Between Arizona and California, I have not lived in real winter for over 11 years. We would visit the cold and snow occasionally, but my definition of “winter shoes” has been a cute pair of ballet flats. It only took a couple days of sloshing through Virginia rain and cooler temps to realize I needed to invest in some legitimate winter footwear, STAT!

My boot collection is growing, but my closet began to suffer from a bad case of limp-boot-osis.
I found boot shapers online for (gasp!) $20-$40 a pair. Um, no.

Enter the Dollar Store pool noodle! I know it’s out of season, but ask a store manager… mine had a bunch in their back stock room. First, do battle to ensure their worthiness.

Then stick a noodle inside the boot and slice slightly above the cuff with a serrated kitchen bread knife. Cuts like buttah! Two noodles was enough for 3 pairs of boots.

You can stop right there if you want because it’s totally functional. But functional ≠ cute. So, I picked up a few pairs of dollar store men’s knitted socks also.

Turn the sock inside out. Sew a line across the heel to make a nice straight tube shape.

Cut off the heel.

Turn the sock right-side-out and pull tight over pre-cut noodle. Position and mark the center top with a pin.

I sewed 1″ x 7″ straps from scrap fabric, then used my snap pliers to attach plastic snaps to both the sock and the straps. But you could just as easily use velcro, buttons, or hand-stitch them together.

Place the noodle back inside and sew the end shut. Trim excess.

Cute, right?

Know what the best part is?
Even with the sock/strap enhancement, each set only costs $1.60 and took about 20 min to make.

Much better!