Once again I have been let down, pulverized, by the un-waterproofness of some “waterproof” boots I bought. I’m in Manhattan, fer corn sake, you think I could find something! I hit all the major department stores, all the boutiques, and they carry the same “water-resistant” brands. Which resist water like I resist ice cream.
I’ve never bought shoes online, un-tried-on, but I am desperate. Does anyone know of a brand that I can actually slog through ankle-deep puddles in and not get my feet wet? Yet that don’t make me look like Granny Clampett?
What about some of these? (there’s 4 pages, look at all 4) They are in the “rain boots” category so surely they’re good for puddle splashing. I don’t think they look bad at all.
Personally, I have something like this which is pretty much your standard galoshes, only with a “woman’s shape” and they are bright red Don’t you think you could rock a pair of galoshes??
I have seen Gore-tex shoes/boots that look quite spiffy. Try Sierra Trading Post or The Sportsmans Guide for excellent footwear prices, as well as eBay.
OK, I think we have a winner here! Thanks, all. Overboots, I find, never last more than a few wearings before springing a leak, and those Cabelas boots were a little too, umm, Gertrude Stein for me . . .
Alternatively, leather boots with a “rubber” sole can be waterproofed. One product for this is Sno-Pruf, a good shoe or outdoor store should be able to advise other options. If you go this route, be sure to work the stuff well into the seams, especially between the sole and the upper.
It can be nice to have attractive leather boots that can step right into a puddle and stay dry inside.
If you’re just concerned with keeping your feet dry and warm, have you ever tried a good pair of waterproof socks? You can wear whichever fashionable outfit-matching shoes you want that day and not get your feet wet. Plus, being socks, it’s not really important that you try them on. You can buy a good pair of Seal Skinz or something from an internet store and not worry about fit.
I use “huile de vison” for that. The literal translation is “mink oil”, but I’m not sure that’s what it’s actually made of. It’s got sort of a soft vaseline-y feel to it, and I just rub it into the boots, especially at all the seams, and let it dry. Usually I do two coats, and sometimes I do a touch-up mid-winter.
Dry happy feet all winter, and I get to wear *nice * boots.
Get off your lazy butt, Eve. Sometimes you gotta suffer a little for the gorgeous.
Applying the waterproofing isn’t much more involved than using wax shoe polish, so some might be willing to go that route. I suspect that you will be delighted with the waterproof rubber ones you mentioned above. They do look good.
Waterproof socks? What are these waterproof socks you earthmen speak of? I could certainly wear those under a pair of disappointly unwaterproof boots . . .
I’m a big fan of mink oil. Besides protecting your boots, it also does a great job of making old, scuffed-up boots look good again. (I’m still wearing the Timberlands I bought back in high school; I’ve had to replace the innersoles once, and I apply mink oil whenever they start looking dusty.) Personally, I’m fond of the way it darkens the leather, but some people don’t care for this look.
I’ve got L.L. Bean hunting boots for bad weather. I purchased a little container of some sort of boot dressing the last time I was at their Freeport store. It does a nice job; unlike the mink oil, the excess doesn’t have to be wiped off – it sort of soaks in.
Don’t you think you could rock a pair of galoshes??