Warm feet in winter: That recommends the community

👉 The key facts from this guide

I once asked a question in the FIAB-Mail (my newsletter).

"Which shoes guarantee you warm AND dry feet in winter?"

To be honest, I expected a few answers. Maybe five or six recommendations.

What came back was a small flood.

Over twenty people replied. With specific models, with experiences from daily stable work, from thousand-kilometer hikes with a dog, from the Alps, and from the mud right outside the front door.

Here you can find the complete survey with all comments (in German) – it’s worth taking a look through them.

And the best part: It wasn't just about brands and models. It was about real practical tricks that I have never read anywhere else before.

Today, I am sharing everything with you.

Why do feet actually get cold?

Before we talk about shoes, a quick look at the physics behind it. Because if you understand why feet get cold, you also understand why some tricks work – and others don't.

Your feet are far away from your heart. The blood that arrives there has traveled a long way. When your body needs to save heat, it first throttles the blood flow in the extremities – hands and feet first.

In addition: Your feet are standing on the ground. And the ground in winter is cold. Very cold. The heat is conducted downwards, which is physically unavoidable.

This means: A good winter shoe must be able to do two things.

1. Insulate – keep the heat in and the cold out
2. Leave room – so that the blood can circulate

And this is exactly where many people make the first mistake.

Before we talk about shoes: The golden rules

What surprised me when reading through the answers: Almost everyone agreed on a few points. Regardless of which shoes they wear.

Rule 1: Buy your winter shoes larger

At least one size, better two. It sounds strange at first, but the explanation is simple: shoes that are too tight squeeze the feet together. Blood circulation is restricted. And then it gets cold – no matter how expensive the shoe was.

Larger shoes also provide space for a wool felt or cork insole and thick socks.

One reader put it this way:

"Shoes that are too tight always lead to cold feet because of restricted circulation."

Rule 2: The onion principle – for feet too

Several people wrote the same thing: A thin sock directly on the foot, with a thick one made of wool or merino wool over it. This often works better than a single mega-thick sock.

Why? The layer of air between the socks provides additional insulation. And merino wool has a special property: it can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. This keeps the feet dry – and dry means warm.

In my article on outdoor clothing I explain the onion principle in more detail.

Rule 3: Movement is your radiator

It sounds trivial, but it's easy to forget. Those who move have warm feet. Those who stand or sit for a long time freeze – no matter what shoe they wear.

Your body produces heat when moving. During a winter hike your heart pumps more blood through the body, including to the feet. As soon as you stand still, this mechanism dials down.

Rule 4: Don't forget the calves

A tip I hadn't heard before: wear leg warmers under your trousers. They keep the calves warm, and warm calves mean better circulation in the feet. Simple but effective. Long ski socks that go over the calves were also recommended.

One female reader wrote:

"For my muscular calves, normal knee-high socks don't fit, so I can wear thinner socks and still have warm legs."

Rule 5: The emergency blanket hack

For everyone who has to stand passively outside for a long time – in a hunting blind, while waiting, or in the stable: Place a piece of emergency foil or aluminum foil under the insole. It reflects the heat back to the foot and blocks the cold from below.

This works because the reflective surface throws back the infrared radiation (i.e., your foot's heat) instead of conducting it into the ground. In my article on emergency blankets you will find even more such applications.

What the community wears

Now let's get specific. I have sorted the recommendations – by shoe type, not by price.

Barefoot shoes and minimal shoes

Yes, you read that right. Several people swear by barefoot shoes even in winter. The trick: choose the right models and adjust the size.

Barefoot shoes have a thin, flexible sole without a heel. That sounds like cold feet at first. But: natural foot movement promotes blood circulation. And many winter models now have insulating inner linings.

Vivobarefoot was mentioned most frequently.

Transparency note: I have a small cooperation with Vivobarefoot. With the code MARTIN15 you get a 15% discount on your purchase. However, I only recommend what I wear myself and find good.

I use two models myself:

• Tracker Forest ESC – my all-rounder for the forest. The Michelin sole grips on any surface, even on wet leaves and roots. The shoe is water-resistant (not waterproof), which is enough for me.

• Tracker Winter III SG – my winter shoe for really cold days. With Thinsulate insulation and a warming inner lining. The SG sole (Soft Ground) is optimized for soft terrain.

One reader provided a detailed temperature breakdown:

Temperature Range	Recommended Model
Down to about -8°C	Tracker II FG or Tracker ESC
-8°C to -20°C	Winter models with neoprene or insulation
Below -20°C	Gateway1 Pro Shooter or similar neoprene boots

Other mentioned barefoot shoes:

• Freet Ibex – warm and comfortable as long as you keep moving. A cheaper alternative to Vivobarefoot.
• Senmotic Blizzard – leather, made in Germany, good ground feel. For everyone who values regional production.
• Hobibear Ash – the insider tip for a small budget. Cheap barefoot shoes from China, but surprisingly good according to the community. One reader wrote: "Feet stay dry and warm in mud and snow. I've never had that with any other shoes before."

