What Shoes to Wear in Snow: Expert Advice for Winter Footwear
Finding the right pair of shoes when it comes to going up in the snow is important. Not only will you want your feet to be kept warm and dry, but you’ll want to stay put (and stable) on your feet. But neither is looking for regular dress shoes or even shoes of cloth or canvas as walking on the snow will allow the snow to seep in and cause discomfort.
Now, the question is, what are the top kinds of shoes to wear in the snow? This article will discuss the types of shoes that you should buy while you experience snowy conditions and how they will help you stay warm, comfortable, and stable while you are out in the snow.
1. Shoes Made of Leather or Faux Leather
Leather shoes are a good choice with as they can protect your feet from the snow. Full grain and top grain leather are both great types of leather for snowshoes because they are water resistant and keep the snow out of your feet.
Leather shoes made of full grain leather are primarily water resistant in their mild treatment, meaning they use leather that is only minimally treated. They can also be sprayed with a weatherproofing product for additional protection. There are many high quality shoes from brands like Asics and Nike made with full grain leather with water resistant capabilities.
Full grain and top grain leather shoes are weatherproof, but their weakness lies in the fact that they have been polished and sanded, making them weaker than the top grain leather. They still provide good protection from snow and water, however.
Faux leather is a good option if you want something more affordable. But instead, they’re made of artificial material that looks like real leather, and are as protective as real leather shoes when new. On the other hand, they may not last as long as real leather shoes.
In a nutshell, shoes made of leather or faux leather are great for taking care of your feet from the snow. Top or full grain leather is the best protection and faux leather is a good cheaper choice that will still protect your phone.
2. Shoes with Cozy Lining for Insulation
Shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry are a necessity when you’re trying to walk in the snow! To achieve this, shoes with a cozy lining are the perfect solution. These shoes have a fleece lining and they trap the warmth that your feet generate and keep it near your skin. Not only does this insulation keep your feet warm, it also dries so you can walk in the snow longer.
Don’t wear rain boots in the snow, because they’re wet feet and warm feet boots. It's not comfortable, and it can be dangerous, wet feet in the snow. If your shoes get wet from the snow, consider purchasing a shoe dryer to keep your shoes dry so you can hit the new outdoors again.
If you enjoy walking in the snow, it’s a wise idea to invest in shoes with a cozy lining for insulation. This will not only keep your feet warm and dry but will also allow you to enjoy the winter wonderland without any discomfort.
3. Shoes with Good Traction
When walking on snow, having shoes with good traction is essential to avoid slipping and falling. The type of traction you need depends on your activity. For mountain climbing, rigid crampons are best suited for snowshoes. However, if you're walking on light ice and snow, microspikes are perfect. For everyday use, such as going to work or school, look for shoes with rubber soles and deep treads. These will provide the stability you need on snow and ice. It's important to choose shoes with good traction to prevent any injuries and ensure a safe and enjoyable winter experience.
4. Shoes made with Gore-Tex technology
If you need shoes that will keep your feet dry, warm, and breathable, then look no further than Gore-Tex machines. This material is made to keep water and snow out but not sweat. It means your feet are always going to be nice and dry all day. Though stellar shoes with Gore-Tex technology are more expensive than other options, they are worth the buy. They are durable and long lasting which means you will get the best value for the money. If you want to have comfortable and dry feet, Gore-Tex technology is what you should invest in.
5. Waterproofed Shoes
To protect your feet from the rain or the snow, it is important to wear shoes that will keep them dry. The seams of most shoes tend to let in a lot of water so it’s suggested to purchase waterproof shoes, ideally full seams besides covering the whole shoe. Great for snowproofing, leather shoes can be sprayed with a weatherproof product and they can then be worn outside.
Water proof shoes are more suitable than water resistant ones as they can cope with long time of exposure to water. If you are looking for waterproof boots and do not want seams like on wellies, rubber is the best waterproof boot material that will prevent your feet from getting wet, even in the wettest of conditions.
Avoid cloth shoes because the water will soak up inside and leave your feet cold and heavy. The waterproof shoes will keep your feet dry and comfortable in any weather condition.
6. Shoes with Ankle Support
When you go out and hike in the snow, the most important thing is to wear some shoes with support on the ankle, especially if it's going up and down for elevation gain, because your ankle will be extremely important to support and stay safe. The snow boots with the high shaft have ankle support which the high shaft part comes with but if you prefer shoes look for a pair that has a shaft going beyond normal shoes. Walking on steep trails in the snow will really come in handy with this extra support. If your ankles are weak, then prefer the boots that can go over your ankle to add stability when you are walking on the snow.
Consider these features when looking for shoes with ankle support for hiking in the snow:
- High shaft extending beyond the regular shoes
- Strong ankle support
- Good traction on the sole
- Waterproof material to keep your feet dry
- Breathable material to prevent sweating and moisture buildup
By choosing shoes with ankle support, you can enjoy your hike in the snow with confidence and stability.
7. Shoes that are true-to-size
Getting the right size when buying snow walking shoes is critical. Walking in shoes that are ill-fitting can result in your feet becoming trapped within the shoes as you walk, limiting your stability. This can be particularly harmful when walking on snow because there is a small amount of instability to start with.
If you want to avoid buying shoes that are too big for you, it is best to check if the brand sells shoes that are true to size. Therefore, if you usually wear a size 42 shoe, that’s what you’ll get. Should you be wearing Merino socks to keep your feet warm, you may want to consider getting a pair that is half or one size bigger.
If you have shoes that fit properly, you can take steps to help your stability and prevent slipping or falling when you walk on snow. Therefore, make an effort to locate the right size before joining the trails.