Gotta be tough, Xtratuf!

Before I moved to Alaska I had lived in Oahu, Hawaii and had given up all my winter shoes including any type of snow boot.  Our families intention was never to leave the islands.  The warm islands.  Then we ended up in this chilly, wet island of sorts.  I had no idea what I should wear on my feet so I came with sandals, and tennis shoes.  Needless to say, one of my first shopping missions was to buy shoes.


Not knowing were to go, my first stop was this place called Fred Meyers.  It is like a Super Wal-Mart but with name brand clothing like Sketchers and Columbia.  I searched the shelves of shoes and really didn't see anything I thought would work.  Primarily because in September, when we moved here, it isn't snowing.  It's raining.  And when It's sunny it is wet.  My tennis shoes worked out for awhile but the rain was starting to get to me because every walk we went on meant a gaggle of children with soaked shoes and me.  That's when I started asking "What kind of shoes do people wear here?"  The answer: Xtratuf®

What are these boots called Xtratuf®? Just the most popular boot in Alaska.  Everyone wears them.  Little kids, moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas, everyone.  These are rubber boots.  Not boots lined with with warm sheepskin.  Just a rubber boots.  In fact they are so popular that  Governor Parnell's and Lt. Governor Treadwell welcoming inauguration is called "Tuxes to Xtratufs".  That's one popular boot.


So, why aren't we wearing sheepskin boots?  Because it rains.  It rains a lot. Now, that's not to say you won't see other boots running around but Xtratufs are the house staple.  Very much like a loaf of a bread.