What to wear on your feet in winter

Cold is a problem. And the sweat that builds up inside your boots is an even bigger one. Wet feet soon turn into frozen feet, and after hours in the snow you can even lose feeling in your toes. So some boots are simply better in winter than others – they're insulated, don't slip on ice and hold snowshoes well.

Sole Insulation Upper Size

A sole that won't stiffen

Frost changes the rules of the game completely. A sole that grips like glue in summer hardens in the cold in winter, and its great grip is gone. Think of summer and winter tyres on a car. That's why winter boots have special winter soles with a softer compound that won't stiffen even in hard frost.

And winter soles often have extra features that work like sandpaper on slippery, icy surfaces. Raised edges on the sole, in turn, give you more confidence in fresh and slushy snow.

Sticking to ice

Is there a sole that won't slip on ice? Vibram® came up with the Arctic Grip compound, which looks like ordinary rubber, but feels rough to the touch, a bit like pumice. It's this grainy texture that gives the sole its high grip, above all on wet ice. And thanks to the distinctive blue patches, you can tell which parts of the sole use the Arctic Grip compound.

Asolo Nuuk GV

Close-up of feet in Asolo boots in the snow

Close-up of Asolo boot soles in the snow

The truth about soles

Grip or durability? These two properties pull in somewhat opposite directions. That's why there are loads of different compounds and loads of different tread patterns, and with every sole it's about striking the right balance for the job.

What you're walking on

Insulation all round

Feet are the part of the body that cools down fastest – in the cold, your blood vessels narrow and your body tries above all to keep your brain and vital organs warm. So your limbs come second. And women, with a slower metabolism than men, often struggle with cold feet even more.

So waterproofing is the basis. Breathability is essential. And insulation is a must – especially if you're not moving all that intensively. One reliable protection against the cold is, for example, the GORE-TEX Insulated Comfort membrane with a built-in layer of breathable insulation.

Insulation can also be boosted by, say, an aluminium layer in the midsole, which holds in the heat your feet produce and stops it vanishing into the snow.

A quarter of a litre in your socks

Your feet give off around 50 ml of sweat an hour. So over a five-hour winter hike, a quarter of a litre of water builds up in your boots – that's roughly a can of Coca-Cola. That's why proper socks are essential, too. Ideally ones that combine merino wool (which stays warm even when damp) with synthetic fibres (which wick moisture away fast). A looser cuff then won't restrict your circulation.

Bridgedale Explorer HW MC

An upper that holds and lasts

Proper winter boots have to be high. Stands to reason. Who wants boots full of snow? A high cut also gives more ankle support on slippery trails and protects your ankle when your foot suddenly sinks between boulders hidden under the snow. And of course snowshoes hold better on high boots, too.

All that snow around you, sharp ice crystals and finally the snowshoe straps – it all puts boots through their paces. That's why the upper is made of tough leather, sometimes combined with lighter synthetics such as polyamide or high-tenacity nylon.

putting on Asolo Arctic GV boots by the car

Surviving snowshoes

You can strap snowshoes onto any high boots. But winter boots, precisely because of snowshoes, have a firm upper so the tightened straps don't press on your feet. They also have a stiffer midsole, so the snowshoes hold better. And they come with a rubber rand or other reinforcements so the tight straps (or other hazards of the terrain) don't wreck the upper.

Asolo Arctic GV

A wet upper chills

A waterproof membrane is only one piece of the puzzle. It's also important to proof your boots regularly so the upper doesn't soak up moisture from outside. A wet upper loses its breathability and chills your feet.

How to care for your boots

Bigger boots get the blood flowing

In winter, boots that are too tight are a problem. They restrict blood circulation, so your feet get cold faster. It's therefore a good idea to buy winter boots half to a full size bigger. Check out the guide on how to measure your feet properly.

Manufacturers do think about leaving enough room in winter boots and use wider lasts. Just make sure the boots aren't too roomy. Then your foot wouldn't sit properly inside, which means a less stable stride and perhaps a poorer connection with your snowshoes.

No frostbite and no alcohol

Cold toes can quickly turn into numb toes, and from there frostbite isn't far off. "Pumping" warm blood into your feet is helped by brisker movement – a few short sprints or even just jumping on the spot.

And the best prevention is plenty of fluids. On a winter hike, it's simply good to drink often – ideally warm tea, perhaps with ginger or coriander (both help stoke your inner stove). Just watch out for alcohol – when you're shivering with cold and can't feel your toes, "a nip of rum to warm you up" doesn't work. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels, so body heat actually escapes.

What else to wear on your feet in winter

Winter mountains – even the small Czech mountains – are much harsher than summer ones. Fog comes down, the tracks vanish in the wind, freezing rain coats your body and the trail under your feet, and in the end you spend more time out there than you planned. None of that should leave you in a tight spot, though.

Microspikes

As soon as you step onto terrain completely covered in ice with a drop with fatal consequences opening up below you, don't rely on the Vibram Arctic Grip sole alone, however good its grip. Put on your microspikes.

Waterproof socks

After hours and hours outside or on a multi-day trek, you may still end up with wet boots. And that's exactly when you pull on waterproof socks, which keep your feet dry despite your wet boots.

Bridgedale Storm Sock

Gaiters

If you're going to wade through deep snow, you simply need gaiters. Without them your boots will fill with snow. Gaiters also protect your boots and trousers from damage by the sharp points of crampons or microspikes.

Rab gaiters

Packed for winter

The mountains always have a surprise in store. But they mustn't catch you off guard. And the very best thing is to head off problems before they start. Find out what to pack for climbing, ski touring or a winter hike on foot or on snowshoes.

What to pack for winter

Boots from a family of shoemakers

In Nervesa della Battaglia in northern Italy, the fourth generation of the Zanatta family focuses on what it does best – making boots for life outdoors. Pick yours.