faux shearling on the inside. They are very warm! I've attached a pic, but I don't think they make them anymore. All the places I checked online were sold out.

The quality has been pretty good. A zipper needed to be replaced last year, but other than that, I have had no problems. I live in Minnesota, so they get a workout!

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Oh, and I will also agree that La Canadienne's boots are excellent quality. I have a pair of riding boots from them that are just as warm as my winter boots that I posted above. But the riding boots don't have the rubber tread on the bottom, so I can't wear them every day in the winter. I wear them only after the snow has been cleared.

Oh I have to second Gigi. I bought a pair of Bare Traps at DSW, never heard of them. But they are very warm, waterproof, and fit my 14.5" calves. Of course, I live in San Jose so can't really vouch for performance in the dead of a snowy winter, but they certainly work well on rainy cold winter days.

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