Rainy weather is consideration for boots on ground
For keeping legs warmer than usual, Nordstrom carries Make + Model slouchy mukluks, puffer boots, faux-fur boots and Nordstrom cable slipper socks and cable faux-sherpa boots priced from $18 to $36.
Photos of sexy boots leave many in Hawaii longing for a hint of cool, boot-wearing weather, but when conditions turn wet and watery, it becomes obvious that fashion boots aren’t made for walking in the rain.
"Fashion boots are lovely to look at, but they’re not particularly practical," said Tiffany James, the Boston-based owner of UndercoverWear and part-time Hawaii resident, who knows a thing or two about dressing for the extremes of a Hawaii summer and Boston winter.
Allowing leather to get wet can ruin a shoe, drying out the skin and putting it at risk of mildewing.
At Leather Soul, which specializes in classic men’s footwear, owner Tom Park said that if you happen to be caught in the rain in leather shoes, it’s important to get all the moisture out.
He said having a shoe tree helps to absorb the moisture.
"If it gets really wet, don’t wear it two days in a row, let it dry completely," he said.
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Rainy weather calls for switching to a more practical rubber-soled shoe or boot for secure traction.
Then there is the king of synthetics, Crocs, which in addition to open styles suitable for Hawaii, also makes boots of the same rubbery Croslite material.
Among its boot styles is the Croccasin ($79.99), with a suede upper and furry fleece lining that makes it look like a cross between a moccasin and an UGG boot. And the Crocband Jaunt ($39.99) is a molded Croslite rain boot. If you can’t find them at retailers, they’re online at www.crocs.com.
For those who prefer something more classic, there is the 150-year-old Hunter Boot, made in the U.K. and put to the extreme test in the muddy trenches of World War I.
The Hunter Wellington boot is now a fashionable option available in men’s ($115), women’s ($60 to $395) and children’s ($50 to $75) styles at Nordstrom.
The boot is so iconic that this year, Jimmy Choo partnered in a collaboration boot for fall that comes in anthracite, silver metallic, yellow, black, red and Navy colors, at $395 to $455. (You can find them on sale at JimmyChoo.com.)
The tall 15-inch boots promise to keep your legs dry when skipping across puddles and potholes. Anything deeper than a foot or so, however, means you’re in more trouble than mere footwear or outerwear can fix.
