Helly Hansen Elg Boot : Street Tread

For most of January it was as warm as a lazy autumn day - sandal and sock weather. Winter finally arrived in February, with snow, ice, slush and biting cold, and I've been an Elg man ever since. In Norway, an elg is a moose; in Brooklyn, a moose is a big guy with no neck. For Helly Hanse, Elg shoes are perfectly suited for cruising around town. These ankle-high, water-resistant insulated shoes feature a thick rubber outsole with lugs that provide terrific traction on snow and ice without that cumbersome, winter boot feel.

Whether I'm racing from the gym or changing into dry clothes and shoes after a winter paddle on frigid Jamaica Bay, I really appreciate the elasticized collar that makes these shoes easy to put on and take off. Right out of the box, I thought they were cool-looking in a moose-ish sort of way, and figured they would score more function than style points. But with leather uppers, pleasing lines and a raised HH emblem over the ankle, my Elg shoes have received a surprising number of compliments. While I'm clearly against branding man or moose, they do look snazzy.

As my Norwegian friend likes to say, "A cool moose is a happy moose."

Available in men's and women's sizes.

Bottom LIne: A mid-cut, easy-on, easy-off shoe with water-resistant leather uppers and solid traction for cruising on snow and ice. They tend to run big so you might want to consider ordering a half size smaller.--J. G. (March '07)

Price: $99.95

Manufacturer's Site: www.hellyhansen.com

Buy Online: , Exclusive scandinavian sports apparel at NorwaySports.com, Helly Hansen Men's Elg Lo, Shoes.com