With a couple of meagre inches of snow bringing the whole of the London train system to a standstill, I’ve spent a fair amount of time working from home the past week. But various events have forced me out of the comfort of my flat and onto the icy roads (and the blessed snow-free tube), and only one footwear option has been suitable.

Forget non-waterproof Uggs, impractical wellies or leather boots with flimsy, slippery soles. This year, my feet have barely left my new Fitflop Mukluks. And it’s safe to say I’m sold!

It’s taken me a long time to succumb to anything this chunky and heavy-looking, and I still think, aesthetically, a lot of work needs to be done to improve these. But if any brand was going to seduce me into trying a style I was unsure of, it was Fitflop. I already own some of the toe-posts and wear them far more often than I probably should.

This is down to one simple fact. After years of wearing impractical shoes, heels and thin-soled boots, I’ve ended up with big pads of hard skin on the soles of my feet that just won’t budge. I’ve had to resign myself to the fact I need comfy shoes with decent soles every now and then, or the problem will just get worse. And Fitflops are like walking on air.

Fitflop boots come in various colours and styles. I opted for the short Mukluks in black, which usually retail at £134.99. Pricey, I know, but they’re well-made and if my experience so far is anything to go by, will last a long time before they need replacing.

Luckily, mastershoe-myshu have knocked 10% off the price, making them a slightly more affordable £121.49. Unfortunately, it’s rare to find Fitflops for anything less than RRP – most places even make them exempt from discount code offers – so this is probably the cheapest place to buy Fitflops in the UK.

I guess the question on a lot of people’s lips is probably ‘why are these better than Uggs’. My hatred of Uggs is well documented, so you may wonder why I’ve suddenly falled in love with something which is just a sturdier version. Well, allow me to explain…

1. The sole and footbed is properly moulded. This really is the key thing. Most sheepskin boots are like slippers and provide absolutely no support so you end up walking on the sides of the boot within days. These don’t have that problem at all and give proper support and shape, with cushioned footbeds for added comfort.

2. The soles have grip, which I tested to the max in the snow and ice over the last few days. Obviously you still need to be careful – and you may not like the fact you leave the word ‘FITFLOP’ in the snow with every step (it’s printed on the sole) – but the grip is closer to what you’d get with a welly than what you get with the foamy bottom of a cheap pair of Uggs or the shiny sole of a pair of leather boots.

3. They’re thick shearling, which is warm and naturally water-resistant. So far they’ve stood up to water, snow and ice without leaking or getting stained. My main worry was that the moment I got a raindrop on them, they’d be ruined or my feet would get wet, but they’re far more hardy than I expected.

What I’m not going to say too much about is the promised toning powers of Fitflops. It’s not about that for me, and I don’t really think about it when wearing them. When you wear the boots for the first time, you will notice a slight ache in your calves, implying that they’re working your muscles harder than normal shoes. But any woman with a brain knows no shoe is going to magically give her a JLo bum. They might just help to tone a little over time.

In the recent cold weather, these boots have been an absolute lifesaver, and I’m sure I’m going to get loads of wear out of them in the next few months. I do wish they were a bit sleeker and less loaf-of-bread-shaped, but in black they don’t look as bad as I thought. If you can get over the fact they’re practical, not fashionable, your feet will definitely thank you!

Many thanks to mastershoe-myshu for sending me the boots and saving my toes in the freezing weather! If you’re after Winter footwear, do check them out – service is excellent and they stock a wide selection of shoe brands including Timberland, Camper and Converse.