As we prepare our homes for winter, it's also a good time to get our wardrobe and footwear ready for wet, cold, and freezing conditions.
Venturing out for winter walks whether that's running errands or a long nature walk can be breathtaking, with fresh snow-covered scenery and crisp air. However, the cold weather and deep snow in some areas also present challenges to keeping safe and warm.
Having the correct footwear when you go out in cold and wet conditions is key to keeping the rest of your body warm. Getting the right winter walking boots will help to keep your feet warm and dry. And if they're protected, they'll help to keep the rest of your body warm too.
So, if you want to know which are the best winter hiking boots, and what to look for when you're shopping for them, read on.
Winter Hiking Boots And Why They Matter
Getting out and about and enjoying nature during the winter months is great for our physical and mental health, but only if you have the correct kit to keep you safe. Deep snow, slippery ground, and wet, cold conditions pose a hazard to winter walking trips, so the winter boot you choose needs to keep your feet warm and dry and provide you with a good level of grip.
If your winter boots aren't waterproof or warm, you risk not only being uncomfortable but other physical problems such as blisters, trench foot, and a range of other things. The risk of slipping and injury yourself is higher if you're wearing boots that don't have a good tread pattern or provide a good standard of traction and grip.
The Basics - Keeping Your Feet Dry
Ensuring your feet stay dry during walks and winter hiking is essential to ensure you get the most benefit from your walk and can enjoy the winter weather safely. That's why it's important to check that your winter boots are waterproof so that you don't end up with wet feet.
All walking boots are water-resistant to an extent, although some will be significantly more waterproof than others. The outsole and upper keep water out through their respective materials, and the upper also has a breathable function so that the feet's dryness is kept intact.
Some boots have a separate waterproof lining so this is something to consider when looking for a good winter boot.
If you're going to be walking in deep snow or puddles, as well as wearing waterproof boots, make sure you wear trousers that can go over your boot, ideally with a cuff to prevent deep snow or water from entering over the top of the collar of your boot.
Insulation for Warmth
As well as keeping them dry, keeping your feet warm is another essential in winter conditions Having the right winter boots will help to keep your foot warm which in turn will help to keep the rest of your body that way.
Keeping your feet warm during the winter months isn't just important for good foot health and comfort, it's also important for your overall health. Having cold feet for extended periods can cause several health problems, from weakening your immune system to diabetes.
So, wearing appropriate footwear and thick socks during winter and extreme cold weather, especially when taking part in outdoor winter activities, can help prevent sickness and injury.
Key Features of Good Winter Boots
Traction and Durability
When you're walking on packed snow or in icy conditions, your winter hiking boots need to provide you with a good grip to help prevent you from slipping and falling. Footwear with a rubber sole, anti-slip technology, a good tread pattern, and expert grip is a must for winter hikers and casual walkers alike. So, look for winter boots with soles with good grips such as Vibram which can increase traction by up to 25%.
Dryness and Warmth
The best winter boots are ones that will keep your feet warm and dry and are vital to help you enjoy walks in winter conditions. Things like a removable liner, inner boot, and synthetic insulation are some of the features you'll find in the warmest winter boot that will keep your feet extremely warm in cold and wet conditions.
Comfort and Fit
If you want to be able to enjoy the great outdoors in the cold weather, you need to be wearing winter boots that are comfortable and fit well. All types of footwear come in standard sizes, whether they're snow boots, casual boots, or rain boots. Most will also be available in wide-fittings so make sure you get your feet measured properly before you buy. Lightweight winter boots that provide good weather protection are likely to provide more comfort than heavy boots if you're running errands, so think about what you need the boots for as well.
Choosing the Right Winter Boots
Choosing winter boots that are suitable for your needs is the key to enjoying winter hikes in cold weather. So, before you buy, think about what you need your boots for.
With so many different types of winter footwear on the market, you need to make sure you pick the correct ones for you whether that's rain boot, snow boots, men's winter boots, leather boots, or winter shoes.
Are you going to be hiking in extreme cold and wet conditions or will you be using them for shoveling snow? Once you know what you need the winter boots for, you can look at the features that will suit your activity the best.
Things such as ankle support, leather uppers, a wide toe box, and a rubber sole with a thick tread pattern are just some of the features you need to consider for finding the best overall winter boot for you.
Our Winter Boots Picks
Lady Glide Hiking Boot
It features a lightweight design with a padded toe-joint and collar, jointed padded tongue, and triple-density cushioned mid-sole making these winter boots comfortable straight from the box.
The waterproof & breathable membrane ensures that 'Lady Glide' is a capable performer and the Vibram rubber sole and tread pattern is one of our best, keeping you safe in a variety of conditions such as wet ice and fresh snow.
Quatro Brown Hiking Boot
Quatro is our best-selling backpacking leather boot here at Grisport. Its features include an amazingly comfortable support system, Vibram sole, thick leather uppers, and waterproof and breathable membrane to keep feet dry.
With a padded toe joint that makes the flex point of the boot amazingly comfortable, it's easy to see why the Quatro is a popular winter boot, perfect for winter hiking and cold and wet conditions. Customers often comment that 'Quatro' is the most comfortable boot in the Grisport range.
Arctic Fox Boot
Our Arctic Fox boot has been created for icy conditions and provides so much warmth to your feet in extreme cold weather conditions.
The winter hiking boot has been built around the incredible Vibram® Arctic Grip sole which is the most advanced gripping system ever created by Vibram. The boot incorporates ground-breaking sole technology specifically designed for icy conditions.
Whether you're looking for better traction on winter hiking and slick pavements, or hitting walks in harsh Alpine conditions, the rubber sole and tread pattern on the ‘Arctic Fox’ make it one of the best winter boots.
Lady Tempest Blue Walking Boot
One of the most capable winter boots in our collection, the Lady Tempest Blue is packed full of features making it one of the best boots for winter hiking.
Don’t let its stunning looks detract you from the capabilities of this boot as it can take you anywhere, in absolute comfort. Its design provides ankle support with its waterproof, breathable lining providing weather protection and keeping your feet warm. The Vibram outsole and tread pattern give a sturdy, assured grip.
