What to Look for in Winter Boots | Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

We have a really good chance of having a white Christmas in Boise. I know it’s still a ways out, but the little amount of snow we have doesn’t seem to want to go anywhere anytime soon, and more is expected this weekend (and, of course, possibly in the future too if the active weather pattern keeps up). November was brutal here (felt more like January than November), which is annoying because it really felt like our fall got cut short. Now, it’s fully winter and officially time to pull out my winter boots, which I’ll be wearing for the foreseeable future. (Wah-wah.) Have you pulled out your winter boots yet?

I’ve been wearing these particular boots (an old Earth style) nonstop for a few days now because I have yet to pull my Sorel boots out from storage. I own a few different pairs of winter boots as someone that has lived in places with winters my whole life. Below, I shared what to look for in winter boots if you’re new to winter and/or need to buy a pair of winter boots yourself. Now, I don’t live in a place that gets feet of snow every year, and it rarely gets below 0°F, but if you live in a place with a relatively mild winter like me, I hope these tips help!

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What to Look for in Winter Boots

When you’re selecting a new pair of winter boots to add to your wardrobe, here are six things you should consider. I did want to note that I didn’t think there was a difference between winter boots and snow boots. To me, the terms have always been interchangeable, because we get snow in the winter here in Idaho… I suppose my Sorel boots (and other utilitarian boots) are typically considered snow boots whereas the boots I’m wearing here might be considered more stylish/fashion winter boots. Even if you’re looking for more stylish boots, these are all important characteristics you should look for in your winter boots!

Waterproof Materials

Your winter boots NEED to be waterproof, or at minimum water resistant if you live in a place that doesn’t have super wet winters. You can waterproof leather and suede if you fall in love with a pair of boots that aren’t already waterproof (Bickmore makes high quality products to care for leather and suede). I own a number of boots that I don’t wear in wet weather for fear of ruining them, and my true winter boots are those that can withstand any weather conditions—especially rain and snow—without getting my feet wet. Make sure to read the details of your boots to make sure the uppers and soles are waterproof.

Soles with Traction

More important things you winter boots need are soles with traction. If you don’t want to be slipping and sliding all over the place, you NEED traction. Look for winter boots with rubber soles that aren’t smooth on the bottom. Lugsole boots are trending now, and thick lugsoles have excellent traction. You can tell my boots here have really good traction, so I feel safe wearing these (but note that really nothing will keep you from slipping on ice unless you wear Yaktrax or something similar so keep that in mind; we just want boots that have traction in snow and slush).

Insulation

If your boots don’t have any insulation, your feet will not stay warm. You can pile on the wool socks and it won’t matter: you need insulated winter boots to have toasty warm toes! Check the details of the boots you’re interested in and read reviews by other customers to make sure the boots are insulated (Thinsulate is a great insulator) and keep feet warm for an extended period of time. Even fashion boots like mine should have insulation (I wore my boots with thin wool socks to sit outside at a football game for a few hours and my feet never got cold).

Shaft Height: Above the Ankles

If you plan to wear your winter boots in wet weather, I highly recommend a pair that hits above your ankles. First of all, your ankles will stay warm, and that’s always important. Second of all, if your boots are shorter than the depth of snow you’ll be walking in, the snow will get into the top of your boots and freeze your legs/feet. If you plan to wear your boots in rain and not necessarily snow, the higher the boot, the less likely you’ll get dirty rain splatters on the back of your legs as you walk (if you wear tall boots that cover your lower leg, the raindrops will hit the boot and not your pants, jeans, tights, etc.).

Fit: Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose

It’s tempting to purchase winter boots that fit snug with a pair of wool socks, but it’s actually better to have a little bit of wiggle room in the toe area. (This is true of other boots, like ski and snowboard boots.) Being able to move your toes will keep the circulation going. You definitely don’t want to cut that off. You may find that sizing up a half or whole size in winter boots is what works best for you. That’s definitely not uncommon! You also don’t want your winter boots to be too loose and threaten to come off with every step. The insulation doesn’t work so well if it’s not hugging your feet/legs and keeping the cold air out.

Weight: Not Too Heavy

What we don’t want are winter boots that are a drag (literally) to wear. Heavy boots are not fun to wear for an extended period of time! Definitely look for the weight of the boots in the product description and opt for a boot with as low of a weight as possible while still hitting the other characteristics above. I will say that my heavier winter boots are my Sorel boots, so keep that in mind. I highly recommend trying winter boots in person when at all possibly so you can get a feel for them. Go to REI or another outdoor adventure store to try a bunch on and then order your favorite(s) online.