I’m no clotheshorse, but I’ll confess to having a thing for shoes. More specifically, winter shoes: Sorel, Scarpa and Salomon pretty much see me through half the year; Manolo Blahnik, not so much.

When it comes to my feet, there are some temptations I just can’t resist. Full leather uppers. Beaded trim. Nordic bindings. Wool felt liners. Winter footwear features send my heart racing with the anticipation of a panoply of winter fun. I know I’m not alone in my winter footwear excesses—per capita, Canadian homes probably have more boot rooms than anywhere in the world. No matter where you are, you’re sure to find a regional take on what’s best for the tootsies this winter.

If you’re heading North of 60 for, say, aurora viewing in -30 degrees C (-22 degrees F), there’s nothing like a pair of soft boots modelled after the traditional mukluk or kamik to the Inuit . Authentic Canadian mukluks are a fashion-forward choice—now Hollywood celebrities are donning these beaded, fur-trimmed boots inspired by Canada’s Aboriginal people. For something more conventional, the ubiquitous Sorel never disappoints, while the military-inspired Acton Chimo is popular among the extreme expedition crowd.

Huge boots are fine if you’re ice fishing or watching pond hockey, but I prefer a little more action. What’s a Canadian winter without hockey skates, snowshoes, figure skates and ski boots? From to Ontario’s Rideau Canal Skateway to the Rocky Mountains slopes (Alberta and British Columbia), skates and skis are second nature to most of us. On Canada’s far-flung west and east coasts, where winter precipitation often comes in the form of rain, good ‘ol rubber boots—or wellies—are indispensable for everything from storm watching to antique shopping.

By admitting that winter footwear is my Achilles heel (no podiatric pun intended), I figure I’m in good company. After all, the world’s elite winter athletes congregating in Vancouver, BC for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be kitted out in shoes I can only dream of wearing. Toronto, ON’s Bata Shoe Museum has even mounted an exhibit showcasing cutting-edge winter sports footwear, including many gold-medal winning pairs. (Read more about The Bata Shoe Museum.)