Vibram—the brand known for its soles—popularized the lug sole, built with extremely durable vulcanized rubber and with a thick tread that gripped wet, muddy, and icy ground hikers walked on. Vibram ...

All it took was one slip on an ice patch to realize I needed the best lug-sole boots in my life. As a newly-minted New Yorker, my footwear was all sandals, sneakers, and sleek ankle boots. But in ...