<p>As winter is approaching, DD and I, are having a debate about winter boots. As Californians we truly have no clue about the best boots for a Boston winter. Apparently, there is a difference between winter boots and real snow boots. D thinks that style is as important as weatherproofing and warmth and since I want her to actually wear them, I guess I need to pay attention. Do you need to wear real snow boots; the ones that look a bit like moon boots? Or, will a good pair of water-resistant cold weather boots do? What features are important in shopping for boots…If I am going to spring for them, I want them to come out of the closet when needed! Any suggestions for brand/style and where to get them…Stores or Online??? Thanks.</p>
<p>My advice is don’t buy them in advance – let your daughter buy them locally when she needs them. She’ll figure out what she wants from others around her, and there are plenty of places to shop in Boston. </p>
<p>My daughter’s best pair of snow boots ever were purchased during her semester abroad in Russia, where it was rather common to have to stand outside an hour or more waiting for a bus. They were stylish and warm, but they looked nothing like anything she would have thought to buy here in California.</p>
<p>I have these and LOVE them. They are warm yet stylish.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/365056/c/6.html[/url]”>http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/365056/c/6.html</a></p>
<p>I would hold off on buying the snowboots. We live in the Northeast, and hardly ever wear snowboots, unles we are actually going to play for extended time periods in the snow. My D goes to school in Chicago, and says that most students wear sneakers or warm slides in winter!!! And if it warms up to 40 degrees, the flipflops come out! It’s ridiculous I know.</p>
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<p>One of the many things that still confuses me about my adopted home here in the Great Northwet is the whole wearing-Birkenstocks-with-wool-socks in the winter thing. I mean, it’s raining, wear shoes. Sheesh.</p>
<p>Winter in Boston is more cold, wet, slushy and windy rather than snowy. By all means have her buy them in Boston rather than at home or online. Nothing worse than an expensive pair of boots that are not in style and sit in the closet!</p>
<p>Another vote to hold off and maybe have your daughter buy something locally. I agree with chocoholic above - you’d be surprised how infrequently you actually need to wear boots. Years ago I got through Williamstown and Boston winters mostly wearing clogs.</p>
<p>The girls in my area (tons of colleges close by) are still wearing lots of Ugg. This season the chestnut colored ones are big. They are not really practical for stepping through deep snow even if waterproofed, but there are very few days when that is really an issue, since the pathways are cleared quickly. For the winters in Boston, it’s more about warmth, and these are VERY warm and comfortable (just got the Sundance ones for myself and don’t want to take them off).</p>
<p>The biggest problem in winter is not the snow but the ice cold water the forms in pools at the intersections from melting snow. After a miserable winter last year in NYC, my daughter bought herself a pair of rubber wellies to be worn with heavy socks.</p>
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<p>I agree about the ice cold puddles, but wellies are cold, even with socks, and retain moisture. Ugh. I’ve got waterproof boots that are lined and wear those with socks.</p>
<p>Very few college students wear good old-fashioned water repellant snow boots. However, they are boot lovers, and Uggs seem to have been replaced this year by a higher suede boot with laces…at least that is what I am seeing. </p>
<p>I would definitely have her wait till she gets here…there are plenty of shops for her to find just what she needs!</p>
<p>We live in Rochester NY (average annual snowfall - tons) and my kids haven’t worn boots since 4th grade. (Not that I am an advocate of that…just stating the facts.)</p>
<p>You have boys. They don’t wear boots, even in two feet of snow. </p>
<p>Girls wear boots when it is 80 degrees. Suede ones…lined in faux fur or shearling. Must be comfy in there! ;)</p>
<p>If she decides to buy boots, she’ll need to buy them before midwinter, when the stores will be selling swimsuits rather than snowgear.</p>
<p>Just as it is impossible to buy a swimsuit in July, it’s hard to find winter clothing in February - especially if the weather demands it.</p>
<p>Allmusic: Good point! We had a 59 degree day here yesterday, and I noticed a group of teenage girls in the grocery store all wearing their Uggs…I thought - Sweaty Feet!</p>
<p>I wear sharp-looking, black leather knee boots. You can get stylish flats or a substantial mid-rise heel. These are my default for stylish winter wear in Boston and Chicago. Buy them a half-size bigger to accommodate thick socks, and they will serve you well. (Spray them with that waterproofing stuff before you wear them the first time, or have the store do it.)</p>
<p>I have Thinsulate rugged winter boots, but they are for Christmas-tree shopping and winter weekend trips and so forth.</p>
<p>it is snowy here- & I got out my northface snowboots which I finally got last year after years just using my goretec hiking boots
however- my 16 year old wore her chuck taylors to school- because she refuses to buy anything else as * shoes are expensive*
which apparently means that if I spend $50 on a pair of boots- then I can’t get that cashmere sweater from jcrew I have been wanting.</p>
<p>She actually has other shoes- but their soles are too slippery for the wet and icy streets- that is even more important IMO as warmth- you can always find heavy socks, but if you can’t walk because your boots are too slippery you will be on your a$$ ;)</p>
<p>( believe me I have been there-)</p>
<p>I also have some short boots that are canadian made I think- that are fairly stylish( and waterproof)
I bought them also last year, when my H and I stayed downtown overnight- I had, had fashiony boots on, and they were so hard to walk in, that I had to stop at Nordstroms ( who PTL were having a sale) and buy a decent pair to wear. I haven’t worn the others since</p>
<p>Have D wait and see what they’re wearing in Boston before you/she spend any money. My D, a freshman in Boston, steadfastedly refused buying any ‘practical’ (ie snow) boots, preferring fashionable ones. I’ll let her experience the joy of walking with wet feet and if/when that happens she’ll see the light, and buy something her Boston friends have. And for what it’s worth, our Southern California cousin at Princeton wore tennis-type shoes all last year and claims she was just fine…</p>
<p>I bought my d riding boots and skinny jeans (abercrombie has the best super skinny jeans for tucking inside boots), because she informed me she preferred a classic look. The leather was waterproofed and they worked well, fashion-wise, for fall since they aren’t bulky and overly wintery looking. BUT, I’m trying to pin down these boots for a more casual look. They seem perfect for any of the elements and are so cute! (Unfortunately, they don’t have her size at Zappos, and I’ve only found her size at one other webstore I’ve never heard of…I’m reluctant to give my credit card info there.)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/5684737/c/47896.html[/url]”>http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/5684737/c/47896.html</a></p>
<p>One other thing…if you are looking for Uggs, Journeys has many popular styles, Uptown II, Classic Tall, Locarno and Sunburst, on sale for less than Zappo’s.</p>
<p>It’s fun rain boots for women that are really in!</p>