The Dapper Dad

After the recent snowfall in New York and the city’s absolute failure in clearing any of it, I completely over reacted. I went out and tested boots that I thought would come in handy should the city be caught napping, again, in the coming months. I settled on two that I found incredibly comfortable and reasonably priced (if you do some homework online).

The first is made by Sorel and is really overkill for urban dwellers except for those first hours and days when trudging through snowdrifts and slush to get some milk. The Maverick is self-certified by Sorel as waterproof and able to withstand -40 degree weather and when I stomped around in them I felt like walking all the way north to touch the Pole. Coupled with my down jacket and faux-fur hood trim all I needed was some goggles and ski poles to start my adventure.

In a more sensible moment, I slipped on a pair of Frye Rogan Hikers. I am always wary of leather hiking boots because they are synonymous with blisters, but I figured given Frye’s reputation it was worth a try. Having a high arch and wide feet I always dread boots and how restrictive they feel, but these guys fit like a glove and did not restrict movement or cut of my blood supply. They are certainly not going to give you the peace of mind that the Sorel’s do as far as jumping into puddles of brown slush, but they are water repellent and sturdy nonetheless. There are slightly different variations out there (mainly the way the soles are built) and the price difference is significant so make sure you look around for the lower end of the price spectrum. I tried both sole “variations” and could not really tell the difference so why spend more for essentially the same thing, right?

That’s actually not just a headline, but the name of the brand. I got a pair of their Carport Elastics over the summer and love them. Their tag line is appropriate: “For grown-ups who can’t tie their shoes.” With so many well-known “casual” sneaker brands out there, Simple Shoes definitely has a style that is unique and unlike many other shoes in this category they are actually very comfortable. I personally do not like wearing running shoes or cross trainers if I am not, well, running or cross training so with rare exceptions I prefer to find a comfortable casual sneaker to wear with my jeans. The Carport Elastics are cushioned and wide (which is a life saver for my extra wide feet) and they fit snug so I avoid blisters.

Aesthetically they may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but they have a very cool understated look that is, just like the brand, simple. The added bonus, even for the least eco-friendly and ethical of you, is the entire supply chain used to make these shoes is aimed at being sustainable. If you want to feel good about your future purchase of Simple Shoes you can read all about their ethical supply chain guidelines and about the materials they use on their website. As always with shoes you have to try them on to see if you really like them. Looks will only get your feet so far.

Autumn has hit New York full force and it is wet, wet, wet. Dusting off the rain boots I thought I would share with you my favorite pair: JCrew waxed duck boots. Perfect for jumping into puddles with your kids!