It’s my first winter in Dublin, and I’m looking for sturdy boots (heeled or otherwise) that are water resistant, comfortable to walk in, and still look good with work outfits. Price isn’t really a constraint; I’m looking for ones that would hopefully last me a while.
Blundstones are amazing. There’s a shop on Wicklow st in Dublin City centre, think it’s called Dopl and you can try them all on there.
The only boots I wear are Timberland, either their Cortina Valley or Bellavaux knee highs. Have about 6 different pairs of the Cortina Valley ones in leather or suede for when I'm not worried about rain, always true to size and I've never had to wear them in and I've sensitive feet that blister at the thought of a new shoe!
Second timberland. Just back from Copenhagen and wore timberlands the whole time. Feet were warm, dry and I didn't get any blisters, which is normally the issue I run into.
Honestly can't go wrong with docs. I find the real leather ones better for the cold/damp than the vegan ones and they have a wide range of styles now which look more "professional" than the standard laced boot if that's a concern for you for work. I practically live in my docs brogues this weather.
How do you manage to break in docs? I've bought both real and vegan and they just absolutely killed me I had to sell them off! I have really sensitive feet so maybe they just aren't for me?
Bought a pair in Ecco this year and they're the first pair I've been able to walk around in
2nd the Ecco ones, I bought them this year and find them very comfortable and they didn’t require breaking in.
You can buy soft leather docs that need no breaking in at all!
For the really stiff ones I'd start off by wearing two thick pairs of socks and put them on in the evenings after work for a week or two, not actually walking around much, but they start to stretch and mold to my feet, once I'm happy enough with that then I'd wear them to the shop, or like a short walk (30 mins or so of constant movement) and build up the time over another week or two.
If you get blisters or anything take a few days off.
It's definitely a process, but they are by far the comfiest shoes I own now. I've two pairs of boots, the brogues and some sandals from them so I'm set for all weathers.
The sandals didn't need breaking in at all.
Rieker! Wear them daily have converted my husband to rieker too. So comfortable and never found they need to be broken in.
Just looked at their site, thanks for the recommendation, I'd never heard of them and they're lovely
i like doc martens but some people need a few weeks to break them in i think
I've been loyal to fly London for a while now. Have several pairs and they're all holding up well. I think I'm heavy on shoes and used to wear through them quite quickly, but the Fly London ones are going strong still
Blundstones.
Camper are good. They aren’t all waterproof but they are very comfortable and worth a look!
Heavenly Feet are great, comfortable and some cool designs. Not too dear.
Reiker, Ecco , rocketdog 💕
Thank you for all the suggestions, everyone! This is really helpful.
I find Docs incredibly heavy personally, even walking short distances my shins and calves start to hurt.
Fitflop have some good options - they still have sale items up too.