UPDATE: I just wore these boots again in sloppy weather (strangely enough, one month exactly from the time I wrote the original review and for the same event) and was saddened to find that they’re not waterproof at all. Boots that have an upper sewn to the last are only as good as the glue that holds the upper to the last, and this glue is not good at all. They’ve been worn maybe 4-5 times total and are already coming apart. Too bad! I thought it was worth mentioning this because they are not cheap boots. They’re still worth having, but keep an eye on that glue and maybe don’t plan to wear them in wet weather.

So we had to put off the whole Boot Month idea, which was supposed to take us through October but had to be postponed because none of the boots had shown up. Then I came home from a trip to…somewhere…wow, I can’t remember which is alarming because it must mean I’m traveling too much. Anyway, so I got home from some trip and found the lower half of my house filled with boxes of boots. So now the boots are here, so we’ll continue Boot Month, which I never said would be continuous, with the ones that seem the most apropos for this week’s single digit temperatures.

When I picked out this boot I wasn’t sure whether I’d like it. The quilted part seemed really gimmicky and I didn’t think it would be all that cute anyway. Wrong, wrong, wrong! I took this boot out for First Friday (Anchorage’s would-be art celebration that usually ends up being mostly bar-hopping) this month in the November chill, committing to my project by wearing a dress to fully assess the boot’s warming capabilities. Not being much of a bar-hopper and evidently not knowing my own town very well, I failed to navigate our group in an efficient manner, which made for a lot of walking through snowy streets, going hither and yon, until someone else took over and led the way to the gallery I was trying to find. I wasn’t lost; it was all in the name of good gear test.

The quilted part is actually a separate piece from the boot, so you could wear it with or without. However, it does help quite a bit in the warmth factor so I really like it. The boot itself goes up to mid calf and if you add the quilted part it’s about an inch below the knee. The lugged sole is helpful on winter streets (I can’t understand winter boots with smooth soles. What are those for? No sale) and the upper is waterproof which seems mandatory. The only downside I can imagine is the goofy look you get when you pull your leg out of the boot with the quilted part in. It just slides over your leg with a little elastic stirrup holding it in place, so if you aren’t deft at boot removal you can only imagine the potential for embarrassing 80′s leg warmer look for those few moments. However, it’s a small price to pay for a nice warm city boot.

Thanks to Krysia Hepatica for this awesome guest post for Boot Month. Boots are a bigger deal to us ladies than I thought – lots of people weighing in on the invaluable tall boot. This leaves me wondering what guys do for footwear in the fall. I suppose most guys don’t worry about what to wear with their kicky autumn skirts, except for those Utilikilts, which go pretty well with Timberlands.

I love these boots. Love them. So much, that I have two pairs, one in brown and one in black. One of the reasons I love them is because Michigan winters tend to get sloppy, nasty, and cold. It is really a good idea to have boots, yet, unless I am going sledding or spending a lot of time standing still outside, it is really not necessary for me to wear big, insulated winter boots. If I am just going to work and back, or taking my kids to school, this is the perfect solution. The leather is waterproof, they have a Polartec footbed, and they are cute!

I am not a heels kinda gal unless the occasion calls for it. [Ever see women in stilettos hiking through the airport? Yikes. I just don't get it - it's got to hurt. WHY do they do that? Who do you need to impress in the airport of all places? -HG] These boots do not have a heel, but a rubber, grippy bottom and they don’t have a really high rand, which I don’t like on boot like this anyway because I think it makes them look too sporty. These features make them perfect for wearing to work or even out to a casual dinner. They are stylish and functional.

Another great feature for me is that they are tall, but not too tall. Being 5’3 and some change, a boot that is too tall dwarfs me even further; I look like I am playing dress-up. The 12” height is just tall enough. Another reason they work for me is because the shaft fits. I find a lot of boots are too loose and sloppy on me. I have a definite ankle and defined calf, but on the smaller side. This is probably the first pair I have tried on that have a nice snug fit that I can wear with my pant legs tucked or un-tucked (the reason I bought two pairs!)

The Merrell Tetra Launch boot retails for $160. Definitely a good investment if you live in a region with winters.

Krysia Hepatica is a climber, blogger and goal-setter, who thrives on adventure, harbors a love for social media, and has a secret obsession for skin care products. You can read more about her adventures at venturesomekrysia.com or follow her on Twitter @ventrsomekrysia.

Last year I had “Dress Week” in which I spent an entire week reviewing dresses. It was fun; the weather was good, dresses are nice to wear, and I hadn’t reviewed them much before that. I decided to repeat that idea, only this time focusing on boots. I have of course reviewed boots before this, but it’s been a while since I focused on boots in particular so this will be “Boot Month.” It’s a great month for Boot Month since the weather is changing and boots will soon become invaluable.

