Checkout Lane: Winter boots make strides

For those looking for a sturdy boot in which to shovel snow or take the dog for a walk, work boots or insulated hiking boots can do the trick, said Ken Griffin, manager of Hanover Boot. He said most are waterproof and insulated, and come in enough styles to satisfy most buyers. For men, he said the classic tan work boot is still the most popular.

Rubber boots are another option, though many are only available in medium width and full sizes. Griffin said boots with at least a rubber bottom will be more likely to keep feet dry.

“Especially the sloppier it is, you’re going to lean toward the rubber bottom and leather uppers,” he said. “Rubber keeps you dry, leather lets your feet breathe.”

Griffin said that in recent years, boot technology has caught up with sneaker technology.

“You’re seeing more arch supports in a lot of these things,” he said. “And better comfort, especially if you take a little bit of a pounding.”

Some customers are looking for boots that grip ice and won’t slip, but few uggboots can do that on their own, said Aaron Schirano, assistant manager at Eastern Mountain Sports in Hingham.

“People expect the boots to grip everything, but really it’s rubber on ice and it’s not going to do the job,” he said.

Instead, he suggests add-ons like Yaktrax, which clip onto shoes and provide traction on snow and ice.

Schirano said the boots EMS carries typically range from around $85 to $160. That doesn’t include Ugg boots, the popular Australian brand, which can be much more expensive. While Schirano said Uggs are EMS’s best seller, they are “more of a fashion statement than a practicality.”

Socks are the final, crucial element in keeping feet warm and dry.

Schirano recommends synthetic or wool socks, which wick moisture away from feet.

“Cotton is your worst enemy,” he said. “It holds a lot of moisture, and when your foot’s wet, it’s going to be cold.”

Players perspectives across women’s basketball

CHELTENHAM, Md.: “Marissa, wake up! It’s Christmas!” Those are the words I woke up to on Christmas morning.

My little brother Anthony came running in my room shouting those words. Did I mention that he is 18, a freshman in college, and in no way should be so excited about waking his almost 22-year-old sister up at 7:30 on Christmas morning?

I love Christmas just as much as anyone, but 7:30 a.m.? Come on!

Okay … who am I kidding? I LOVE Christmas, and maybe I was secretly awake at 6 a.m. Christmas morning waiting for the rest of the family to wake up. So, I guess I was not so upset about the 7:30 a.m. “wakeup.”

See, Anthony and I are big kids when it comes to Christmas. Yes, we still make Christmas lists and anxiously await to see what things Santa brings us on Christmas morning. This Christmas was no different.

After I was forced out of bed, I calmly, in zombie-like fashion, walked (or ran) downstairs to open gifts. I must say, I was pretty excited and happy with the gifts Santa brought this year. I guess I was a good girl after all!

Finally, Santa brought me the Uggboots I have wanted oh so bad for the past year!

So, ladies and gentlemen, don’t be surprised if you see these boots with every outfit I wear. (This includes sweat pants, basketball shorts etc. — I did mean every outfit.)

Once we were done opening gifts it was time to help my Mom cook. Well, I mean, it was time for me to stand in the kitchen and try my best to make it look like I was being a good little helper.

I think it was best that I had no part in cooking Christmas dinner, because one of two things could have occurred: 1) I manage to burn the kitchen down (for those of you who are not aware, I am a very clumsy person and tend to perform impossible acts of clumsiness); and 2) Every person that ate my Christmas dinner would leave not feeling too well (this would not be because they were stuffed with my great cooking!).

So, hats off to the cook and her wonderful Christmas dinner!

Nothing too exciting happened during dinner. The exciting stuff came after. See, I think I found my true calling in life. No, not basketball but a professional drummer!

My nephew got Rock Band for Christmas and I was probably more excited than him with his gift. I told him to bring it to my house so we could play after Christmas dinner. Well, all I can say is Travis Barker should watch out, he might just be dethroned as the best drummer after the skills I displayed.

I am not too sure if there are many people that can match the skills I displayed on the Rock Band drums. So, if basketball doesn’t work out for me, there is always Xbox360 and Rock Band.

Well, there are still a few hours of Christmas left, more importantly a few more hours for me to perfect my new craft! I hope everyone had a great Christmas, enjoyed their time with their family and received everything on their Christmas list! I love ugg boots .