This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Payless. All opinions are 100% mine.

Let’s talk boots. I know, I know, you just put away the strappy sandals and flip-flops, you’re not ready to start thinking warm & fuzzy footwear yet! Trust me, I’m in no rush for winter to get here either. As much as I adore the beauty of fresh fallen snow and ice clinging to a bare tree branch, I do not like shoveling it, driving on it or walking on it! Last year, I waited forever to buy boots. I ended up with a pair that I sort of liked, that sort of fit and sort of fit my budget. They also sort of ended up sitting in my closet most of the time, except when I had to shovel snow.  I was in a rush to get a pair because yet another storm was in the forecast and I was tired of shoveling in my sneakers.

This year, I didn’t want to settle for “sort of” boots. So I grabbed Sal and headed to my local mall for a stroll through Payless. Why Sal? Because he’s the one boyfriend on the planet who doesn’t mind shoe shopping. He also has a magical ability to look at a pair of shoes and tell me right away if I’m going to be comfortable in them later or gravely regret my purchase.

On Trend, Affordable Boots at Payless

Walking into Payless, I had to remind myself that I actually had a goal in mind. Boots, self, boots. Not purses (oh, so cute purses!). Not scarves (but scarves are so in right now!). No, self, not even slippers (but, but, our feet get cold!).  Even once I steered myself to my shoe size section, I got a little deterred by shiny feels. Funny fact: I can’t even walk in heels! Boots! Here we are. Oh. My. Goodness. The boot selection is absolutely beautiful! So many boots to choose from, and nothing “sort of” about these babies. I saw a few pairs that I thought I’d want, but Sal pointed out that they weren’t practical for my needs…or my foot. My criteria:

• Stylish and on trend: something I could wear out and about without embarrassing my kid.
• Affordable yet durable: they need to hold up throughout the winter but not cost a fortune.
• Comfy yet not bulky: they had to be soft and cozy, keep my feet warm yet not make me feel like I was carrying bricks of my feet. They also couldn’t make me feel confined. My feet are claustrophobic!

Oh, and of course, they had to fit! I have a slightly wide foot, but not so wide that it’s solidly in the wide-width category. It makes buying boots super hard. First, I tried on the Women’s Mocha Sweater Boot, and they were definitely a contender! They fit most of my criteria, but I was a little worried they wouldn’t be practical with my steep driveway when it gets really icy. Then Sal found a pair of boots that he thought I’d love. Turns out he was right. After much deliberation, I decided on the comfiest pair of Airwalks boots that ever graced my feet, the Women’s Montana Cozy Boots. Cozy says it all! Just look at that soft faux fur lining. It feels like a dream on my feet.   They retail for $59.99, which is a fantastic price on its own. Plus, Payless always has amazing offers throughout the holiday season. I paid $50 for them this week in my local store. If you head to the Payless website, they’re actually on sale for even less than that (as of now). Between BOGO events, special savings and other offers, there’s always something exciting going on at Payless. If you’re not feeling the warm and fuzzies for my warm & fuzzy choice, you’ll find a ton of other selections at Payless! From tall boots to short boots to winter boots and cowboy boots, if it’s an on trend boot, you’ll find it there! Payless has changed a lot over the years. While I’ve always loved their prices, they’ve really amped up the selection in the last couple of years.

Stop in your local store or shop online at Payless to check out their up-to-date, quality and affordable options. You may be surprised! Then again, if you’ve been a long-time Payless shopper like I have, you may not because you already know how awesome they are!  Check out Payless on Pinterest for more shoe inspiration!

With the holidays approaching, I have a couple other types of shoes to pick up at Payless, so I’ll be back to share those journeys with you! If you’re looking for something in particular, let me know! I’ll keep a lookout and share my favorite findings to make your search easier!