Travelling in winter – whether with carry-on or a massive backpack – can be quite tricky to pack for. Who wants to freeze when they have a couple of days packed with action and highlights ahead of them? Of course a warm winter coat and matching hat and gloves can do a lot to save the day even if you buy them spontaneously, but the point at which everything is lost, is when your feet get cold. Once your toes have turned into little icicles in your cool, but crappy leather lace ups, it could take hours by the fireplace of a cafe or pub until you can actually feel them again. And that’s if you are lucky. Worst case, you will need to head back to your hotel/hostel/AirBnB to take a hot shower, or hit the high streets for a new pair of winter boots – and we all know how well shopping works when you only need to find this one thing (you won’t find it)…
So in order to avoid any of this trouble, I suggest you pack appropriate foot-wear for your winter travels. What is appropriate clearly depends on your destination and the activities you planned to do. Here are some of my favourite shoes for winter travel, to keep your feet warm and your toes happy.
Faux Fur-lined Boots
They are admittedly a matter of taste, and most people you talk to about fur-lined boots have a strong opinion about then – it’s either love or hate. I, for this matter, love them, because there are simply no shoes that keep my toes warmer. They are comfy, warm and soft. They work with skinny jeans or leggins as well as dresses and thick tights.
The only disadvantages of fur-lined boots really are that they are not super dressy (just bring other shoes for clubbing) and, because they are usually made from suede leather, they are not suitable for wet weather. Too bad, I live in a country with a great potential for rainy winters and slushy snow… Still, lambskin boots are on my packing list for any winter city trip!
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1. Fur-lined biker boots, Roxy / 2. ‘Eskimo’ Boots, Mou / 3. Fur-lined boots, River Island / 4. The Classic Ugg, UGG Australia
Snow boots
In Austria, where I’m from, snow boots are generally associated with old-school pop singers who wear them in their music videos, singing cheesy love songs into the camera as if they were meant for the ageing lady in front of the telly… not cool. I think, Moonboots are particularly bad – where fur boots add the right amount of clunkiness to an outfit, the dimensions of these kind of snow boots are too much to bear for me. Luckily, practicality is in fashion these days, and many labels have launched their own takes on snow boots. They range from sporty to elegant and can go with almost any outfit.
They keep your feet warm and are usually also waterproof (at least to an extent). They are perfect for long winter walks, slushy city walkways or outdoor activities as most of them are lace-ups.
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1. Black Snow Boots, Adidas / 2. Fur-lined Snow Boots, Zalando / 3. Navy Lace-Ups, Tamaris / 4. Midnight blue Lace-Ups, Tommy Hilfiger
Lace-Up Ankle Boots
I love ankle boots, especially in winter when it is crucial to keep your ankles warm, and salt and gravel from the streets out of your shoes. When it’s slippery or icy out, proper soles with a good grip are your go-to choice.
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1. Timberland Boots, Nordstrom / 2. Red Leather Boots, Asos / 3. Doc Martens, Urban Outfitters / 4. Vagabond Boots, Urban Outfitters
Platform Shoes
‘Your winter shoes need to have a proper sole.’ Every winter again, my mum would say this to me and the message stuck with me. If you want to avoid the cold and wet getting to your feet from below, you need shoes that have a thick sole. Think about creating an actual physical distance between you and the snow/puddle/slush.
The answer of fashion: Platform Shoes!
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1. Waterproof Platform Rainboots, Hunter / 2. Fur-lined ankle boots, Cheap Monday / 3. Platform Zip Ankle Boots, Asos / 4. Knee-high Platform Boots, Tamaris
Waterproof Shoes
Waterproof shoes are more than standard wellies, which are usually neither warm nor particularly comfortable… If you go for wellies, make sure to pack plenty of extra pairs of socks and use a warm insole for additional insulation.
It might be better though, to go for regular winter boots, which happen to be waterproof.
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1. Waterproof Ugg Boots, UGG Australia / 2. Cool Wellies, Colours of California / 3. Waterproof Ankle Boots, Sorel / 4. Waterproof Chelsea Boots, Free People
Knee-high Boots
With all that talk about keeping your feet warm, I almost forget to mention your calves… knee-high boots will do the job!
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1. Black Slouch Boots, Asos / 2. Leather Tall Boots with zipper, Free People / 3. Vagabond Boots, Urban Outfitters / 4. Caprice Boots, Zalando
When you travel in winter, nothing can go wrong as long as your feet stay warm and cozy. Here are a few extra tips:
- always carry an extra pair of socks with you (fresh socks are always warmer)
- invest in a decent pair of hand warmers
(pop them into your shoes when you take a break in a coffee shop)
- make sure your shoes are not too tight – the air between your feet and the shoes acts as insulation
- drench your leather shoes in water repellent spray
Do you have any more tips on how the perfect travel footwear in winter?
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links.
I'm preparing for a winter trip to Iceland, and have invested in a couple pairs of boots that will be useful in my cold and rainy home of Seattle, WA as well as stylish while on vacation. My husband an I do a LOT of walking and exploring on vacations for photography, so I needed some boots that would keep me warm and dry, and probably "snow" proof (not suede!) so I ended up with the Sorel Joan of Arctic II (in black) definitely not super stylinsh, but very functional, and cute in the snow type activities we have planed. I also got the North Face Bridgeton ankle boots. A low wedge with a rubber sole in waterproof leather for the Reykjavik adventures. For me, having a good idea of my plans helps in deciding what footwear will work best.
These all look really nice and cozy!
www.littleblackshell.com
Great post. I am so bad at choosing appropriate footwear, especially in winter! I really appreciate the detailed suggestions :)
wwww.adventurousappetite.com
The last time I really travelled in winter I had a hair of military boots lined with fur, warm and waterproof. They were perfect for navigating Germany in February!
Love your choices of boots, now the only question is which kind to buy?!
The last time I really travelled in winter I had a pair of military boots lined with fur, they were warm and waterproof, and perfect for navigating Germany in February!
Love your choices of boots, now the only question is which kind to buy?!
I'm just starting to weigh my options for a good winter travel boot/shoe, so this post could not have come at a better time! Great tips and suggestions! I will definitely keep them in mind when I start shopping. Thanks!
Keeping your feet warm are an absolute must! It can turn a great adventure into pure misery real quick when you feel like your toes are going to fall off. I am all for some faux fur lined boots, they are incredibly warm. It's time for me to start stocking my closet with some new winter footwear. This post came just in the nick of time!
I have a great pair of knee high boots from Keen that are flannel lined and super warm. I also always, always, always, pair them with wool socks. Even if your feet tend to sweat and your socks get wet, the wool will keep your feet warm. Sure, they are a bit pricier than cotton socks, but they last a long time and are far superior in many ways. My favorite brand is Smartwool, and I always ask for more pairs for Christmas!