I need a quality winter boot like this one.

November 12, 2014 10:15 AM

I spent $60 on a pair of these Bare Traps boots, which I loved for exactly five days until the heel completely fell off of the shoe. I am off to get my money back as we speak. What retailer makes boots like these that won't fall apart this winter?

Things I like about this boot:

• Nice tone of muted brown, but I would accept non-shiny black too
• Lower than midcalf (I have fat calves)
• Has a tread on the bottom; I live in the snowy north and need something ice-friendly
• Rugged looking but still feminine; they go with a dress or jeans. My style would be described as preppy casual, and the opposite of glam.
• Low heel. It says 1.75" heel, but the sole is pretty thick so there's very little incline for my foot.

Are there any retailers who do a sturdy, quality feminine motorcycle boot with a tread and a low heel? I don't want to spend more than $200 because I am flighty with the styles that I wear. I don't mind if they're foreign-made as long as their manufacturer values good quality. I also don't mind if they're fake leather. I loved my Fryes but had to sell them due to the smooth soles that just won't do on ice. I already have a pair of Bean boots for the worst of winter.

posted by theraflu to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Best answer: I buy all my boots through REI. I am wearing these right now. They have a good selection that meets your needs.
posted by ohisee at 10:26 AM on November 12, 2014 [4 favorites]

Just for your future reference - if you have boots with smooth leather (or rubber - just can't be plastic) soles, you can take them to a cobbler and have the cobbler attach a treaded sole cover. Covers of various thicknesses are available, ranging from very fine grained (and still pretty slippery) up to 1/4 thick ones that are robust enough to handle ice. You can't transform a super-delicate shoe into one in which you can go sledding, but you can change a city boot with a smooth sole into one where you can walk over average city amounts of ice and snow. The cost should range from $15-$30, depending on cobbler and region.
posted by Frowner at 10:38 AM on November 12, 2014 [5 favorites]

These Merrel boots might do the trick. They are higher than mid-calf, but they are wide and might fit you. My SO has them on right now. I've been using my Merrel boots for a couple of years (the mans boots) and they last quite well.
posted by el io at 10:53 AM on November 12, 2014

I have had and loved these Merrell boots for 4 or 5 years now and they have held up amazingly. They hit just below mid-calf on me (I am tall), are great in all sorts of weather, very comfortable to walk in, and cute with skirts too. I got mine at Nordstrom, they had to stretch the shaft just a touch for me as I have super-giant calves. Merrell is usually carried at REI, too...
posted by polymath at 10:57 AM on November 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

The North Face makes a good product I think, although they are too trendy for my taste...I relented last year and bought one of their coats and its the best coat I've owned.

And bought their boots, but at a consignment store, hardly worn for $50.

Check ebay.
posted by Jaspersen145 at 11:59 AM on November 12, 2014

Seconding REI - they have a good selection of these kinds of things and their return policy is awesome. I had a pair of Keen boots I bought at REI where the sole cracked completely through at the balls of the feet on both boots, and even though they were close to 2 years old, REI agreed that they shouldn't have failed like that and I got store credit for some new boots!
posted by misskaz at 12:29 PM on November 12, 2014

I love Ecco for feminine, weather-resistant shoes with treads. I recommend visiting an Ecco store if there are any in your area because in my experience, their shops carry styles that you won't find on their website. I also find that their sizing varies by style, so it can be more convenient to shop in-person.
posted by neushoorn at 2:28 AM on November 13, 2014

Response by poster: REI was an excellent recommendation, but I ended up finding these Clarks Mansi Juniper boots that are equal parts study, feminine and clompy. Thank you all!
posted by theraflu at 8:07 AM on November 20, 2014