Winter boot recommendations

[BadgerFace]

I need some boot recommendations as I wear trainers all year round and feel
like I should solve my wet feet in rainy weather conundrum but every time I try something other than my New Balance 373s they end up gathering dust in a cupboard.

I have some ancient Chelsea boots I use for work when it’s really wet or if I have client meetings but really I need something that feels like trainers to make the switch. I’m a 5.5 so would prefer half sizes brand (looking at you size 6 leather pumas I only wore twice…)

I commute into London twice a week and try and walk 10,000 steps a day hence valuing comfort over style generally with the 373s!

Any suggestions? I am late 40s and wear jeans 90% of the time for work with 10% in person client facing when I need to be a bit smarter and wear dresses.

Budget?

SOREL. Very waterproof. They have some sneaker-type boots that have amazing traction and their waterproofing is perfection.
I have some Ona Ave Alpine boots that are a bit like fancy Uggs. Can attest to the waterproofing and traction. They are the comfiest shoes I have ever had. They are from last season so not sure if they are a thing for the incoming winter. I have had many pairs of Sorels in the last 15 years.
Their sizing is inconsistent so read reviews on Amazon. Normally everyone needs 0.5 - 1 size bigger.

I’m not really sure, maybe £150? But I can go higher if that’s not a realistic price, I’m not sure what I should be expecting to pay as I only buy trainers!

Oooh thanks for this idea. That’s reminded me that I have some sorrels which I find too hot to wear to the office all day as they are fleece lined but they are comfy so I’ll look at the other options in their range!

What style of jeans do you wear? Asking because I’ve been looking for boots too and keep hoping to find some unicorn boots that magically go with everything. Realising that’s not likely to be the case, and probably wide leg//barrel//straight/skinny jeans might need different boots.

I always look at emu, panama jack, Celtic and co.

And this is why I love the S&B boards, asking questions I am too clueless to even have thought of… 😂 I wear straight leg jeans.

I think that sizing can vary quite a bit from brand to brand, & even within a brand (Penelope Chilvers!!!). So it's worth finding out (Google will probably tell you!) if a particular brand runs true-to-size or not. You could go try some on in various shops ...

Also, European brands often fall closer to a UK half size (but get translated to the nearest whole size generally). So trying some of those brands might be worth a go?

OP - the footwear I turn to most in winter (Edinburgh - it rains ...!) is my pair of Zadig & Voltaire Joe boots. I spotted them years ago* & found them on eBay eventually. They're pricey new, & some versions are be-logoed/decorated too much - mine are plain. But they're super-comfy & also very robust.

These - or similar styles - would be my first choice for stomping about the city in wet weather (but make sure you get a pair with a zip on the inside! Laces are a pain if they're your day-to-day winter footwear). Grenson & Lanx are often mentioned but I haven't tried either - the other lace-up boots I love are from Whistles (whose bags & footwear I rate - they've retained their quality whereas their clothes have gone downhill).

*On a very well-dressed lawyer in a cafe/deli in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I asked her before we left what make they were & she told me they were a little European brand that I wouldn't have heard of ...!! Condescending or what?!! I couldn't help but ask which of their Paris stores she liked best ...!!