Help me find the perfect lined boot for winter's special snowflakes

January 8, 2016 8:26 AM

I need a moderately stylish, women's winter boot with a fleecy interior

Imagine a boot appropriate for treading through wintry Eastern European capitals. Something comfortable, warm and durable enough to commute by walking and public transport, waterproof enough to endure slushy puddles, and stylish enough to wear into relatively nice establishments or workplaces.

Specific requirements:
Interior lined with something fleecy and warm
Waterproof
Muddy meltwater easily wiped off - not suede or a lot of trims or detailing which make it complicated to clean
Boot height should be a few inches above the ankle
Nice enough to wear into a formal workplace - no duck boots, hiking boots, or moon boots
Comfortable for walking on icy, slippery streets - short thick heels ok, but no high or thin heels.
Preferred: Somewhat thick sole for warmth, tread on bottom so as not to slip on packed snow or ice

In the past, boots such as the Børn Lupita and or by the brand Respect Yourself (something a bit like this, but simple leather rather than nubuck) have worked well for my purposes. Have clicked on many links from past winter boot-related posts; most are not the type of boot I need, or the links are expired.

Shopping from the United States.

posted by scrambles to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Best answer: How about La Canadienne, offering about 60 waterproof ankle boots? Serious $$$ but may well last for a decade. The Tira has front zip and fleece inside. It's suede but not super-suedy. Quick rinse, no polish needed.
posted by xaryts at 8:37 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I was on a similar quest recently. Although I ended up with something more hiking/combat/workboot-like, I was considering these, from Rebecca Minkoff. You might also check out the offerings from Rieker. Warm fleecy boots are the best!
posted by the_blizz at 8:43 AM on January 8, 2016

I have tricky feet and I have the best luck for waterproof walking booties at Sears, of all places. What about something like this or this?
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:19 AM on January 8, 2016

Best answer: You want a Blondo. On phone so can't link but it's exactly what you describe.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:26 AM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Wow Peepsburg is right, look at these...
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:38 AM on January 8, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: While the Blondo or La Canadienne brands are absolutely beautiful, they are a little pricey for my budget level.

I'm in a rust-belt city in upstate New York with famously cold and snowy winters, and infamously untrendy fashion. I find that winter boots by Totes gets the job done, for well under $100/pair.
Examples: Shauna, Peyton, Melissa
They are warm and waterproof, and often feature thick sturdy soles and fleece or faux-fur lining. On the flip-side, the boots are obviously synthetic materials, with moderate-grade construction, and only last a season or two of daily use.

Personally, I prefer to carry dress shoes and change at the office, but on the occasional day I've forgotten, I pull the pant leg over the top of the boot and I'm comfortable with the look. Dress wise, I wouldn't say my office hits the "business formal" level, more the "business" to "business casual" tier.
posted by Ardea alba at 11:29 AM on January 8, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, all. Marking as favorite the ones that have fleece lining, ankle height, and passable for work. Suede seems to be hard to avoid.
Additional shoes that have come to my attention:
Miz Mooz - Sarah Heeled Boot
Ecco - Elaine Buckle Boot
Børn - Kaia
Anne Klein - Livia
Carlos Santana - Hagen
Blondo - Vinita
Blondo - Fantasia
The only ones I've personally tried on so far are Josef Siebel - Tracy, and I was impressed with the warmth, thick grippy soles, and comfort.
posted by scrambles at 6:30 PM on January 11, 2016