Help me pick boots please.

October 28, 2011 8:36 AM

Please give this Southern girl recently relocated to Boston a crash course in picking out boots.

So I'm coming from the South, and the only times I noticed boots were when girls wore Uggs with miniskirts in the summer. Ugh. But now I'm up here and it looks like boots are a thing? That I'll need if I want to have any hope of surviving the winter?

My mother is adamant that I should have a pair of knee-high leather boots. They should have heels less than 1.5" long, and they shouldn't be wedges, which would reduce traction. My friends warn that leather won't actually keep me very warm, and furthermore, I won't even be able to wear them when it's raining or there's snow on the ground. Who's right here? Are regular heels more stable than wedges? Do knee-high boots really keep you much warmer than mid-calf ones?

I'm at college, so at most I'm walking for 20 minutes at a time to classes or to hang out with friends or whatever.

How matchy do boots have to be? For instance, can I wear black boots with a brown outfit or vice versa? In general, which is more versatile, brown or black?

I guess this varies greatly by person, but should I get one or two pairs of nice boots or a bunch of more disposable ones? Is it weird to wear the same boots daily? We had shot around $200 as a target price for a pair, but I will adjust that according to how many I should get.

Are there any stores around Boston that you'd recommend to pick these out? (Suggestions for national chain stores are also appreciated.) If you want to link to any boots that you think would work for me - very unfussy, casual, but doesn't scream "clueless about fashion" like this question! - feel free to, but I've found that eyeballing photos on the Internet is kind of tough. If you think online shopping is the way to go, any suggestions for making it more fruitful?

I know I just threw a lot of questions out, but thanks so much, guys. It snowed yesterday already, and I'm kind of freaking out about the prospect of this winter.

posted by estlin to clothing, beauty, & fashion (34 answers total)

It sounds like you want "winter boots" that are stylish (as opposed to straight-on-utilitarian LL Bean-style winter boots). I prefer black, because that goes best with my black-heavy wardrobe. I'd look at boots from Merrill, Keen, and Born -- they'll be warm, waterproof, and leathery. Dansko also has boots but I don't know how warm they are. I personally would use Zappo's, with its free shipping both ways.
posted by chowflap at 8:44 AM on October 28, 2011

DSW is the best option for a big selection of nice boots for cheap (there's one in Downtown Crossing, several in the 'burbs). You are not going to need to keep your feet That warm - if you can wear socks with leather boots you'll be fine 99% of the time. And there's really nothing that can be done about that 1% of the time where your bus just Isn't showing up so you're standing out in the cold cursing the weather.

Black is probably the more versatile color for urban wear, because everyone always seems to wear black a Lot. You don't have to be that matchy, and I've survived every winter thus far with just a few days wear I wear either my hiking boots or boots with a 2.5 inch heel. So it's not like you're going to have to wear boots all day every day in the winter. Get some cute ones you're happy walking in a few days a week, and you should be fine.
posted by ldthomps at 8:44 AM on October 28, 2011

I live in Boston and I love it because I get to boot it up. I looove boots. Weather and matchiness both are major factors. I have:

A pair of soft leather Clark's knee-high riding boots. I wear these when it is not raining. They are not the warmest, so on a cold day when it's not wet or super snowy, I wear them with thick wool socks and legwarmers and leggings.

A pair of super sturdy leather motorcycle boots in brown. They're sturdy and thick enough that they don't have a problem with snow, but again, they aren't so warm, so I wear them with the aforementioned wool socks and legwarmers.

A pair of Galoshes, for rainy days. Basically useless when the weather dips below 35 -- they're not warm at all, but great for rainy days!

A pair of insanely warm, mid-calf, wool-lined LL Bean snow boots. They are magic. They are kind of ugly. They look like they're made out of old, dark footballs. I love them, though. For super snowy days.

I am on the lookout for more Boston-worthy boots on the regular. Also, everywhere I go I am looking at Women's feet for awesome boots I need to look for. I will be watching this thread.
posted by pazazygeek at 8:45 AM on October 28, 2011 [3 favorites]

My friends warn that leather won't actually keep me very warm...

Not exactly. Well-made leather boots will keep you dry. If they have a lining inside, that will keep you warm (so, yes, a knee-high lined boot will keep you warmer than a calf-high one.) If not, get thick socks and take them to the shoe store with you and try the boots on wearing said thick socks. You might not have to go an entire size (or even half-size) up, but you definitely want them to fit comfortably with and without the big socks on.

