Is It Good For Winter?

It’s often said that Toronto has two seasons: winter and construction. And while construction still rages on, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your cool weather footwear before you actually need it, to take advantage of the best availability.

When you're deciding on what footwear you'll choose to make the most out of this winter, it helps to know what your needs are. We've broken down some considerations to help you figure out what would work for you.

Cold Weather Boot Comparison Chart

With a rating of 1 being “minimum requirements met” and 5 being “goes above and beyond.” These ratings are based on staff opinion and are somewhat relative.

Considerations

There can be some trade-offs when considering what will work for you. The list of considerations below should help you find your personal priorities.

Warmth

We carry four models that are designed to help keep you cozy and warm, from Xero and Vivo Barefoot. The Xero models are the Mika, Denver, and Alpine; they are all insulated, but they do not have a specific temperature rating. They also come with a thermal insole. The new Vivo Scott III is a men’s boot that is not insulated but comes with a thermal insole for just a little extra warmth.

Water-Resistance and Waterproof Models

For casual use in snow or dry days, water-resistance is often sufficient. When it comes to slush, puddles, and rain, or just spending long periods of time outside in winter, waterproof is crucial! Keep in mind that you need to maintain the waterproofing and water-resistance about once a month in winter with a fabric spray or with leather maintenance.

Boot Height + Gusseted Tongue Options

Obviously taller boots will have a better chance of keeping you warm and dry if you get a lot of snow where you live, but check if the model you're looking at has a gusseted tongue to keep rain and snow from getting through the nooks and crannies. Some customers with very high insteps prefer a non-gusseted tongue to make it easier to get in and out of the boot.

Breathability

This is going to be a tradeoff with waterproofing: the more waterproof the boots are, the less breathable they are, at least with the models we’ve found for winter so far. Water resistant fabric boots tend to have a good balance between both.

Shape and Fit

Since we're looking at minimal shoes where the goal is alignment and mobility, most of our customers are prioritizing the fit. In terms of overall trends, Xero tends to have a rectangular fit with an overall width, while Lems and Vivo are similarly wide in the forefoot but taper back towards a sleeker fit around the heel. Leguano tends to suit naturally narrower feet best.

Body Temperature

Do you run hot or cold? Do you need extra warmth, or would just waterproof be enough? For those who run really hot and need maximum breathability, the fall-suitable fabric boot models may suit you best straight through to spring.

Sole Priorities: Traction Specialist or Movement Maximalist

Grippy lugged treads tend to be more stiff due to the added material, so there's a spectrum here between having a lugged or deep tread on one side and a sole that feels as barefoot as possible on the other hand.

Winter Running...

We haven’t found a minimal waterproof running shoe yet (if you have, please let us know). Usually our outdoor winter runners look at the Prio or the Terraflex as their uppers materials are thick, so there is no direct contact with the cool air (no thin mesh in the uppers). The Terraflex also features a lugged sole. Some of our customers like the Denver for winter outdoor running, too, as it has great flexibility and ground feel.

Do you need extra room?

Are you going to be wearing big fuzzy socks? If so, you'll want to size up or find a model like the Alpine that is extra roomy. Take a look at our sizing guide under Shop Online and don’t miss the Sizing and Fitting notes in most of our product page descriptions.

Is this your first pair of minimal/barefoot footwear?

We recommend a model with a taller stack height when you’re starting out, as that will be more forgiving during your transition. Later on as you become stronger and more skilled with barefoot-style movement, you may want to try something with a lower stack height for more movement, flexibility, and ground feel.

What does Fall/Winter weather look like where you live?

Are you expecting snow or rain? How cold will it get? How tall will the snow be? We’re working on sourcing minimal versions of all sorts of footwear but if you can’t find what you need let us know and we’ll share any resources we’ve found so far.

Do you change shoes when you get to work?

If you wear different indoor and outdoor shoes in Fall/Winter, consider what you want to invest in. What will you be spending more time in? What will you be moving more in? This will help you allocate your budget where it matters-- invest in the shoes you’ll spend the most time in.

Sometimes answers lead to more questions! If you're having trouble deciding, let us know and we'll help you out. The best way to reach us is email at service.cooleast@gmail.com We hope you enjoy the coming cool weather and all of the fun activities it has to offer!