Hooray! Glad you found a local source

I do add inserts -- the heel type seem to work best for me, Carla. And I avoid flats, which have never worked for me and work even less now with PF. I can (just barely) wear sneakers with superfeet insoles -- without them, forget it. Best is a heel (or thick rubber platform like Fitflops) with arch support and/or a padded PF heel insert -- but only certain ones. I've tried a ton of them. Some work better than others. I also have to ration running and skating -- I still do these but a bit less. Once or twice a week.

ORDERED THE TAOS CRAVE in navy. THANK YOU, Anna!!

The reviews for that boot persuaded me. It is not listed as waterproof -- but it has a lug sole, and I have spray. People north of the 49 say it is warm. And seriously, I have never read such great reviews in my life! I don't own a combat type boot -- obviously it is super casual and not refined, but I do have more refined options and it would just be fun to play with a different colour for a change from black!

I’ve had my eyes on those Taos Crave boots in green or bronze but can’t justify them. I’m glad you were able to find something promising looking.

Yes , seriously . Taos is in quite a few stores here , and I know she sells them to stores in SK too . I’ll ask if she can find out where in ON they are sold .

taosfootwear.ca free shipping too .

Thank you, Lisa! I got the ink blue on sale from the online version of my local store -- should arrive shortly. It gets incredible reviews. Is more rugged/ sportier than my ideal in some ways -- but honestly, I have my La Canadiennes short boots (which are a nice in-between) and my tall ones (dressier) and the Aquatalias and the idea of something in a different colour than black is just too exciting to pass up!

Suz, I was going to suggest Toas too. YAY, you ordered them.

Docs run big. Try the smaller size. Arche is another goodie.

Try Thursday Boot Company - thursdayboots.com. They ship to Canada. I have been really happy with my President boots in burgunday, and I think La Ped owns the Captain in burgundy. I have PF, and I found these really comfortable from the first wear.

Oh Suz you started a shoe rant when I wasn't looking and now I don't have time to read all the comments! I did get so far as to read you cannot wear Blundstones (the winter uniform shoe of all of Israel including my kids and husband). Did you respond to Angie's mention of Doc Martens? That was my next thought. I am visualizing optic white and shiny, which are on trend right now I believe.
On the positive side, I am envious how much walking you work into your day. I am also a big walker, but have to find excuses. I used to walk to work in New York and Tel Aviv and I loved it.
And also Imelda (wink) are the white booties irrelevant to your lifestyle?

Shevia, yes, sadly -- and now I own not one but TWO pair of great white booties (the Imeldas and a pair with a heel) and never, ever wear....you just can't in our weather, honestly. Well, except for 3 weeks in May.

Docs and Flys (and Campers) also present fit issues for me, alas. Some styles are better than others but mostly I'm between sizes in these shoes. European sizing works better as a rule.

Sheryl, thank you -- I didn't know of them!

Angie, many thanks. I'm going to be PPP about this and get a few good options going for next season (and maybe even this one, with sales.) No danger of sales goggles, because we're talking about a much needed item. I got the La Candiennes in October and have worn them almost every day since for a total of at least 100 wears so far this year. They're a wonderful and comfortable boot but it would be nice if I could mix things up a bit.

Pattens? Now you're thinking outside the box. Then I recommend Trippen. They're a seriously strong shoe and I find them extremely comfortable.

I haven't tried them in snow though. We don't get much of it and I need an excuse to wear the rain boots.

Suz, what a great analysis! As always, the fabbers have offered wonderful supportive comments and suggestions. I am happy you were able to order the TAOS and hope they work for you. I think it is awesome that you can do so much walking!
Imelda in Maine here. I can relate to so much of what you said about the need for outdoor appropriate boots and shoes. I have a large capsule and I wear them often. I do have to pack shoes or booties to put on when I get to work usually from mid November - late March.
There are several types of water repellant, water resistant and waterproof sprays you can apply to your footwear. It is essential to read product details and follow directions precisely, but we have used the sprays and been very pleased with the results.

