LYRA MAG.

Part 4 City ice slicked sidewalks demand style, still. via GIPHY Our fav waterproof boots-are for any place you stroll... as well as the labels deemed timelessly fashionably chic...by even the pickiest attire snobs... Is there anyone in this country that hasn't seen like every other person in colder/wet weather wearing L.L. Bean duck boots in some iteration. No wonder-this company with the STILL generous return policy...introduces new styles as refreshing as the original classics. The still made in Maine boot weather busters...small batch with water proof rubber bottoms + supportive steel shank, pictured above...on left women's cheery cherry/cherry guide orange  ($119), kids' vintage style flexible waxed canvas -handstiched $129, and women's small batch 8"   premium full grain leathe r-(a guy version too-both $129) with rubber chain tread bottom for great durability/grip.   Bernardo 1946-chelsea RAIN BOOTS are waterproof rubber kicks...side buckl...

 Iconic Practical Style Gets Stylish via GIPHY Inspiration... L.L.Bean Introduces Small Batch Bean Boots  – L.L.Bean has several new limited edition Bean Boot designs made in their Lewiston and Brunswick, Maine factories...with nifty upper colors and outsole tones for practical style that wears well with anything from casual apparel to rtw dressier threads...as seen all over the FALL 2017 Runway show catwalks. “After 105 years of perfecting the original, we’re rolling out one-of-a-kind small batch editions of the L.L.Bean Boot, meticulously hand-crafted in Maine, just like the original...” the company said in an email we recently got. .  The spring small batch is available now and includes the 8” boot in plum leather upper and in dark ash upper with brick red sole (pictured above second and third from front, respectively)  and the 6” boot with field olive leather upper and sail orange sole (better seen pictured below, 2nd from left).  Th...

PART 3 KHOMBU, K SWISS, RISEWEAR, EDDIE BAUER, TREKSTA, DANNER Urban outdoors is a reality-especially for mass transit commuters -living in city sized dwellings...who head out to city or massive national parks on days not spent indoors. Three season kicks- lifestyle sneakers and winter worthy fashionable boots -dominate precious closet space (or under the bed)...vs the most dressy of dressier shoes that rarely get worn these days. via GIPHY source: gifbay.com Some highlights: Khombu is raking in the retail accounts these days (and customers) for good reason-the value and eye candy proposition just REALLY work...esp. for F/W waterproof takes on their stylish molded one piece duck boots bottoms paired with fun textile/woolen uppers in terrific tweed and ethnic patterns. Pictured Julliard (left -ultra fun with comfortable insole $109) and Jazzy center, right $95 a wedge heel is the easiest walkable way to add height and still feel the ground-the Ashao comes in 5 colors....

Outdoor Retailer/SLC There's a sweet spot in quality made contemporary footwear that straddles the rugged-elegant  lifestyle- categories, deftly...and Wolverine's 1883 men's collection fits those multi-tasking niches, well. For Fall-there plenty of handsome dressier styles and low cut boots that go from work to weekend in neutral tones-modern classics-all- that will last for years. Oxfords... IRVING Wingtip Oxford made in Portugal-upper suede-leather lining, footbed, outsole, rubber midsole -cement construction-classic look that can be worn with or without socks

Outdoor Retailer/SLC  Birkenstock, Khombu, Icebug, Sperry, Merrell, Teva, Under Armour,  Sanuk, Oliberté Whether coined comfort fashion , or stylish performance ...versatile footwear for the outdoors market has broadened its tonal offerings to include many boots/sandals-in white, black and/or in a bold blue akin to Yves Klein's signature. A refreshing break from the tried and true browns-rust, muted tones of typical autumnal colors that typically dominate the shelves. Highlights: DANBURY- Black Suede and White -both available NOW $329-shearling lined knee high boot that riffs the Birkenstock iconic Arizona style-with adjustable buckles on the feet and calves, contoured cork footbed-made in Germany, shoe made in Portugal...like the play on shiny patent and metal-and textured everything else. Buffalo check plaid-in black and white. Arizona - Birkenstock -classic footbed with suede liner, EVA sole-flexible and durable, straps with buckles for great f...

SLC ICE BLOCKS DEMO GRIPPY OUTSOLES-Slip N'Fall Fears Banished VIBRAM- MERRELL-SPERRY-WOLVERINE- HANWAG- ICEBUG- ALTRA-BAFFIN- KODIAK-KAHTOOLA Sloooowly -encompassing the urban kinds of customer (see a 2012 Prez. election voter map for where they live...it's the blue spots)... ...the exhibitors at Outdoor Retailer  -we'd say deftly---cater to the elite winter backcountry extremist - adventurers who have 'the seven summits'  done ---as well as NOW the city types-who more likely "venture out" for day jaunts, travels, indoor fitness centers-including yoga, Cross-Fit and climbing...and who may only see the skies/feel the weather when walking to mass transit hubs. Smart: the authentic outdoors-ness of the brands-remain-for both older and new labels (like Under Armour moving their outdoors bunch to Portland)...an important story to keep on telling to sell to hard core and casual types alike. It's like ...as competitive triathletes...still look...

NYC For the ladies on your list traveling to rainy destinations for the holidays... Utilitarian rain boots ---are musts---BUT now waterproof kicks deliver stylish options---and those options...are good self gifts too! BERNARDO 1946 makes our favs these LAINY BOOTS $145...esp this bright sunny yellow  selection that begs for weather tough stuff...waterproof and adorable with cushioned footbeds+traction outsoles for great grip too! Wear thicker socks/hosiery when temps dip-for all year round wear.  wear these even when Mother Nature is behaving---LOVE the Chelsea boot silhouette of Peony Boot-fashion function look has 1.25" heel in navy  or  black   with cushioned footbeds+traction outsoles $145 SPORTO...actually made the ORIGINAL DUCK BOOT ready for almost any kind of weather SPORTO makes several styles that ref the original Duck Boot-leather and vulcanized rubber shell uppers, iconic round toe, comfort latex foam insol...