Cole Haan combines the best of winter style and function in this $200 all-terrain, waterproof hiker
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- For all your comfortable and stylish shoe needs, look no further than Cole Haan.
- Its ZERØGRAND All-Terrain Waterproof Hiker Boot ($199.95-$280) for women is what I plan to wear when the worst of winter arrives. Check out the men's pairs here.
- Rugged yet fashionable, it can handle all types of outdoor conditions and looks good doing so, all the while supporting your feet with its cushioned ZERØGRAND construction.
From running sneakers to dress shoes and dressy booties, we've confirmed time and again that Cole Haan is the master of mixing comfort and style. Now, I can confidently add hiker boots to this unofficial hall of fame.
New York's endless winter last year taught this wide-eyed LA native that sturdy snow boots (and an ultra-warm jacket) are a necessity, not a friendly suggestion. With Cole Haan's ZERØGRAND All-Terrain Waterproof Hiker Boot in my possession, I actually feel adequately prepared — even, dare I say, excited — for all the whims of winter weather this year.
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On the style front, they're sleek yet cozy, pairing a cool crocodile-embossed leather and gold hardware with soft wool detailing and ice skate-style lacing. Other varieties of this boot feature nubuck uppers, silver hardware, and herringbone or plaid wool.
What brings the fashionable boot to the next level, however, are features both visible and invisible to the naked eye. The exterior, save for the wool detailing, is waterproof, and the base of the shoe is wrapped in a stiff patent panel that invites you not to dip tentatively, but jump fully into puddles and snowbanks. Even though it's white, a shoe color I usually don't wear since it's hard to keep clean, it's really easy to wipe down once I get indoors.
The grooves of the outsole let you navigate concrete and cobblestone streets just as securely as dirt and rocky terrains. This rubber outsole also contains Cole Haan's signature Grand.ØS tech, a flexible and cushioned energy foam that supports foot movements and gives you an extra bounce in each step. Thanks to this thick, supportive, and textured foundation, I know I won't risk slipping and falling like I did during winter days past.
On the inside, there's a slightly padded sock lining that stays put throughout the day. You're better off wearing regular socks since this lining molds closely to your foot and keeps it warm, so if you like wearing thick socks in the winter, I would recommend sizing up. To help your foot slide in and in case you need to adjust the fit, there are convenient pull tabs at the heel of the boot.
The versatile boot comes in several styles:
- Black Leather-Dark Gray Wool, $270
- Ironstone Waterproof Nubuck-Plaid, $270
- White Croc Print-White Patent-Plaid (Limited Edition), $199.95
- ZERØGRAND Explore Waterproof Hiker Boot, $280
The one I own is the Limited Edition version, so unfortunately not many sizes are available anymore. If you're interested in this pair, it's better to act quickly. But the other styles are also cute and have the same comfort and fit highlights that I mentioned above.
I've worn these boots during a few nasty storms now, and I can't wait to put them through their paces for the remainder of the season. Though they're pricey, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more stylish iteration of a classic hiker boot.
Shop the ZERØGRAND All-Terrain Waterproof Hiker Boot at Cole Haan:
Women's: $199.95-$280
Men's: $239.95-$300
Connie Chen Connie Chen is a former senior reporter on the Insider Reviews team, where she led coverage of home textiles, home entertaining, and food and drink. While at Insider, she specialized in all the things that enhance life at home, from the most comfortable bed sheets and fluffy pillows to cool online wine clubs and bartender-approved cocktail shakers. She combined rigorous testing methods, conversations with professionals, and active knowledge of the home and kitchen space to help readers get the most out of their money. When she's not changing duvet covers or washing towels twice a day for articles, she loves talking about and trying the newest snacks, drinks, and food gifts. You can see more of her testing process and other behind-the-scenes of being a product journalist on her Instagram @connayreviews. Connie joined Insider Reviews as an early member in 2017 and has also reported on products and services in the style, tech, fitness, travel, and e-learning spaces, with a particular interest and expertise in emerging startups. She has represented the team at CES and moderated panels on media business and the future of retail. Connie graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in media studies and business administration, which help inform her perspective on and coverage of industry trends, as well as the competitive e-commerce landscape at large. Read some of her work: The 4 best cocktail shakers in 2021 The 7 best women's bathrobes in 2021 The 5 best wine openers and corkscrews we tested in 2021 The 5 best bed sheets we tested in 2021 The 5 best cordless vacuums we tested in 2021 12 direct-to-consumer kitchen startups that are changing the way we shop for cookware and knives 8 tableware startups changing the way we shop for dishes Even chefs experience cooking burnout — here's how they get re-inspired in the kitchen How businesses create successful virtual experiences 50 cookbooks from famous restaurants across the US that will help you recreate their best dishes at home Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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