Ah, to Sheryl's point, yes, Thursday Boot Co is great! I love my burgundy Captains. I only have room for thin-to-medium socks in them, so they come out a few times a month in the winter on warmer days (like today!). Same goes for my Frye Veronicas.

Suz;
Awesome walking. Great that you gym and study too. What a legend. I only have 2 pairs of winter shoes- one pair black chelsea boots and one pair brown chelsea boots. I save the brown ones for “good” as they were super expensive, therefore wear the black ones EVERY DAY in winter. If I am going out to a restaurant or dressier social event I will wear a high heel shoe, but this a only a couple of times a month- and only for whatever portion of the day the particular event is occurring. Around the house I wear Birkenstocks.
I can wear the chelsea boots at my job too, and walk a fair distance in them.
In autumn/spring/summer I wear a lot more variety.
I hope all of this makes you realize you are totally normal, just bored with winter. Xx

Oooh I so hope those Taos will work, Suz!

I can also recommend Uggs when you need another casual water-resistant Winter boot suitable for lots of walking. I have the ones below and wear them lots. They are very lightweight, have a lug sole, a removable insert so you can add your own insert or orthotic. I also like that they have a built-in wedge heel and that the style (with the asymmetrical shaft) is a little different than other Uggs, which makes me feel a bit more stylish

Nice work, Suz! Exactly, no danger in sales goggles: it’s not like winter boots are your favourites to buy anyway. ...although you find your tastes changing now that you know you need to zero-in on this category.

Oh, and how about these in grey, Suz (if a wedge heel works for you)?
https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b.....17429.html

Not waterproof, but pretreated to repel moisture and stains:

https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b....._color=BLK
(in grey)

https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b.....16589.html
(in grigo or clay)

https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b.....94675.html
(in gunmetal, might be fab with your hair!)

https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b.....92433.html
a higher shaft version!!

and a higher shaft Chelsea bootie in chestnut
https://www.ugg.com/ca/women-b.....17506.html

Also love the fig colour of these slippers for you
https://www.ugg.com/ca/womens-....._color=FIG

Ooh the Taos are GORGEOUS!

I have the same weather issues as you but fortunately work in an office so carry my shoes in the winter. I have always been a total shoe freak and would be so bummed to have cute shoes and not be able to wear them. You do have some good options here though, cute AND weather proof!

Suz, REALLY happy you're finding fab solutions with the very best attitude, and much love to you. xo

Oh, Suz... This makes me realise I need a 'get real with myself' post too n the near future. It's so hard to reconcile all the pretty things with ones climate and lifestyle! Though you've got some good options going here...

No one has mentioned Pikolinos. I love every shoe/boot I've bought from them, and they have the best colors. Doesn't say waterproof, but tI generally don't get wet feet in them even so. I found these at Zappos, they have them in tan too.

I noticed that Taos says their 37s are 6-6.5 (like ECCOs) instead of 6.5-7 like Dansko. Please report back on their sizing. I have a feeling I am between sizes in Taos just as I am in ECCO.

I also see that Nordstrom carries the Taos combat boot but not in the navy.

Oh, Suz, I love that you walk everywhere! I wish I could, as I really need to move to keep my head on straight, let alone keeping my body healthy! Still, really comfy walking shoes are really hard to find in good weather. Add in cold and heat, and the need to look professional, and you are looking at a challenge, but it sounds like you have new wind in your sails!

Popping back on to say that I'm your shoe opposite. I spend all day in my car, and I'm taking my shoes on and off at least 6 times a day -- particularly when arriving at or leaving a client's home. No tall boots for me! However, I can wear shoes that wouldn't be "walkable," and I don't need to worry about wear and tear except on truly rainy or snowy/icy days. I do have to cart around a lot of instruments, so shoes need to be stable.

