La Canadienne Boots Review: The Best Winter Investment You‘ll Ever Make
Hey there, fellow fashionista! If you‘re anything like me, you believe that just because the weather turns frightful, doesn‘t mean your style has to suffer. That‘s why I get so excited to share my absolute favorite winter shoe brand with you: La Canadienne.
Based in Montreal, this incredible company has been making drool-worthy boots and booties since 1987, using only the most buttery soft, waterproof Italian leather and suede. Trust me when I say, once you experience the magic of these babies on your feet, you‘ll never go back to those big box brands again.
In this ridiculously in-depth review, I‘m going to dish on everything you need to know about La Canadienne, including:
- The fascinating history behind the brand
- What makes their boots so special (and spendy)
- A roundup of their most popular styles
- Tons of photos and styling inspo
- Answers to all your burning questions
- Honest customer reviews
- How they stack up to the competition
- And so much more!
So go ahead and grab a pumpkin spice latte, and let‘s dive into the fabulous world of La Canadienne footwear. Your toasty warm, effortlessly chic feet will thank you, I promise.
The story behind this très chic Canadian brand
You might be wondering, what‘s so special about a little boot company from Montreal? Let me tell you, these folks are SERIOUS about quality, craftsmanship and pushing the envelope when it comes to combining style and function.
La Canadienne was founded in 1987 by Penny and Jack Schiowitz, a husband and wife team who saw a major gap in the shoe market. At the time, you could either buy clunky, utilitarian winter boots, or cute, fashionable shoes that left you slipping and sliding all over the ice. The Schiowitzs knew there had to be a better way.
Putting their passion for footwear and knack for innovation to work, they started experimenting with advanced waterproofing techniques and working with small, family-run factories in Italy to craft the most gorgeous leather and suede boots you ever did see.
Fast forward 30+ years, and La Canadienne has become the gold standard for winter footwear that doesn‘t sacrifice an ounce of style. Their secret sauce is a proprietary waterproofing system called AquaNido, which treats the leather at the molecular level to make it completely impervious to the elements.
But that‘s not all. La Canadienne‘s boots are meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, with every seam sealed, every zipper reinforced, and every insole carefully molded for maximum comfort. When you slip on a pair, you can instantly feel the difference in quality.
It‘s this uncompromising attention to detail and commitment to both form and function that has earned La Canadienne a cult following among fashionable women and men from Paris to Winnipeg. In fact, the brand has racked up some seriously impressive stats over the years:
- Sold in over 40 countries worldwide
- Over 1 million pairs of boots produced since 1987
- Featured in 100+ major fashion magazines like Vogue, InStyle, and Harper‘s Bazaar
- Worn by celebrity fans like Meghan Markle, Jessica Biel, and Gwen Stefani
So yeah, when I say these boots are the real deal, I‘m not exaggerating. But enough backstory, let‘s get to the good stuff – the boots themselves!
Meet the La Canadienne boot hall of fame
One of the hardest parts about shopping La Canadienne is narrowing down your favorite styles. But after much deliberation (and maybe a few too many online shopping sprees), I‘ve rounded up the brand‘s most iconic, best-selling boots that are 100% worth the splurge.
The Jenna Shearling Bootie
Oh, the Jenna. This best-selling ankle bootie has earned a permanent spot in my winter shoe rotation for its perfect mix of cozy and chic. Lined with the plushest genuine shearling, the Jenna feels like slipping your foot into a fuzzy cloud, while the waterproof Italian suede exterior keeps out slush and snow.
The stylish 2.5" heel and sleek silhouette make the Jenna insanely versatile too. I‘ve worn mine with everything from skinny jeans to cocktail dresses and gotten compliments every time. Trust me, once you try these, you‘ll be tempted to buy a backup pair.
Price: $495
The Megan Knee-High Boot
If you‘re craving a little more coverage, the Megan knee-high boot will make all your equestrian dreams come true. Crafted from buttery soft waterproof leather or suede, this pull-on style features a stretchy panel at the back for a super comfy, custom fit.
I love how the Megan instantly elevates any outfit, whether I‘m wearing leggings and an oversized sweater or a flowy boho dress. Plus, the low block heel and cushioned footbed mean I can walk for miles without my feet staging a protest.
Price: $695
The Lucas Chelsea Boot (Men‘s)
Okay gents, don‘t think I forgot about you! If you‘re looking for a sleek, goes-with-everything boot to get you through the winter in style, look no further than the Lucas Chelsea. This Italian-made classic features a simple pull-on design with stretchy side goring, a durable rubber lug sole, and the softest leather lining.
