What Shoes Live By Your Door?

Our most ultra-functional shoes that have secured a permanent place by the door

Hello friends!

I’m writing to you from the airplane, on the way out to Bellingham, WA. Do we have any west coast readers?!

Any typos in this letter can be blamed on distractingly beautiful views of Volcanoes

I came across a video recently from lovely Katie Muirhead who was looking for everyones favorite shoes that they leave by the door. A genius request! Katie, I hope you don’t mind that I’m riffing off of your idea here and adding my own favorites to the list.

These are the shoes that have earned a coveted place by the door for their high marks in functionality. Shoes that are comfortable, easy, reliable—the go to’s. If your comfort tv show were a shoe. (clogs, Parks and Rec.. what’s the difference.) These are the shoes that are so useful that they need not ever be put back on the rack or in their cubby because you’ll be running off to pilates or to the post office or on a dog walk any minute now.

Of course, each season has its own preferred door shoe, but living in the mountains, I usually have a lineup that consists of a clog, a muck boot, and a sneaker or loafer—ready for our consistently inconsistent weather.

Shoes are one of those things where comfort and function are really just plain non-negotiable. Shoes need to be comfortable. And they need to work well. And historically, with those parameters come “ugly shoes.” But we live in a post-GORP moment in fashion where ugly shoes don’t exist.

There is no such thing as ugly shoes, just unimaginative styling.

Forget what 14-year-old you thought was cool and recall what 9-year-old you wore without a second thought when running outside to play. Good design begets good wear, and what’s more chic wearing something that works well? Blisters, wet socks, having to turn back on hikes, slipping due to lack of tread, bad design? Not chic. Wearing something tried and true that you have honed in a perfect usage for, and wear for many years to come? Très chic!

Here are some of my current trusty live-by-the-door shoes—

Muck Boots/Wellies

Through spring, summer, fall, and winter, a pair of waterproof boots are camped up by my door. I remember buying these Xtratuf boots and thinking that I’m probably not going to get much use out of them living in Colorado where it really doesn’t rain all that much. I clearly was overlooking the melty mucky mud season, the sunny winter days when snow boots are a bit overkill, and rainy spring and summer days when the trails are sloppy on a quick dog walk. What did I wear before these?!

Behold the versatile wellie! Adored for its timelessness, celebrated for it’s no-frills, simple design. Wellies are, arguably, the original door shoe—

The Wellington was named for Britain’s Arthur Wellesley—the Duke of Wellington—soldier and later a twice-serving prime minister. He had a personal shoemaker who helped him create a tassle-free, utilitarian version of the Hessian boot, which caught on for its sheer functionality.

There are so many wellington/rain/muck boots out there—I love my Xtratufs, but often steal my mom’s pair of Le Chameau boots. They feel a bit more elevated without loosing a shred of function.

1. Plasticana Kapitana French Wellies

2. Barbour Snowdon Boots

3. XTRATUF Salmon Sisters Legacy Boot

4. Lacrosse Insulated 2-Buckle

5. Le Chameau Giverny Lined Boot

6. Merry People Fergie Tall Boot

   1. I’m especially interested in this boot from Merry People- it’s neoprene lined with a chunky heel, which I find to be a very functional feature when the ground is cold. The thicker the sole, the higher you stay off the ground, and the warmer your foot stays! I think these could be styled in so many different ways. There are some Le Chameau models with similar soles and lining that would also be great for this!

Clogs

I own too many clogs, we know this. But if they each have a slightly¹ different purpose, then I always have just the right amount, right? Right?

There is always a pair of clogs at my door. (Tent door included)