When it comes to walking on ice and in snow, your regular shoes simply won’t make the cut. They have thin, soft outsoles that don’t do much to grip wet, slippery surfaces, and therefore are unsuitable for icy and snowy environments.
What you need are shoes or boots with rubber soles that feature treads that grip icy surfaces, offer better traction, and provide better body balance.
The pair you choose should have a reasonable amount of insulation to protect your feet from cold, freezing condition. And they must be waterproof because you don’t want to get our feet swampy, especially when snow grows a couple of inches high.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best boots and shoes for walking on ice and snow. So whether you’re interested in fashionable footwear or comfort and protect are the two things you care about, you just might fall in love with the following recommendations.
Best Shoes for Walking on Ice and Snow
1. Columbia Women’s Ice Maiden II Snow Boot
Extremely cold weather is far much worse than the normal rainy days. But when you bundle up well for the season, you can worry less about dangling like a leaf and enjoy the outdoors instead.
The Columbia Ice Maiden Snow Boots are the right deal to wear because regular shoes can’t stand up to frequent walks on ice and snow.
Featuring 200 grams of insulation, these snow boots can keep your feet warm even in the worst weather.
One problem with insulation lining is the tendency to add extra weight to shoes. But Columbia has optimized the weight by making the midsole lightweight, so you get an excellent walking performance with a higher energy return.
Columbia doesn’t disappoint when it comes to grip, traction, and stability of these boots.
The midsole of these snow boots features a Techlite cushioning technology that delivers a superior level of comfort regardless of how long you have to be on your feet.
With the Omni Grip rubber sole, the grip is excellent, keeping you stable in icy pavements and slippery snow so you don’t have to worry about wobbling. And don’t worry when the snow starts to melt, because the waterproof membrane bars water from soaking in.
The lace up closure is something common in boots with shafts raised a little high above the ankle. And in this case, it’s a great addition for that personalized, snug fit.
Refined to run true to size, you don’t have to size up or down at all. Get the actual size, break them in under a week and they get comfortable thereafter.
2. Mishansha Non-Slip Ankle Boots
To some of us, Mishansha is a name we’ve only read in fashion stores and never for once thought about trying their footwear.
But if you’re looking for ice resistant shoes that offer exceptional traction and stability, their non-slip ankle boots are worth the consideration, and for a number of good reasons.
First, for under $50, you aren’t going to find ankle boots this cheap. Second, the Mishansha non-slip ankle boots are among the few made of artificial leather, and the still look as stylish as those made of leather extracted from animals.
Mishansha includes anti-collision toecap made of TPR material. So when you’re not using these to walk on ice, they might as well double as your pair of work boots.
The cushioned EVA midsole, combined with a thick fur lining, ensure warmth and long lasting comfort. The anti-slip rubber outsole is good for keeping you on your feet and giving you the traction you need to maintain your balance and walk stably.
And if cheap doesn’t even sound good enough, the dozens of color options lets you pick an option to personalize your look, while kicking away the cold and enjoying time outdoors, provided the depth of the ice or snow isn’t too thick.
3. Merrell Men’s Coldpack Ice+ Moc Waterproof Snow Boots
Two things matter a lot in a pair of shoes when it comes to walking on ice and snow: insulation and traction. But Merrell gives you more than that with its Men’s Coldpack Ice+ Moc Snow Boots.
Looking close to what you can easily assume for dress shoes, these snow boots are versatile in function, ideal for casual walks and work.
Good for use when the snow isn’t too dip, the lugs on the outsoles grip ice and stay put, keeping you on your feet so you don’t have to worry about wobbling like a penguin. Thanks to the solid traction, stable and safe movement on ice is a guarantee.
Since these shoes have a decent arch support, you’ll find them useful if you have flat feet.
The waterproof design keeps feet dry, and the insulation retains warmth by creating a barrier between the cold outside and your feet.
The performance of Men’s Coldpack Ice+ Moc Snow Boots isn’t on the roof. And that’s something to expect from a brand that’s still trying to give perfection its best shot.
While Merrell claims that these run true to size, some people have had to size up or down to get a better fit. And the sole unit isn’t 100% anti-slip, although the chances of slipping and falling on ice are very rare.
4. Dream Pair Mid-Calf Winter Snow Boots
Dream Pair Mid-Calf Snow Boots are stylish in design. In my eyes, the color blends make each pair vibrant enough to turn head in the streets. But it’s not the appearance that makes these one to stand out. The magic is in the performance.
These snow boots are waterproof to prevent melted snow an ice from soaking in. So your feet stay cool and dry as you wade your way through.
They also feature 200 grams of insulation, which offer enough warmth to protect your feet from frostbite with every step you take. So if you live in an area where temperature goes as low as -25F, these are the snow boots to consider.
And as you walk, even in snow that’s too deep for low cut shoes like the Ice+ Moc from Merrell, the gripping will keep you on your feet from your origin to your destination.
Add to this the plush fur lining, which also helps to keep your feet warm and cushioned and what you get is a true pair of ice walking shoes to wear to your outdoor activities.
