New warm boots????????XXXXXXNO UGGSXXXXXXXXXXX

[sau]

I am determined to find warm, cosy STYLISH boots this winter that feel like Uggs, but don't look like them!  I have worn them for 2 yrs. while walking the dog, etc, but I need something that looks good!

Any leads?

[makinalist]

Do you live where there is a lot of snow?  If so, you want waterproof, right?  Look at The North Face, Sorel, or Sperry Top-Sider.  For nice casual leather boots, you can't beat Frye.

Don't forget, too, that you can make any boots warmer with sheepskin insoles!  Make sure you have a little extra room in them as well.

[sau]

aha!!! Insoles!! Never thought of that.  We really don't get that much snow-(Phila.)  Just like warm feet! Thanks!

[Styyna]

I never would have thought of sheepskin insoles either. And I've lived most of my life in MN and WI.

How do you know all this great stuff, Listy?! You (and many others here) have so many truly useful ideas!

[makinalist]

Well, we had a couple of unusually brutal winters in the late 1970's.  None of us were prepared with the gear we needed, but set about acquiring it.  I learned about the insoles while searching for something to block the cold from the ground. 

[ddgattina]

I am determined to find warm, cosy STYLISH boots this winter that feel like Uggs, but don't look like them!  I have worn them for 2 yrs. while walking the dog, etc, but I need something that looks good!

Any leads?

No ideas from me.  I say fashion, smashion...comfort always wins.  When it gets cold here, I'm not taking off my fitflop mukluks (look alot like Uggs) until Spring!

[cara4art]

Where does one buy sheepskin insoles? I could have used these in New Mexico. I don't need them here in SF, but one never knows about maybe once more being in a cold winter climate. I hope not though LOL!

[Tupelo]

Where does one buy sheepskin insoles? I could have used these in New Mexico. I don't need them here in SF, but one never knows about maybe once more being in a cold winter climate. I hope not though LOL!

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sheepskin+insoles&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=6807008709&ref=pd_sl_47v0u0kytw_e

Lots of choices. But if you wear Uggs, I'd recommend the leather insoles with activated charcoal. Uggs insoles get to smelling pretty ripe after 50 wearings or so. Ugh!

[Tupelo]

sau, the latest LL Bean catalogue has 3 pairs of tall leather boots made by Deerfield, all well under $200 US. I'm thinking of ordering a pair. It's hard to find well made leather boots, and I'm not buying Fryes (because they're made in China now and not bench crafted anymore).

With a pair of warm insoles, I doubt you'd be disappointed in any of the Deerfields.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/66061?page=deerfield-boots-rustic-tall

These are the ones I'm considering, but poke around their site. You might find a pair that suits you to a tee.

[makinalist]

Tupelo - thanks for posting the link for the insoles.  Those are exactly what I was talking about! Also, I had no idea that Frye boots had changed so much.  I bought mine in the 70's, so I'm a bit out of touch. Those boots from LL Bean do look nice and they really are not a bad price if well made.

[Styyna]

I have a pair of moccasin slippers that have lost their fluffy insoles (totally worn out!) and the fit has become sloppy as a result. I've studied sheepskin insoles on both Amazon and eBay but I don't know enough about insoles to make an informed decision. Reading the reviews of many, it seems that a lot of them are sheep or lamb skin glued to bottoms that don't last very well.

Any suggested brands? Even though the slippers are Minnetonka Moccasin brand, should I maybe consider the UGG inserts for quality? If so, does anyone know how accurate their sizing is? I wear a size 6 1/2 so have to up-size to a 7 in slippers so I'm looking for something that won't flatten out after a few wearings and will really add some oomph to make my slippers fit.

[Sarasotagirl]

You want Aquatalia or La Canadienne.

But sit down first when you see the prices.

BUT! BUT! I bought a pair of Aquatalias 10 (ten) years ago for $150 at the end of the season. I have worn them four months of the year, every single ding-dong day) since. They are still wearable. They looked GOOD (as in, good enough to wear to work) for seven years. SEVEN YEARS. So, even though they cost a LOT, they were worth it. Figure 120 days by 7 years for the amortization.

(I don't live in Sarasota any more, but in Michigan. I wear snow boots from Thanksgiving until after St. Patrick's Day.)

[ILuvLucy]

You want Aquatalia or La Canadienne.

