With the snow falling and ice underfoot, high heels and ballet flats just won’t cut it.
Serious footwear is required to tackle the slushy pavements and slippy surfaces — something that will both grip and keep your feet toasty-warm, too.
The first thing to look for is a sturdy sole that is waterproof, preferably rubber, and thick with strong grips. You want something heavy enough to dig into snow and ice, and that won’t slip on wet indoor surfaces either.
Best foot forward: Kelly Brook in Anna Sui Fitflops, left, Sarah Jessica Parker and Coleen Rooney in Uggs
Next go for warmth. Sheepskin lining is fantastically cosy and comfortable — you only have to look at the number of Ugg boots being worn to get an idea of how warm they are.
Choose a boot that’s lined both in the leg and around the toes, as it’s your feet that will feel the brunt of the cold, especially in deep snow.
Waterproof fabrics are another essential if you’re going to spend any time out in the snow, particularly if it is actually snowing or sleeting when you are out.
Sheepskin and suede can be weather-treated, so you don’t have to rule them out, but they may not be as durable as synthetic fabrics.
Look for drawstring tops to keep out the wet, and choose the highest leg-length that you can for maximum warmth and snow protection. And watch out for fashiony gimmicks such as gimlets, ribbons or laces that might allow water to sneak in.
So is it possible to find snow boots that are stylish as well as practical? We road-tested the best on the market to find out:
From left: Marc by Marc Jacobs, £295, Selfridges: 0800 123 400. Juicy Couture, £190, asos.com. Dark brown suede, £75, whitestuff.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs, £295, Selfridges: 0800 123 400
Fashion victims will love these grey faux-fur lace-up boots, that make for glamorous apres ski, thanks to the faux-fur and ribbon laces. While a two-inch rubber sole menas that you can walk tall through even the thickest snow, the furry outer layer won’t look so stylish after a sleety-snow stroll.
Juicy Couture, £190, asos.com
The highest boots in our test, these glossy black knee-length padded snow boots bear the Juicy Couture logo and cute pom-poms on the front, making them ideal for urban areas where other boots might look twee. The tie-top keeps the heat in and the snow out, too.
Dark brown suede, £75, whitestuff.com
These suede boots look warm but the faux fur lining doesn’t stretch to the toes, which could leave you with cold feet. Good grips but you’ll need to spray them with a stain prtotector to prevent water-marks from the snow.
From left: Sheepskin, £135, celtic-sheepskin.co.uk. Mou, £195, net-a-porter.com. Purple padded, £54, esprit.co.uk
Sheepskin, £135, celtic-sheepskin.co.uk
These calf-high, sheepskin boots are a stylish, cheaper alternative to Uggs, offering warmth and grip, but they aren’t waterproof.
Mou, £195, net-a-porter.com
These eskimo sheepskin boots look divine but are practical too, with one-inch thick rubber soles and knee-high sheepskin lining. Wear them with a big winter jumper and leggings, and you’ll manage to look warm and stylish, without falling over.
Purple padded, £54, esprit.co.uk
Made of polyester and faux leather, with chunky, nonslip rubber soles.
From left: Emilio Pucci, £177, theoutnet.com. Adidas by Stella McCartney, £120, adidas.com. Side-tied, £130, celtic-sheepskin.co.uk
Emilio Pucci, £177, theoutnet.com
For serious snow conditions, this is a proper snow boot with mega grips and a waterproof outer-layer, but you’d need to be a WAG to get away with them.
Adidas by Stella McCartney, £120, adidas.com
They won’t win you any style awards, despite the Stella McCartney label, but these sturdy boots do the job and even hold their own on the ice.
Side-tied, £130, celtic-sheepskin.co.uk
Made in Cornwall, these ethical, mid-length boots look attractive and have a reasonable sole but in extreme conditions you’ll want something more durable.
