• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Bill Smith

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2008
Messages
1,295
Reaction score
57
I Picked up a pair of thinsulite insulated Bludtsone boots two years ago and they were great dealing with the past two polar vortexes.
 

emidyl

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
558
Reaction score
122
Sorels all the way. Been wearing them for years and even use them with crampons for ice fishing.
 

TOstyle

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Messages
608
Reaction score
82
Speaking of boots, any recommendations for a good cold-weather boot for Toronto? I'm not really looking for something suitable for work (e.g. bal boots, etc.) but more something warm and waterproof that I would wear while walking the dog, shovelling snow, etc. I've tried to make do without real winter boots for several years now, but given the previous few winters, I think the time has come.
Sorels are absolutely what you want. Red Wings are my next best choice.


On the other hand if looking for something more work appropriate, I've narrowed down a few, I kind of like these ones:

http://www.jackerwin.com/products/chester-espresso-full-grain

http://www.mrporter.com/en-ca/mens/tods/rubber-soled-suede-chelsea-boots/570076

http://www.jackerwin.com/products/ellis-arabica-full-grain

I find rubber soles are essential. I'm okay with the relative warmth otherwise, but need the rubber for slip and insulation. Trouble is, not easy to find stylish shoes with rubber soles (since anything made well tends to have a good leather sole, at least Blake stitched).
 

tricky

Distinguished Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
5,398
Reaction score
5,434
I use Sorels for heavy duty (shoveling, playing with kids in snow etc), Red Wings as urban beaters (nowhere near as warm) and then various Carmina with tough leather (e.g. Kudu) with commando or daenite sole for work / dress.
 

RogerP

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
9,906
Reaction score
10,116

I find rubber soles are essential. I'm okay with the relative warmth otherwise, but need the rubber for slip and insulation. Trouble is, not easy to find stylish shoes with rubber soles (since anything made well tends to have a good leather sole, at least Blake stitched).


Stylish, well made shoes and boots with synthetic soles are remarkably easy to find. Manufacturers well understand the practical benefits.
 

akoustas

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
437
Reaction score
150
I like Bogs as well, a bit lighter but a lot easier to slip on and off. Waterproof too!
 

CanadaCal

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
Messages
4,163
Reaction score
3,701
Use mine for ice fishing as well. Can't wait for the season to start!

You mean ice drinking? I do that.


For commuter beaters I have Blundstones, but they're cooked and no longer waterproof. Lasted many years though. I change at work.


For heavy snowfall some Helly Hansen from years ago. Stupid warm, and have a sole on them like you'd be headed up Everest.
 

TOstyle

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Messages
608
Reaction score
82
Stylish, well made shoes and boots with synthetic soles are remarkably easy to find. Manufacturers well understand the practical benefits.
What do you like then? I haven't seen a ton I that I guess fit into my definition of "stylish". Sure there are a lots with rubber soles, but these tend to be on the cheaper end. I'm talking about product on the level of Carmina, CJ, Alden, AE and their ilk.
 

TOstyle

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Messages
608
Reaction score
82
Also, I know you can have rubber soles put onto leather. I just do get lazy sometimes.
 

RogerP

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
9,906
Reaction score
10,116
Quote:
You are very much mistaken my friend. Everyone from Meermin to St. Crispin offers synthetic soles on their boots. Examples from my rotation alone (mostly present, some past): Allen Edmonds:
orig.jpg
Carmina:
orig.jpg
orig.jpg
orig.jpg
Vass:
orig.jpg
Gaziano & Girling
orig.jpg
Edward Green:
orig.jpg
orig.jpg
Yes - ALL OF THE ABOVE have full or partial synthetic soles, though you wouldn't neccessarily notice by looking at them. No aesthetic downside at all, and much improved durability and all weather traction.
 

TRINI

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
9,006
Reaction score
658
Hey Roger - where do you get replacement laces for your boots?

My Carmina jumper speedhooks shred mine with the quickness and I've been struggling to find suitable replacements locally.
 

RogerP

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
9,906
Reaction score
10,116
Haven't needed to buy yet because most pairs came with a second set of laces. You may know this but if you don't titghten the laces through the speed hooks (i.e., pull the laces snug before your get to the hooks then just lay them around the hooks with minimal tension) they are much less likely to shred.
 

TRINI

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
9,006
Reaction score
658

Haven't needed to buy yet because most pairs came with a second set of laces. You may know this but if you don't titghten the laces through the speed hooks (i.e., pull the laces snug before your get to the hooks then just lay them around the hooks with minimal tension) they are much less likely to shred.


Yeah - i'm down to my second pair on both. It's weird - it only happens w/ the Carmina speed hooks.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,161
Messages
10,578,989
Members
223,882
Latest member
anykadaimeni
Top