When I returned to college from Thanksgiving break, I was hoping to see my campus covered in a blanket to snow, but I was not surprised to be greeted instead with torrential downpours and near-freezing temperatures. For most of my life, even though I’ve always lived Upstate, the weather didn’t really faze me. But now that I’m in college I walk everywhere. And when you’re a walker weather turns out to be really important.

But one thing I do enjoy about this horrible weather is the joy that I get from walking through puddles knowing that my feet will stay dry. I absolutely adore rainboots, but due to the very fashion-conscious nature of my school I’m always hesitant about finding just the right look. If I’m going to stomp around in something I want them to be a real accessory, not just something I have to wear in foul weather.

Luckily, I just got a new pair of Kamik – Ellie boots from rainbootsonline.com that are totally adorable. They are bright red and I am pretty much obsessed with them.  They’re kind of a maraschino cherry color, which I love (something about bright shoes on a dreary day always cheers me up). Thankfully I have the smallest feet in my apartment because my roommates have all been eyeing them since they arrived and I am not in the sharing mood with these babies.  Up here people are always looking for a good pair of rain boots and these definitely caught the attention of more than one of my classmates, including one of my professors!

Aside from the striking, glossy red look, they are lined in fleece; a total bonus for the frigid weather we’ve been having lately. The Kamik Ellie boots are perfect for cold, rainy, slushy weather.

I wore mine with a pair of black leggings, a white tank, and a cream cardigan (and of course my rain jacket). The boots were totally the star of the outfit, and they could easily be worn with jeans or even tights and a skirt if the wind-chill permits. They come in a few colors too, including black if you don’t want to deal with matching your outfits to your footwear.

I was also really happy with the soles of these boots. My campus is on a pretty steep hill and shoes with good traction are a requirement. The traction also means I’ve been able to wear them in the several inches of snow we just got without fear of falling all over the place.

In short, these boots are my new “go-tos” for questionable weather. I would recommend them for anyone who hates wet feet and likes looking good, comfortable rain boots. They will absolutely be coming with me when I venture to London in the spring; I hear it rains a lot there.

Hannah – Colgate University, Hamilton, New York