[zandor]

I'm looking for suggestions for dressy shoes or preferably boots for days when the gutters here in Chicago are filled with salty slush. I have overshoes but finding somewhere to put them can be troublesome if I'm not carrying a bag.

Ideally I'd like waterproof, suitable for wearing with a suit, and thin rubber soles with some tread like the ones on my AE Nashua loafers (only slightly thicker than a leather sole), but I'm pretty flexible on the details. Dark brown would be ideal, but black and burgundy are acceptable. So is trendy tan if I really have to.

The goal here is as dressy as possible while stomping though snow and ankle deep salty slush puddles without using overshoes or worrying about the uppers getting soaked in salt water. There are lots of rubber soled waterproof boots and shoes around, but finding a pair that looks halfway decent is a bit tricky, particularly with a suit. So... anyone have any suggestions for a dressy Chicago winter gutter stomping boot or shoe?

edit: I normally wear a 10.5 3E, though an 11 2E or 11 2W usually works with rubber soled shoes. Medium/D width is no good even for athletic shoes.

 

[xcubbies]

Get some Neos to wear over your expensive dress shoes. Don't ruin good shoes in the slush.

 

[fishertw]

Dubarry makes a Chelsea boot that has a goretex lining and a modest vibram like sole. I wore mine last winter and the dark brown is acceptable with all but the most formal of suits. Given the type of weather you're talking about, they're about as durable and dressy as you'll likely find.

 

[zandor]

Those Dubarrys sound like what I'm looking for except for one detail I forgot to mention in my original post... I normally wear a 10.5 3E. An 11 2E is usually ok, but D/medium is generally a no-go even for athletic shoes. I never would have thought to look at a Chelsea. I usually associate them with leaky/porous/water absorbing elastic side panels.

 

[Woofboxer]

Paraboot shoes offer quality leather, Norwegian welted construction stitched to a sturdy moulded repairable rubber sole unit. Absolutely waterproof and indestructible. The Avignon model is the best IMO, split shoe style that looks good with jeans or a suit.

 

[SG_67]

Salty slush? I'd recommend a pair of snow boots that you can change out of when you get to the office.

I know exactly what you're talking about and there's just no substitute for a proper snow boot that you can just hose off when you get home.

Short of the salty sludge, Paraboot are a good choice as is Heschung.

I tried NEOS a few years back. The lining has nylon stitching which while durable, ended up scuffing a few pair of my shoes. NEOS work well but I didn't care for the damage they did.

 

[challer]

I have these Dubarry's and they can handle anything I've thrown at them in Boston winter weather. It is surprising how effective the Gortex lining performs.

Dubarry makes a Chelsea boot that has a goretex lining and a modest vibram like sole. I wore mine last winter and the dark brown is acceptable with all but the most formal of suits. Given the type of weather you're talking about, they're about as durable and dressy as you'll likely find.

 

[harmelba]

I wear JC Penney Stafford Deacon or Gunner boots when it snows. Cheap and decent looking. I don't have to walk far though.

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[Hayek]

Just get some overshoes. One of the best investments you'll make.

 

[xcubbies]

Just get some overshoes. One of the best investments you'll make.

Wait, are overshoes Trad?

 

[TommyDawg]

Wait, are overshoes Trad?

who cares, if it keeps your feet dry. A dry feet is a trad feet

 

[eagle2250]

^^
...and they will do wonders in terms of protecting your beloved footwear from the ravages of the salty slush, greatly extending your shoes life expectancy...now that's just got to be Trad! LOL.

 

[SG_67]

Wait, are overshoes Trad?

Well, NEOS is an acronym for New England Over Shoes, so.......

 

[Patrick06790]

I wear JC Penney Stafford Deacon or Gunner boots when it snows. Cheap and decent looking. I don't have to walk far though.

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I concur. Currently about $50-60 on the PCP website. Give them a good shot of shoe cream or something before you go out in the muck.

 

[xcubbies]

Well, NEOS is an acronym for New England Over Shoes, so.......

I didn't know that. Amazing what one can learn in this forum. I'll wear mine with pride.

 

[eagle2250]

^^+1.

It's new to me as well. Thank you SG 67 for that tidbit of knowledge!

 

[Golfer46]

Check out https://tukxshoes.com

By far best overshoes I've owned...protects above ankle as well.

Peace.

 

[Patrick06790]

If JC Penney's offering doesn't float your boat, maybe something from this eBay seller will -- Johnston and Murphy galore, including various boots.

Salty slush, right?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/shoeliquidator/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[Tim Erik]

I agree... don't ruin your good shoes and boots; just buy something inexpensive but still dressy looking, and then who cares if / when they get ruined? Just toss them out at the end of the winter season. Not a big deal.