As the weather continues to worsen, one thing any shoe addict can attest to is the stress caused by the elements ruining your footwear. Rain, sleet and snow may be the enemy of shoes, but they certainly don’t have to be. I take a look at the must-have silhouettes to get you through the next few months of wet and windy winter weather.
So, whether you are looking for a sneaker to see you through the snow or a boot to back you up for the foreseeable, I have you covered. Take a look at the best winter footwear to buy right now below.
DIEMME BALBI DARK GREEN SUEDE – £255 / US$350
Footwear specialists Diemme has perfected the art of the boot with its Made in Italy range. The Balbi expertly combines the Chelsea boot and Duck boot to create a truly unique footwear experience. A robust sole unit crafted from rubber ensures that the Balbi is the ideal bad weather boot. The eye-catching white and olive green colour combo across the silhouette means the Balbi is the ideal crossover shoe for any winter activity.
Diemme has seen a boom in its popularity thanks to the incredible output from the brand as well as a fantastic collaboration with fashion podcast Throwing Fits. If this is the first time you have heard of Diemme, do yourself a favour and take a look at the vast catalogue of products. You will not be disappointed.
PRADA COMBAT BOOTS – £1240 / US$1700
If you are looking for superior craftsmanship from start to finish, Prada most definitely has you covered. The recent Combat boot features a brushed leather and nylon finish, with an iconic Prada pouch strapped to the collar of each boot. The instantly recognisable lug sole unit features the extreme tread that has become synonymous with Prada creations. The combination of timeless design and unique detailing make this Combat boot one of the best footwear pieces on the market.
Get ready for the rainfall in style with Prada. The stealthy combat boot will have you prepared to attack all kinds of terrain. Just be careful not to run them into the ground as they come at a hefty price to replace.
REEBOK BEATNIK – £90 / US$125
Let me guess, you’ve been wearing mules all summer long and aren’t ready to give up on the comfy slide-on shoe. Not to worry, as Reebok has looked ahead to ensure we can all keep representing for the mulement. The beatnik was brought over after massive success in Asia, and now we have some seriously cosy versions to get us through winter.
The latest offerings look to be crafted from OG puffers, with the 90s a vital part of the latest Beatniks inspiration. Quilted uppers mean these mules are ready for the worst, with the waterproof uppers guaranteeing to keep your feet dry—a cost-effective way to stay as comfy as possible for Christmas whilst still representing the sneakerhead community.
DIOR SNOW ANKLE BOOT – £1150 / US$1550
Perhaps slight overkill to grab a snow boot if you aren’t actually going skiing, but the details across the Dior Snow Ankle Boot make it very difficult to resist. Quilted uppers crafted from technical waterproof material features alongside brown calfskin for one of the most luxurious snow boots ever made. The legendary Dior Oblique Mirage covers the boot whilst a chunky, rubber sole unit with the ‘DIOR’ signature completes the design. A drawstring lacing system features across the high-top boot, with the Christian Dior signature drawstring ever-present. The Dior Snow Ankle boot is Made in Italy, so you already know the quality will be unbeatable.
Head straight for the Apres Ski in the Dior Boot; there is no need to venture into the snow with them after all.
SALOMON XT-6 ADVANCED – £155 / US$190
Long gone are the days of sneakers only being for specific events or times of the year. Fortunately, the technology around sneakers has come on leaps and bounds, meaning sneakerheads across the globe can flex their favourite silhouettes twelve months of the year. The Salomon XT-6 was first released back in 2013 and has quickly become the go-to sneaker for the athletes amongst us. The versatile shoe prides itself on its ability to deal with the harshest conditions, making it the perfect winter sneaker.
The chocolate-themed colourway is as beautiful as it is practical, with the Mocha brown that dominates the shoe’s upper contrasted perfectly by pops of blue across the midsole. I expect every collector to have their fingers crossed to find a pair of XT-6’s under the tree this Christmas.
ASICS GEL-TRABUCO 9 GT-X – £135 / US$185
Ever since Kiko Kostadinov got involved with Asics, I have become a huge fan. The vibrant designs across OG silhouettes have turned many sneaker fans’ heads, with Asics becoming a true player within the game.
The Gel-Trabuco GT-X has been redefined to become the ultimate trail and lifestyle silhouette. Asics themselves describe the shoe as rugged and comfortable with excellent durability and grip. The sleek black colourway means you can wear the Gel-Trabuco wherever you go, and the inclusion of Gore-Tex guarantees that the sneaker is ready for all conditions you throw at it. The sole unit includes Asics’s most critical technical details, such as the FLYTEFOAM™ midsole and the ASICSGRIP™ outsole, making this shoe a true hybrid. If you are looking for an insanely comfortable sneaker to go off-road in and manage to do your holiday shopping in, then look no further than the Gel-Trabuco GT-X.
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