Which of this winter’s styles will look good – AND keep you warm and dry? Our ingenious soggy sock test reveals all!
THIGH-HIGHS
I’M SURE thigh-high boots are best left to the film Pretty Woman. Once on, though, these look surprisingly sexy and are easy to walk in. The slope of the heel means less water enters the back of the boot and they’re made from a faux suede fabric upper, which I wouldn’t have thought waterproof, but my feet stay surprisingly warm and dry. FREEZE TEST: 2.3 degrees colder SOGGY SOCK: 5.5g heavier VERDICT: 8/10
TAN KNEE-LENGTH
AS WELL as being smart enough to get you through the working day, these knee-high tan boots have grippy wet-weather soles.
I can barely feel the chill of the ice through the leather, but when I plunge my feet into the water, it streams in as though a dam has burst. My feet remain warm — but the weight of the sock almost doubles. The boots don’t look wet, though; you may feel soggy, but no one will know. FREEZE TEST: 2.2 degrees SOGGY SOCK: 11.93g VERDICT: 7/10
BRIGHT BROCADE
I LOVE the rich red pattern of these tapestry block heels, and they are wide-fitting and comfortable. But are they suitable for winter? I feel the ice through them very quickly, and as I stand in the water it instantly floods around my feet. After a minute-and-a-half my feet are freezing. Beautiful, but impractical. FREEZE TEST: 5.5 degrees SOGGY SOCK: 9.2g VERDICT: 5/10
BIKER CHIC
BIKER boots are everywhere, and this slip-on, fake fur-lined H&M pair are so comfy they feel like slippers.
They look sturdy, but when I plunge my feet into the icy water, I feel a hint of wetness seeping through the seam within 15 seconds. However, the sock stays almost dry, and the fake fur lining is barely damp. There was hardly any temperature change when pressing on an ice pack. All impressive results. FREEZE TEST: 1 degree colder SOGGY SOCK: 0.04g heavier VERDICT: 10/10
COWBOY STYLE
THE cowboy boot has featured in a Vogue’s must-have roundup for this season. They are perennially fashionable and this bronze/gold pair are my favourites. Alas, they’re made for fashion, not wet weather. The sock absorbs the most water of any of the boots, though my feet don’t feel freezing. But I don’t think I care — I still love them. FREEZE TEST: 1.6 degrees SOGGY SOCK: 17.62g VERDICT: 7/10