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.”