- Converse Counter Climate Collection ($37-$80)
When it comes to wet winter weather, your footwear options are usually pretty limited. Knee-high snow boots, Timberlands, the classic L.L. Bean Duck Boot (and all their subsequent knockoffs), and of course, our least favorite—UGGs. Problem is, when it stops raining or when you eventually get inside, you’re stuck in them, and while we certainly don’t mind the rain/snow boot look once in awhile, it isn’t exactly ideal.
Thankfully, the folks over at Converse came to the same realization. Apparently several Converse designers witnessed a roadie loading up equipment into a van while standing in a slushy winter downpour, his regular canvas Chucks getting soaked in an ice puddle, and that’s when it hit them—there really is a need for a functional wet weather boot that resembles one’s everyday go-to. That’s when Bryan Cioffi, VP and Creative Director of global footwear at Converse, and Sam Smallidge, a Converse archivist, joined forces to create the Converse Counter Climate Collection.
So what does the collection entail? Well, they basically took everyone’s favorite classic Converse styles and retrofitted them for all the wet nasty weather your feet can handle. We’re talking water-repellent canvas, rubber, and leather options designed with waterproof neoprene, a 360-degree heat barrier, and even a gusseted tongue that ensures water never makes its way through. They even designed the heels and laces with reflective elements to keep you safe should you find yourself stuck in a heavy storm or downpour, which after a few too many spliffs, is always a possibility.
Our favorite is probably the classic Chuck Taylor All Star II High Top, but they also come in a low top, a Jack Purcell Signature, and several other designs, including a more traditional boot-like option called the All Star Tekoa Boot, which pretty much resembles a typical winter boot and kind of defeats the whole purpose, so we wouldn’t exactly recommend it.
We posted some of the more classic white and black color options below (our reco), but there are a ton of other color schemes and designs to choose from on the site. Just try not to shop while you’re too high as you might end up with one of them.
