Whether it’s your first snowy season in a new city or you’ve been struggling with winter footwear for years, it’s time to learn how to keep your feet warm in winter once and for all.
As it turns out, staying warm in winter takes dedication—especially if you struggle with cold feet year-round. What can you do to keep your feet healthy in winter and stay toasty as the weather cools down?
In this guide, we’re breaking down how to keep your feet warm in cold weather. We’ll dive into material selection (for both shoes and socks), footwear features to look for, cold feet prevention tips, and more to help you keep the cold at bay (even during the most frigid days).
Selecting the Right Materials for Warmth
Shopping for women’s weatherproof boots? You’ll need to keep an eye out for some specific fabric features to ensure your feet stay warm and dry this season. And don’t forget—sock materials are just as crucial when learning how to keep your feet warm during the winter months.
Weather-Resistant Fabrics
As you shop, look for weather-ready winter footwear descriptors like:
- Water-resistant
- Waterproof
- Weather resistant
- Weatherproof
- Seam-sealed
All of these terms mean something a little different, and different brands use their own definitions—be sure to read the fine print before buying a new pair. However, you can better understand a shoe’s weather resistance with a closer look at the materials:
- Leather – Leather is naturally water-resistant (to an extent). However, during the leather-making process, many manufacturers use chemical treatments to increase the hydrophobia (i.e., water-repellent properties) of leather. So, when you buy proper footwear made from real leather, you’ll achieve a baseline level of water resistance.
- Polyurethane – Many manufacturers use polyurethane-based fabrics to increase water resistance—especially in hardy snow gear like ski jackets. GORE-TEX is just one example.
So, if you’re shopping for women’s or men’s water-resistant boots, prioritize weather-resistant fabrics like leather. Vionic’s Fallbrook boots, for instance, feature a water-resistant upper treated with a specialized water-repelling process.
Warm and Breathable Socks
As you shop for women’s tall boots and learn how to keep feet warm in winter, don’t forget about all-important thermal socks.
Your socks and your shoes work together to keep feet warm, especially when they’re both made from water-wicking materials. For peak warmth, choose thermal socks made from:
- Wool (merino wool is especially breathable)
- Cashmere
- Acrylic
- Nylon
While cotton socks are perfect for breathability and comfort in the warmer months, chilly weather demands warmer materials.
Thickness matters, too—while you can achieve major warmth in a thin sock (especially with high-quality, warm materials like cashmere and merino wool), thicker usually translates to warmer in the world of winter socks.
Consider the type of shoe you’re wearing as well. For example, if you’re trying to figure out how to wear knee-high boots, go for high socks that provide extra warmth and protect your legs from the cold. If you’re looking for shorter boots or shoes to wear with leggings, you might want to consider a lower cut sock to compliment your outfit.
Footwear Features to Look For
Other than materials, what else should you look for as you search for winter footwear to keep your feet warm?
Weather Resistance
While we touched on how materials promote weatherproofing in footwear, this topic deserves even more attention. As you look for the perfect pair of warm shoes, keep an eye out for both:
- Weather-resistant materials – Leather and other materials offer some natural water-repellent properties, so these should be at the top of your priorities list when shopping for winter footwear.
- Weatherproofing processes – If the materials in your ideal shoes aren’t weather resistant, those materials should be treated using weather-proofing processes to help you withstand the elements this winter. Learn how to waterproof your shoes to ensure they last from season to season.
Here are two examples from Vionic’s collection:
- Uptown Sur – Our Uptown Sur ankle boot features both weatherproof materials (drum-dried leathers with additional finishing treatments for optimal protection) and seam-sealed technology to keep moisture out and warmth in.
- Aria – The Aria wedge ankle bootie is perfect for Chelsea boot lovers and practical fashionistas. That’s because the water-repellent upper is treated with our specialized water-repellent spray (which can be reapplied season after season to extend the life of your boots).
Snug Fit
In addition to weatherproofing, both women’s boots and men’s boots should be snugly fit to protect against the chill. How can you ensure that your boots fit tightly enough to seal in warmth?
- Choose the right calf size – In the world of women’s tall boots, wide calf sizes are only becoming more accessible. But if you have slim legs or want to get an ultra-snug fit, consider sticking with medium or regular calf sizes for optimal coziness. If you don’t know the differences between a wide calf vs regular boot fit, you can always take your calf circumference measurements to find the right boots for you.
- Wear the right socks – When you try on boots, make sure to take your thick or warm socks to the store with you (or wear them before measuring your foot if you’re shopping online). Whether you prefer a thin sock or thick sock style, be sure to match your boot size to your sock thickness so you ensure the perfect shoe fit.
