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The Met Office promises the mercury is about to head south. Enter the winter boot, a sure-fire repellent against a seasonal chill – warm feet, warm everything. When shopping for items for this column, I discovered that the “man boot” can be a complete minefield. Where to stop on the calf? Distressed leather or beautifully shiny? Jeans: to tuck or not to tuck (for reference, never tuck)? Here are some simple tips to help you avoid putting your foot in it:
- Steer clear of leather soles. They provide little insulation and won’t help keep out the cold.
- Avoid black; you’ll end up looking like a member of a boy band. There are a few exceptions to this (see below), but not many.
- Look for “tractor” soles. They’ll look less like you’re wearing platforms and provide more grip on icy mornings.
- Shearling or fleece lining is a great way to keep warm. Under no circumstances should you be able to see it. Furry feet are not attractive.
- If you do insist on wearing suede in the snow, make sure it is well protected. French Sole (butch, huh) does a suede protector that is out of this world (£10, frenchsole.com).
- Avoid black; you’ll end up looking like a member of a boy band. There are a few exceptions to this (see below), but not many.
- Look for “tractor” soles. They’ll look less like you’re wearing platforms and provide more grip on icy mornings.
- Shearling or fleece lining is a great way to keep warm. Under no circumstances should you be able to see it. Furry feet are not attractive.
- If you do insist on wearing suede in the snow, make sure it is well protected. French Sole (butch, huh) does a suede protector that is out of this world (£10, frenchsole.com).
All the boots below have been tried, tested and deemed suitable to be worn with jeans, chinos and cords.
Left to right:
'Apres ski’ boot
£145, Massimo Dutti; massimodutti.com
The synthetic fleece is not as warm as its natural counterparts, but at this price who are we to complain?
'Apres ski’ boot
£145, Massimo Dutti; massimodutti.com
The synthetic fleece is not as warm as its natural counterparts, but at this price who are we to complain?
'Ryan’ boot
£218, Grenson; grenson.co.uk
Based on an American Military boot, Grenson’s simple design is a great option for anyone dipping their toe into the boot market for the first time
£218, Grenson; grenson.co.uk
Based on an American Military boot, Grenson’s simple design is a great option for anyone dipping their toe into the boot market for the first time
Scott lining country boots
£375, Joseph Cheaney & Sons; cheaney.co.uk
Handmade in Northampton, lined in shearling and with a Goodyear welted sole (which can be easily repaired, or replaced in whole) these are designed to last a lifetime
£375, Joseph Cheaney & Sons; cheaney.co.uk
Handmade in Northampton, lined in shearling and with a Goodyear welted sole (which can be easily repaired, or replaced in whole) these are designed to last a lifetime
Left to right:
'Mad Mukluk’ mid II boot
£150, Sorel; sorelfootwear.co.uk
Waterproof, lightweight (just over 500g each) and with a crenelated sole, these are perfect for extreme conditions
'Mad Mukluk’ mid II boot
£150, Sorel; sorelfootwear.co.uk
Waterproof, lightweight (just over 500g each) and with a crenelated sole, these are perfect for extreme conditions
Gisdal leather lambskin-lined boot
£450, Bally; bally.co.uk
Sherpa Tenzing and Sir Edmund Hillary both wore Bally Reindeer-Himalaya boots for their Everest climb. If it’s good enough for them…
£450, Bally; bally.co.uk
Sherpa Tenzing and Sir Edmund Hillary both wore Bally Reindeer-Himalaya boots for their Everest climb. If it’s good enough for them…
Left to right:
Earthkeepers’ 6-inch plain toe boot
£155, Timberland; timberlandonline.co.uk
With a sole, lining and laces made of recycled materials, while still remaining waterproof, Timberland’s boot offers up both style and substance.
Earthkeepers’ 6-inch plain toe boot
£155, Timberland; timberlandonline.co.uk
With a sole, lining and laces made of recycled materials, while still remaining waterproof, Timberland’s boot offers up both style and substance.
'Seton’ boots
£150, Ugg; uggaustralia.co.uk
The king of the sheepskin boot, Ugg’s 'Seton' has been weather rated to -20 degrees Celsius
£150, Ugg; uggaustralia.co.uk
The king of the sheepskin boot, Ugg’s 'Seton' has been weather rated to -20 degrees Celsius
Pennine grain leather boot
£295, Shipton & Heneage; shipton.com
A sturdy rubber sole will keep the chill out, and the grain leather will deflect scuffs. A good choice for smarter occasions
£295, Shipton & Heneage; shipton.com
A sturdy rubber sole will keep the chill out, and the grain leather will deflect scuffs. A good choice for smarter occasions
