Mens Winter Shoes – Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry Without Boots

By Pauline Rausch

It’s getting to be that time of year when I bring out the cold weather clothing, but this year my husband asked me to find him some new mens winter shoes.

He typically wears winter boots when we go outdoors, but he says that he finds the boots to be too bulky and cumbersome. He wants shoes that will keep his feet warm, but not feel like he’s wearing blocks on his feet.

So the search is on for mens winter shoes!

Mens Winter Shoes are Available for Today’s Active Lifestyles

I did some internet searching and found that mens winter shoes are much different from a few years ago.

Today’s active men require winter shoes that are comfortable and easy to wear all day. They must be simple to put on and able to bear up under a number of conditions including cold and wet weather.

Traction is important since winter weather conditions can include snow and ice as well as slush. Waterproof or water-resistant shoes are essential since once your feet get wet, that can make you very uncomfortable!

I found that mens winter shoes today are widely available in a number of styles, from simple slip-ons to lace-ups. They are low-profile, although I did find one pair of Sorel “Bota Bag” winter shoes that reached ankle-high. The Bota Bag shoes did have very good reviews, including several men who said that these shoes were very easy to put on despite being an ankle boot.

Features of mens winter shoes include good sole traction and insulation, typically Thinsulate. Many are fleece-lined. A number of the shoes I found stated they were rated to -5 degrees, and sometimes even colder.

Several mens winter shoes advertised the ability to remove the shoe footbed, in case it gets wet from perspiration. (This allows the footbed to dry well, preventing odor.) Many shoe styles are also waterproof, with some advising water-resistant, which is a good idea for wet winter conditions.

Some Mens Winter Shoes Favorites

When shopping for my husband, I found several shoes with excellent reviews. Many men stated they liked the Sorel Bota Bag winter shoe, mentioned earlier, as well as the Sorel Fairbanks, Baffin Crossroad (lace-up shoe), and Columbia Bugatrail (also lace-up shoe).

Bear in mind that these mens winter shoes are not workout shoes. They are designed to wear in cold weather and wet conditions, providing water-resistancy against snow and ice. Winter workout or training shoes are something completely different.

Prices for these mens winter shoes range from $60 to about $85. Do a little shopping online to find the best prices. It’s also a good idea to find a local store and try them on personally, since some shoes tend to run a little larger than you may be used to.

For example, Sorel mens winter shoes seem to run larger than my usual size. If you order online and you usually wear a size 9, you may want to try going one-half size or full size smaller and get the 8 or 8 ½. Reviews for Columbia stated that the shoe sizes were pretty true, so if you wear a size 9, you can safely order a size 9.

Our Final Selection

We choose the Sorel Fairbanks mens winter shoes, and my husband couldn’t be happier. We found it online for $59, and we did order one size smaller than my husband usually wears, which was a good thing.

He loves the shoes since he can put them on without even paying attention, they slip-on that easily. My husband does say that he thinks the shoes may actually be a bit warm for early fall, but come winter they are perfect. He can go outside and do farm chores and his feet stay warm, even when dealing with snow and slush.

My advice? Do a little research and read the reviews, so that you can find your perfect mens winter shoes.

By Olivia Stanford

Searching for mens winter boots?

It can be a little intimidating since there is so much competition among manufacturers.

You’ll want to consider the purpose for your boots. For example, are you looking for winter boots that keep snow out? Do you need boots that will protect your feet against brutal weather, where temperatures can plunge to -30, -40 degrees, or even lower?

Are you looking for boots that have excellent tread for snow travel, or do you need boots that are stylish for sitting around the fire at the ski lodge?

Whether you’re interested in mens winter boots for hunting, snowmobiling or just for around town during the cold months, you can find a wide variety of winter footwear to choose from these days.

Most men tend to select winter boots for function (you know, do they keep snow out, do they keep your feet warm, that kind of thing). For the wife or girlfriend who wants to find a nice compromise between both function and style, consider Sorel, Timberland, North Face, Columbia and L.L. Bean.

