Perhaps the soundest way to introduce the topic would be to mention acclaimed UChicago’s spotlight stealer when it comes to winter footwear: The Timberland boot. If you do not yet own an all-purpose shoe for this cold and snowy season on campus, I highly recommend making such investment. Here is a short backstory, unveiling the interesting beginnings of the well-established house. It originated in Massachusetts as a blue-collar shoe back in the 1950s. Thick soles, a sturdy feel and a waterproof exterior made them perfect for the job (and indeed just as perfect for the Chicago winter). Synonym of quality, the boot evolved to come in an array of colours and designs, ranging from flat soles, to a tall 8 inches with decorative collar. It is interesting to witness how items intended for a very different particular purpose make their way into fashion, with Timberland landing collaborations with Off-White and spotted numerous artists, from Drake to Jay Z. Depending on the model, Timberland’s come with different price tags, with the most common ones securing a very safe investment when it comes to winter footwear. After establishing the best bet if you are looking to acquire new winter footwear, here are some useful hacks to transform your current shoes.
Waterproof Spray on Canvas Sneakers
Readily available anywhere from Amazon to Target, protect-all waterproof sprays can prove incredibly useful in allowing you to wear your canvas shoes during the wet winter days. Although this will secure any snow or water from making its way through, be sure to insulate well with wool or heat tech socks to keep the cold away. Moreover, you can also apply them on your canvas backpack!
These are the current top three waterproof sprays:
1. Scotchgard Suede & Nubuck Protector
2. Asko Sno-Seal Original Beeswax Waterproof
3. Rust-Oleum 280886 Never Wet Shoe Spray
Add a Thick Rubber Sole to Chelsea Boots
Shoes these days are not always flawless when it comes to practical design. Many leather-soled loafers can be awfully slippery on uncarpeted floors, and some winter-approved boots come with terribly thin soles. To counter this, we can tweak the soles to make them better suited for the job. Thick rubber soles can be found online, or alternatively a cobbler can securely install them for you. They look add a nice sturdiness to the shoe, transforming them into a perfect winter option. If your Chelsea boot’s material is not waterproof, like suede or velvet, you can also coat it in waterproof spray.
Insert Heat Packs Inside of Shoe
This final winter hack best serves as a complement to the two above, most useful in extremely cold days or if you are due to be outdoors a lot.