A pair of nice black boots can be made to go with just about anything; no color is more versatile. Always own at least a single pair of black boots.

How many boots you should get depends on the income. Personally, I think everyone should own a single pair of well-made, expensive boots. A pair of $300 Frye boots (check out Zappos), for instance, will last you basically forever, as long as you're good about making repairs when you have to. Other than that, it depends on how much you want to keep up with the times. If you can afford a pair of new cute, disposable boots every season that you wear if the weather isn't too bad, go for it. As long as you have the Good Boots to wear when the weather gets bad.

If you're going to get cheap boots, either alternate with the Good boots, or have two pairs between which you alternate. A pair of Steve Madden boots, for instance, will fall right the fuck apart if you wear them too often.
posted by griphus at 8:46 AM on October 28, 2011

Oh, and a pair of totally utilitarian Hardcore Weather duck boots (from LL Bean or the like) is a good thing to have in the back of the closet.
posted by griphus at 8:47 AM on October 28, 2011

I grew up in Savannah, where it never snows, and now I live in Chicago, where it snows a lot. I went from owning zero boots, to wearing a pair of timberland hiking boots (my ever-helpful parents, who are originally from the midwest, assured me those would be the right thing for the snow), to now wearing a pair of effective snow boots.

(Hint: hiking boots are not what you want here, but I think you're past that point already.)

I got these two years ago and I've been extremely happy with them.

Things they have that I think are essential for walking in snow and slush:

-They come up past the ankle (these hit mid-calf) so that snow doesn't fall into your shoes.
-They have an extremely sturdy, rubber-soled bottom so they don't slide around and I feel really stable walking.
-The only opening is at the top to put your foot through, so snow and wet doesn't seep in through a tongue or zipper seam or anything like that.
-They have a lining you can slip out at night so that they can air out and be ready to be worn again the next day.
-They are WARM. I can wear them with just a pair of tights, no socks, and my feet stay toasty.

Things they have that I like, but that aren't essential:

-They are relatively cute for being utility boots.
-The laces are cinch laces, so there's no tying, zipping, buckling, etc. Just one easy cinch motion and you're good to go.
-The tread has a flower decoration so you leave pretty footprints.
-I find that the fur rim at the top helps keep drips and stuff from seeping into the shoes.
posted by phunniemee at 8:49 AM on October 28, 2011 [5 favorites]

I grew up in New England (Boston, mostly), and trust me: nobody gives a shit what you have on your feet when it's snowy/slushy out. Fashion is right out in those cases. What's important is that the boots be waterproof and insulated. There's a reason why duck boots from LL Bean have such a history.

In terms of heels, you mostly want something low and stable. Snow that gets inadequately shoveled will then melt and refreeze and be lumpy and slippery. Knee-high only matters for warmth (IMO) if you're only every going to be wearing skirts. With pants on - and longjohns underneath for the coldest days - ankle-high is fine.

Waterproofness is important - you will realize this the first time you step into a slush puddle that looked like a solid frozen puddle. You'll want something that will resist salt stains and be easy to clean.

You will have more than one pair of boots - you'll have boots for the shitty weather days, and boots for the cold-but-dry-going-out-to-a-nice-dinner events. As your locally raised classmates where they buy theirs.

Also, SmartWool socks and you should become besties. They are not cheap, but they are fantastic socks.
posted by rtha at 8:50 AM on October 28, 2011 [3 favorites]

It looks to me like Boston doesn't actually get that cold (at least not by Minnesota standards) - it seems like weather is at or about freezing almost all year round, rather than dropping to around zero for long stretches. I don't think that you'll "need" boots to survive the winter. If you find yourself needing real snow-negotiating boots, you will not want any kind of heel, wedge or significant fashion - you'll want rubber soles and water-proofness.

That said, do you wear skirts a lot? If you plan to wear skirts in the winter, boots will be useful for warmth, but you'll probably want double tights (that's what I did when I wore skirts here in the winter, which I did a lot - I rode my bike in skirts and tights) and woolly socks on your feet under your boots. You'll get far colder in tall boots and thin tights and no socks than you will in ankle boots, socks and double tights, although tall boots are nice.

