The Xero Blog

If you love the feeling of being barefoot and free in warm weather, you may be dreading the thought of wearing bulky, stiff winter boots. But going barefoot, or wearing lightweight barefoot shoes and sandals, isn't always realistic once the temperatures drop (at least not if you want to keep your toes happy). The good news: you don't have to choose between staying comfortable and letting your feet move. Barefoot boots give you a foot-shaped fit, a flexible sole and room for your toes to spread, plus the coverage you need for cold, wet and snowy days. Here's how to choose the right pair. Can You Wear Barefoot Shoes in Winter?  Yes, but in cold, wet or snowy weather, barefoot boots are usually the better choice. They give your feet the same room to move as barefoot shoes, with more coverage from the elements. Traditional winter boots are bulky, stiff and heavy, designed to add as much materials, cushioning and protection from the elements. The downside is that your feet get stuck in these more rigid molds and don’t have the ability to bend and flex.  While barefoot shoes give your feet the benefits of natural movement, they may not have the protection for colder weather. And shoes, unlike boots, hit below the ankle, so in areas with snow, it’s easy for ice or snow to permeate the inside of your shoes. That's where barefoot boots come in: a higher shaft, weather-ready materials and the same foot-shaped design. If you live in the Southern United States where winters are mild, temps rarely dip below freezing and you don’t get snow, leather or suede shoes may be all you need for the change in season. What Are Barefoot Boots? Barefoot and cold weather may seem contradictory. But there are barefoot boots out there, designed around the natural shape of your foot. They share three key features: A wide, foot-shaped toe box so your toes can spread out instead of being squeezed together. A thin, flexible sole that bends with your foot and lets you feel the ground beneath you. A zero-drop platform, meaning your heel and forefoot sit at the same height, flat from heel to toe, just like standing barefoot. One of the best features of barefoot winter boots is that they are often lighter than traditional winter boots because there is no arch support or added cushioning.  Start With Where You’ll Wear Them Before picking a pair of barefoot boots, think about your climate, where you'll wear your boots most and what you'll be doing in them. Everyday Cold If you're mostly heading to and from the car, the office or the grocery store, heavy insulation usually isn't necessary. Style and versatility tend to matter more, so leather, faux leather or suede boots are good options Wet and Cold Days When you’re in the elements, waterproofing is key. Look for a pair of waterproof boots that have an internal membrane that will keep your feet dry and warm.  Winter Hikes and Snowshoeing If you’re hitting the trails in winter, ensuring your feet stay warm for the entire hike is key. Look for boots with grippy traction. In deeper snow or for snowshoeing, pick boots with a lining for added warmth. You can learn more about how to pick hiking boots here. Leather, Suede or Performance: Which Material Is Right for You? The upper material is the most visible and exposed to the elements. It shows how your boots look, how they handle weather and how much care they need. Leather boots are a great choice when style is priority. Minimal leather boots look polished enough for the office or a night out, and a thin, flexible leather upper keeps them lightweight. The most premium type of leather is full-grain leather, which retains the highest strength and remains untouched. Xero’s leather boots including Ridgeway Chelsea, Denver II and Breckenridge features responsibly-sourced leather from Leather Working Group. Suede has a softer, more casual look and often feels flexible from the first wear. However, suede is more sensitive to water, salt and stains, so it's best for dry, cold days or with a protective spray. Performance materials like nylon and polyester are built for active days. For cold weather, skip open, breathable mesh, which lets in cold air and moisture, and look for tightly woven or coated synthetics instead, or mesh backed by a waterproof membrane. These materials tend to be lighter than leather or suede, dry faster and are easier to care for. If you're hiking in your boots, look for abrasion-resistant uppers or ripstop webbing, a weave reinforced with a grid of thicker threads that keeps small tears from spreading. These add durability where boots take the most wear and are made to handle scuffs from rocks and roots.  