Boots have always been an afterthought for me. Growing up in Connecticut, I was lucky enough to have mom and pops lay down their hard-earned cash to make sure my feets stayed toasty while running wild in inclement weather. When we moved to California before the fourth grade, winter boots became an afterthought even for my folks. But as an adult living in a city with four seasons, I needed year-round boots that could easily transition from snowy streets to the office. It had been so long since I had last bought boots (with or without my parents) that I had absolutely no idea what I needed, wanted, or was even available. What was a man to do? Why, get a haircut, of course.

Last November, with my shaggy locks in desperate need of a trim, I took a trip to Freemans Sporting Club on the lower east side of New York. This city-centric store features not only a fantastic and affordable barbershop, but also a great clothing store. I had long admired the genteel-with-an-edge, all-American-made clothing while waiting to get my various hairs cut, but I had never noticed their footwear—certainly not their boots—until that day.

“We were just flipping through all these catalogs one day,” Freemans partner Kent Kilroe explained when I inquired about the origins of the boots, “and there was this one geared toward companies working with chemical spills and hazardous waste. Among all of this scary-looking equipment were these really cool boots with bright yellow laces.” The hunt was on.

Turns out, OnGuard Industries, based in Havre de Grace, Maryland, specializes in polyurethane boots and other equipment you might find at a local factory. While their products are highly valued within the chemical spill sector, you wouldn’t think to find most of the line at Freemans (or any other clothing boutique). “But these were just so nice,” Kilroe says. “All of our clothing is made in the States and so these fit our criteria perfectly—great-looking and American-made.” Freemans ordered a few pairs and put them out on the floor. They were gone in a matter of days.

Ready to make a bigger commitment, Kilroe tracked down OnGuard’s sales rep and left a message. “I’m sure he thought it was some kind of joke because their product isn’t intended for the men’s retail market.” After several phone calls, Kilroe got the rep on the phone. “I explained that we had already bought a few pairs and they had flown off the shelves. He still thought it was a joke. Finally, we agreed that we could ‘officially’ sell the boots and, sure enough, they continued to fly off the shelves.”

I bought one of those first pairs for $78 and brought it along with me to the Midwest. The material is light-weight enough to not weigh you down in 3 feet of snow, while the steel toes provide enough heft to tell you this is a serious boot. (They aren’t insulated, so do wear a pair of warm socks.) And even after months of being submerged in snow, the bright yellow safety laces kept their color, assuring that these ultra-utilitarian boots would provide me with style and attitude regardless of my environment.

With their store shelves stocked, Freemans will happily sell you a pair of OnGuard’s surprisingly boutique-ready boots. A pair will help you get through a long, cold winter—and slushy early spring—not only dry but forever in style.