If you’re planning on a winter vacation, besides a good winter jacket, the most important winter item to bring is a good pair of winter boots or two. Ladies, you know we all need variations of footwear to match our outfits! I like going for brands that provide a certain element of weather protection and are still stylish enough to go well with any winter outfit. And this kind of footwear for winter travel comes in extremely handy if cold weather is not something you’re used to. You’ll want to keep your feet warm and dry with good winter footwear so that you can go about doing your winter activities and enjoy your winter travels in comfort. For more winter travel tips, here are Winter Vacation Packing Tips To Stay Warm.
Through trial and error over the years, as well as getting to like certain brands and styles, I will share the ones I have taken a preference for and those that have worked really well for me during my winters in Canada. These are some of the best footwear for winter travel and winter in general that I’ve tried so far. And if you are traveling somewhere cold and wet for your vacation, it’s a good idea to be prepared.
What I Look For In The Best Footwear For Winter Travel
With a perfect combination of the elements below, I can start looking for the best footwear for winter travel (or winter in general) to ensure I’m protected throughout all the harsh weather and elements.
1 – Waterproofness
Being born and raised in Canada, my younger years involved times when my shoes or boots were not waterproof and I’d get home with soaking wet shoes and socks after a heavy rain or snowstorm. And let me tell you those were never fun during the winter with the frigid temperatures. So ever since my university days when I discovered waterproof footwear a little late, I decided to get as much waterproof footwear as possible, especially for winter times. The best thing to have during the winter are dry feet!
2 – Temperature Rating
Footwear comes in many different temperature ratings. I personally like to get footwear for winter travel that will keep me warm to a minimum of -10 to -25° C. I’m the kind of person who gets cold easily and it makes such a difference with footwear that protects my feet from feeling any kind of cold when I’m out and about. When purchasing a new pair of winter shoes, if I’m shopping online, I like to filter out the temperature rating and make sure I get one that can go into the negatives.
3 – Style
Even though winter footwear is for functional use, it doesn’t mean it can’t look good either! To be honest, style is actually one of the biggest factors for me when choosing a new pair to purchase and that’s why I veer towards certain brands and avoid others. Then I look into all the other elements that matter for winter use. As girls, we like to be able to choose the right footwear that matches our outfits – and that applies during the winter too. They make such stylish and cute winter footwear that it’s possible to really start building a big boot collection. Also, we like options so it’s good to have a few backup styles to choose from.
4 – Grip
When looking at winter footwear, I also want to make sure that the soles have a good grip in case of icy or wet conditions so that I can get some traction when I walk. Non-slip rubber soles with large treads are great for this purpose. Some shoes even come with ice grips which you can flip over on the bottom of your shoes so that there are little spikes to help you have a better grip. Alternatively, if you are planning to visit somewhere that’s super icy or even go on a winter hike, purchasing ice cleats to add to your winter boots will provide you with even further grip and helps prevent falls.
The Best Footwear Brands For Winter Travel
Taking into consideration that there are different extremities to the cold weather of your destination, it would be good to have a few different pairs of shoes or boots, especially for winter. Below are a few of my favorite footwear brands and styles for winter travel that may help you get started on what you’d like to purchase for your own trips or general use for the winter times. Also, sharing them in the order of stylish to functionality depending on the type of winter travels you’ll be taking!
1 – Artica
This brand of everyday weather-ready essentials is exclusive to Brown’s and B2 shoe stores in Canada and is inspired by Canadian winters and features a range of waterproof footwear and temperature ratings (Warm, Warmer, Warmest) that are perfect for cold winters and winter travel. There are plenty of styles that you can choose from as well.
I personally like Artica for its stylish winter footwear options. The type of boots that I go for with this brand is for the times when I am able to dress up a little more during the wintertime, but still have enough waterproofness, a certain temperature rating, as well as a good grip.
Currently, I have the Artica Yarmouth, which is great for mild to colder temperatures and has a temperature rating for Warmer weather and the Shediac, which is great for those dressier occasions and even goes well with a dress since they’re above-the-knee boots. They’re also perfect for transitioning to wetter seasons and is ideal for mild winter temperatures and have a temperature rating for Warm weather.
2 – Cougar
With over 70 years in the shoes and boots business, Cougar footwear is designed in Canada and they meld functionality with fashion. Cougar uses special tanning and waterproofing techniques with advanced cushioning technology to ensure all of their shoes are comfortable and long-lasting which makes them some of the best footwear for winter travel. I’ve purchased several pairs of Cougars over the years and have especially liked their suede boots. They have also kept my feet warm and dry which I really appreciate and although they are still stylish, I feel that they are designed more for function so I don’t have to worry about them as much if I step into a lot of snow. They also have a temperature rating between -10°C to -30°C.