Today I want to show you the Merrell Tetra Strap boots, which are fabulous for early winter (is it too optimistic to call it “fall”?) because while it can be cold and wet, it’s still warm enough to wear dresses. I found that these boots paired really well with pretty much any casual dress. As a matter of fact, I think fall is now my favorite time to wear dresses because I can also wear boots with them, which means I’m always comfortable, don’t have to worry about shaving or pedicures or nail polish or any of those things that I don’t spend time worrying about anyway yet manage to make myself self conscious about at times. I know, I know. I can’t live anywhere but Alaska if I want to stay on the fringes of appropriate societal norms.

That’s fine, because now that I have discovered tall boots, I can put more of my wardrobe to use. These boots are super comfortable and fit really well. I’ve tried other tall boots and usually had trouble getting the calves to fit correctly, but no problem with these – they look slim but have plenty of room. They have a flattering thin sole that, though not lugged, gives good grip on slippery sidewalks; an extra plus when your autumn comes with icy walkways. The zipper goes all the way down past the ankle so they are super easy to get on and don’t look clunky. I love them! I wear them all the time; mostly with dresses because these boots are just too pretty to not show off – tucking them under your pant legs would be a shame. So far the zippers seem burly enough; no issues in the few months I’ve been wearing these.

They really are waterproof; just perfect for those fall days. And early winter days….

These are fancy enough to get at Nordstrom but Altrec also has them for a great price.

More from Irene! She’s had a busy fall with the big box of stuff I sent her to test. I liked these shoes too but I realized when I sent them out with three other testers, every tester liked them even more than I did. So here is Irene’s take:

“Padded tongue, midsole with integrated Air Cushion, footbed that’s been anatomically designed for women, everything about these has been designed toward your comfort. But don’t be fooled by its cushy interior; these can take on just about anything. Breathable Polyester Mesh Lining treated with Aegis Antimicrobial, Vibram Mermaid Sole, Nubuck Suede Leather, and Breathable Mesh Upper.” Well thank you Merrell for a nice introduction on these shoes that come in mint, brown, and pink.

I first wore these shoes with a thin liner sock and quickly got sore on the outside of each foot right below my ankle. Oh dear me, how will I be able to give these shoes a good test if I am already sore? (She’s dedicated – that’s usually when I stop testing – HG) Aha, a light turned on later that evening as I pondered “what to do with shoes that hurt.” Wear a thicker sock! I chose a medium weight sock and guess what? This simple no brainer of a fix worked, I am now back in business to stride in snyc to the tune of a different drummer now that these shoes no longer hurt my ankles..

The lacing system for these shoes makes it way easy to get a just so perfect tightness without any extra effort, I like this in a shoe, no extra tugging on parts of lace for a good fit, just one good pull and the taut lace is good to go.

I tend to sweat a lot in my adventures, and this leads to stinky feet. the Aegis Antimicrobial treatment in the mesh lining is working and my feet/shoes aren’t stinkin’ up a storm, way cool. But then I wonder what this treatment is and if it will get into my pores and then, and then, oh dear me, I obsess before I put the shoes back on about whether someday my feet will fall off, having been eaten away by a microbial lining. Thank goodness, I have the world (Internet) at my fingertips, so I just learned that the Aegis Antimicrobial does not volatilize, dissipate, or leach onto other surfaces, and (I like this next sentence): the AEGIS antimicrobial stays affixed to the surface; physically stabs and electrocutes the microorganism on contact to kill it. Awesome!

What are these shoes good for? They have a decent Vibram sole for good grip and traction. I had a silly thought that I am so thankful that is all the further it went. I tend to push the envelope with my gear/equipment making do with what I have, mix, and match. I don’t fit the well groomed out of the catalog look for any sport I partake in, instead I look as if I’m not sure where I belong, or what I’m doing, but that’s okay, I have a lot of fun outdoors doing a wide variety of activities. With these well fitting shoes, there is enough room where I could add an arch support that would help with carrying the weight of my 55-pound backpack on my recent trip with my 3 children. Then, I remembered the year earlier when I wore a brand new pair of pants on a 6 day backpack trip and chafed the inside of my legs after the first day. So, after listening to my inner voice that tries to keep me out of trouble I left these shoes at home. These shoes will work well for mountain biking, and day hikes.

Thanks to Irene for another fabulous review from the wilds of Alaska! ~HG

In a little town in Moose Pass, Alaska, there lives a woman who loves the deep dark days of winter and is always out exploring in the snow while ice winds often howl and swirl the snow all around her. Yet, she stays warm and dry in her 100% polyester Merrell Haven Overcoat that has the look of a fine tailored wool coat. The insulation is what the manufacturer calls “Merrell Opti-Warm™” a lightweight, low-bulk, synthetic insulation to keep you warm. In addition, the DWR (durable water-repellent) finish keeps you dry.

