observation

I've noticed (especially in the last two days, with a gross ice and rain storm) that people in Halifax wear winter boots more than anywhere else I've lived. Why?

Maybe because a lot of people walk places, especially in the neighbourhoods I frequent.

Maybe because the winter weather tends to be soggy? Even when it snows, it's likely to warm up enough to make huge puddles everywhere.

Maybe because the average level of style is lower than say, Vancouver or Calgary, so people simply succumb to the practicality of boots?

I guess it's probably a combination, at least for me...