Olaf is Scared of My New Winter Boots
Lately I’ve been on something of a shoe-buying spree. Not because I’m a fanatic about fashion, but because I appreciate applying the right tool (or shoe) to a job. Sneakers are for comfort, running shoes are for running (duh), boots are for warmth and slip protection, while snow boots are for keeping your feet dry while traipsing through the wet stuff. But never, ever have I resorted to stealing shoes off of a scarecrow!
One of my favorite places to shop for shoes is MyHabit. Owned by Amazon, this site has daily sales of closeout brand name and designer clothing, shoes, outerwear, home decorations and more. Sometimes as much as 95% off! I do admit to checking it once a day right after 11am Central to see what new items they have available. Many times there is only one of each available (like Rolex watches) and others you have to hope they still have your size available. It truly is a snooze-and-lose situation.
In 2013 I needed a pair of new boat shoes, not because I own a boat, but because they make a great alternative to sandals in the summer. I chose a brand that was on MyHabit that had decent Amazon reviews and ordered them. They arrived a few days later and quickly became my new favorite summer shoes.
But…this past January I was in the market for a new pair of boots to help combat this uncommon amount of cold this year. Again I found a pair I liked on MyHabit, and from the same company that made the boat shoes I loved so much. The second time wasn’t a charm however. When I put them on I found that they were running quite large. Nearly 3/4″ larger than the same-sized boat shoes I had previously ordered. I inquired to the company directly about this discrepancy and was basically told “that’s the way it is”. While I do understand variances in manufacturing and that some styles may fit differently than others, there are still shoe sizing standards that a consumer should expect manufacturers to adhere to. Back to MyHabit they went.
Nicole commented that I should look at Lugz brand as she was ecstatic with the pair she was trying out. She is even giving away a pair, but I didn’t think I’d look very good in heels. I selected a pair of Empire in brown solely from the photos on their website. It seemed to have everything I was looking for – a slip-resistant sole, water-resistant upper and padded tongue, but also included something I have never had in a boot. A memory foam insole!
Monday night we received nearly an inch of freezing rain and I was able to truly put these new boots to the test. While the ice is still slippery, I could definitely tell the rubber compound was doing its best to keep me upright. Because of the great fit (both in sizing and the snugness of the padded tongue and memory foam), I felt completely stable walking up and downhill without any additional support. It goes without saying that they also did a great job of keeping my feet warm in the sub-freezing temperatures.
Like Nicole’s Sophia boots, they have a soft suede outer which can show scuffs. Fortunately these usually aren’t permanent and are a feature of the material, not a defect in workmanship. In fact I took a very close look at the stitching, gluing and general assembly and can definitely tell that Lugz has its eye on quality. I have found that boots in this price range (under $100) usually have minor manufacturing defects like stray stitches, tiny pieces of glue sticking out or even a burr on the eyelets for the shoestrings. I literally cannot find a single thing out of place on my pair (nor Nicole’s). I feel confident that my next pair (yes, there will be a second) won’t disappoint me like the other brand did.
Want to learn more about Lugz? Check them out on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. They always have new designs in the works and you can be among the first to see them! And you can try them out for yourself by winning a pair exactly like mine! Enter below and come back tomorrow for more entry opportunities. Your feet will be glad you did.
Lugz Empire Boots (ARV $90)
I wear boots for function.
Hey Scott,
Great review and great post! Love these boots! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I LOVE THE BOOT ALSO THE BLACK ARE MY FAVORITE AS A SINGLE MOM I GOT MY 3 GIRL NAME BRAND SHOES AND I GOT MY OLDEST THE BLACK I WANTED THEM SO BAD BUT I COULD NOT AFFORD ME A PAIR MAN ! BUT IT WAS A BLESSING TO DO FOR THE GIRLS !! GOD IS GOOD !
I wear them for both fashion and function!
I’m totally about fashion all the way!
Nice review … but glad i don’t have to worry about wearing those boots since I live in Southern California!