I love this coat. It is stylish while also being a practical outer layer; and it is warm, very cute, and functional. I have a lot of outdoor clothing for outings far and away in the wilds of Alaska but was lacking a more sophisticated layer. The Merrell Haven Overcoat arrived in the mail the end of April; just what I needed for my wardrobe to offset my fleece and down clothing. This was the layer I was missing and did not know it, now that I have this coat, how did I go so many years without it?

The coat falls right above the knee, giving good coverage when wearing a dress while still offering non-restricted movement. The sizing I find to be true to how this coat fits me. However, I did read two reviews where the buyers returned the coats for a larger size. The next size larger would be too big for me. [I personally found this coat to fit a bit snug on me but I agree that the next size up would be too large. Irene and I are the same size in general but she's a bit smaller than me so this coat works better for her. ~HG] Colors available in this coat are granite, black, espresso, and undyed (read: white).

The coat has dual entry front flap pockets with snap closures and hand warmers, a “Little Red Riding Hood” detachable hood that is so cute, toggle cord closure and large button cuffs, and an interior hidden zip pocket. The finer details of this coat make it even more special. I especially like the quilted floral embossed cute as could be lining that feels like silk, ribbed cuffs and collar that fit well, feels good, and keeps me warm. Lo and behold, the Merrell overcoat is the perfect one for me, casual, or dressy, over jeans, or dress, yes! And, the Grand Finale for me is that this coat can be tossed in the washing machine and clothes dryer!!! Major bonus, sold to the woman who does not have time, or want to take time to fuss with clothing that can not make its way through the good ole’ washer and dryer.

Now for a few particulars I have noticed on this coat: but please do not get me wrong, these are not a turn off, and I would definitely not let these things get in the way of my highly recommending this coat. Currently the hood is a just right trim fit, but could offer more coverage. I think the hood could be a little larger covering more of my head. Mind you, I intend to wear this coat a lot in the winter in the howling winds, and blowing snows so more coverage is always better. Next on the list; I have a problem getting the zipper up, perhaps it’s because I’m used to wearing clothing designed for men on which zippers are opposite of women’s; why is this, anyway? The right hand is supposed to coordinate putting the left hand male part into the right hand female part, then zip, and we are off to a good start. But, sort of like the 1st or 2nd time having sex with a new partner, well, let’s just say that the female on the right hand side did not go into the male on the left hand side very easy, shucks. Oh, wait a minute, I was just thinking about some of my women specific coats, and how I do not recall having a problem with the male finding the female, so I go look at a few of my women specific coats. Guess what? Two of my favorite women jackets have the male on the left, and the female on the right, so what gives? So much for my thinking men’s and women’s coats are zipped differently. Why put the male on the right and the female on the left? Unless there are more lefties than righties.

The toggle closures are cute, but I could do without this look, perhaps because it is just one more detail I do not need to have to fool with, but that aside, I still love the coat. Last, but not least I enjoy the elegant, yet casual look and feel of being a bit more polished, while staying warm, and dry, I recommend this coat for anyone in need of a flattering outer layer for around town, and while braving the elements while wanting to stay warm.

So this web site came into being because it seemed as if women had fewer gear options than men, and I wanted to change that, or at least point it out. Well, ladies, it’s our lucky day because it turns out that in some cases, we DO have more gear options than men! In the shoe department, we are pulling ahead, at least in footwear styles. Don’t get me wrong, I know there is still a huge gap in the amount of technical footwear available for women vs. that available for men, but at least we can all take some comfort in the fact that we get to wear Mary Janes and the guys don’t; that is, unless they can find these fabulous shoes in their size. See, it sucks when you want a pair of shoes but can’t find the right fit, doesn’t it, boys?

I didn’t know what to expect from the “technical Mary Jane” category, but this offering from Merrell blew me away. They are super comfortable and supportive; just like a normal hiking shoe. Plus, they are cute! Cute as a button! They are the perfect match with a pair of shorts or an outdoorsy skirt. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about hiding your callouses or lack of pedicure – and you STILL look adorable. I don’t see how we can possibly lose with this one.

No more clunky, awkward sandals, no more supportless flip flops; Mary Janes are a great compromise and the Chameleon Arcs can handle just about any type of trail – really! They fit like low hikers – you won’t even miss the laces – and feature a lugged, nicely stiff sole for bopping over rocks and scooting down screes. I constantly look for excuses to wear these fab Mary Janes. I’m tempted to make a hiking date so I can demonstrate my ability to scamper up slopes while still being just ever so adorably feminine. I know, I know; I’m being all cutesy. But look at my shoes! How can I not inject some cute here?