Classic hiking boots

The classics. Proven, robust, the standard for many. Good hiking boots are an investment that pays off over years.

Lowa leads the list. The company has been producing in Bavaria since 1923 and has an excellent reputation for fit and durability.

• Renegade Warm GTX – recommended several times. A Gore-Tex membrane makes it waterproof, and the thermal insole is replaceable. Comfort temperature according to the manufacturer is down to -10°C.
• Tibet Evo GTX – the year-round shoe for demanding terrain. Stiffer than the Renegade, providing more support on the mountain.

One female reader wrote:

"I can bathe the shoes in puddles, my feet stay dry."

Meindl Island – mentioned as a proven duo in combination with Falke socks. Like Lowa, Meindl is a traditional Bavarian manufacturer. The Island is a classic trekking boot with good ankle support.

Haix for everyone who needs it robust. Haix originally comes from the professional sector – fire department, police, forestry. The shoes are designed for continuous use.

• Nature One GTX – the outdoor boot from Haix
• High Liability Defender – originally developed for emergency forces
• P9 – a robust all-rounder

One reader summed it up:

"When it comes to shoes that really have to withstand something and work, there's no way around Haix for me."

Here you can find my tips for shoe care – so that your investment lasts a long time.

Wellies and Neoprene Boots

For mud, snow, and daily stable work. Not the most elegant solution, but sometimes the most honest one.

The advantage: 100% waterproof. The disadvantage: Hardly any breathability. Your feet sweat, and sweat eventually gets cold.

Gateway1 was described in great detail by a reader. This is a Scandinavian manufacturer specialized in hunting and outdoor boots.

• Woodwalker 18" – comfort temperature down to -20°C, 4mm neoprene shaft. According to the reader, "still super comfortable after a 20km dog walk."
• Pro Shooter 18" – down to -40°C, 7mm neoprene shaft with side zipper. "Heavy – 12 km were enough for me," the reader wrote honestly.

Muckboots by Strauss – warm, dry, uncomplicated. Originally developed for agriculture.

EVA Boots – for everyone working in the stable and standing for a long time. EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) is a foamed material that insulates well and is lightweight.

The pragmatic approach

Several people wrote: There is no THE one winter shoe. Instead, there are different shoes for different situations.

One reader put it particularly well:

"In my opinion, there isn't just one winter shoe; it all depends on the weather/ground conditions."

That sounds like a lot of effort, but it's actually logical. You don't wear the same jacket for jogging as you do for sitting in a hunting blind. For an overnighter in winter you need different shoes than for a day hike.

Special case: Women and winter shoes

Several female readers wrote that they have less choice when it comes to winter shoes. Or that women's models are often less warm than men's models.

A few solutions from the community:

• Try men's models if foot size allows. This is often possible from size 40/41 (UK 6.5/7) upwards.
• With barefoot shoes, the models are often unisex.
• Heated socks or insoles as a supplement.

The honest truth

A few female readers wrote that they have not yet found a shoe that really keeps the feet warm when they are not moving.

This coincides with my experience.

At a certain point, only the following help:

• Heated socks or insoles (available from approx. €30–50 with battery)
• Really thick insulation (neoprene, lambskin)
• Chemical heat pads in the shoes
• Or simply: get up and start walking

Here you can find my tips on how to stay warm while camping in winter – much of this also applies to the feet.

For everyone who wants to sleep outside in winter: different rules apply there. In the sleeping bag, the shoes are off – and then only what you wear on your feet counts.

Avoiding blisters – even in winter

A topic that wasn't directly addressed in the survey but belongs here: blisters while hiking are also a problem in winter.

Especially when feet sweat (yes, that happens even in the cold) and the socks become damp, friction occurs.

The best prevention:

• Well-broken-in shoes (never go on a long tour with new shoes)
• Two pairs of socks (the friction happens between the socks, not on the skin)
• Keep feet dry (bring spare socks)

My conclusion

What I take away from this survey:

The shoe is important. But the technique around it is just as important.

Adjust the size. Layer socks. Upgrade insoles. Keep calves warm. And above all: stay in motion.

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This is exactly what I love about this community – real knowledge, shared honestly.

If you have a tip yourself that I’ve forgotten: write to me. I’m happy to add it.

At a glance: The recommendations

Category	Recommended Models	Price Range
Barefoot shoes	Vivobarefoot Tracker, Freet Ibex, Senmotic Blizzard	€100-250
Budget Barefoot	Hobibear Ash	approx. €40-60
Classic hiking boots	Lowa Renegade Warm GTX, Meindl Island	€180-280
Robust boots	Haix Nature One GTX, High Liability	€150-250
Neoprene boots	Gateway1 Woodwalker, Muckboots	€100-200
Extreme cold	Gateway1 Pro Shooter	€200-300