The best way to get a good idea of the boots currently available is to start your search online. Take a look at pictures, reviews, prices, availability. Narrow your search down to three or four choices, then check for local stores where you can try them on. Many men like their boots to have a little room in the toe and heel, since they will most likely be wearing wool or other heavy winter socks.

After all, if you’re a man, fit is most likely your determining factor – if your winter boots don’t fit, you probably won’t wear them!

Once you have your choice made, you might consider looking at Amazon or eBay. Check, too for the large sporting good stores like Cabela’s. Mens winter boots styles and features change, and these retailers will often close out the current or most recent years’ models in order to make room for the newest versions.

When you can find reduced prices at these retailing giants, this certainly helps the bottom line!

By Zoe Whitfield

When I first moved to Lake Tahoe, my friends took me to the store to buy a pair of Sorel Caribou winter boots.

I thought they looked clunky and unwieldy. And they weren’t cheap – $89! (And this was 20 years ago!)

It didn’t take long, though, and I was a believer.

Those Sorel boots are still with me, and I will never let them go.

These leather and rubber boots are awesome, they keep the snow and wet out, and my feet warm and toasty inside. These boots have a warm wool liner that keeps the warm in and the cold out. The liner “wicks” moisture away from your foot to keep you warm and dry (I don’t know about you, but when my feet get cold AND wet, that makes for a miserable outing!)

A nice feature of these winter boots is that the liner can be removed, so if and when it does get wet, you can remove it to air dry. Also, since wear on the liner is inevitable, every few years you can replace the liners for about $10 – $15.

I’ve kept my original Sorel Caribou boots in great shape just by replacing the liners every few years. They feel great, the only wear (besides replacing the liner) I can see is that a little of the tread has worn away. But after 20 years, who can blame it?!?

These boots are famous for keeping your feet warm and snug in temperatures as low as -40 degrees (yes, that’s 40 degrees BELOW zero!), and I can attest that they do, in fact, keep your feet warm at those temperatures.

After living at Lake Tahoe for some years, my husband and I moved to northern Minnesota. The snow in Minnesota is not as prolific as it is at Lake Tahoe – 4 feet a year as opposed to 30 feet per year – but the temperatures in northern Minnesota easily, and frequently, get to -40 degrees. My Sorel Caribou boots kept my feet warm and happy!

If you hunt, like to ice fish, or just simply need some footwear that will keep your feet warm and comfortable in cold and unpleasant weather, you won’t go wrong with the Sorel Caribou. They are available for both men and women, and there’s even a Caribou for little kids.

By Olivia Gehl

Choosing the right winter socks is essential to keeping your toes toasty and warm during the frosty season. Whether you’re using them for skiing, shoveling snow, ice skating, snowmobiling or just waving away the winter doldrums with a cup of hot cocoa, there are socks for you. Here are some things to look for.

Skiing and Snowboarding – Try to find socks that are sleek and fit closely to your foot. Fabrics that wick away sweat will prevent your feet from freezing or steaming from sweat. If possible, take your ski boot with you when looking for socks so you can find a thickness that fits just snugly, not too loose and not too tight. Cutting off circulation with too-tight socks will cause your feet to become very cold very quickly. Look for socks made of synthetic materials designed for humidity control.

Shoveling snow – Nice warm wool or acetate socks inside your favorite snow boots should keep your feet dry and warm while you push all that snow out of your driveway. If the snow is slushy or wet and heavy, try a water-resistant sock that will prevent wet feet.

Ice Skating – Depending on your skates, you will need specific thicknesses of socks to keep your feet warm and safe. For figure skates, because they fit so closely to the foot, thin standard socks are advised. Make sure they come up to just past the boot of the skate, but not much higher to encourage circulation. Hockey skates demand heavy weaves and durable stitching to keep feet secure in large skate bodies. There are many brands of socks developed specifically for hockey skates. Look for humidity and vapor control to prevent sweat from making your feet too hot or too cold.

