Barefoot boots aren’t necessarily known for their warmth as there’s the push and pull between creating a sole that’s thin and flexible and one that insulates from the cold ground. Barefoot shoe brands often consider the warmth factor when designing the soles of their boots, so they’re usually thicker than what you’d find in a casual barefoot sneaker.  

Even with a little thicker sole, freezing weather calls for pulling out all the stops. These tips can help keep your feet as warm as possible when there’s a cold front coming on. 

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Tips to make your barefoot boots warmer 

1 Opt for a wide toe box 

This is a given if you’re picking out a pair of barefoot boots since the wide toe box is a defining feature. But in the struggle to find the warmest boots, some might be tempted to veer back towards a conventional boot with a more tapered toe…but it may actually end up being colder. A tight toe box can restrict adequate blood flow to your feet and especially your toes. 

2 Get a pair of insulated, waterproof barefoot boots 

Investing in a high-quality, insulated barefoot boot can go a long way at keep your feet warm there’s an extra layer built in. Here’s a quick list of some of my favorites, but you can find a complete lists of barefoot boots for winter right here.

• BeLenka Winter of Snowfox Boot: Code KELLY5 for 5% off
• Vivobarefoot Tracker Winter: Code BSG20 for 20% off
• Xero Shoes Alpine 
• Koel Rana Wool Boots: Available directly from Koel, or from PedTerra if you’re in the US. Use code KELLY for 10% off at PedTerra.
• Koel Faro

3 Size up in your boots  

I recommend sizing up at least one size from your typical shoe size so you can insulate with warm socks without restricting blood flow. This doesn’t mean the boots fit too loose, it means they fit just right with the thicker wool socks. While I typically look for about 1.2cm of extra space in my barefoot sneakers, often times it’s closer to about 2cm larger than my foot length for winter boots in order to take the socks into account.  

Even with your thicker socks, you should have some space to wiggle your toes. And as the extra air around your feet warms up, it functions as another layer of insulation between you and the cold outside air.  

4 Add a felted wool or shearling wool insole 

This added warmth goes a long way, especially with barefoot boots that have a thinner sole. Some barefoot brands come with insulated insoles and others sell them separately. If a brand you like doesn’t have an insole, you can purchase a larger size from another brand and cut it down to make it an exact match. 

You can also cut out and customize your own insoles from this felted wool.  

Find a complete list of wool insoles for barefoot shoes here.

5 Wear merino wool socks 

Merino wool is one of the warmest fabrics as it can efficiently hold in heat relative to its thickness. Therefore, a thinner wool sock can be much warmer than a thicker sock made from synthetics. Wool has several other amazing properties; it’s moisture-wicking, breathable, odor-resistant and naturally antimicrobial. 

I look for at least 60% wool (the higher the better here), with a little bit of spandex for stretch and nylon for durability. These are going to be much warmer than a wool blend sock that has a higher percentage of polyester or another synthetic. Here’s a list of my favorite merino wool socks for winter. The socks featured here are from Wide Open, with a roomier toe box and 65% merino wool (they’re a part of the same group that makes Darn Tough Socks). You can also get them at REI.

Whatever you do, do not wear cotton socks! Once your cotton socks get wet, they’re going to stay wet until you take them off and put them in the dryer. If your feet sweat or some snow sneaks into your boots, wool will both work to wick the moisture away and will do a much better job at providing warmth even when wet.  

6 Reapply Waterproofing Cream or Spray 

Cold feet are wet feet! Maintaining the waterproofing of your boots is crucial in keeping your feet warm. Over time, the waterproof coating on boots may wear off. Regularly reapplying a waterproofing cream for leather boots or spray for non-leather/synthetics creates a barrier against moisture, preventing your feet from getting cold due to dampness. 

Learn more about waterproofing your barefoot boots for winter here.

Have any more tips on making your barefoot boots even warmer? Drop them below.

The post How to Make Barefoot Boots Warmer for Winter  appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.

Learn how to properly waterproof barefoot boots for winter so your feet stay dry and your boots last longer.

Barefoot shoes are all about keeping your feet comfortable…and part of that is keeping them warm and dry in the winter. Snow, rain, slush and freezing cold temps can be a challenging time for those of with minimalist footwear as you’re trying to balance flexibility of movement with staying warm. Adding thermal or sheepskin insoles and waterproofing your barefoot boots are two ways to prep for winter to keep your feet warm and dry.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll take you through the steps of waterproofing your barefoot boots and shoes for winter. This includes the products we’ve used to clean, condition and waterproof our boots.

Why Waterproof your Barefoot Boots?

