T: This is the first on a series of boots that every grown man should own.  Its amazing how many guys try to go without a good pair of boots.  For example, if your snow footwear says “Chuck Taylor” on them or you try to walk “on-top” of the snow without sinking in like Jesus, this post is going out to you.

I didn’t have any boots until a full year after I graduated college and even some real grown-ups who can rent a car (unlike me) don’t bother to ever pick up a pair.  Without boots, you ruin shoes, soak your feet, and generally look like an ass trying to jump over and around puddles.

Just last week, I spotted my boss walking around in socks because he had ruined his dress shoes in a snowbank.  However, this may have been a mixed blessing because they were hideous and may have not even been worth the 30 dollars he spent on them.

I digress—here is the one pair of boots that every WASP has in the back of their closet.  Growing up around the cricket club set, I saw these quite a bit in the winter and rainy months and I even got my own pair when I was 11 from the L.L. Bean outlet in Maine.

These “Bean Boots” as they are commonly known are still made in Maine and are REALLY durable.  I think my dad has had the same pair for longer than I have been alive.  L.L. Bean just released a fancy pair new pair for their Signature line but I still like these “old school” kicks.

One word of advice though—although these are your best bet in the snow and rain, they are hot as hell.  About a month ago, Andrew and I went to watch a football game in the snow and I decided to wear these to the bar to keep my feet dry.  5 hours, 4 darts games, 60 wings, and who knows how many Stellas later, my feet had sweated through my socks….which made for an awesome walk home.