If you wear skirts every day, you should have two pairs of boots so that you can let one dry while you wear the other - spend $100 on each and try to get a higher-end pair on sale. Would your mom let you order several pairs from Zappos, etc with the understanding that you'd try them on and only keep one? You will probably - at that price - end up with glued soles rather than sewn, and no complete leather lining. So look for good details of construction rather than high quality material.

If you wear skirts only sometimes, one pair will be fine, and whether they are brown or black depends on what colors you like best. I wear mostly grays, blues, violets and blacks, so I get black shoes for preference for example.

But you should also have a robust pair of ankle boots or shoes with rubber/traction-y soles.

As to where to get these, I am sadly not much help since right now all my shoes are men's English ones.
posted by Frowner at 8:51 AM on October 28, 2011

Salamander in Chicago has an online store. They sell tons of stylish winter boots.
posted by brujita at 8:55 AM on October 28, 2011

Boots can keep your feet and legs quite warm, especially if they're lined, but a pair of longsocks for colder days will be needed. If you can afford leather boots, buy them in preference to synthetic materials. Synthetic material trap sweat worse than leather, so if you're wearing boots for long periods you'll smell the difference.

If you're looking for two pairs, get one with a flattish sole and good grip for general walking, and another with a bit of a heel for more dressy needs. Either color is fine, depending on your preference. It's okay to wear boots many days in a row, in my experience. Boots are always somewhat utilitarian, so fashion concerns shouldn't come first. If you look out in the morning and realize that you need to wear the same boots you've worn all week, just do it. The weather ain't going to change just because you don't want to wear the same thing twice.

Boots are fine to wear in rain, although you may need to repolish them if they regularly become wet. Protecting and maintaining the leather is essential if you want your boots to last. I'm more wary about wearing boots in snow, especially if the streets are gritted, as salty water isn't that great for leather. You may want to consider buying a nice pair of wellington boots (rubber rain boots) for really wet or snowy weather.

(Ignore my username, I'm a woman.)
posted by Jehan at 8:59 AM on October 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

Thanks, I'll check out the brands and sites you mentioned.

Just thought of two more questions: if I get nice boots, do I need to buy those boot trees or whatever they're called to maintain their shape? And should you always tuck your jeans into your boots? I have wider-leg jeans that can be tucked in, but then they are kind of wrinkly around the knees. Acceptable?
posted by estlin at 9:07 AM on October 28, 2011

Do not buy boots that just have a leather sole (some of the very nice Frye boots, for example) as snow/winter boots. You want something with more of a rugged sole with some traction. Leather soles, while very nice, are super slippery when wet and will definitely soak through and get your feet wet.
posted by sulaine at 9:16 AM on October 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

And should you always tuck your jeans into your boots?

If you're just trying to keep the bottoms of your jeans from getting wet, tuck them into whatever you want. Otherwise, I wouldn't suggest tucking non-drainpipe jeans into anything lower than a knee-high boot, but miracles happen.

Also, if the inside of your boots get wet, stuff them tightly with newspaper after you take them off.
posted by griphus at 9:27 AM on October 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

I am a guy but live in Boston and many of my female friends have the duck boots from LL Bean linked above. They are much more impervious to salt-staining than boots without a rubber bottom are, and while they're not SUPER stylish, rtha is exactly right about no one giving much of a fuck (especially on a college campus) about fashion when it's snowy boot weather outside.

Honestly if you're a girl at school and can refrain from wearing tights-as-pants, Uggs, and a Northface all winter long then you're already winning the fashionista game.

Also if you find yourself missing the South during the long cold winter you should go to Redbones in Davis for some BBQ to warm your soul back up.
posted by Aizkolari at 9:42 AM on October 28, 2011 [3 favorites]

I'd get a pair of knee-high boots and a pair of shin-high lace up boots. That way you have something to go with any cut of skirt or pants. Make sure they both have good traction. If they don't, you can take them to a cobbler and have treads put on.
posted by orange swan at 9:55 AM on October 28, 2011

The best winter boots I have owned by far are by North Face. They recently started producing fashionable yet winter-proof boots. Look for the boots which have 200 G Primaloft insulation and the ice pick technology on the soles. They are waterproof, keep your feet warm, and prevent you from slipping on icy streets. I have always been wary of suede shoes, but these don't seem to get dirty (mine are black and I was afraid of salt stains).

