Real stories · Winter boots that don't weigh a ton

My winter boots felt like two bricks — by the top of our hill my legs had had enough

Sturdy winter boots that don't weigh my legs down — I'd stopped believing they existed. I'm 67, and every winter I'd haul out the same heavy, clumpy boots. They were warm and they were solid, but by the top of the hill on the way back from town my legs felt like lead, and I'd catch myself shuffling — lifting each foot a little less than the one before.

What I wanted was a proper winter boot that didn't feel like a workout to walk in.

Then I found the Velirissea from a British label called York Boutique — orthopaedic ankle boots with a chunky sole and a side zip. I chose the black; there's grey, light brown, brown, off-white and green too.

The surprise is the weight. They're made with an ultra-light design, which is why my legs no longer feel like lead by the top of the hill — I'm lifting my feet properly again instead of shuffling. And they still have the substance I wanted: a shock-absorbing sole and proper arch and heel support built in, so the lightness doesn't come at the cost of support.

An ultra-light design with a shock-absorbing sole and arch support — which is why I get to the top of the hill with legs that still feel like mine.

I'll be honest: at £39.95 I paused. Then I counted the winter walks I'd been cutting short — and it's half the usual £80.

They've done a month of dog walks, two trips into town and back up the hill on foot, and a long Sunday along the river. Pauline picked one up off my hall floor and said, 'Is that all it weighs?' I did check before ordering that I could send them back if they didn't suit — you can, within a fortnight, and the delivery's free.

If heavy winter boots are tiring you out too, do have a look. The Velirissea is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 320 women, it comes in six colours, in sizes 3.5 to 9 — and the black goes first.