Yeah, yeah, rub it in. We lived in LA for 12 years and miss everything about it, especially the weather. (and In-n-Out)
I personally wear boots for both. I usually wear cowboy boots buy my husband loves lugz
I started wearing boots for function, but it has become for fashion, too! I noticed someone yesterday tottering in the icy walkway on 5″ stilettos, and I was feeling sooo glad that I have changed over to functional boots that I now think are cute!
I wear them for both. I need boots but I always try to find fashionable ones!
It would suit my boyfriend perfectly 😀
Right now I wear them for fashion but I would love to have a pair that fits both function and fashion!
This year I can say I’m totally wearing my boots for function…more snow we have had in a long time
Gone are the days I wear boots for fashion! It’s old here and I need a good boot that I can trust to keep me warm. If they just so happen to be stylish (like these Lugz) then it’s a bonus! Thanks for a great review and giveaway!
Anything that offers a little more traction is a good thing. They look like they have nice protection too.
Entered!
Those boots look great! I’ve got to say, around here we need to buy boots for function, but we always try to find ones that look great too. These ones fit the bill!
I recently discovered My Habbit and I love it. I can’t stand crowded stores.
What a must for this long winter weather! Love how they seem both functional and fashionable.
We haven’t had enough snow this season for my to pull out my snow boots.
Nice pair of boots, they would be even better if they were made out of full grain leather.
that looks like a great quality shoes!
I’ve been meaning to check out MyHabit. Amazon sent me a notice about it, and I never followed through. I like the brown color and look of these Lugz . Despite living in very cold and snowy temps, I still wear ‘fashion-heeled’ boots. Not warm at all.
Those are great boots. A good pair of boots can make a huge difference
I really need to check out my habit! Nice boots!
my husband has those boots and loves them. he loves that hey keep him warm in the cold WI weather.
I really like those boots, great color!
I wear boots for both fashion and function but my husband wears them for function/work only. These would be perfect for him because he works outdoors and the memory foam insole and being water-resistant helps. Thanks!
I wear for both. I have my pretty boots and my practical.
I wear boots to keep my feet warm, but I would say I primarily wear them for fashion.
fashion, most definitely!
I love these boots, look comfy but durable! Is this contest available outside US?
function but definitely with fashion thrown in 🙂
I love these boots! Would love to win them for my husband. They’d look great on him.
I really hope I can win these, I am disabled and live in Ohio with no boots, not a good thing, this would truly be a blessing, fingers crossed!!
Yes , I wear boots for function and fashion. I have a pair of suede boots that I wear with jeans that I especially like
I love boots that look good- but function is necessary
I wear boots for both function and fashion
awesome giveaway…thanks for the opportunity… my son could really use these boots
Definitely function…:)
This would be perfect for my husband while he works out of state in Oregon. He is all about comfort and functionality as he spends all day on his feet.
i wear boots strictly for function but would love to have some sexy boots for fashion
I wear them for fashion.
Both!
I am all about function. If they can’t do what I need them to do than I won’t wear them.
Fashion. I am a fashion icon. In my own mind.
I wear boots for fashion and function; but when I really need a boot, it’s function all the way to keep my feet warm and dry!
I WEAR BOOTS FOR FUCTION TRYING TO NOT FALL ON SNOW AND ICE
I usually wear boots for function. So, if they look fashionable, that’s even better!
When going to the mountains and helping my daughter take wedding photos
I would love to win these Lugz
I always wear boots for function!
all about function
I wear them for function & Fashion
I wear them for both. I have my knee high boots that I wear with my skinny jeans. I wear cute snow boots when it snows.
Both for me
I wear boots for both.
I wear boots for both
Being in landscaping,boots are a necessary.thanks so much for sharing.
I were them for both
I wear them for both function and fashion
wow-both
I wear them for function for the most part.
I would like to win this contest fod fashion boots
I would like to win these boots
I am planning to buy some boots for my older brother but I’m having a tough time determining his shoe size for boots? Any idea how it works? His foot length is about 11.5 inches and his feet are quite wide, which is why buying him footwear is hard at times.
It can be hard if you don’t know how a brand fits. We use shoesizes.co when we’re buying as a gift.