These Winter-Proof Shoes Are Worth Giving Boots the Boot
Boots, boots, and more boots. That’s what’s about to overpopulate your feed in the next few weeks. But for the first time in a long time, there’s an ample supply of like-minded but less-hefty alternatives to feast your eyes on. And I'm not just talking about another pair of sensible walking shoes.
With GORE-TEX's invasion into just about every shoe on the planet, winter footwear has become a much broader playing field. Sneakers that would've had no business leaving the house in December are suddenly fair game, while the trail-to-street pipeline shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Even the derby, once a shoe with very little interest in getting its feet wet, is getting dragged into the weatherproofing business. Strange times, but useful ones.
Personally, I'm all for having a few more options when the temperature drops. There's only so much mileage you can get out of a rotation of boots, no matter how good they are. So, whether you're after something technical, something a little more dressed-up, or simply a shoe that won't surrender at the first drop of rain, there's plenty here to slip your feet into.
The Gorpy One
Speaking of gorpcore, yes, we too thought that term had been put to bed, but alas. These Merrell x Trailberg stompers have become a firm favorite of mine, and that's coming from someone who's usually prefers his sneakers on a strict diet. They've been a welcome change of pace, even if I did need a minute to get used to all that shoe. I'm enjoying them now, but suspect I'll be getting a lot more mileage out of them once winter really gets its act together.
The Fancy One
A little more Italian mountain town, a little less technical trail runner. That's the appeal of Diemme's Roccia Basso Sport, which pairs a lovely mogano brown fabric upper with a chunky, almost old-school hiking sole. It's got plenty of personality without looking like it's about to drag me up a mountain, and I'm quite happy to leave that particular job to someone else.
The Understated One
If you're not someone who likes sneakers overly chunky or overly colorful, for that matter, these are probably the least Salomon Salomons I've come across. Gone are the technical antics, replaced by a pretty suave mix of brown leather, muted tones, and a rather handsome silhouette. It's a much quieter take on the brand, and one I'm particularly taken with.
The Cheap(er) One
I've been wearing the Reeder for a few months now, and I'm still rather taken with it. The brown Crazy Horse leather gives it a slightly more rugged, workwear-y feel than your standard Doc, while the chunky "bouncy" sole keeps things suitably stompy. It's a nice change from the usual black leather and yellow stitching affair, and the more it gets knocked about, the better it looks.
The Best-Dressed One
I'm always interested in a shoe that can pull double duty, and Danner's Field ID does exactly that. Its low-cut shape and black finish give it a surprisingly polished feel, to the point where I could see it working just as well with a pair of well-cut trousers as it would with more casual gear. Not bad for something packing GORE-TEX and a Vibram sole, hey?
The Chunky One
SOREL might be better known for its winter boots, but the Callsign Horizon has me paying attention to its sneakers, too. I'm particularly fond of this brown-and-green combination, and despite being heftier than what I'd normally go for, I've found them ridiculously comfortable. A pleasant surprise, really.
The Old School One
Two brands that know a thing or two about keeping the weather out, so this pairing makes plenty of sense. Taking a fairly traditional derby and giving it the Barbour treatment works particularly well here, especially with that olive waxed cotton against the brown nubuck. It's a little country, a little city, and makes no apologies for either.
The Sleek One
I'm usually wary of shoes with this much going on, but ROA has a knack for getting the balance right. The Hida is all rubber-wrapped toes, chunky soles and enough Cordura to survive a small apocalypse. A little excessive? Perhaps. But at almost half off, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to make a convincing argument against them.
Some Strong Contenders:
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