Once upon a time, I laughed at rubber boots (who really wears them in LA?) and shunned garden clogs (for being ugly and clumsy) and happily worked in the yard in flip flops and sneakers. Then I got tired of getting mud between my toes and dirtying yet another pair of nice shoes, and invested a whopping $3 on generic rubber clogs from Chinatown.
After chewing through a handful of cheap clogs in less than a year, I came to realize…
Quality matters. But looking good doesn’t hurt either. And Bogs and I are here to help you on both counts with this awesome giveaway that’s open to all our outdoor friends around the world!
Bogs is best known for its boots. The company makes durable all-weather boots light enough for a walk in the city on a rainy day, yet tough enough for the demands of working on a commercial farm. They sent me a few styles from their product line to try on, and I’m sold on the need for good garden shoes.
Despite the mild weather in LA, I’ve found myself wearing my Classic Mid Lanai boots more often than my Rose clogs. I’ve had them both since early spring, the busiest season in the garden for me, and they’ve held up well to pitch forks dropped on their toes and chicken poo splattered on their sides. Cleaning is as easy as hosing them off and laying them out to dry. (I must be the world’s messiest gardener, because I find myself hosing off my Bogs several times a week… and they still look good.)
With over 5,000 square feet of outdoor space, I can confidently say I’ve put my Bogs to the test and then some.
I don’t wear shoes in the house, so the Rose clogs are perfect for leaving outside by the door, and quickly slipping on to check the mail or take out the trash. And, they’re neither ugly nor clumsy, so I’ve even worn them out for running errands (which, back in the day with my Chinatown clogs, was never an option).
Bogs doesn’t just make boots and clogs though. They also make casual shoes for trekking around town. My fiancé Will has been wearing his Burnside loafers these last couple of months, and since he owns something like three pairs of shoes, that means he’s been wearing his Burnside a lot. Everywhere. From grocery runs to beach hikes.
According to Will:
There’s something very satisfying about stepping into my Burnside. The rigid uppers stay taut as you slip your foot in, not having to use your hands to assist you, and almost suck you in. And it’s a joy to wear them everywhere, from the garden where I really appreciate their waterproof materials, to heading out on the town, when the cushy and comfortable sole compliments the stylish look of the shoe.
Since he doesn’t think clogs are cool (for guys, at least), he even wears his Burnside loafers for yardwork!
All Bogs share some common traits: Neo-Tech insulation (down to -40°F temps… that’s right, minus 40 and your toes still stay toasty!), high-performance rubber, completely waterproof uppers, and slip-resistant outsoles. For you Crocodile Dundee types, Bogs’ hunting boots even offer Snakeguard, a type of advanced puncture protection. These durable features make them perfect for any kind of outside activity, whether you’re hiking in a meadow or sloshing through mud… or even wrestling a pit full of snakes.
Most importantly, Bogs are super comfortable. They don’t look like it at first, since they’re made almost entirely of rubber, but the insoles feel like marshmallows below your feet. They need to get into the snowboard boot business some day!
For now, the Bogs line includes their iconic rubber boots, as well as clogs, hiking shoes, loafers, lace-ups and slip-ons. And I want you to feel firsthand how good they really are!
For one lucky winner, Bogs will be giving away a $100 gift card valid for any purchase from their online shop. As a bonus, shipping is free to all delivery addresses in the US! (Non-US addresses will be charged additional shipping, duty and freight.)
How to enter: Simply leave a comment below and tell me which Bogs style you like, and how/where you would wear it! To receive an additional entry, follow @gardenbetty on Twitter, and leave a second comment below indicating your Twitter username. You have two chances to win!
The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on Friday, June 22, 2012. Winner will be drawn at random and announced the following week. Good luck!
Giveaway Rules
- Giveaway begins June 18, 2012 and ends June 22, 2012.
- No purchase is necessary. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.
- All adults ages 18 and older are eligible to enter.
- Two entries allowed per person.
- Odds of winning are based on number of entries received.
- Winner will be drawn at random.
- If winner does not respond within 48 hours after time of contact, that entry will be forfeited and a new winner will be drawn.
This post is brought to you by Bogs. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that support Garden Betty.
Update: A big thanks to everyone who entered!
This giveaway is now closed. The winner has been announced here.