Leather Boots

Many barefoot boots are leather, so we’ll first start with why it’s important to waterproof your leather boots.

Leather is naturally water-repellant, but as skin, it’s a pourous material that needs to be cleaned and conditioned regularly. Waterproofing your barefoot leather boots will keep the leather from drying out and add a protective barrier that prevents rain and snow from penetrating the leather. Proper maintenance of your leather boots will not only keep your feet dry, but significantly extend the lifespan of your leather footwear. Barefoot boots are expensive, so it’s definitely worth the effort to help them last as long as possible.

Many leather boots may come pretreated, but this will likely wear off with time and use. It’s best to apply a waterproofing treatment to your leather boots at least once a season, and more if you’re sloshing through a lot of water regularly.

Fabric or Synthetic boots

Fabric or Synthetic boots can benefit from waterproofing too. Some come with a waterproofing agent pre-applied, or you can add your own to boots that don’t come with any treatment. Regularly applying a waterproofing treatment will help you get the most out your barefoot boots during winter!

How to Waterproof Barefoot Boots: A step-by-step guide

Here we’ll walk through the process of waterproofing your barefoot boots, including the materials you’ll need.

1 Clean your shoes

Before you waterproof your boots, you’ll want to make sure they’re clean. Use a  shoe cleaning brush to wipe off any visible dust or dirt. After this, I also liked to wipe the shoes down with a damp towel.

For a deeper clean, use a shoe cleaning product. Try this one for leather boots, and this one for nubuck and textiles. After cleaning your shoes, rinse them off.

Allow them to completely dry before going on to the next steps.

2 Condition leather boots if needed

As leather ages, it becomes dry and dull. Periodically using a leather conditioner will help restore leather’s natural oils, which makes it more supple and resistant to water.

3 Choose the right waterproofing product

Selecting the appropriate waterproofing product for the material of your barefoot boots is the most important part of this process.

Note that many waterproofing products, especially those for leather, will darken the color as it is adding moisture. Waxes and creams usually make the leather appear darker and richer. It’s best to test the product on an inconspicuous place first to make sure you’re happy with the way the waterproofing product alters the color of the boots. 

Waterproofing wax is best for full-grain leather.  

• Otter Wax: My go-to pick for waterproofing barefoot leather boots is Otter Wax. Otter Wax is an all-natural product made from beeswax and lanolin. It moisturizes and protects your boots, so I find that I can skip the leather conditioner if I’m using this.
• Nikwax Waterproofing Wax: Nikwax is one of the most popular brands for footwear cleaning and waterproofing products, and they have an option for almost every kind of material. Opt of rate Waterproofing Wax for your full-grain leather boots.

Waterproofing Spray is ideal for smooth, soft leather. 

• Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Waterproofing Spray: If your boots are smooth leather, a spray or a cream works best. A spray like this can also be used on fabric.  

Waterproofing Spray for Nubuck and Suede 

• Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Spray: Waterproofing products for smooth leather vs nubuck and suede are usually not interchangeable. Nubuck and suede are textured — they appear fuzzy and napped. Applying a waterproofing wax like Otter wax would ruin suede boots, so make sure you’re using the correct waterproofing product that will both preserve the texture and make them water repellant.

Waterproofing Spray for Fabric

You can also add a waterproofing spray to your cotton or knit barefoot sneakers to make them more wearable during the wetter months. Here are a few good options:

• Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Waterproofing
• Jason Mark Shoe Protector: Great for sneakers!
• Wildling Waterproofing Spray: Wildling has a full range of cleaning and waterproofing products for their barefoot shoes, but they’re only available on the International website. We’ve found their waterproofing spray to be effective for both the microfiber edging and the cotton uppers. Note that you should not use this waterproofing spray on the wool portions of some of the winter styles.

4 Apply the Waterproofing Product

Use a cloth or applicator brush to evenly apply the product, making sure to cover all areas of the boot. Pay extra attention to seams and stitching.

5 Allow the boots to dry

Let the boots dry naturally, away from direct heat sources. Some products may require exposure to heat for activation, so check the product label for specific instructions.

6 Repeat as Needed

Depending on the product and usage, you may need to reapply waterproofing periodically to maintain protection. Waterproofing your boots at the start of every winter is a good practice, and then you can assess based on wear from there!

By waterproofing your barefoot boots, you’re not only preserving their appearance but also ensuring that they serve you well in wet, wintery weather while keeping your feet dry and comfortable. It’s a simple yet effective way to care for your investment in healthy, barefoot shoes.

The post How to Waterproof Barefoot Boots for Winter appeared first on Barefoot Shoe Guide.