12 Winter Shoes for Men: Types & Buying Guide

Everyone loves the freezing festival season, however, not if they cannot feel their feet due to the cold. It is very important to have a collection of good quality winter shoes in every men’s wardrobe that cannot only keep your feet warm and cozy but also allow you the best of comfort in every sense while walking. However, you surely do not want to give away your personality by randomly picking up a pair of shoes that may just offer you great warmth. Below mentioned are some of the most classic, stylish, as well as most suitable pairs of shoes that you can consider for your winter wardrobe.

Different Types of Winter Shoes for Men

1. Derbies
2. Brogues
3. Bluchers
4. Canvas Sneakers
5. Hiking Boots
6. Chukka Boots
7. Suede Loafers
8. Brogue Boots
9. Snow Boots
10. Chelsea Boots
11. Derby Boots
12. Leather Desert Boots

1. Derbies

Derbies are undoubtedly one of the most formal winter shoes that one can pick. They are characterized by a quarter and eyelets, that are open from the top as well as the bottom and sewn over the vamp. Derbies are either made with leather or suede. However, for winters, picking leather would be a better choice. They are quite versatile and can also be carried well in casual settings.

• Recommended for: formal, semi-formal, casual settings
• Best suited with: suits, jeans

2. Brogues

The one and only characteristic that a pair of Brogue shoes define are its decorative perforations, which could be anywhere on the surface of the shoes. Brogues came in being in Scotland, to allow easy passage through swamps. These would surely provide you with a classic vintage winter look. The most common material that you may find in Brogues is certainly leather.

• Recommended for: informal occasions
• Best suited with: chinos, tailored trousers, jeans

3. Bluchers

Bluchers are far-fetched cousins of the classic Derbies. The only difference is that derbies come from France, whereas, Bluchers come from Germany. As opposed to derbies, bluchers only have eyelets sewn over the vamp. The quarter is part of the main structure of the shoes and not added on top. If you wish to find a perfect balance between strictly formal and informal, these would be the perfect winter shoes for you.

• Recommended for: informal, formal occasions, office wear
• Best suited with: suits, trousers, chinos, jeans

4. Canvas Sneakers

Sneakers are surely one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes there could ever be. They have a rubber sole that produces almost no noise while walking, thus the name, Sneakers. These surely cannot work out in formal events. However, they are the best ones to go ahead with for casual outdoor activities. Canvas sneakers are quite snugly and are perfect to be worn during winters.

• Recommended for: outdoor activities, casual occasions
• Best suited with: denim, shorts

5. Hiking Boots

Even if you are not planning to take up a winter hike over the snow-clad mountains, we would still recommend you to get your hands over a pair classy looking hiking boots. These shoes are perfect even for walking around the city or visiting a restaurant. Look in for a pair that can provide you with ample ankle support and a good amount of comfort. You can even look out for cushioned footbeds and leather lining in your hiking boots.

• Recommended for: informal meeting, day-to-day casual use
• Best suited with: denim, corduroy pants

6. Chukka Boots

These are ankle-height leather boots that usually have a rubber sole. Chukka boots got the name due to their resemblance with the shoes worn by polo players. Chukka boots have an open lacing system with only 2-3 eyelets to tighten your shoes. These are perfect to be worn during freezing winters and are quite comfortable.

• Recommended for: semi-formal, casual occasions
• Best suited with: jeans and jacket; chinos and blazers

7. Suede Loafers

Loafers are definitely a must-have in each and every man’s wardrobe. The suede material is perfect to be worn during the winters and goes in perfectly with almost every casual setting. Loafers do not have laces and come in a variety of shapes and designs.

• Recommended for: casual occasions, office casuals
• Best suited with: denim, chinos, blazers

8. Brogue Boots

One of the best pairs of shoes that you can buy to beat the chilly winters is surely the Brogue boots. These shoes are usually water-resistant and also allow you to walk easily over the snow. Moreover, these shoes are quite stylish and ornamental with their punctures all over the surface. Leather is one of the most popular materials used for brogue boots and they have a lacing system in the front to tighten up your boots.

• Recommended for: casual occasions, winter eoutings
• Best suited with: jeans, slim fit pants, blazers, jackets

9. Snow Boots

These shoes are essentially waterproof and can cut easily through inches of snow. These shoes have rubber soles that continue quite high on all the edges to prevent the snow from getting into your shoes. They have quite a sturdy bottom to prevent skidding and also provide you with high warmth. Many snow boots even have an inner lining or either fur or other warm material to prevent your feet from freezing.

