MD Podiatrist Recommends Hiking Shoes for Winter

Winter walking shoes usually borrow elements from hiking boots and standard walking shoes, explains Dan Michaels, DPM. A deep tread is helpful for grip, along with water resistance or waterproofing to keep out ice, sleet, and snow. Making the switch to a hiking shoe isn’t a bad idea for winter.

Skip over shoes with an airy mesh upper—they’ll only let in cold and damp weather. Instead, you want to look for walking shoes that have water resistance or waterproofing, per Lockwood. These can still feel breathable. You just don’t want them to be too breathable. Michaels  recommends looking for a firm, deep toebox to protect the front of your feet from hard, frozen objects. “A lot of times we see injuries because the toe box isn’t stiff enough,” he says.