How to care for your leather boots: Wipe dirt off with a damp cloth. Use mild soap and water sparingly. Wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth (don’t soak). Stuff inside with paper towels (or paper bags). Let air dry. Apply leather conditioner with a microfiber cloth once dry. Conditioning helps restore natural oils and keeps leather supple and strong. How to care for suede boots: Let dirt dry completely first. Use a suede brush to lift dirt. Use a suede eraser for small stains. For tougher spots, lightly dab with white vinegar. Brush again after drying to restore texture. If you’re wearing boots for cold weather hiking, you’ll also want to look for abrasion resistant uppers, where materials are more durable to handle scuffs from rocks and roots. Lined vs. Insulated Boots: How to Stay Warm Without Bulk A lining adds comfort and some warmth, while insulation adds a dedicated layer that holds in heat. Which you need depends on how cold it gets and how long you'll be outside. Lined boots have a soft layer inside the upper, such as wool, fleece, calf skin leather or faux shearling. Xero uses faux shearling in the Ridgeway Chelsea Lined for added warmth, whereas the original Ridgeway Chelsea has a calf skin leather lining. Linings feel cozy, add a bit of warmth and make boots comfortable to wear with lighter socks. They're a good fit for cold commutes and everyday wear. Insulated boots add a layer of synthetic insulation to trap heat, and are often a good pick for snow. Xero's Alpine, for example, has 200g of insulation and an added polyester fleece lining, which you need on a snowy day. More insulation means more material between your foot and the ground. One of the benefits of barefoot boots is the flexible sole, even with added lining and insulation. For barefoot boots, the goal is enough warmth for your conditions without so much bulk that the boot stops bending with your foot. If you run cold or spend hours outside, go warmer. If you're mostly in and out of the car, a light lining may be plenty. Do You Need Waterproof Boots in Winter? Waterproof boots feature an internal membrane that acts as a barrier to prevent water from reaching the foot. When it comes to winter weather, a waterproof boot is a good pick for snow, cold and wet conditions, or for those who are prone to colder feet. Xero Shoes uses a patented XeroTex® waterproofing, featuring a seam-sealed inner bootie and waterproof membrane. For certain lace-up boots like Xero’s Scrambler Trail Mid and Ridgeway, the gusseted tongue is the waterline barrier. This attaches the tongue to the upper of the boot so water can’t sneak in. Keep in mind if snow or water hits above that point, water can seep into your boots.  A waterproof membrane traps more heat and breathes less, so those who are prone to colder feet appreciate the added warmth. If your feet tend to stay warm or sweat easily, you may want to prioritize a more breathable non-waterproof option. You'll also see boots labeled water-resistant or water-repellent. These don't have a membrane. Instead, their materials or treatments help shed light rain and snow. They breathe better, but they won't keep your feet dry in a deep puddle or wet snow. Does Sole Thickness Change How Cold Your Feet Feel? A thinner sole means less material between your foot and the ground, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your feet will be cold. If you wear a boot with quality upper materials and a warm lining, a thinner sole isn’t a dealbreaker.  Most of Xero’s boots have a slightly taller stack height than our shoes, but are still much more minimal than traditional boots. For example, an average stack height can be anywhere from 30-45mm, whereas Xero’s boots cap out around 14mm (Ridgeway). Warmer insoles: Wool and sheepskin insoles add warmth. Heat-reflective insoles: These use a reflective layer that bounces radiant heat back toward your foot while adding a barrier against cold ground. The Alpine comes with one, and Xero also offers heat-reflective replacement insoles.  Protective midsole layers: Xero's hiking boots like Scrambler Trail Mid and Ridgeway include a TrailFoam™ layer that adds protection from rocks and roots and still keeps the sole flexible. Warm socks: Wool socks add warmth and help manage moisture. Because barefoot boots have a roomy toe box, you can wear thicker socks without squeezing your toes. And keep moving. You'll feel warmer walking than standing in place, whatever boots you're wearing. What Kind of Traction Do You Need for Snow and Ice? For snow, look for deep, widely spaced lugs that grip packed snow and shed it as you walk. For ice, pair your boots with a traction device like microspikes, since a rubber outsole alone can only do so much. What to look for in an outsole: Lug depth and spacing: Deeper lugs grip snow and mud, and wider spacing helps keep them from clogging. Tread that matches your terrain: Low-profile soles work well on cleared sidewalks. Trails and packed snow call for more aggressive tread, like the Michelin® outsole on the Scrambler Mid II WP. If you've ever tried to walk on ice, you know it's a challenge in any footwear. Microspikes or slip-on traction cleats have small metal spikes that dig into the ice. They slip over your boots when you need them and come off when you don't. A bonus with barefoot boots: the thin, flexible sole lets you feel the surface underfoot as it changes. How Should Winter Boots Fit? Barefoot boots should feel secure through