Hunter Explorer Leather Boot

Product Information

I don’t usually go for white snow boots—anyone who has trudged through the streets of Toronto in mid-February can attest to how filthy they would get—but I couldn’t resist this particular cream-coloured pair with its shearling, red lace and rubber sole combo. I like how the boots have a bit of a chunky look to them, almost like moon boots but not so in-your-face. The attention to detail in the design was also a huge draw: The mixed materials, textures and patterns make for something a little more visually interesting compared to my usual winter boots, which tend to be dark in colour and purely utilitarian. I actually looked forward to the first snow, so I could take them for a spin. The review When I pulled these out of the box, I was really surprised at how light they were; they basically flew up into my hand with the lightest pull. My other snow boots are much, much heavier, and while I do feel like that gives you some stability on icy days, there’s something super appealing about being light on your feet. The cream colour was also so light and bright, the (vegan) shearling upper adds the nicest cozy feel, and there’s a really intricate cable-knit-effect rim around the top edge of the super-chunky sole. A lot of design detail went into these boots. The review I’d describe these as Chelsea boots reimagined for the elements. The traditional leather is replaced with rubber, the elastic portion swapped for neoprene and the lug sole is extra-chunky. The result is kind of “under-cover sporty,” a perfect balance of fashion and function, that looks just as good with a puffer and leggings as it does with jeans and a camel coat. The review I really enjoy the look of these, but I do wonder how the shearling and suede details will end up looking after a full season of wear. They’re almost too precious to wear on the days when it gets really slushy and gross out, even though they are purposely designed for harsh weather conditions. I wore these boots during the first snowy weekend, mostly to walk my dog. I found them to be super comfortable and pleasantly warm. There’s a neat drawstring at the top of the boot that allows you to tighten it around your leg to keep the heat in more effectively, which I’m sure I’ll appreciate as the temperatures continue to drop. I also really enjoy that the inside is lined with fleece! Very soft and great for when I’m walking to a workout class in leggings and don’t want to expose my legs to the cold.

Hunter Boots

This style is on the shorter side, so they’re not ideal for when you haven’t shovelled the two feet of snow in front of your door, but they are water-resistant, so the snow just slides right off.