Do I need boots if I live in Toronto and there is hardly any snow?

So far the weather has been pretty tame here in Toronto. There is hardly any snow at all! I could just get by with my shoes, I was really looking forward to buying a brand new pair of Alden boots...should I still get a pair of boots, just for winter's sake? Do people even need to wear boots in Toronto? How are the rest of you Torontonians faring?

I was looking at this from a practical point of view, now how about getting a pair of boots just for the boot-wearing look. Is that a good idea?

Why do you need snow to wear boots? If you like boots, get boots.

self doubt and boot wearing do not mix, I hope this answers your question.

You'll always need winter boots living in Toronto. We've just been lucky so far but think of every other year...you know it's coming. And if for some reason we really luck out this year, it'll come next year

Alden boots are not for the snow. Get snow boots is you want snow boots. I wear overshoes over my dress shoes. Works great and they cost about $9

I agree with the general sentiment of the thread. If you want boots, get boots. My brother lives in Toronto, and it snows there all the time. This season has been lean.

Aldens are mighty expensive for snow boots.

Yep, sorry to say it. Also, the snow can get pretty soupy at times in southern Ontario so I'd go for something on the waterproof end of the spectrum or get some overboots. Personally, I hate overboots so some decent boots are necessities anywhere besides Vancouver.

Just my 2 cents...

This season hasn't started.

Its quite usual not to have much snow in december. Its more January/February that we get snow. Some years not so much. Some years more. Two years ago, in February I was having to shovel snow from my driveway into a garbage can to haul partway along the sidewalk and dump, because the piece of land between my driveway and my neighbours couldn't hold any more snow: it was a 7 foot knife edge of snow between us. That said, this is unusual - Toronto is NOT in the snow belt.

If you are downtown, they use snow melters on the sidewalks. The snow also doesn't build up, especially in the city. It snows, sits around a few days, melts. Repeat.

You should own a pair of snow boots, but you can get those at canadian tire or wherever. That means you're able to leave your home if a snow storm hits - which does happen now and then.

For general walking around, you need something that can handle light snow and a bit of slush - 95% of the time that's all you'll be facing. Indy's would no doubt work for that, but do you 'need' them? Of course you don't need them. But you knew that, right?

I'm cycling some blundstones I'm waiting to have die and some new Loake lace up boots this winter.

How long have the OP lived in Toronto? And where did he live before?

Originally Posted by ktrp

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This season hasn't started. Its quite usual not to have much snow in december. Its more January/February that we get snow. Some years not so much. Some years more. Two years ago, in February I was having to shovel snow from my driveway into a garbage can to haul partway along the sidewalk and dump, because the piece of land between my driveway and my neighbours couldn't hold any more snow: it was a 7 foot knife edge of snow between us. That said, this is unusual - Toronto is NOT in the snow belt. If you are downtown, they use snow melters on the sidewalks. The snow also doesn't build up, especially in the city. It snows, sits around a few days, melts. Repeat. You should own a pair of snow boots, but you can get those at canadian tire or wherever. That means you're able to leave your home if a snow storm hits - which does happen now and then. For general walking around, you need something that can handle light snow and a bit of slush - 95% of the time that's all you'll be facing. Indy's would no doubt work for that, but do you 'need' them? Of course you don't need them. But you knew that, right? I'm cycling some blundstones I'm waiting to have die and some new Loake lace up boots this winter.
I got some new Loake lace up boots this winter to wear here in Toronto (which I'm also going to be rotating with an MTO Trickers Malton when it gets here). They're holding up brilliantly, tbh, and were worth it even though the leather isn't the best quality.

Originally Posted by Marcellionheart

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I got some new Loake lace up boots this winter to wear here in Toronto (which I'm also going to be rotating with an MTO Trickers Malton when it gets here). They're holding up brilliantly, tbh, and were worth it even though the leather isn't the best quality.

If they were nicer/more expensive, it would pain me to walk through slush in them. I'm trying to brush them off nightly, do a full cream/polish/polish weekly, and see how they hold up. But if the salt gets them, I won't be destroyed.

Originally Posted by ktrp

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If they were nicer/more expensive, it would pain me to walk through slush in them. I'm trying to brush them off nightly, do a full cream/polish/polish weekly, and see how they hold up. But if the salt gets them, I won't be destroyed.

Have you got the Burford's or the Bedales? I've the Bedales since I have pretty wide feet and found that the slush downtown where I live rarely ever touches the leather since the Victory Sole is so thick. I haven't had any problems with salt and have been wearing them since the snow started falling in early December.