Snow Boots vs. Tennis Shoes: Which are Best for Winter Dog Walking?
Our dogs are not only man’s best friend—but they’re also our cure for cabin fever. While it truly is quite uplifting, winter dog walking brings with it a unique set of challenges leaving you pondering what shoes will be best for the job. Your step tracker would have you reaching for your tennis shoes, but your weather tracker just handed you a pair of slip-resistant winter snow boots. That can only mean one thing: you have no clue what type of footwear to wear. So let’s put tennis shoes and snow boots to the test and determine which are the best women's winter dog walking shoes.
The Best Winter Dog Walking Shoes
You may be surprised, but winter snow boots win this canine-cardio round. Tennis shoes are far too lightweight and minimalistic to stand up to the challenge of a wintery dog jog. Instead, you need the sturdy, trail-ready reliability of a waterproof snow boot with great tread. The ideal boot for a winter jog will be similar to a high-top sneaker, but with significantly more winter weather-worthy features—traction being #1 on the list. Thankfully, there is also a happy medium between rugged winter snow boots and lightweight tennis shoes—winter walking shoes. Winter walking shoes are a great option for in-between weather, light flurries, or climates that aren't as snowy. They are more durable than sneakers but not as heavy as snow boots.
The Best Snow Boots for Hiking with Your Dog
No surprises here. Heading off the beaten path with your puppy pal during the winter months requires a good pair of winter hiking snow boots. So, you can leave those sneakers in the shoe closet yet again when choosing dog walking shoes. Because it’s sometimes hard to know where the trail will lead you, wear waterproof snow boots designed for walking long distances in deep snow. Ankle support and deep treads will be the two most important features these winter snow boots have to offer. A solid pair of snow pants, a women’s winter parka, and some good hand warmers are also important must-haves for long winter hikes.
Insulated Winter Snow Boots for the Yard
If running and hiking are of no interest to your pampered pooch, your dog walking route can probably be drawn without ever crossing over your lot line. Wearing tennis shoes to walk your dog in your own backyard is fine, right? Nope. Winter snow boots or winter walking shoes work best, even on short walks. A snow boot with a high shaft to keep your leg warm will be better suited for taking your dog yard-walking than tennis shoes because these winter snow boots are built with extra insulation.
Alternatively, winter walking shoes are built to be waterproof, slip-resistant, and prevent snow from getting inside your boots. This footwear style is a good option when the snow isn't as deep when you’re staying on shoveled paths or for mild winter weather.
Slip-Resistant Winter Boots for a Sturdy Footing
You, your four-legged friend, and your physician have come to a rock-solid agreement: no more spontaneous spending sprees, no more rawhides under the covers, and absolutely no more skipping your daily walk. The three of you shook on it and everything. So, it’s official. The only thing left to do is lace up your tennis shoes. Not so fast…unfortunately, your walking shoes won’t even do for 20-minute sidewalk excursions during the winter. So, once again, you’ll want to wear slip-resistant snow boots instead. They’ll give you the traction you’ll need while walk through all of the snow, ice, and salt that make slushy winter sidewalks more hazardous than you may have expected.
Waterproof Duck Boots for Rainy Day Walks
At this point, you may need to just consider those tennis shoes of yours to be on a bit of a winter vacation because they’ll be of no use to you until after the spring thaw. By then, you and your fur baby will be splashing through sloppy mud puddles and dodging raindrops during your walks. Tennis shoes aren’t exactly reliable spring dog-walking footwear either, now are they? You need cold weather walking shoes that keep moisture away from your feet. Cue the rain boots, dog lovers. While watching your pooch play in the rain puddles as the weather starts to get warm might be your favorite sight, walking through the front door drenched head to toe is not the greatest feeling. A warm, waterproof pair of insulated or non-insulated duck boots and an adorable rain jacket are springtime musts!
No matter how demanding your dog-walking routine happens to be, there’s a winter boot that suits. Try a few different styles to discover which cold-weather footwear is the right option for you—and don’t forget a pair of winter socks to keep your feet toasty.