It has been so cold lately and I wouldn’t have survived the winter if I didn’t have the perfect pair of winter boots. Winter temperatures call for the perfect pair of winter boots to keep your feet warm, but also safe from slipping on ice. There is nothing worse in the cold months of winter than having wet and cold feet. Read below my 7 tips on how to choose the perfect boots for winter and what to look for.
1 | Don’t Focus Too Much on Winter Boot Trends
There is no doubt we all want to look stylish during those brutal months of winter, but when looking for winter boots you want to look for a pair that is both practical and fashionable. Looks are important, but the warmth of your feet should be a priority. Don’t feel overwhelmed though because there are great choices of winter boots that are both stylish and functional.
2 | Decide What Height You Want Your Boots To Be
There are different heights of boots you can choose from, knee-high boots are very popular for winter, but I also love shorter, mid-calf style boots especially if you live in an urban setting and walking outside is limited. Depending on your lifestyle and what you will be using your boots for, you should get the appropriate height. Bonus tip, it is not recommended to have a boot that is higher than a 2 inches block heel in height because it can be pretty dangerous when walking outside in snow.
3| Don’t Forget About The Socks
I highly recommend trying on your winter boots with socks. I personally like to have the option to wear my winter boots with socks instead of just going bare feet. There is a misconception you should get a larger size of winter boots so that you can wear socks, but I suggest you try on your regular boot size first with socks and then decide if you should go up or down a size depending on your level of comfort. I usually get my regular size and then wear socks as well. Wool socks are also great if you decide to go a size up.
4| Are Your Boots Waterproof?
When purchasing your winter boots don’t forget to look for a pair that is waterproof. Most winter boots are made with waterproof material but some are not, so ensure you check. Both Kam’s and my boots are waterproof, and your next pair of winter boots should be too. Leather is great because it is waterproof, but you can always use an all-purpose protector to protect your boots from water if they are not. 
Kamiran’s Boots | My boots | Handbag | Jeans | Teddy Coat
5| Traction of the Boot Sole
Have you ever stepped foot outside during a snowy day and are worried whether or not you gonna make it out alive? That’s because your winter boots don’t have the right traction. When deciding what type of traction is best for you, it’s first important to consider what types of activities you’re going to be doing while wearing your winter boots. Most winter boots are made with solid rubber outsoles with varying lug depths. The Dani Suede Winter Sneaker I am wearing and Kam’s Sherlock Leather Winter Boot both have an anti-slip Rubber outsole so it makes it safe for us to walk in winter conditions without worrying about our next step. Outsoles have amazing traction on a mix of surfaces and Kam’s winter boots even have a mudguard welt.
6| The Warmth of The Boots
There are four temperature ratings for winter boots; -10°C, -20°C, -30°C, -40°C. The temperature rating is a guideline, so take into consideration your lifestyle and what works best for your everyday routine. It is better to choose a pair of winter boots with more warmth than you want than risking your feet being cold. If you are looking for winter boots for milder temperatures that range between zero to slightly below 0, you should choose a pair with a temperature rating between 0 to -25. My Cougar winter boots are temperature rated -24°C/-11°F which is the perfect temperature for me. Kam’s Sherlock Leather Winter Boots are temperature rated -30°C/-22°F. If you live in colder weather regions and are prone to face harsh snow storms, or love going on winter outdoor adventurous like Kam does, then you want to choose something in the -40 range. These boots also tend to be a bit heavier because they are heavily insulated, but you are guaranteed warmth!
7| Winter Boot Insulation and Breathability
To get the perfect pair of winter boots, you should also think about the insulation and breathability of the boots. There are lots of different types of insulations like pac boots (generally removable liners), shearling lining (often found is most fashion winter boots like mine) or thermal materials such as Thinsulate. Kam’s boots have a plaid fleece lining that will keep his feet super warm. The type of insulation you need depends on the type of activity you will be using your winter boots for the most. Breathability is also important when buying your perfect pair of winter boots. For those who have feet that are prone to sweating like mine, you need winter boots with adequate breathability to keep your feet comfortable. My feet sweat a lot and when that wetness has nowhere to escape to, my feet are left ice cold.
Hope these tips will help you find your perfect pair of winter boots to keep your feet warm from this snowy weather!
What is your perfect pair of winter boots?
Photography: Laura Clarke
Thank you to Cougar Boots for partnering with me on this post. All opinions are my own.
