Winter hiking shoes

How to choose the right winter hiking shoes to enjoy your outings in all weathers and all year round?

Winter should not make you lose the desire to hike! On the contrary, the beauty of the landscape at this time of year is often unrivalled. However, it is important to choose footwear that is suitable for winter conditions, so that you can hike safely and stay warm and dry, and enjoy your mountain outings despite the cold, rain, mud and sometimes snow.

High boots no matter what

High shoes are the sine qua non of any winter outing. They are the only shoes that are suitable for the coldest temperatures and that can protect your feet from the humidity outside. Most of them are equipped with cramponed, non-slip soles for optimal grip in snow or ice. They are also the most waterproof of the three main types of hiking boots (low, medium and high) and the most robust. There are also shoes specially designed for the winter season that are warmer and generally higher than the usual hiking boots. 

How to choose your winter hiking boots?

Before buying shoes for winter hiking, it is essential to take the time to check several details carefully, in order to be sure of being able to go out in the best possible comfort. 

Check the waterproofing: the first thing to check when choosing winter hiking boots is their waterproofing. There is nothing worse than hiking with wet feet, especially in cold weather. In autumn and winter in the mountains, rain and snow arrive early, so you'll soon be walking on wet, damp ground. Choose leather shoes with a waterproof lining and reinforcements on the sides, front (important stone guard) and back. The higher your shoes are, the more waterproof they will be in case of rain or snow. You should also know that there are gaiters that you can put on over your shoes, which are also very effective, especially in the rain. 

Check that the sole has sufficient grip: the sole must protect you from the cold, this is a first important point. Secondly, it must also provide good grip on snow and ice! On ice or hard snow, you can easily slip. You should definitely choose soles with pronounced studs and avoid soles that are too rigid, the softer they are the better they will grip the ground. You can also use trekking poles to increase your balance and stability and reduce the risk of falling or slipping.

Choose breathable shoes and soles: as already mentioned, there is nothing worse than hiking with wet feet. And we tend to sweat in the middle of our effort. To prevent your feet from soaking in sweat, choose warm but breathable socks and shoes that wick away moisture well. This will also reduce the risk of blisters. There is also no point in buying shoes that are too warm if you are not hiking in extreme conditions. Even if it's cold, you will warm up when you are active. If you choose shoes that are too warm, you will sweat more, which is not really pleasant either.