Speaking of the lace up design, the eyelets are metallic and they seem to stay in place longer no matter how hard you pull the laces for that snug fit.
The main problem with this model is the sizing. Dream Pair doesn’t offer them in half sizes, and the actual size may not fit everyone. So you might have to order a size up and combine with thick socks for a better fit.
5. Dansko Women’s Paisley Waterproof Outdoor Sneakers
There are three things that make Dansko Women Paisley Outdoor Sneakers the best shoes for walking on icy pavements in relatively mild winters.
- They run true to size
- They require no break in period and
- They provide enough warmth to keep your feet in good condition
The limitation is that since they have a low cut in design, they won’t hold up where snow or ice is too deep.
These outdoor sneakers are made of leather upper, with a waterproof lining that keep melted snow from soaking up into the footbed.
Dansko Women Paisley Outdoor Sneakers have a fiber interior that keeps your feet warm in the cold weather and enhance constant airflow to keep your feet from sweating from a lot of walking.
And who wouldn’t appreciate the CleansportNXT technology? It manages moisture and controls odor, so you don’t have to worry about smelly feet when you take these shoes off.
Every foot strike absorbs pressure from the ground beneath and can as easily cause fatigue. Dansko gets around this by adding a triple-density footbed, which absorbs shock and lowers the amount of stress getting to your sole.
Moreover, the mid sole gives some good arch support, so your walk feels a lot more natural. The rubber outsole has thick lugs, which grip ice and provide better traction and stability when walking.
6. UGG Men’s Butte Snow Boots
Designed for men who’re too busy to stop, the UGG Butte Snow Boots are among the best walking shoes that stand up to tough use and last long.
And with an insulation just enough for the cold season, they could make your work shoes for fixing roofs, walking to work, and clearing ice from the driveway.
In terms of design, UGG uses a combination of cow suede, synthetic, and leather to give Butte Snow Boots a durable construction.
The seam sealed waterproof membrane bars melted snow from soaking in the shoes. The plush synthetic padding on the inside comforts your feet.
This edition features a faux fur lining, which not only adds to the premium look but also retains warmth that heats up your feet so you don’t have to worry about sub-zero temperature when going about your daily business.
The sole earns a five-star rating for its thick and deep lug patterns that deliver superior grip on icy pavements. You do get better traction and stability with every step you take.
Overall, these boots look and feel solid. The performance is quite up to the expected standards.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the pair is that it costs a little more than you would spend on similar boots. But if you can spend a bit more on durable shoes for walking on ice and snow, go with these.
How to Choose the Best Shoes for Walking on Ice and Snow
With winter around the corner, it pays to get ready to brave the cold season. And that’s so especially if you live in an extremely arctic environment.
When it comes to walking shoes, a pair of fashion sneakers or good-looking loafers and canvas simply won’t make the cut.
What you need are shoes designed to help you walk on ice and in snow without worrying about slipping or falling.
As such, here are the features to look for in shoes for walking on ice:
Pick Walking Shoes that Provide Excellent Traction
When you think about cold snow and melting ice, the last thing you want is to slip and fall – or dangle like a weak leaf – when going about your daily activities.
That’s why it makes sense to pick walking shoes that can keep you stable as you walk no matter how thick ice or snow is.
Pick shoes or boots with rubber soles and thick grooves that easily grips snow to give you the stability and traction necessary to keep your balance with every step you take. Aggressive lugs are better and large treads can make a big difference.
With a solid grip, it becomes easy to walk on slippery icy surfaces without worrying about falls.
Are the Shoes Comfortable Enough?
The boots or shoes you pick should be comfortable enough to allow you to be on your feet all day.
Whether you want to hike in the cold weather or you have dozens of outdoor activities to complete before winter dies down, pick shoes that guarantee comfort.
In particular, pick shoes with cushioned footbed and high quality inserts.
Not only will these provide support, they will also improve shock absorption and make walking for an extended period without worrying about foot pain possible.
Pick Walking Shoes with Decent Insulation
Insulation is perhaps the most important factor to consider when it comes to picking boots or shoes for waking on icy and snowy environment.
Why?
Because it keeps your feet in just the right temperature, so you can walk without worrying about your feet getting cold.
Shoes and boots that feature materials such as fleece or Thinsulate lining are the go-to options.
As the waterproof membrane bars melting snow or cold ice from soaking in and wetting your feet, the insulation lining ensures heat doesn’t escape from the shoes, hence a good level of warmth.
Manufacturer measure insulation in grams, with 200g being the least we’ve seen so far. Y This can go up to 2,000 grams. So you should choose a level of comfort that best suits your condition.
Keep in mind that the more the insulation, the heavier the shoes are likely to be. So you should be ready to compromise a little here because safety is more of a priority than style.
Are the Walking Shoes Waterproof?
The presence of snow and ice means snowy and wet conditions. And when these elements start to melt a little, you’ll have a wet environment to wade through.
If anything, the shoes or boots you choose should be either waterproof or water-resistant.
Look for shoes or boots that feature PVC, neoprene, or Gore-Tex lining.
These ensure a proper barrier between your feet and the moisture that would otherwise soak in to the footbed and make your feet we.