A few examples:
Alycia || Abby III || Janey || Brianna

Last winter I wore mine about 70 days, both with skirts and pants, and I never had wet or cold feet. I am actually looking forward to this winter.
posted by beyond_pink at 10:29 AM on October 28, 2011

I'm from New England, now living in the upper midwest. I've never felt I needed knee high boots (I don't actually know how I would wear them with most of my pants, they seem like they would just get in the way. As with others here I just wear tights or long johns under my pants if it's a really cold day.

I have two pairs of calf high boots, a black soft leather pair of Ulus (sort of like Uggs but cooler), and a pair of Sorel-like brown LL Bean boots (if you have both brown and black jackets it's a good excuse to buy both colors of boots). Get a good tread (no heel) and you'll be ready for any weather.

Ankle high boots are pointless - no one likes slushy socks.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 10:44 AM on October 28, 2011

These Merrells are serious enough for snow and wet and cold -- they are insulated and waterproof -- yet cute enough to wear with a skirt. I'm on my second pair. (Actually, it looks like they changed them a bit, but still.)

You may well want a second pair of less serious boots for fall. One kind of boot is a utilitarian requirement in a snowy place; another is for fall fashion.
posted by kestrel251 at 10:45 AM on October 28, 2011

Hi! I love snow, and I love boots, so I love your question. I will try to answer everything I can.

Who's right here?
Both are correct, but for different reasons. As mentioned above, people who have grown up in snowy climates know that there are boots and there are BOOTS.

Boots are mainly for looking stylish and feeling comfortable. They can range from booties to mid-calf to knee length to to over the knee. For the most part, these should only be worn in relatively dry weather. They are not usually made for warmth. The tall black boots your mother mentioned ARE essential to a cold weather wardrobe – but for fashion purposes only!

BOOTS, on the other hand, are what you need for when you’ll be walking through snow, shoveling a driveway, or partaking in any fun snow-related activities like tobogganing. These mean business (hence the caps!). Many people commute to work or school wearing their BOOTS and change into boots or shoes when they get to their destination. BOOTS are necessary for safety, warmth and overall comfort (dryness) if you’ll be outside for any length of time in the snow or very cold. No one really cares how these look as long as they do their job, but there are plenty of cute BOOTS out there.

Are regular heels more stable than wedges? Do knee-high boots really keep you much warmer than mid-calf ones?
See above – boots like this are not made for safety/warmth anyway, so the questions are moot.

How matchy do boots have to be? For instance, can I wear black boots with a brown outfit or vice versa?
Black and brown can be worn together, if you tie the outfit together properly. Black boots, dark jeans, black tee, brown cardi? Awesome. Brown boots, dark jeans, red top, black purse? Not so much. Basically, consider the same matching rules you’d use with any shoes, but keep in mind that tall boots take up more leg length and therefore draw the eye to them.

In general, which is more versatile, brown or black?
This just depends on what you wear more of. If you have more black clothes, go with black. If you wear more browns, choose brown.

Should I get one or two pairs of nice boots or a bunch of more disposable ones?
One pair of tall black leather boots, one pair of tall or mid-calf brown leather boots, and one pair of BOOTS and you’ll be set. For these basics, I’d spend some money. Of course, once you get used to boots, you might find yourself obsessed…

Is it weird to wear the same boots daily?
Not at all, especially not the BOOTS. Most people only have one pair of these.

If I get nice boots, do I need to buy those boot trees or whatever they're called to maintain their shape?
No, you can stuff rolled-up newspapers in them.

And should you always tuck your jeans into your boots? I have wider-leg jeans that can be tucked in, but then they are kind of wrinkly around the knees. Acceptable?
This example is...not really acceptable. Only skinny jeans/pants/leggings/tights should be tucked into boots. However, you can and should wear your wider-leg jeans over tall boots – as long as the hem length is correct! The back hem of your jeans should barely skim the ground. If the heel of the boot is showing from the back, your jeans are too short to be worn with those boots.

With BOOTS, it’s totally acceptable to stuff your pants in and do whatever you need to do to keep dry (again, fashion falls by the wayside in these circumstances). It’s also acceptable to wear your pants over them (pant length rules do not apply).

I’m not from Boston so I can’t suggest stores, but I’ve linked to several nice boots above.

Good luck and have fun!!
posted by yawper at 10:51 AM on October 28, 2011 [9 favorites]

I live in Boston, but not nearly as fashionable as you. I wear one of two things all winter: 1) LLBean Snow shoes , for when it's cold and/or slushy/rainy, but not deep snow and 2) Keen Hoodoo High Lace Boots, for when it's really cold, or when there's a bunch of snow (I love these boots and thought they looked cute too). I have a pair of knee high leather boots with a low heel that I wear some in the fall, which are fine in the rain, but I would never wear once it got icy/snowy out. The salt on all the sidewalks can really stain/destroy nice boots, which is why we all wear Keen's or LL Beans all winter.

