Written by Peter Brooker in Essentials on the 20th September 2017

It's on its way, some would speculate it's here already. The foul-mouthed British weather will soon breath it's icy profanities all over our driveways, our windscreens and our precious high streets. If you're not kitted out with the right heavy duty boots this winter, then you may come a cropper. Let's crack on and see which winter-ready boots are the best ones on the market this season.

Engelbert Strauss Alrakis  

One of the many things you should be looking for from a winter boot is durability. If winter boots had a durability genre in a game of top trumps these S3 Alrakis boots would ace its opponents every time. Its long-lasting rubber sole conforms to SRC (SRC is the most stringent specification for safety footwear and slip resistance), is finished with a steel toe cap and has a puncture resistant sole made of ceramic-treated textile fibres. If you're not sure about the contrast laces they also come with a more discreet colour matching option. It feels truly workman like and masculine - £119 is certainly a fair price for a solid set of boots to get you through the winter.

Moncler Tite 

This looks like a beast of a winter boot and it would need to be for the price tag. It comes in at a king’s ransom of £660 and that doesn't even include postage which brings it to £666 (Sign of the beast, coincidence?). This Tite boot is the equivalent of your typical hottie influencer on Instagram that thinks it can get through life on its looks alone. It forgets it needs to also have something to say. The website description merely says "100% leather". Does it conform to SRC? has it got a steel toe cap? What is the sole material? As with all hotties, you wouldn't say no and it makes the list because it's the best looking boot we've seen all season - it's sleek and butch at the same time.

Oliver Sweeney Gandini 

Whilst this doesn't have the chic-lines of the above, it does have a more rugged and purposeful look to it. The sole is a cleated St Moritz construction, which I'm guessing means it was sourced from the Swiss mountains of St Moritz. It's Oliver Sweeney's statement boot of the season featuring brushed metal ski hooks and it makes this list because I'd definitely make the investment in this Gandini winter boot if I was out on the mountain this winter.

Sorel Madson 

For an entry level price range that accommodates both style and function, this is the pick of the crop for me. The Madson boot features a seam-sealed waterproof construction and sneaker-like aesthetic. I raised an eyebrow at the description 'expertly crafted in rich, supple waterproof leather' since leather isn't waterproof, its porous. However, it does has a seam-sealed waterproof construction and synthetic lining which probably does make it waterproof. That said, I'll forgive any indiscretions and ambiguities as this boot has a more elegant silhouette. The exaggerated raised toe and sloping heel line is right on the money. The money by the way will be £160. Sold.

Redwing 8131 

The 8131 boot is one of Redwing's most iconic boots. For the most flamboyant and garish this one is certainly the leader in the clubhouse. If a Converse high-top and a Dr Marten boot had an illegitimate offspring, then it would look something like this. I'd have this in my foot locker for sure, after all, the winters in the UK warrant a couple of winter boots. For £250 this boot is certainly deserving of your consideration.

Now it's your turn, I want to hear from you. Which one of these winter boots would you go for? Did I miss any out? Is there a debate to be had on whether all winter boots need to conform with SRC? What do you look for in a winter boot? Have your say in the comments bar below.

We feature Engelbert Strauss Alrakis, Moncler Tite, Oliver Sweeney Gandini, Sorel Madson and Redwing 8131 in this guide to Top 5 Winter-Ready Boots for Men.