• Recommended for: snowy days, trekking, shoveling
• Best suited with: jeans, chinos, tight-fitting trousers

10. Chelsea Boots

These are ankle-high boots and are usually tight-fitting. They do not have any chains or lacing systems. Instead, they are equipped with an elastic side panel along with a loop at the back edge of the boots to accommodate your feet into the boots. They are quite comfortable to be worn during the winters due to their closed structure. They became popular due to their use by a number of popular bands during the 60s and are considered quite stylish even today.

• Recommended for: casual outings, party wear
• Best suited with: denim, suit trousers

11. Derby Boots

Derby boots are an elongated version of the classic formal derby shoes. They are waterproof in nature and are perfect to be worn during extreme winters. Black, brown, and tan are the colors that can be worn for a perfect formal look. However, if you wish to carry something unique, go in for a pair in navy or burgundy.

• Recommended for: formal, semi-formal occasions
• Best suited with: suits, chinos, and blazers

12. Leather Desert Boots

If you really wish to carry a formal look during the winter, yet remain warm and cozy, you can pick a pair of leather desert boots. These boots are ankle-high and usually have 3 pairs of eyelets to tighten up and fit them comfortably over your feet. They are quite versatile and go well with most formal attires.

• Recommended for: formal, semi-formal occasions
• Best suited with: suits, trousers

Things to consider while Buying Right Winter Shoes:

1. Pick a pair that provides you with enough warmth:

Keeping your feet warm is surely one of the most important concerns while buying a pair of winter shoes. If you live in an extremely cold region, ensure that the shoes that you are going to buy will be able to withstand the minimum temperatures in your region. Also, ensure that a pretty good lining material has been used to provide the required warmth. Some of the best lining materials that you can look up to are wool, acrylic, and zylex.

2. They should be comfortable for long hours of wear:

No one really wants to take off their warm shoes throughout the day during winters. Therefore, they actually need to be really comfortable. Ensure that the shoes that you pick have a good quality padding and allow good support to the arch and your feet. Your winter shoes must also be able to promote the right walking posture. Apart from that, ensure that you do not buy a pair of winter shoes or boots that have really complex lacing system as that might also add to your discomfort in freezing winters.

3. They should be effectively breathable:

Many times, in order to make your winter shoes waterproof, various shoemakers may rule out the breathability factor which may lead to odor as well as infections. Therefore, ensure that the lining used for your winter shoes is antimicrobial in nature and also allows enough breathability.

4. The pair that you pick should have a firm grip:

It is very important to wear a pair during the winters that allow you with enough stability even while walking oven snow or a wet surface. Rubber is surely one of the best materials to be used to ensure a great grip. You can also look out for interchangeable outsoles that can provide you with added grip whenever required and increase the durability of your winter shoes as well.

5. Go in for Moisture and Snow Resistance:

Being waterproof should be one of the major concerns for you while buying a pair of winter shoes unless you live in a cold desert. Some of the features that can add to the waterproof feature of your winter shoes are gusseted tongues, gaiters, and cuffs. Also, ensure that the material used for the top of your shoes as well as their inner lining does not retain moisture and allows you a comfortable warm feeling throughout the day.

6. Shoes must also have good Anke Support:

If you really want to pick a pair of ankle-high boots for winter but do not want your ankles to be hurt for days after you wear your boots even for once, make sure to pick a pair with decent ankle padding. Else, you must go in for lacing and a firm structured pair of shoes.

7. Watch out for the Weight:

Making your shoes waterproof, adding extra lining for warmth, and providing good padding is surely going to add on a whole lot of weight to your winter shoes. Moreover, your heaviest summer shoes might be lighter than your lightest pair of winter shoes. However, make sure that you buy a pair that you are comfortable enough in with walking in. Never go in for a pair of winter shoes that may exhaust you from carrying them themselves.

Just follow all the above-mentioned points and we can assure you that you will surely have one of the best pairs of winter shoes in your wardrobe that you will admire for years to come. However, always make sure to have different types of shoes to go in for different occasions. It will also help you mix and match your existing wardrobe and provide you with the best comfort throughout the winter.