If you live in a city, winter holds little peril. Sure, it gets a bit colder. Odds are you’ll be caught in a shower or two. But when you’re only ever yards from a Starbucks, an awning, a bus, do you really need a wardrobe designed for midwinter up an Alp?

Yes, you do. If only because of how fun it is to step out in a pair of boots that could kick their way through a snowdrift, if they had to. To able to veer towards icy puddles, not away, and feel them crack under your commando soles. To dress up like an explorer, as if your 10-year-old employment expectations weren’t ridiculous after all (see also: this season’s trend towards astronaut metallics).

An adventurer doesn’t step out in shoes that aren’t equal to the elements. But equally, the stylish man shouldn’t step out in shoes that are too far ahead of the elements. One-piece leather to keep out water; thick, rubber soles to keep you upright; D-rings, to keep your leather laces locked; all good. Neon Gore-tex? Well, people might think you’re actually about to climb a mountain.

The explorer you’re aiming for is the pre-war breed, from back when earth still had places to discover and adventure was about conquering the new, not doing the old fastest/unassisted/on one leg. You don’t need to style them with tweed trousers and socks rolled over the boot cuff, although you certainly can. But this season’s sleek, glossy leathers work just as well with cuffed denim, or even a suit, should a blizzard threaten your commute. And you’ll at least be shod to tackle your perilous in-tray.

Feit Military Leather Boots

They don’t have much snow in Australia. Which is perhaps why Aussie brand Feit relocated to New York to make its military boots. They’ll look better with black jeans than board shorts, anyway.

Available at Mr Porter, priced £610.