Winter Footwear: Attractive Shoes and Boots for Rain, Snow, and Slush

I started this conversation in The Grad Lounge, but the content deserves its own thread.

In my experience, the ideal way to deal with Chicago winters is to wear a dedicated weatherproof boot to work and have a more appropriate shoe waiting in the office. This approach has me covered most of the time, but there are times I need to meet for business meetings out of the office where it is not practical to bring a change of shoes. It wouldn't be inappropriate to simply wear a less attractive winter boot or shoe, contextually it would not be out of place amongst my peers, but there are times it is important for me to do better than that.

My primary concerns are dealing with inches of snow, slush, salt, dirt, and oil. The shoe needs to be able to withstand some real abuse, but it needs to be comfortable in classic menswear contexts.

I started the conversation by asking:
1. What's is your most stylish footwear solution for significantly rainy/slushy/snowy conditions to be worn with flannels and a sport coat?
2. What's is your most stylish footwear solution for significantly rainy/slushy/snowy conditions to be worn with a "city" suit?

In addition to simply answering my direct questions, I think would be helpful to also discuss various sole options (e.g., is the added safety of grip from a commando sole worth the extra bulk over a Dainite sole?), upper options (e.g., Is it easier to deal with salty streets in calf, suede, or cordovan? Is a particular material easier to clean and maintain? Does any material look better as it ages and wears in while maintaining the necessary formality?), whether a low top is adequate to keep your feet protected from the elements, etc.

To kick things off, of the initial responses, the following are a few of my favorites. Enjoy and contribute to the discussion!

1. Edward Green Galway (@Murlsquirl )

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2. @NAMOR 's "Valway" or similar Vass with Dainite sole

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3.Crockett and Jones Chelsea 5 Wax Calf with Dainite sole (@EliodA )

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4. Brooks Brothers Peal & Co. Cordovan Boots (my suggestion)

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5. Carmina shell boots on Dainite soles (@Coxsackie )


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6. Carmina Captoe Boots in Brown Scotchgrain Calf (@LoKey )

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7. Carmina Captoe Boots in Dark Brown Suede (two different models pictured) (@LoKey )

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8. Carmina shell cordovan jumper boots with Dainite soles (@Mr. Six )

I live in Toronto and have done very well with two pairs of C&J scotch grain shoes with dainite soles. One of the models is the Coniston and the other is a burgundy derby.

I rotate both through the winter and wear them in both snow and rain. The scotch grain is terrific for foul weather and it is pretty tough to ruin. Just make sure to get the salt off after every wear.

I've always found commando soles look too informal for tailored clothing. I wouldn't wear dainite soles with a suit, but since I mostly wear odd jackets they work well.

GucciKid said:

I live in Toronto and have done very well with two pairs of C&J scotch grain shoes with dainite soles. One of the models is the Coniston and the other is a burgundy derby.

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Similarly, one of my go to pairs has been the C&J scotch grain Pembrokes



I definitely agree that the scotch grain is a great foul weather material. It takes very little effort to keep these looking well cared for.



Patrick R said:

In my experience, the ideal way to deal with Chicago winters is to wear a dedicated weatherproof boot to work and have a more appropriate shoe waiting in the office. This approach has me covered most of the time, but there are times I need to meet for business meetings out of the office where it is not practical to bring a change of shoes

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Why not just wear rubber overshoes (galoshes) over your office-appropriate shoes?

Once you're indoors, pull off the galoshes, stuff them into a plastic bag (I prefer Zip-Lock), and stash them in your desk, briefcase, messenger bag, etc.

While there are many makes, styles, and colors from which to choose, my Totes galoshes ran me the princely sum of $7.50, on sale at Jos. A. Bank. Seems like an inexpensive, easy, highly effective solution to the problem of protecting nice shoes in inclement conditions.

Because sometimes its just easier to have shoes that are made to traverse through the slush.

Yeah, I think the key is some sort of combo of pebble grain leather and synthetic soles. I have a pair of MTO Carmina's coming in from Steve at GF that I bought for just this kind of use. It's a model 80405 on Rain last, burnished brown scotch grain, and single Dainite sole. I'll post pics when I get them.

Also, I would imagine that shell and Chromexcel leather work well for similar purposes.

1. What's is your most stylish footwear solution for significantly rainy/slushy/snowy conditions to be worn with flannels and a sport coat?
2. What's is your most stylish footwear solution for significantly rainy/slushy/snowy conditions to be worn with a "city" suit?

For Question 1 (flannel & sports coat), my AE "Long Branch" wing tip boot in chromexal with a Vibram lug sole. In the context of the streets being that bad and with no need to wear a suit, it would be dressy enough. (Folks in the most recent AE/SF GMTO will be getting the LB in a mini-lug with Dublin leather, an even better combo than mine for such a situation.)

For Question 2 ("city" suit), if I can't bring a second pair to change into, I break out my mid-80's corrected grain AE McAlisters (wingtip oxford). Conventional leather sole but I don't care. They are remarkably indestructible, don't look too bad, and have been mistaken for shell from a distance. I just wipe then down and let them dry slowly at the end of the day and they are no worse for wear. I'm convinced they were part of a secret limited run from a material provided by NASA and fell into my hands by mistake.

Count de Monet said:

For Question 1 (flannel & sports coat), my AE "Long Branch" wing tip boot in chromexal with a Vibram lug sole. In the context of the streets being that bad and with no need to wear a suit, it would be dressy enough. (Folks in the most recent AE/SF GMTO will be getting the LB in a mini-lug with Dublin leather, an even better combo than mine for such a situation.)

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Can't wait can't wait can't wait. /claps excitedly

And yes. I agree.

Here's my go-to for inclement weather and nasty sidewalks--which, in the Upper Midwest, means six months of the year.

Allen Edmonds Eagle County MTO in brown grain leather with Dainite sole:



Not in the same class as an EG or a C&J, but at the entry level I think it does a great job.

12345Michael54321 said:

Why not just wear rubber overshoes (galoshes) over your office-appropriate shoes?

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On a regular basis, that works just fine. For me, there are times that doesn't work. For example, grabbing lunch with colleagues at a club with a dress code. I could walk over in overshoes, but then I would need to keep them on the whole lunch because I won't have a bag or anywhere else to put the overshoes if I were to take them off. In that situation, if I'm wearing overshoes, I might as well just be wearing unstylish shoes. Again, that wouldn't be a social faux pas, but I was looking for more stylish alternatives.

Here's the Namor "Valway" I had in mind.

As I'm the guy who just tried to resurrect a summer trouser post, it feels weird to be posting here as well, but....
I recently bought these Holmans from J Fitzpatrick to deal with chillier weather and rain (I live in Cape Town now, so I don't have to deal with snow/slush/etc. like I did growing up in the Midwest!). As it's summer here, I haven't been able to try them out, and they would be too casual (in my opinion) for when you're wearing a worsted suit, but I see them as being ideal when the weather's a bit crap and you're wearing flannel or tweed, including an odd jacket.
They may not be weather proof enough for the proper Midwest stuff with a slimmer rubber sole, but I think they would be good enough to get you from the L/taxi to a meeting and back while still looking good.

I like those, WhereNext. The lower half is a bit like my C&J Pembroke in country grain, which is what I wore today to muck around a bit.



In the other thread, some people were suggesting suede boots. I'm fine with that in the rain, but does anyone really use suede as their salty sidewalk walkers?

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/kev7777/CheaneyFS029.jpg

Cheaney FS029's !!

I don't think you should overlook the C&J Islay. Scotch Grain and Dainite Sole.