- Size down – While you might prefer looser, more breathable shoes in the summer months, winter is the time for practicality in footwear. To achieve the most snug fit possible, consider going down a half or whole size (as long as your feet are still comfortable).
Insulation
During the winter, all of your footwear should be insulated enough to keep your feet toasty—even if you’re just staying home!
For great examples of shoe insulation, look no further than these fan-favorite Vionic models:
- Gemma II – The Gemma II mule slippers are the perfect shearling design for winter coziness at home.
- Relax II – The Relax II slippers offer a peep-toe design with cozy cross-straps for more temperate climates (or evenings beside the blazing fireplace).
- Uptown Mule – Our Uptown Mule slip-ons are fluffy, cozy, and perfectly paired with a steaming cup of cocoa.
Preventing Cold Feet with Smart Habits
What else can you do to keep your feet warm this winter (other than buying a cozy pair of women’s ankle boots)?
Start Warm
Once your feet are cold, it can be tough to warm them back up again. So, to promote all-day warmth, put on your cold-weather footwear when your feet are already warm.
Practically speaking, this might look like:
- Putting socks on as soon as you get out of a hot shower (after drying off, of course)
- Warming your feet under the covers before getting dressed
- Sitting with your feet in front of the fireplace or space heater before donning socks
Stay Active
Picture this: You’re bundled up in merino wool socks and warm winter boots, but you’ve been sitting at your desk for hours and the chill is starting to reach your extremities.
The easiest way to reverse this? Get moving. Take a few laps around the office, walk in place, or even wiggle your toes inside of your shoes to get your blood pumping again.
Even if you’re outdoors and moving, remember that you need to move more than just your legs and arms to warm up your feet. For example, if you’re skiing, you may not be moving your feet much in your ski boots—you’re likely only moving your calves and ankles as you slide down the slopes. While you’re on the lift or in the lodge, make a point to wiggle your toes inside of your boots to stay warm in those cold conditions.
Stay Dry
Getting wet in the winter is the first step to getting cold. To that end, keeping your feet dry should be a top priority.
What does this look like, practically speaking?
- Drying feet completely before putting on socks – If your feet sweat while you sleep or you just got out of the bathtub, make sure to completely dry your feet with a towel before putting socks on. Starting warm and dry is the easiest way to stay warm and dry.
- Choosing moisture-wicking socks – While acrylics and thicker wools can make your feet sweat, more breathable socks (ones made from merino wool, for instance) will wick moisture away from your skin to help you stay dry. Choosing breathable socks is especially important in the winter—your footwear will likely be less breathable than in more temperate months.
- Changing socks – If you’re prone to foot sweat or headed out for a hike, consider taking an extra pair of socks with you. (Pro tip: Dry your sweat off with your soiled socks before putting on a fresh pair for optimal dryness).
Best Practices for Outdoor Activities in Winter
Speaking of hiking, let’s cover how to keep your feet warm while you’re outdoors this winter:
- Bring an extra pair of socks – Whether you’re hiking, skiing, or strolling through the neighborhood in the crisp air, consider bringing an extra pair of socks on your journey.
- Check the weather – Before heading out, get as much information as you can about the forecast. With the inside scoop on the temperature, you can choose the most appropriate socks, footwear, and clothes for the conditions.
- Consider foot warmers – If you struggle with feet circulation issues in your extremities, can’t find warm enough socks, or just want some extra protection from cold feet, consider using foot warmers or heating pads inside of your shoes before heading out.
Choose Warmth and Style with Vionic’s Winter Collection
Learning how to keep feet warm in winter is all about exploring the best options for footwear. When it comes to finding the best boots to pair with your favorite women’s winter outfits, look no further than Vionic’s boot collection.
All of our shoes are crafted with high-quality materials and comfort-first construction features. With Vionic, you can say goodbye to unsupportive winter wear, thanks to our Vio-Motion Support technology, which provides arch support and heel cupping for all-day stability and comfort. Ready to discover the Vionic difference? Shop now.
Sources:
Materials. Imparting Waterproofing Properties to Leather by Polymer Nanoemulsion Based on Long-Chain Alkyl Acrylate. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9959095/
Forbes. Gore-Tex Accounces Thinner, Sustainable Membrane for Apparel, Footwear. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2021/09/29/gore-tex-announces-thinner-sustainable-membrane-for-apparel-footwear/
Good Housekeeping. 14 Best Pairs of Warm Socks, According to Testing. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/g28421974/best-warm-socks/
Wired. Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes Keep You Comfy in Any Weather. https://www.wired.com/story/best-merino-wool-clothes/
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