Both of the winter footwear choices I also currently own have a temperature rating of -24°C and have anti-slip Thermoplastic rubber outsoles. The Vanetta Suede Waterproof Winter Boot is actually my favorite pair of winter boots that I’ve had so far, solely based on the style and how cute they look. Maybe this might change in the future if I find something better, but I’m obsessed with the color, faux fur, and overall style and comfort. For these winter boots, I am also more careful as they are a lighter color and can get dirty much easier than all my other black boots. The other pair I’ve had for a few years now is the Vito Suede Ankle Boot. These ankle boots come in both suede and leather but I prefer the suede ones. They are stylish and go with many different outfits and I also don’t need to be too careful with them as they hold up very well in the winter season.
3 – Blondo
Another great stylish brand that offers some of the best footwear for winter travel is Blondo. They specialize in high-quality waterproof leather and other materials with seam-sealed construction and are authenticated by the AquaProtect® seal which certifies their superior protection against water infiltration and the harmful effects of salt.
Blondo footwear is high-quality and durable and they use natural and synthetic rubber material in the design of their outsole to provide lightness, flexibility, comfort, and traction that matches the look and function of the boot. They are easy to maintain and clean with just a damp cloth as well which makes maintenance during the winter so much easier. Their insole is also removable and anti-bacterial which provides extra comfort and additional cold protection as well as are effective against foot odors. They also have a gel pad at the heel to add extra cushion and have anti-slip outsoles to prevent slipping on wet surfaces.
I had a pair of over-the-knee boots which I loved but because I kept them in my closet all year round when not in use and I think the heat and cold may have ruined the leather and it had started to peel. I currently have a pair of short booties with a bit of a heel and they are great for the dressier occasions but perfect for winter because I can also keep my feet dry. Unfortunately, these styles are also not sold anymore but there are many choices available for other similar and beautiful selections!
4 – Ugg
Probably the most popular pair of winter boots on this list is the Ugg brand. But I would only purchase waterproof boots from this brand and not the Classic ones since the shape gets distorted easily, doesn’t hold up well, and it’s not waterproof. Ugg waterproof winter boots go to -32° C degrees and you’re sure to keep your feet warm and dry with these options! I recommend the Adirondack III Tall or Short and the Yose Fluff – Tall or Short. They are waterproof designed to protect against heavy weather conditioning and treated with water-repellent coatings, has a sheepskin lining, and made with DryTech which forms a waterproof barrier for enhanced protection from the winter elements. Their outsoles also have enhanced traction for icy conditions.
I have the style Pierce, but Ugg no longer sells them and when I need to replace them, I’m definitely going for one of the above that I mentioned – I’ve actually had my eye on the Adirondack for years. They sort of look like the Classic but are noticeably sturdier and sleeker and have a half zipper on the inner side of the boot and a metal Ugg logo on the back, which symbolizes that it’s waterproof. They are very comfy and waterproof and have also held up very well through my many traipses through the snow.
5 – Baffin
For more intense winters and if you’re planning to embark on a lot of winter activities, Baffin is a great brand and is some of the best footwear for winter and winter travel that I’ve owned. They’ve been around since 1979 and manufacture their products in Stoney Creek, Canada and their core focus and expertise is being technically advanced and providing high-quality footwear. They also have boots for a wider variety of activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, power sports, and more.
Although more focused on function, they do have several boots available that are more stylish for the wintertime too. But with this brand, I purchased them specifically to ensure that they are high enough to withstand harsh winters and a lot of snow as well as the capacity to keep me extra warm. They even have a removable comfort-fit multi-layer inner boot system to ensure that. Their Polar Rubber® outsole also provides maximum grip and longevity for the boots.
Now I’m not sure of the specific temperature rating they have for their boots (but it will usually say on the box), but mine have extra insulation inside and a lot of cushioning to keep my feet and legs warm and protected from the cold and wet winter elements. The style I have is called Judy and they go to -40° C and they reach up to just a few inches below my knees (the closest style I can find for what they currently sell is Chloe). I don’t have to pull these out too often so they’re still in perfect condition, but I’m glad to know that I have literally all the best footwear for winter travel that works for every occasion I need and keep me warm and dry.
Now that you’ll be well-prepared for your winter vacations, here are some Winter Destination Inspirations.