By Huma Rashid

You’ve probably heard the joke by now – about how as soon as the temperature dips below 65, girls whip out their UGGS. Guilty as charged – even though I wear knock-off UGGS, when I do wear shearling boots.

I’m not embarrassed about my knock-off UGGS. I’m not paying $300 for a pair. It’s not that I can’t afford that cost – I can, easily. I just can’t justify spending that kind of money on myself. Plus, there’s the whole mulesing thing, which is horrifying. (Google it: it involves cutting off parts of a sheep’s body to keep them from becoming infested with maggots.)

No, the alternative to mulesing isn’t so hot either. Flystrike is no laughing matter. But the whole controversy around UGGS in particular has just soured me on the brand, and if I can get the same kind of warm boot made with synthetic fibers, why the heck not?!

Enough about my hippie dippie ways. Let’s talk about boots! Autumn is upon us, and winter will soon be here. The best way, in my opinion, to enjoy the season is to keep your extremities warm and toasty, which is why I will not set foot outside on a winter’s day without my mittens and my non-UGGs.

Here are some great picks for under $50. Some are real wool, some are fabric, and some are synthetic fibers. None of these are UGGS; you’re never going to get authentic UGGS at this price unless you buy them off eBay and they’re missing the toe section.

Today, I’m focusing on boots that are basically flat – function over fashion. We can talk pretty boots later; these are for the seasons and the snow and the slush and the salt on the sidewalks.

As always, click to purchase.

$44.95

$48

$49

$29.90

$49

$42.95

$49.50

And there we have a great selection of fall/winter boots that will keep your toes warm as you wade through the drifts. (Here’s hoping for a mild, mild winter.)