Boots are one of my preferred choices of footwear when the weather starts to turn cold. Whether its trekking across icy salt-laden streets or snow-strewn hills, having a solid pair is certainly a necessity when traversing across adverse terrain. If our selection of Chukka boots doesn’t appeal to your senses or even the Gum Shoes aren’t the style you prefer, then perhaps the Frye Company is a brand you should consider.

The Frye Company has been producing boots sine 1863, the better part of one and a half centuries. This qualifies them as the oldest continuously operating shoe company in the United States, even having their boots worn by Teddy Roosevelt and his band of Rough Riders. Certainly, no small feat in this day and age. At first glance you might not think Frye’s fall line-up amounts to any serious changes. The basic design for many of their boots appear virtually untouched, but a closer review yields many surprises and we got to see the new Rogan Hiker first hand.

Frye takes the Rogan Hiker through the time-machine and makes the boot look like the favorite pair you’ve had for years complete with chunky rubber soles and funky blue laces. With any pair of favorite boots, there’s a level of comfort that you’ve come to expect and this is an area where Frye excels. The Rogan Hiker bathes your foot in a fine leather lining and pads your heel with a soft leather cushioned soled. Initially I was worried about working through a long breaking in period to my surprise the boots were comfortable the very first day, the entire day.

Author’s Note: For this writer, old habits die hard. Down here in the South, a good pair of boots is like a good hat: broken in and well worn. I’ve spent countless hours molding the bill of a new baseball hat just to kick it across the parking lot to scuff it up. Granted, some boots, like Chukka boots, are meant to be worn looking fresh, but when it comes to everyday leather boots, I still prefer the weathered look. The Frye Company does an excellent job of getting the look right without making it look overdone. Best of all it’ll save you from all the crazy looks when you go kicking through a pile of rubble in your latest pair.

Cost: $298