Looks and warmth available in today's winter boots

MARIA TZAVARAS

January 26, 2010

Buying winter boots used to mean choosing between fashion and function.

For children, it meant some bulky Velcro concoction perfect for building a snowman or tobogganing. For teenagers, it meant not to wear them at all because functional and cool winter boots just didn't exist. And for adults, it meant boots that looked like a muted version of the children's variety - drab, clunky and unattractive,

But these days, winter boot fashion has exploded with footwear not only offering wearers protection from the elements, but having the benefits of warmth and style.

One brand offering this combination is ECCO.

"We use various technologies in the manufacturing of our shoes that offer great flexibility, durability and comfort," said Maja Yuricek, marketing manager for ECCO Canada.

These boots keep you warm, comfortable and dry, but don't look like typical winter boots. And they contain Gor-tex, a waterproof membrane that lines the boots with the soles made from polyurethane, like the material of an inline skate wheel.

People want, and are buying, boots that have style and function. This has translated into companies providing more winter boot variety than ever before.

"Definitely within our retail, boots have been a big growth category for us this year and last year as well... there is definitely a growing demand for winter product," Yuricek said.

"People want great winter boots with all the protection and that's been the growing trend, a winter boot with the mix of both style and function so you don't have to switch your boots when you get to the office."

Marlon Powell, a sales associate in the footwear department at Sportchek in Fairview Mall in North York, said the options of winter boots have definitely increased with several more brands available each year.

For the past few years, a brand that has seen a resurgence in popularity are Sorels, a traditional winter boot that has upgraded their style to have a more wider appeal. Powell said The Northface is another traditional brand that also sells out each year.

"They have also been around for a while, but they appeal to people who want something waterproof, but at the same time looks good," Powell said. "A lot of boots out there are waterproof, but they're so clumsy and ugly."

He said the traditional ugly boot was what made people choose between function or style, but now people are looking to mix the two together.

For men, their best sellers are Merrells and Sorels and while some boots are on the clunkier side like the Columbia brand, Powell said they're great against the winter elements.

Powell said signs of good winter boots are they are waterproof, have a slip-resistent sole and are warm and comfortable. Many of the brands Sportchek offers are warm against cold temperatures from -25 to -45.

Powell also suggested thinking about where you'll wear boots the most.

"Are they (wearers) going to be up north? Are they going to be in the city or mostly indoors? So it depends where they are going to be because if you are mostly indoors and you get a boot that's too warm you're going to be sweating like crazy," he said.

Powell reminded buyers some boots are not made for winter.

For example, while UGGS are the biggest sellers amongst teens and young adults buyers, they are casual and not meant for the winter.

"They're warm, but they're not meant for outside in the winter. They soak up all the water, snow and slush. They're meant for let's say from the car to the mall to the house, not outside," he said.

Powell said at the end of the day, quality boots, which offer value, durability and protection will always have staying power over trendy fashion boots, but it's great today's boots can offer a combination of both.

But, he added, the whole point of a good winter boot is to keep you warm and dry, so if they accomplish those goals you shouldn't care so much it isn't the best looking boot out there.