Winter boots, if they are sexy, they are ruined in the rain. If they are practical, they look like I came off the farm. What to do???

Well, it looks like the designers finally put on their glasses and realized that the girl who has everything in her closet does not have a practical boot in them. And they are now (finally!) addressing the problem.

It’s no laughing matter. With women across the country battling the elements, boot makers say they have the solution: in-between styles that merge fashion and function. At the high end, Stuart Weitzman is selling six styles of Gore-Tex boots, up from four last year. And sporty makers Merrell and Timberland have each dipped a toe into the fashion market with their most streamlined styles to date, some with rubber wedge heels and water-resistant uppers.
    Even Ugg Australia, known for a frumpy casual look, now has a ”Metropolitan Collection” featuring a zipper on the sides for a more calf-conforming fit.

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A Few Reviews

 La Canadienne Jilian, $199.95
   These nice-looking boots kept us warm and dry in real snow and didn’t slip on ice. They were the best all-around boot in our test.
   
    Merrell ”Blazing Star” $139.95
   These water-resistant moccasin-style boots were slippery on ice. The company says they were tested on a wet surface and have ”enough traction to handle most situations.”
   
    Donald J. Pliner ”Leola,” $320
   The company says rubber on the sole prevents slips, but we couldn’t walk on ice and our feet went numb because the sole is so thin. While the boot stayed dry in our slush test and the style was a hit with our fashion panel, we would wear them in a spring rain, not a Nor’easter.
   
    Aerosoles ”Lasticity, $69
   Made of stretchy faux leather, these boots stayed dry as a bone in our slush test and didn’t slip on ice. And they looked surprisingly sharp with a pantsuit, but made our feet sweat indoors.
   
    Timberland ”Bezel,” $130
   These were warm and had good traction, but the lace-up style didn’t look good with skirts and pants - and they were hot indoors. The company says the ankle-high version might look better with a suit and wouldn’t be as warm indoors. Salt Lake Tribune .