I've worn my Munro Robyn's alot, and a pair of grey suede heeled booties that are 2 1/2 inches and fairly elegant. I've also purchased two pairs of fun booties. The first are prettier than they look in the pic, and very comfy. The second are rubber rain booties. My feet do sweat a bit in them, but they're not too bad -- particularly because I have to pull them on and off all day! Wicking socks help.

I find that patterns are a way to honor my maximal, dressy self, particularly when I'm often in bootcut jeans.

I've collected several of the boots suggested to you. Hope you find a new pair to make the remainder of winter a little bit more fun!

Fascinating analysis Suz. I can’t do something like that, the truth of my shoe collection is not a truth I need to face. But it does put your situation in a very clear light. Have to say I’m envious of your walking life.

Those TAOS look great, I hope they work. Dare I ask what your local source was?

A brand I don’t think anyone has mentioned is Valdini.
Canadian, weatherproof, stylish. I have a couple of pairs and find them very comfortable. . I hVe no idea where you’d find them though, here they are sold at an independent shoe store. Here is a link to their Facebook page with the styles shown.:I hope this works.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Jo.....3731027075

I will second gaylenes love of glerup slippers. I got some last year after my sister and her dh raved about them. I suspect they won’t have enough support for you though. But you may be.able to put some sort of inner sole in them.

Sorry, all -- I had a work deadline yesterday and couldn't do more than check in, but look at all the great options you have found me!

Now, however, I want a pair of Angie's new boots, except in silver!

Not even joking.

My Taos boots arrive tonight. I got them from Becker Shoes, which deliver. We have a local store but I don't think they have this style, though I might be wrong. Anyway, I ordered.

Elizabeth I remember you mentioned this brand to me before! I'm going to check them out. I don't think I know a source but it's worth looking.

Beth Ann, that is a really interesting set of observations - I'd never thought about the challenges you face but they are considerable! In and out of shoes in people's homes...do you wear something inside if their floors are cold, or just go in socks? Love those rain boots. I do think I'm going to get a pair this year -- I hear the right socks help.

I'll report back on sizing, Donna. If they fit like Eccos, that is good for me because I'm pretty much a perfect Ecco 37. But it is weird because in NA sizes, I'm between 6.5 and 7 and often order 7 in boots. (My La Canadiennes are 6.5 because I find they fit very true but I order Aquatalia in 7 because some styles are a bit narrower and I like a heavier sock in a boot.) I usually wear 7 in sandals for feet swelling...but took 6.5 in the Sam Edelman Okalas -- 7 was all wrong in the arch.

Rambling Ann, thank you. Sveta is a huge Pikolinos fan and I've heard they are very comfy. The styling is usually too maximal for my taste (but then, so is the Taos I ordered!) But it is always worth looking and a comfortable foot is a happy foot!

Roxana, believe it or not, I am feeling jealous of you in Toronto! I realize that a lot of my footwear mistakes are based on buying patterns that would have worked for me there. I walked incessantly in the city, too, but it is not as snowy or slushy there as it is here and booties would have worked on more days than work here.

Inge, what a sweetie! I really like some of those options from Ugg. I find my Adirondacks to not provide enough lift for my PF so I have put a lift in (which helps). Ugg is so warm and cozy! I am coming to a conclusion that I need a luggage coloured or cognac boot -- it would add to my sense of variety and be a real boost with grey and navy in winter. Hmmm.

Just for fun...

I've been looking...

Alas, I'm a bit between sizes in Docs -- one size too wide a long for me, the other too short... but I'm on the hunt!

ETA, what about these? They don't have them in my size at Nordstrom but they are available elsewhere in the US. I'd have to find a Fab friend to ship to me...

They might be a little too wide/ loose and unsupportive for me and too round-toed.

This is my perennial problem and how I get myself into this fix. I prefer a more refined look but need to accept my conditions here.

Chelsea is definitely a solution, though. I am sure of it.

Very well stated Suz! I can definately relate to this being in the same neck of the woods as you. It leads to very limited options. I have a couple of pairs of go to boots which I have to wash the salt off of each and every time I wear them. I do love how much you are walking!