Indoor socks – When the weather gets cold and you just want to curl up with some nice warm socks, a blanket and a good book, there are many choices for a great fit and feel. Cotton socks come in a range of thicknesses and patterns; consider hang-drying them to prevent them from shrinking or warping. Wool socks run the gamut between soft and itchy, so be sure to choose carefully. Acrylic, polyester and other synthetic socks have many textures, from fuzzy to sleek and come in many colors and knits. Finally, my favorite, grandmother-knitted socks. They come in colors only a grandchild could love and warm both your toes and your heart.

Exotic socks – There are some very high-tech socks on the market for niche crowds. Battery-powered heated socks, socks that change color in the presence of heat and vibrating massage socks have cropped up in stores everywhere, looking for some feet to call their home. The only caveat I have is to watch out for the laundering instructions and make sure that when it says ‘hand-wash only’, you’re willing to hand wash them.

Undoubtedly, there is a plethora of socks to choose from. When in doubt, try them on and see what feels right to you. Whether they’re heavy or light, wool or silk, the most important aspect of your sock choice is going to be comfort.

Kids Sorel Boots

By Rick Zimmerman

When our little ones go outside to romp in the snow, we bundle them up with parkas and scarves, mittens and thermal underwear.

Don’t forget to protect their feet!

Kids Sorel boots are an excellent way to keep your little girl or boy warm and toasty while they build their snowman or snow fort.

Sorel boots are made of nylon, with rubber soles to provide good traction in bad weather conditions.  They are equipped with a removable felt liner, so even if it gets wet, the liner can be removed and allowed to dry for another day’s adventures.

Try the Sorel Cub Boot, a nylon slip-on boot with drawstring top keeping snow outside the boot, but keeping feet warm and dry inside.  Did I forget to mention these are waterproof?

The Yoot Pac Boot is also a good choice.  These boots are particularly good for toddlers because they are so easy to put on!  (Ever try to get shoes on a toddler?!?)  They have a “Sherpa”-type cuff at the top of the boot to keep snow out, and the boot laces up on the front for secure fit.  These kids Sorel boots also have the same felt liner Sorel is known for, allowing them to be removed for cleaning or drying.

Take a look at the Sorel Toddler/Little Kid Flurry Boot.  This one is nylon with the standard felt liner, but has a convenient hook-and-loop strap for snug fit and drawstring closure at top.  Many parents say these boots are also easy to put on a toddler.

An added benefit for all of these kids Sorel boots is they are rated to keep feet warm and dry even when the outside temperature is -25 to -40 degrees!  Kids can play and play even in the wettest and coldest conditions and still come in the house with warm, dry feet.

Kids Sorel boots come in a variety of sizes, from the littlest toddler to even big kids, as well as adults sizes and styles.

Women’s Winter Boots

By Rick Zimmerman

For years I hated shopping for women’s winter boots.

It didn’t matter if the boots were tall or short, they never kept my feet warm.  Snow would get inside the boots and melt, and my feet would get cold and wet.  Imagine walking around with wet, frozen toes.  Your feet never warm up and they start to hurt.  It gets painful to walk.  That’s a nasty feeling!

So my quest for women’s winter boots began.  I tried the department stores.  They had cute boots at extravagant prices but when I bought them and took them home, same old cold, wet feet!

I tried the sporting goods stores and found boots that were practical but felt like I was carrying bowling balls on my feet.

Why is it so hard to find footwear that’s good-looking but really keep my feet warm and dry?

Finally I came across Sorel women’s winter boots.  The Snow Lion style works perfect for me, they’re tall with a drawstring at the top, have rubber bottoms and a warm, thick liner that keeps my feet warm and dry.  Heaven!

I’ve tried these women’s snow boots in a variety of settings:  sledding downhill for the afternoon, deer hunting, trudging through snowdrifts feeding horses and cattle.  These Sorel boots are worth the expense!