the heel and midfoot, with enough room for your toes to spread and wiggle. Your foot shouldn't slide around, and you shouldn't feel rubbing, pressure points or hot spots. Sizing is personal, so the best guide is how your feet feel: comfortable, secure and able to move naturally. Toe Room: If you’ve ever shopped for footwear in-person, you may have been told to use your thumb to measure extra length in the toes. That added space is necessary for traditional footwear with narrow toe boxes because you’re adding room to keep your toes from getting squeezed. With Xero Shoes’ foot-shaped toe box, you may not need as much extra space in front Socks: Some people wear thicker socks in cold weather, so consider sizing up half a size if that’s the case. Lacing: Rubbing or pressure points can mean your boots are too tight in spots. For lace-up boots, loosen the laces, then retighten from the bottom up, adjusting each section as you go. Xero's boots also have an internal huarache-inspired lockdown that helps secure the heel and midfoot. If you’re unsure your US vs EU vs UK size, you can reference Xero’s sizing guidance.  How to Make Barefoot Boots Warmer Anya Jensen, the barefoot shoe queen, of Anya’s Reviews recommends a few ways to make your barefoot shoes and boots feel warmer in winter.  Apply waterproofing spray, wax or oil to shoes for more protection.  Swap the shoe’s standard insoles with a warmer option designed with felted wool, sheepskin or faux fur.  She also recommends wearing thicker socks, and sizing up half a size for boots you’ll wear in the colder months.  Read her full tips about winterproofing barefoot shoes.  Why barefoot boots can actually be warmer When you wear barefoot boots, your feet are able to bend and flex naturally. This movement helps keep blood flow moving to the feet. Think about when your hands are cold. What do you do? You shake them or swing your arms to increase circulation.  With every step your foot can move through a wider range of movement, keeping the stabilizer muscles more activated. The wider toe box also gives your toes ample room for a little wiggle if they start to feel cold. You’re often able to wear thicker socks with that extra room too.  Which Winter Boot Fits Your Routine? Your winter routine What matters most What to look for Boots to try Cold days: commutes, errands and quick trips to the car Style and easy on/off Leather or suede upper; insulation optional Ridgeway Chelsea, Breckenridge, Denver II Wet days: rain, slush and puddle-filled commutes Staying dry Waterproof upper with an internal membrane Ridgeway for a polished look; Scrambler Trail Mid WP for outdoor work Snowy trails: cold hikes and light snow Traction and dry feet Waterproof construction and a lugged outsole Scrambler Mid II WP, Deep snow: snowshoeing and long days out Warmth and a secure fit Warm lining and full lacing Alpine Winter Boot FAQs Are barefoot boots warm enough for cold weather? Yes, for most cold-weather routines. How warm they feel depends on the lining or insulation, your socks and how active you are. For colder days in snow, choose an insulated boot like the Alpine and pair it with wool socks. Are waterproof boots warmer than non-waterproof boots? Waterproof boots feature a waterproof membrane designed to keep water out. That means it traps more heat and breathes less, so they will feel warmer than non-waterproof boots. What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant boots? A waterproof membrane keeps your feet driest with full protection from water. A water-resistant upper will repel light rain or wetness and breath better but not protect if your foot is submerged in water or snow. Should I size up in winter boots for thicker socks? If you regularly wear thicker socks, sizing up half to a full size will give your feet and toes more room. Xero’s boots are foot-shaped and designed with men’s and women’s specific lasts (the mold of the foot), so the heel and midfoot should feel secure. Your foot should not slide around the boot when you size up.   Won't my feet be cold with such a thin sole? A thin sole puts less material between you and the ground, but you can add warmth without losing flexibility. Try a wool, sheepskin or heat-reflective insole, wear warm socks and keep moving.  How do heat-reflective insoles work? The heat-reflective insole can be found in Xero’s Alpine boots. This removable insole features a reflective layer that bounces radiant heat back toward your foot and adds a barrier from cold ground.  How cold can you actually wear them?  Xero’s boots don’t have specific temperature ratings. A good rule of thumb: if your feet and toes start to feel cold or numb, it’s too cold. Are barefoot boots slippery on ice? Ice is slippery in any footwear. Lugged outsoles help on packed snow, but for icy sidewalks and trails, add microspikes or slip-on traction cleats over your boots. How do you keep leather boots looking clean? Wipe off any dirt with a damp cloth, using soap and water sparingly. Apply a leather conditioner with a microfiber towel and let air dry.