So winter is coming, and you are thinking of buying hiking boots to get you going through the cold season. When buying hiking boots, you must check if they fulfill your requirements. People tend to wear hiking boots in summer but Are Hiking Boots Good for Snow?
While seasonal hikers recommend hiking boots in the snow, pro hikers claim that the snow boots are efficient for climbing snowy mountains or simply running errands around the city.
There is no doubt that you can wear hiking boots during snow, and they prove to be very helpful and comfortable if they are waterproof, but in the terrains or regions where there is too much snow or snow patches, snow boots seem to do a much better job.
So, when and where to wear hiking boots in the snow? Logically, buying hiking boots depends on the weather, environment, terrain, and type of hiking boots. For instance, if there is no heavy snow in your area, hiking boots will work best for you. Since ice is just frozen water, some regions get slippery due to ice formation. In slippery terrains, snow boots provide more traction, are waterproof, and are preferred by many.
But with the passing time, hiking boots have evolved, and we have a tremendous variety of hiking boots specially designed for the snowy weather. These boots are better than the snow boots and lightweight on the feet while being heavy-duty on the terrain.
Are Hiking Boots Good for Snow?
We have curated components to look for in a hiking boot when going for a snow hike. Are hiking boots good for snow?. Winter hiking boots will accommodate the whole terrain’s conditions. Let’s take a look below:
Components To Check In A Snow Hiking Boot
Stability
Mountain hiking boots and other hiking boots are specially designed to be firm, durable, and sturdier. It is done so that these boots provide versatility on slippery icy terrains. Having a firm grip and stiff ankle support is an important part of a hiking boot. The hiking boots are made with sticky rubber soles and provide extra stability to the ankles.
While wearing the snow hiking boots, you’ll feel like wearing the snow boots but an advanced version of them. We will like to include here that we have observed that new versions of hiking boots even provide more ankle support and are flexible.
Another key factor that adds to the advantage of the hiking boots is that the high ankle support makes for protecting the feet from getting wet. Because the longer the ankle support, the more difficult it would be for the snow to get in the boots. Your socks would not get wet, and you’ll ultimately be saved from feeling gross or experiencing painful pressure in the feet.
Water-Resistance
The lower temperatures in winter cause chilling winds. In these chilling winds, if your feet get wet, it can be hazardous to your health, and also it will make your hiking experience worse.
In other words, getting your feet wet in hiking boots can cause frostbites and allergies. Your hiking boots must be waterproof to avoid such encounters and unpleasant experiences. Many hiking boots tend to control water from coming in and making the socks wet.
Before buying, keep in mind that being “water-repellent” and “water-resistant” are two different terminologies, and they should not be mixed. The life span of the water repellent material will be smaller than the water-resistant one. The water-resistant material would lock the water from coming inside the boot. However, it also means that the boot will be less breathable.
Warmth
The human ability to bear cold depends upon his/her age, gender and weight. While hiking, it also depends upon the type of hiking boots, warm pair of socks, and cloth layering.
Hiking boots are made with different insulating temperatures, so you can easily choose those that suit your needs. If you’re hiking on a sunny day, you’ll need a boot with less insulating material because it will keep the feet cool and dry out all the sweat during a sunny hike.
While the same is true for hiking on a cold day. You’ll need to have a pair of boots with high insulating material to keep your feet warm during chilling winds. Winter boots are estimated to have 200g of insulating material inside them.
Breathability
It is one of the best features of a hiking boot. Hiking boots being breathable means that your feet gradually get dry after being sweaty on the trail. It is vital because if your feet don’t get dry, you’ll get serious allergies. Also, if the boots are less breathable, they bring warmth to the feet, damaging both feet and you.
Best Fit
The last feature but not the least, is that the hiking boot must be the best fit for you. It should not be too tight. You must be able to wiggle your thumb and other fingers of your toe but at the same time cannot lift your foot. Ensure there is some space in your hiking boot because the feet tend to expand during or after the hike.
Also, make sure to grab your favorite comfy pair of socks. We advise you to wear the newly bought hiking boot once or twice before going on a long trail. In this manner, you’ll be able to see if the boot is the right fit for you or if it’s too tight, it may loosen up a little bit.
Snow Hiking Boots Vs. Normal Hiking Boots
You have got the answer to the question: Are hiking boots good for snow?. But here’s another thought where we have helped you in choosing between snow hiking boots and normal hiking boots:
Grip
When hiking in cold terrains, it is natural to look for the boots that provide utmost traction on the trail. No one wants to get slipped on the melting or mildly ice.
Almost all hiking boots provide ample traction to the feet so that you can wear hiking boots in winter without any serious concerns or problems. As there are many options to pick from, make sure to buy the pair that suits your requirements.
Snow hiking boots are specially designed to cater to the needs of hikers when going on a snowy trail. So they provide better traction than the normal hiking boots.
Weight
No hiking boots can provide you with an experience where the weight of boots feels like a weight of a feather. The weight of the hiking boots is also another aspect to look at.
In terms of weight, snow hiking boots are heavier than normal hiking boots. It is because the hiking boots are also designed so that you can also wear them while running on smooth trails.
We would give points to the normal hiking boots as they are lighter in weight and smoother on the trails than the snow hiking boots.
Moisture Absorbent
Getting your feet wet on the trail is the worst experience that anyone could have. Almost all the hiking boots are equipped with materials and soles that don’t allow water to enter the boots. However, snow boots provide more water resistance and are loved by many people. So, the snow boots take for the win here.
Conclusion
Are hiking boots good for snow? Yes, they are. Hiking boots are good for hiking on cold terrains, but we advise wearing snow hiking boots rather than the normal ones in heavy snow. Because they will provide more traction and are waterproof, however, they might seem heavier than the normal boots. Snow hiking boots or normal hiking boots, choosing to wear any one of them is yours to take. Happy hiking!