Happy New Year! Now get on with winter.

I hope this finds everyone well - and well rested - from the holidays...I think I might still need a couple of days.

 

I keep hearing rumors of impending snow, mostly from my thirteen year old and an app on his ipod, but when I hear him say, repeatedly, it is going to snow on blank day, it makes me think about all of things we'll do during the snow days - the sledding, the walk with the dog, the snow people building, the occasional snowball fight and the proper footwear for said activities.  Of course there are many choices when it comes to proper winter footwear, and I wear a lot of them, but some always stand out.  

During our brief snow storm in November I rocked the Merrell Wilderness...

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]...an amazing boot - one of my favorites - classic, comfortable, made in Italy, built to last a lifetime, (did I say made in Italy?), but not necessarily for everyone.  

Enter the boot made for everyone (let the trumpet heralding ensue).  Well not everyone, but a fair amount for sure and the next addition to my winter shoe quiver... the New Balance 1000.

[[posterous-content:pid___1]]Available in hers and his versions - she, tan with baby blue laces and fuzzy lining, he, the techie version in black, like one of those cool watches - the 1000 is a wintertime, snowstorm, cold weather killer.  New Balance put all the bells and whistles into this baby - waterproof, seam-sealed construction, 200 grams of PrimaLoft Eco insulation, Vibram Icetrek outsole, external heel counter, molded EVA midsole, gusseted tongue, and a dual-density memory foam collar - whew!  The 1000 is built on New Balance's OL-01 last (shoe form) which provides a nice snug fit in the heel with a tall, roomy toe box, and good arch support.  

This boot feels great out of the box and is not unlike slipping on a pair of running shoes thanks to the fit and the EVA midsole which provides great cushion underfoot. You could easily go from a quick run to Cupcake Royale for coffee and a Velvet Elvis to a snow shoe trek over hill and dale, you know, if there were some snow.  Oh, and the 1000 is gaiter compatible which makes it an ideal city or country winter stomper when the snow drifts start piling up around here and you need protection up to your knees.  They do pile up don't they?  The huge snow drifts here in Seat...  

So, let's review:  Its going to snow like the Dickens, soon, and I need an appropriate pair of winter boots that will be comfortable, warm, waterproof, sporty, versatile and make me the envy of my neighbors and co-workers, plus they come in under a hundred bucks?!?!?!?  Check, check, check, check and check!  The New Balance 1000, classy in all the right places...take a look after the jump.

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