You could always bring a more stylish pair of shoes with you for when you get to where you are going.

As far as tucking in pants, it will keep them drier, but style-wise, go with what you like.

Also, you will still see the miniskirt and Uggs around campus (unfortunately), some people don't care about temperature when they dress in the morning.
posted by katers890 at 10:53 AM on October 28, 2011

Everything yawper said.
posted by R2WeTwo at 11:35 AM on October 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

IMO the great thing about knee-high boots is that they allow you to extend skirt season much later. And in slushy/wettish weather you can wear boots and a skirt and then you don't have wet pant legs when you get where you're going. I basically never wear boots with trousers.

As for color, I buy boots that go with my winter coat(s), which generally means black. Then again, I am coming at this from the perspective of a person with an office where she can change into shoes that match better once she gets to work.

I got a great pair of boots (black with brown topstitching, low/no heel) at DSW recently, and I saw another pair that I wanted but they were suede and suede really picks up salt. Macy's is always having boot sales this time of year as well.
posted by mskyle at 11:40 AM on October 28, 2011

Don't forget La Canadienne boots - totally waterproof, highly fashionable, last forever, sometimes lined for extra, serious warmth. Expensive, no doubt, but you often can find them on sale on 6pm.com.

The duck boots recommended above aren't nearly as nice as they used to be back in the 1990s, when they were lined with this comfy material that kept your foot not only dry, but warm. Last time I ordered some they had no lining whatsoever, which really irked me, as they haven't gotten any cheaper. Makes me regret that in a fit of adolescent angst, I painted my original duck boots with various shades of (peculiarly ineradicable) nail polish. They still feel and perform like they're new, but they don't exactly go with my adult wardrobe...
posted by artemisia at 11:57 AM on October 28, 2011

If you're not used to walking on ice, I would strongly advise against heeled boots.

I wear my regular LL Beans, but I also couldn't give a damn when the weather is crappy. and if this upcoming winter is going to be anything like last, most people are only going to care if they have a prayer of getting to work without getting frostbite while waiting two hours for trains or buses.

Go with practical, insulated, and warm. I promise, no one really cares how your feet look in winter.
posted by zizzle at 12:05 PM on October 28, 2011

Southerner in Boston here, and I walk everywhere. I shop for winter boots based on function first, then looks. It's easier to find a cold-weather boot that looks decent than a fashion boot that's suited for cold weather. Warm, waterproof, and non-slip is what you're looking for.

And although yawper's right about wide-leg pants not looking very good tucked into boots, it's Boston and I'm cold and I don't want my pants to get slushy, and everyone else is too busy dodging puddles and ice to play fashion police, so dork-ankles it is. If you're commuting to work, you can go dork-ankles and change to nicer shoes when you're inside, but if you're walking around town or going to classes, you won't get to change, and you'll probably want to look good.

I prefer to keep as few pairs of boots as possible, because they're big and take up space, and you're going to want to take them off as soon as you get home and you don't want a jumble of boots by the doorway. A reasonably well-built pair of winter boots should last you a winter or two with daily use. Keep an eye on the soles since the tread's the first thing to go, and you need that tread.

These are my current boots, and I really like them so far. They're inexpensive and they straddle the functional/cute line pretty well, though I have yet to snow-test them.

And, well, people still wear Uggs around here, so the bar for looking good in boots is kind of low.
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:22 PM on October 28, 2011

Definitely make sure the boots you buy are waterproof, and not just water resistant. I made that mistake with the first pair of boots I bought when I moved to Massachusetts!

I'm a fan of Sorels. It's true that no one gives a crap if your boots are stylish or not, but Sorel makes some really cute and functional ones. Amazon and Sierra Trading Post have a lot of Sorel boots for good prices right now.
posted by apricot at 2:02 PM on October 28, 2011 [1 favorite]

Also, it's better to spend more money on one pair of boots that you'll have for the rest if your time in college, rather than buying cheap ones that may not last one winter.
posted by apricot at 2:04 PM on October 28, 2011

Instead of pants, tucked into boots or not, I recommend long (mid-calf) skirts in a heavy winter-weight fabric like wool or ponte with opaque tights and black thermal leggings underneath (check your local Army-Navy surplus/outdoor gear store) and knee-high waterproof leather boots. In Chicago winters (one, memorably, had a week around -23 degrees F) this outfit was actually warmer than pants while at the same time less bulky, believe it or not, and when I couldn't avoid stepping in big piles of snow and slush, I just needed to lift my skirt out of the way and didn't have to worry about wet or wrinkled pants hems.

