Stylish, Functional and Durable Winter Boots - Too much to ask?

[lachyzee]

Resurrecting this thread somewhat as I need some more general boot advice (I've posted in some of the brand specific threads too). I'm looking for some 8" boots for this winter. I would describe what I want as a "stylish work boot". Budget is up to $300 i'd say. As far as actual use goes, i'll be hiking around Monterrey/Yosemite in December, and walking through the slush of NYC in Jan. After that they'll see mostly city use in 2011, hence why i'd like them to be reasonably stylish. I don't need them to be ultra-waterproof as I can always use snowseal or the like. Things I like: -~8" as I said -brown/tan in colour -work boot sort of style -preferably with the leather a little pre-distressed Things I don't really like -moc toes -wedge soles -black boots Some of the ones I have looked at so far and liked: Red Wing 899 (http://www.redwingshoes.com/productd...px?prodid=1045), very nice, but maybe a bit too much like a normal work boot? I really like the one they did last year for JCrew, (http://static2.slamxhype.com/wp-cont...w-899-boot.jpg) but its not available anymore Wolverine 1000 Mile Burton in Brown, (http://www.onthefly.com/product/wolv...ton-boot/27797 & http://www.porhomme.com/wp-content/u...-preview-8.jpg), looks like it might be a bit on the "plain" side of brown, would prefer a richer colour or a more distressed look. I really like the rust colour in the 1000 mile originals, but they only make them in 6"

Frye Rogan Tall Lace Up (http://www.revolveclothing.com/Displ...=Boots&s=C&d=h) - maybe a bit too dressy Timberland Boot Co Tackhead 8" (http://www.revolveclothing.com/Displ...=Boots&s=C&d=h) - nice leather, but toe curves up a little too much for my liking I think. Various Bed Stu Boots - I like what they've done to distress the leather, but i've heard their quality is poor. Also they mostly have moc toes. http://bedstu.com/product/525/platts.../cobbler-boots http://bedstu.com/product/451/fort/in/cobbler-boots http://bedstu.com/product/362/westward/in/boots So from the above you can hopefully get a reasonable idea of what i'm after. Out of all of those, my favourites are probably the 899s or Burtons. A cross between the two would be excellent. 1) What do people think of the above 2) Can anyone suggest something similar I may have overlooked? Cheers for any replies.

 

[Synthese]

katahdin?
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=144358

 

[lachyzee]

Definitely a nice boot, but they look like more of a 6"? Hard to tell without seeing them on somebody.