I remember one time having to track down some cows that got out.  (Hunters firing at deer nearby spooked them and they went right through the fence.)  I had to track them through snow drifts and  snow-laden swamp.  The swamps were covered with two feet of snow, which is enough snow to insulate the ice and keep it from getting hard and strong.  When I’d put my weight on it, down I’d go, into that icy water!  I trudged up and down hills and valleys.  It took me hours to find the cattle, but those women’s snow boots paid for themselves that day.  I finally got the cows home with my feet warm and dry.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Sorel!

These are now the second pair of Sorel women’s winter boots that I’ve owned.  I wore the first pair out!  They were still excellent at keeping my feet warm and dry but I found the tread on the bottom of the boots was wearing away, and in wintertime, you want traction.

I will come back to Sorel for their women’s snow boots time and again, they are worth every penny!

Sorel Winter Boots – The Standard for Winter Footwear

By Rick Zimmerman

Sorel Winter Boots have been the standard for winter-wear in cold western mountain towns for years.

They gained their solid reputation decades ago when warmth, function and durability were the important thing, and not fashion.  Back then Sorel winter boots were not a stylish boot, but did the job and did it well.

If you planned to be out in the weather for any length of time and wanted to keep your feet warm and dry, you had to choose Sorel winter boots!  (I’ve worn these boots in -40 degree weather, through snow and slush, and they can’t be beat for cold weather comfort.)

Now days, Sorel winter boots are not only warm and functional, but stylish too.   Sorel makes boots to fit everyone in the family and in many different colors and styles.

Sorel Winter Boots Keep Your Feet Warm in Frigid Weather

Sorel winter boots are recommended for anyone who wants a warm, foolproof, traditional looking boot to wear around town or to those frigid weather outdoor events, keep in the car for emergencies, for work, or riding snow machines in arctic temperatures.

Some people have a love/hate relationship with their Sorel winter boots.

While they want to get new ones, the old ones just continue to do the job, and are so comfortable that getting a new pair of Sorels is just not necessary!

Sorel Kids Boots

Sorel makes some of the best kids boots there are.

If you want your little one to have warm feet all winter, then you can’t go wrong with Sorel kids boots.  Today when style is more important than anything to kids, Sorel doesn’t come up short.

Sorel winter boots for kids come in almost any conceivable color and style.  One of the great things about Sorel boots, too, is that these boots are of superior  quality — so you can pass the same pair of boots down from one kid to the next.

Granted, the initial expense is more than getting a throw-away pair of boots.  However, Sorel winter boots are made to last — because of their quality materials, you’re able to get much more use out of them (my wife has had hers for 22 years, they go and go), which easily makes up for the initial expense.

Women’s Sorel Boots

Gone are the old days when Sorel winter boots weren’t fun.  Nowadays, women’s Sorel winter boots are very stylish and come in many colors.  The Sorel Snow Angel, SnowLion and Caribou winter boots have always been particular favorites.

Women’s Sorel winter boots today come in dozens of styles and colors, so all that you need to do is decide which one that you like and order them online.

Men’s Sorel Boots

I have worn Sorel winter boots ever since the early eighties, that’s more than 25 years.

I have to admit that when I first arrived in that small mountain town in northern California and saw these ugly boots folks were wearing, I was not impressed.  But as I observed how people spoke with almost reverence about their Sorels, I began to realize that there was more to these Sorel winter boots than meets the eye.

It wasn’t long before I bought a pair of good Sorel men’s boots and saw what all of the talk was about.

I have worn those same boots for over 25 years.  A few years ago I did buy a new pair to wear in public, since that first pair of Sorel’s were showing signs of wear, but I still wear them around for outdoor chores and messier activities (you know, like chopping wood, handling livestock, etc.)

They always brings back fond memories from many years ago.

If you’re looking for one of the best values in quality cold weather boots, I don’t think you can go wrong with Sorel winter boots.