I got my husband a pair of the Lucas last Christmas and he‘s been raving about them ever since. They look sharp with his business casual office looks, but also pair perfectly with jeans and a henley for weekend adventures. And thanks to La Canadienne‘s top-notch waterproofing, his feet stay bone dry, even on the sloppiest days.
Price: $475
The Sienna Hiker Boot
For my adventurous ladies who want a boot that can keep up with them off the beaten path, I give you the Sienna hiking boot. With a durable rubber lug sole, waterproof nubuck leather upper, and cozy faux shearling lining, these boots were made for walking…and climbing, and slushing, and whatever else you want to throw at them.
I took my Siennas on a weekend cabin trip and was blown away by how well they performed in the snow. My feet stayed warm and dry the whole time, and I got major style points from my friends who were all clomping around in those clunky moon boots. The Sienna is proof that you don‘t have to sacrifice fashion for function!
Price: $450
How La Canadienne compares to other popular boot brands
Now, I know what you might be thinking. $500 for a pair of boots?! Are these people crazy? And I get it. La Canadienne‘s prices are not for the faint of heart. But here‘s the thing: when you compare the quality and longevity of these boots to other popular brands on the market, that investment starts to look a whole lot smarter.
Let‘s break it down, shall we? Here‘s how La Canadienne stacks up to a few other major players in the boot game:
| Brand | Price Range | Waterproofing | Comfort | Durability | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Canadienne | $350 – $800 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sorel | $100 – $300 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| UGG | $150 – $400 | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Frye | $200 – $600 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Blundstone | $200 – $300 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
As you can see, La Canadienne tops the charts in pretty much every category, from their superior AquaNido waterproofing to their unrivaled Italian craftsmanship. Brands like Sorel and Blundstone offer great wet weather performance at a lower price point, but their bulkier silhouettes can lack the same versatility and elegance.
UGG and Frye are known for their supple, high-quality leather and suede, but mostly focus on fashion over function when it comes to construction and weatherproofing features. And while all of these brands use quality materials and make comfortable, durable boots, none can quite match La Canadienne‘s across-the-board excellence in my opinion.
Of course, value is subjective and everyone has different priorities and budgets when it comes to winter footwear. If you‘re more of a hobbit and live in your shearling-lined slippers all season, maybe spending half your paycheck on a pair of La Canadiennes doesn‘t make sense. I totally get that!
But if you‘re someone who refuses to let a little inclement weather cramp your style, and you appreciate the finer details like hand-stitched leather and memory foam footbeds, there‘s really no better brand I can recommend. La Canadienne boots are a true investment piece you‘ll wear the hell out of for many winters to come.
FAQs and final thoughts
Alright my friend, we‘ve reached the end of my love letter to La Canadienne. But before I go, I want to make sure I tie up any loose ends and answer some final questions you might have about this amazing brand. Let‘s end with a little Q&A sesh:
Q: Are La Canadienne boots true to size?
A: In my experience, yes! I‘ve always taken my usual size in La Canadienne and had great luck with the fit. That said, if you‘re planning to wear thick, woolly socks, you may want to size up a half size for extra room in the toe box.
Q: How do I care for my La Canadienne boots?
A: La Canadienne has some great tips on their website for extending the life of your boots. The biggest one is just wiping them down with a clean, damp cloth after each wear to remove salt and grime. You can also use a suede protectant spray or leather conditioner every few months to keep the materials supple and looking their best.
Q: Do La Canadienne boots go on sale?
A: It‘s rare to see these premium boots heavily marked down, but you can occasionally find past-season styles on sale at retailers like Nordstrom Rack and Zappos. La Canadienne also offers their own seasonal sales from time to time – I always keep an eye on their outlet page for gems!
Q: What‘s the warranty/return policy for La Canadienne?
A: All La Canadienne boots come with a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The brand also offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days of purchase if you‘re not completely happy with your boots.
Q: Are La Canadienne boots eco-friendly or sustainable?
A: While La Canadienne doesn‘t market itself as a sustainable brand per se, they do use a lot of eco-conscious manufacturing practices, like vegetable-tanned leathers, recycled materials in their packaging, and energy-efficient factories. They also emphasize creating timeless, heirloom-quality shoes that will last for years, which is inherently a more sustainable approach to fashion.
And there you have it, my darlings! I hope this ridiculously exhaustive review has given you all the info you need to decide if La Canadienne boots are worth the splurge for you this season. In my totally biased opinion, they‘re the cream of the crop and an absolute joy to wear – I can‘t recommend them enough.
But I want to hear from you! Do you own any La Canadienne boots? What has your experience been with the brand? Do you have any other must-have winter footwear picks? Leave me a comment and let‘s swap cold weather style tips!
Thanks for reading, and until next time – stay chic, my friends.
xo,
Your Resident Shoe Goddess