But sit down first when you see the prices.

Thought I'd browse these this evening, just for fun.  I wish I hadn't because already within the first 3 minutes, I saw 2 pairs of boots I'd love to have! They are way out of my reach, but guess I can dream (or search the internet some more?).  Here's links to my 2 faves (so far):

 These are right up my alley with a nice decent wedge heel to give me that much needed height!:
http://aquatalia.com/us/buckle-black-suede-with-shearling.html

Also with a little wedge heel, but more managable for walking around:
http://aquatalia.com/us/collection/boots/may-black-suede.html

OH WHY did I look?!? 

[makinalist]

OH WHY did I look?!? 

Were you at least sitting down?

[ILuvLucy]

OH WHY did I look?!?  

Were you at least sitting down?

Haha, yes! I was sitting down, ML.  

Also, I meant to ask if anyone has had any luck ordering the insoles.

[makinalist]

I found a pair at FootSmart that I thought looked well-made.  The also have a thinner pair that might work well for slippers, but this one looks good for boots.  (I won't be needing these until the next Ice Age, but anyway...)  They are made in Germany.

http://www.footsmart.com/P-Pedag-Pascha-Insoles-10637.aspx

[SusieQ]

Those look nice and cozy. Have you ordered anything from this company, Listy?  I was surfing a bit and I like what I saw. 

[ILuvLucy]

I found a pair at FootSmart that I thought looked well=made.  The also have a thinner pair that might work well for slippers, but this one looks good for boots.  (I won't be needing these until the next Ice Age, but anyway...)  They are made in Germany.

http://www.footsmart.com/P-Pedag-Pascha-Insoles-10637.aspx

Those look nice. I have a pair of boots, size 7.5 that are a tiny bit big on me.  I feel like these would be perfect. Though I see they don't currently have size 7.5 or 8.  I'll have to browse a little more...

[makinalist]

I have ordered from FootSmart once with good results.  Now they send me their catalogs, of course.  They seem quite reliable to me and they have lots of specialty items for foot problems.  (Maybe they should call themselves FootNot-So-Smart. )

[Styyna]

I found Pedag insoles on Amazon that seem to be very similar, if not the same as those on the Pedag site (for a few pennies less and Prime eligible).

I noted in the reviews (only 2) that one person returned them because they can't be cut to size.

How would you say the sizes run? I wear a half size so of course have to go up to the next whole size in boots and slippers.

My slippers were too big to start and have only grown with use (leather so they stretched). I want to not only get the cushy feeling back but I'd like to take up some of the excess space with insoles. A little small probably wouldn't work. A lot small and maybe I could go up a whole size. A little large and maybe I could drop down a size.

These look like the best that I've seen and I've been searching. I really like that they have cork on the bottom, both for warmth and breathability.

ILuvLucy - I'm with you all the way on the Aquatalia boots. Beautiful but beyond my budget. Still, I enjoyed drooling over them.

[ILuvLucy]

Styyna, the Footsmart Link that Listy posted suggests that if you are in-between sizes, to order the next size up in the Pedag insoles

[Styyna]

I ordered the L.L. Bean Deerfield Boots last night. My super-treat to myself this year. Everything about them said, "Buy me. I will love you forever." I got them in brown.

[Poppyfields]

Boots are LLBean's flagship product.  I hope they are everything you are looking for, Styyna.

[makinalist]

Oh, my.  Those are beautiful.  Makes me wish I could wear boots without my feet melting right off of my legs...

[Cougar]

Those Deerfield Boots are good lookin'!

[Styyna]

DH doesn't know I ordered them yet. Along with a number of other items. If there's a nuclear explosion from fly-over country in the US you'll know they arrived.

[makinalist]

Ruh-roh!  Hope that works out for you!  Maybe explain that good leather boots are an investment that will last for many years and you mean to take very good care of them so they will.  Anyone who has serious winter weather every year (as you do) deserves nice boots!

[Cougar]

I adore boots and keep them forever, wearing them to pieces.  And if they're LL Bean, they *are* an investment.  Those are classics.

[Styyna]

I have a number of pair of excellent quality boots, one worn one time, that I'm taking to a consignment shop next week. I should be able to cover at least half the cost of the new boots when these sell. I've got a plan, you see.

[makinalist]

Oooh - a plan!  I like it!