Okay, now here's the good news:

And they do mean business when they say "clearance"... come early for the best selection of mad deals on Chie Mihara, Coclico, Repetto, Georgina Goodman, Cydwoq, and more!

Anyhow, the "TOMS Vagabonds" are currently on tour, stopping off in Portland at the Lizard Lounge this Sunday from 12-4 pm. You can catch crazy deals on the shoes, plus giveaways, DJs, ping-pong, a photo booth, and free beer. Sounds like an afternoon to me.

Customized or original looking sneakers have been a big hit for a while. You can go online and pick the color and pattern of the canvas on your Vans or mix and match Adidas shoe styles. Which is all fun and great, but Portland-based RYZ takes original sneaker artwork a little further with their Threadless-esque model. Artists submit designs on the website, users vote on the designs they like best and then RYZ produces a limited number of shoes for you to buy. There are high-tops and low-tops, plus you can design the sole, which gives the sneaker a little extra soul (come on, that pun was just asking for it!).

I am very won over by many of the designs and this may bring a whole new level of snazz into my sneaker collection, which is looking a little mud-spattered and rain-sodden these days. The one problem is that the site doesn’t show the shoes on any real feet, so I’m not quite sure what they actually look like, but it’s worth checking out. And if you like something you can vote for it.

These are some designs currently available for purchase:

This is what I opted for today on my walk to work. The basic wellie is a sound investment for these climes, with waterproofing and treads (they did great when the 'lypse was in full effect and the ice had created its own topography over all the side streets. Didn't fall once.) Parallel (1122 NW Marshall) carries them.

Frye boots are another classic that works year round. Everyone I know who has these has had them for at least five years. Imelda's (3426 SE Hawthorne, 935 NW Everett) stocks them.

If you're in the market for something less basic, here are a few that are stylish but not too treacherous:

These are by Georgina Goodwin, and are 60% off right now at Olive.

I think these No. 6 boots are brilliant. You can find them—along with a delicious shearling-lined tall version—at Stand Up Comedy (811 E Burnside), where they are 30% off (you can get 40% off your purchase if you buy two eligible items, 50% if you buy three). While you're there don't forget to huff on the Six Scents unisex fragrances. It's a limited edition (this is Series One) collection of designer/perfumer collaboration, and they're really remarkable. My favorite is #3.

These Momas from Halo (1425 NE Broadway) are very Dickensian and kind of goth. It's a good option if you want to keep a nice shape on your legs while still protecting your wool tights from the spray of passing cars.

Bummer, dude.

Oh wait, I found an optimistic note! Spanx for men!!

Speaking of which, did you know their birthday is coming up? Party on Thursday at the store (details in the next issue of the Merc)! See you there. In the meantime, you might want to peep the suspiciously vast sale section of the store...

Hit the break for my other, less presidential, favorite picks.