In the winter, I tend to live in my boots. They do need to be waterproof. It makes a huge difference. And a good pair will last you several years. My current boots are Rockports, and they are comfortable to walk in, non-skid (crucial!) and have a bit of insulation. Make sure you buy a half-size larger than you normally wear and bring a pair of warm socks along to try out over stockings for bone-crackingly cold days. Because all I wear in the winter are boots, I have two pairs, black and brown, but if you can only have one pair I'd go with black. Heels should be no more than 1"-1.5" at most--I once stumbled on ice and sprained an ankle while wearing 2" boots and will never do so again. Really, when you're walking in the city in wintertime, you want to be warm, comfortable, and surefooted. And leather is best--it might be a little stiff at first, but once you've broken it in, it will be much more comfortable and durable than polyvinyl.
posted by tully_monster at 3:45 PM on October 28, 2011

I live in NY/CT and have a boot problem, uh, obsession.

Once fall rolls around, I live in boots. The best pair I have are my Frye Harness in distressed brown. I've worn them continuously for the past 6 years and they have barely a scuff. Best made boots, evah, in my opinion. They cost around $220 and they are worth every penny. I wear them with jeans, mostly.

Also have a pair of Justin black western boots that I bought 15 years ago. Had to resole them twice due to excessive wear, but otherwise, no problems. These go with jeans and skirts just fine either way.

Every fall I end up buying a cheapy pair of black high heeled boots at Kohls or Target. Basic black with a 2-inch spike heel. I wear them with skirts and dress pants when I have to look respectable.

I have many other pairs of trendy boots in varying styles, from ankle booties to platform suede Stevie Nicks beauties, but the Fryes, Justins and cheapy black dressies are my staples.

I'm probably the exception here, but I have yet to treat my Fryes and have worn them in rain and snow. Perhaps it's the distressed style, but the elements have added to the "patina".
posted by sundrop at 6:33 PM on October 28, 2011

Redbone's barbecue sucks. (Well, all yankeeland barbecue sucks.) Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington (or West Newton) sucks the least in the Boston area.

I tell people I live in the frozen North, but it's really not true. You don't need boots. I've lived in the Boston area for more than 20 years with nothing more than ankle-tops. But then I don't walk in deep snow. They keep the streets and sidewalks pretty clear. But then again, I'm a guy. I grew up in the South, and worked at a shoe store when I was in high school. Women loved to buy boots in the winter, in a place with no snow whatsoever. Go figure.
posted by Crabby Appleton at 7:53 PM on October 28, 2011

Bean boots are good for mud and rain, and hunting, but they aren't fabulous on snow/ice, and aren't all that warm. I have a pair of Ugg knockoffs that are pretty warm & okay on snow/ice, but suede gets salt-stained easily. That's why I got knockoffs - they won't last. Leather boots look nice, but you have to apply water sealer to keep them from being destroyed by water and salt.

These boots from LLBean are warm, have good tread for traction in snow/stability on ice, and look comfortable. Add a pair of more fashionable leather boots to wear on days when the walkways are clear. Here are some others that look reasonably sensible.
posted by theora55 at 9:18 AM on October 29, 2011

Other alternatives to boot trees: wine bottles, poster tubes, those leftover rolls of gift wrap from Christmas that you can't use because you're worried people will remember it from last year.
posted by Ness at 9:18 AM on October 31, 2011

Thanks so much, guys! I ended up getting these brown waterproof boots from Merrell at Berk's in Cambridge. Of course, my question looks a little silly in the middle of the warmest winter Boston's had in forever, but I'm really happy with the boots and all of the guidelines I now know to keep in mind in the future!
posted by estlin at 12:24 PM on December 9, 2011

Oh, don't worry. Winter hasn't started yet. :) You have months left to enjoy your new boots!

Those look perfect...do I need a 5th pair of boots?
posted by apricot at 5:13 AM on December 10, 2011 [1 favorite]