Après Ski, le Clog

Clay Ellis

Having transmogrified traditional wooden klunkers into high-tech fashion footwear with air-cushioned midsoles, elastic uppers, and nonskid bottoms, shoe companies would like you to know the clog is no longer just a musical instrument. This winter, when the post-half-pipe hour approaches, even the fiercest snowboard tricksters will be scrambling to get their pigs out of stiff, cold boots and into cozy, quilted slip-ons. Here's a peek at a few options to consider when you're not hucking Half-Cab, Canadian Bacon Air.

* The Versa Trail ($83; tan, top) from Timberland's Mountain Athletics has a nylon "shock diffusion plate" in the sole to cushion your foot while jumping from boulders. You can also scramble over rocks, thanks to the shoe's rubber lug sole. Replace the removable foot bed after you've soaked it with sweat testing out that shock plate.

* Think of El Clog from Five Ten ($65; gray, center) as the perfect approach shoe for the gym or the late-night laundromat. With a stretchy leather-and-elastic upper, this clog overcomes crux gutters and pumpy stairs with ease.

* The quarter-inch slats for tread on the Salomon Snowclog ($65; green, left) won't look out of place on an Aspen snowcat, while the split suede/Thinsulate uppers, fleece lining, and neoprene opening will keep your feet warm and dry when hoofing it down the street to the Hotel Jerome bar.

* The Merrell Alpine Slides ($70; blue, middle) have an insulating layer of Du Pont Hollofil, air-cushioned midsoles, and water- resistant synthetic uppers that come in a variety of colors so you can finally coordinate your shoes with your down jacket.

* Moving to Brainerd? The Merrell Winter Moc's ($70; red) Polartec lining, water-resistant pigskin leather upper, and Lycra/ neoprene opening seal in warmth, while the sticky rubber sole helps keep you and your hot dish upright.