A Guide to Winter Shoes for Bracing for Winter Weather
‘Tis the season for sleet, snow, wind, and freezing rain. To brace for that wintry weather, you’ll need to wear the right apparel, especially footwear. With our handy guide to winter shoes, you’ll be sure to know which is the best footwear for any winter weather.
What to Look For in Winter Footwear
There are some important things to look for when choosing shoes to brace for winter. Because of cold temperatures, accumulating snowfall, and slippery ground, you will want to be sure all those bases are adequately covered. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Insulation: The inside of your winter shoe should have adequate insulation for staying warm. Proper insulation is important to stay warm. Wool is a great material as it has temperature-regulating properties while ensuring your feet don’t get too sweaty. Thinsulate is a synthetic material that offers warmth while still being lightweight, so it’s great for wet weather.
- Material: The material of the shoe itself is important. When choosing a boot, check that the upper part of the boot is made of water-resistant material. Look for soles made of rubber and with treads that offer great slip protection on ice and wet snow.
- Boot Height: When dealing with winter shoes, you want to be sure they have some height. Shorter winter boots may be easier to walk in, but they don’t offer the calf protection that higher boots offer. Depending on your personal needs, choose the height of your boots accordingly.
- Tongue: The tongue is an important component of any snow boot. A gusseted tongue means that the tongue of the boot is attached to the sides of the boot, preventing the snow and rain from sneaking inside your shoe.
Snow Boots
The top pick for shoes to brace for winter weather are winter snow boots. The mid-calf design of most snow boots allows for extra insulation and protection from the elements while still making them easy enough to walk in. There are many different styles, designs, materials, and temperature ranges when choosing what snow boots are best for you.
Duck Boots
Duck boots are a great middle-ground between regular boots and snow boots. They are perfect for traditional weather, such as late fall and early spring, and are great at keeping your feet dry. Men’s and women’s duck boots offer the warmth, water resistance, and traction you need for combating any winter weather. Though duck boots don’t come with the same degree of insulation as snow boots, they still offer warmth to at or right below freezing temperatures. Ideal for rain, sleet, and slush, these boots are perfect for bracing yourself any wet winter weather.
Chelsea Boots
Perhaps you need a winter shoe that can take you from home to the office while still looking professional. Snow boots are not everyone’s first choice when it comes to a shoe to wear to the office. Enter the Chelsea boot. While Chelsea boots don’t offer the same degree of cold and weather protection, they will certainly get you to where you need to go, even through some abrasive winter weather. Wear with a women’s wool coat and you will look stylish and professional enough for the office while still bracing the weather. Chelsea boots are great in the rain, light snow, and moderately cold temperatures. You can also treat leather Chelsea boots to make them more water-resistant. The soles of Chelsea boots are typically not as slip-resistant as duck boots or snow boots, but choosing treaded rubber-soled boots will help prevent any slipping on ice or snow.
Hiking Boots with Gators
If you want to take a walk or a hike through the snow and your snow boots are feeling a bit too bulky, opt instead for your favorite high-top hiking boots with a pair of gators to keep the snow out. Because hiking boots don’t have the same insulation as regular snow boots, we recommend wearing a pair of thick socks to keep your feet extra warm. Be sure to wear a pair of men’s or women’s long underwear to give your legs the extra insulation they need.
Rain Boots
For those particular dreary days, you could always pull on a pair of rain boots. Rain boots do not offer nearly as much warmth as your standard snow boot but they are a durable, waterproof option for those particularly wet days. Perfect for rain, snow, sleet, and slush, rain boots might just be what you need for some winter days. Some rain boots come with fleece insulating inserts, perfect for those cooler temperatures. Warm up even more by adding a thick pair of wooly socks!
Keep your feet happy all winter long by ensuring you have the best winter shoes to help you brace for the winter weather.