Navigating the Winter Boot Wonderland

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Make sure the boot is a little bit bigger -- if you have a little more space, it will help keep your feet warm.

— Mary Williams, salesperson at Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder, Colorado

Sure-Footed

Mary Williams, an alpinist, rock climber and a salesperson at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colorado, says that, when considering a winter boot, you should start by evaluating one factor: grip. "If you're in wet or icy conditions, choose a Vibram rubber sole," she says. "Vibram is a type of rubber that's super-sticky and hardy -- it'll do a great job on ice."

Indeed, Williams points out that her female clients are often concerned about injury. "One of the biggest problems, especially for women with hip issues, is slipping and falling on the ice," says Williams. "That's a huge concern, so you need to get a boot with a really sticky rubber sole to prevent that."

If you're really worried, live in a climate with extra-heavy snow or need to walk while carrying skis, which are unwieldy and can make you slip easily, Williams says you can take extra measures to increase the grip of your boot. "Most of the hiking boots we sell allow you to put a mini-crampon on the sole that either comes with spikes or springs, just to add extra traction to grip into ice or snow -- even if it's just for walking out to your mailbox."

Snow Bunny Style

Yet, which type of boot should you buy? Surely, practical boots are ugly? Not necessarily, according to Kim Walker, founder and co-owner of Colorado-based outdoor and sporting clothing chain Outdoor DIVAS. "Moon boots have made a comeback in the past few years, and this year they're really hot. People are loving them. ... They are super warm, easy to put on, fit like slippers, water-resistant and very cute."

Quality moon boots have a good sticky-grip sole and excellent insulation, while at the same time, they are lightweight and water-resistant. But what to wear with your moon boots? "Right now a lot of people are wearing them with leggings," Walker says. "But there's also been a return to the stretch ski pant at the ski resorts. People are pairing those with a moon boot, because the boots are so big, they make your legs look really skinny!"

Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist Keylee Sanders also recommends Wellington (popularly called "wellies") rain boots if you're more concerned about wet weather than snow and intense cold conditions. "I love the welly rain boot with wool socks," she says. "You can find fabulous wellies at all price points in all styles. [With the welly] the British brand Hunter has made the rain boot cool again, and it comes in a large variety of colors, with fun linings if you're willing to spend a little extra."

As far as making your outfit work with your all-weather boot, Sanders says there are plenty of options. "If you are going for a ski, be sure to wear tights in a wool or cashmere blend," she explains. "Then layer a fun thick sock over your tights – even knee socks can make a hiking boot sexy."

Size Up

With the need for comfort and all those layers of tights and socks, it's important to size up. "You should make sure the boot fits a little bit bigger," Williams recommends. "If you have a little more space, it will help keep your feet warm."

Air circulating around the foot actually helps to enhance warmth inside your boots. "Also, if you have any points that are pressing on your foot," she says, "you're going to reduce your circulation. A lot of alpine skiers find they get a boot that's tight for good performance, but then their feet get cold."

Finally, you may balk at the price of a great all-weather boot with a quality sole and insulation, but, as Williams claims, you get what you pay for. "It's about finding the balance between what features you need and what you don't need. A lot of people will come into the store and get a heavy-duty mountaineering boot when they'd be perfectly fine in a light hiking boot. They think they need a really, really warm boot but, in reality, they probably only need something moderately warm."

With a variety of styles available, plenty of expert advice and a professional in-store fitting, you'll be all set for that ski vacation, or perhaps just for that walk out to your mailbox. At least you'll look good -- and stay upright in the snow.

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