Choosing winter men's work boots

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When choosing boots, first of all, you should consider the degree of protection from the cold. If there are relatively warm days, when the temperature ranges from –5 to +5 degrees, you need to select models with a bike lining or on a thin membrane. In some cases, genuine leather lining is acceptable. But it is not always possible to count on such favorable conditions in winter. Therefore, at temperatures from -15 to -5 degrees, boots with woolen or membrane lining are used.

But many workers working outdoors (in the open air) occasionally have to work in the cold with a lower temperature. In such conditions, either a fur or a thick membrane lining is required. If, in this case, you use the shoes described above, then your feet will be very cold. In the temperature range from -20 to -35 degrees, it is usually recommended to use insulated high boots or felt boots.

Whether to trust such promises or not, you need to decide for yourself. But shoes, which are designed for work in the north and in other places, where the thermometer often drops below 35 degrees below zero, must be taken seriously. Here it will be safer to use good high fur boots with maximum insulation. But even better is a special type of winter boots.

Important: in ordinary stores, including in the online trade of general footwear, such boots are not sold in principle.

The fact is that special boots undergo a separate certification. Increased requirements are also imposed on the certification of materials for them. A number of frost resistance classes are envisaged, but professionals should understand these classes. It is quite clear that there are no universal shoes for winter and there never will be. If someone promises that some models of boots or boots will equally help out in a mild frost and at -25 degrees, then this is probably an action of low-quality marketing.

Famous brands

Choosing winter shoes is not an easy task. It is necessary that the materials are of high quality, the wear resistance is high, the appearance is attractive. Not all brands have such qualities. The rating of men's winter boots includes the following manufacturers:

1. Rieker is a German company. It produces winter shoes exclusively from natural materials, which are ideal for everyday wear. High practicality, good quality and low price are the distinctive features of this brand.
2. Columbia is a popular brand that produces warm men's shoes for sub-zero temperatures. Pleasant design, practicality and moisture resistance distinguish the models of this company.
3. Ralf Ringer is the warmest men's footwear made using modern technologies using natural materials. Designed for areas with harsh climates.
4. Wrangler is a brand that stands out for its high quality in the manufacture of models not only from natural, but also from artificial materials.
5. Perhaps the best insulated footwear for men is the Timberland brand. The silicone coating protects the boots from moisture. Exclusive insoles keep feet from fatigue. The assortment is huge.
6. Adidas - the brand offers comfortable and practical sports models. The high sole prevents the feet from freezing, and the additional spikes provide an anti-slip effect.
7. Nike - sports winter shoes of this company are distinguished by the fact that many modern unique technologies are used in its production. This makes boots and sneakers non-slip, lightweight, safe and comfortable.

RiekerRalf-RingerWranglerTimberland

Popular models

The wardrobe should contain shoes for the winter of different style solutions: for walking, active sports or recreation, business meetings. Today the choice of boots for the cold season is huge:

Men's shoes for the winter are very diverse. Everyone will be able to choose several pairs for different occasions.

ClassicFor huntingWorkersFor fishingChelseaDeserts

Climatic conditions in the North

A piercing frosty wind prevails in the northern region of the country. The daylight hours are short, and the summer is short and dank. It is for these reasons that protection from the cold should be of the highest quality and most comfortable. All clothing must have reflective elements.

In some regions of the North, sharp temperature changes are possible, frost can reach -55 C. Air masses coming from the Arctic can greatly worsen the weather in the region, thaws often occur, which aggravates the situation. Frosts are felt more severe due to high humidity and strong winds. Snowstorms and drifting snow are frequent guests in the north of Russia.

All kinds of men's shoes

Stylists offer men at once 8 options for shoes for the winter season, advising them to choose several pairs at once for different styles of clothing and events. These can be boots for a strict business dress code, or they can be boots for an informal style of clothing. To get acquainted with the features of all 8 types of men's winter shoes, stylists offer an overview of the best models.

Classic winter boots

Classics are indispensable and will always be appreciated, so every man's wardrobe must have classic winter shoes boots. They will be appropriate in a work environment, at formal events, as well as in a set with a business suit and coat. Laconic and simple design without catchy details and exclusively in restrained shades are the distinctive features of these boots.

Casual boots

But this pair of boots is perfect for everyday wear and complete with casual outfits.You can wear boots for a walk, shopping, work, or dating if you don't need a business dress code. A distinctive feature of such boots is that they can be combined with different items of clothing, with jeans, pants, classic coats or sports jackets. In addition, these boots are as comfortable as possible, which is indispensable in harsh winters.

Winter work shoes

Initially, these boots were made as a uniform for men of various professions. In the course of sewing, the specialists took into account the fact that workers can be in extremely low temperatures for a long time. Over time, the designers have given these boots a stylish and modern look, which has led to a great demand and interest in them from many men. Winter work shoes are notable for their practicality, high functional features and quality.

Sports shoes

If a man leads an active lifestyle, despite the harsh weather conditions, winter sports shoes will suit him. Although the boots resemble sneakers outwardly, they are versatile in terms of style, which means that they do not require an exclusively athletic dress code. Distinctive features of sports boots - flexible sole, high level of comfort, versatility and practicality.

Fur shoes

Shoes are also warm winter shoes for men if they are made exclusively for the winter season. Despite the low rise, there is enough fur in the inside to protect the man's limbs from the elements. Most often, these shoes are preferred by motorists who spend more time driving than walking on snowdrifts. A distinctive feature of this model is its light weight.

Winter sneakers

True athletes and outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in their love for sneakers and sportswear. Stylists have created a winter sneaker for the snowy and cold seasons, it can be used for sports and everyday wear. Sports winter shoes have the following distinctive features - high and durable, but flexible sole, inner filling with insulation, thermal insulation properties.

Do you wear sneakers in winter?

Not really

Professional footwear

Shoes for various men's professions and specific hobbies are also considered separately. These boots can be worn for fishing or hunting, as well as for various extreme sports. Distinctive features are the strict and courageous tailoring and structure of boots, compliance with even the smallest details and human needs, practicality and durability of service, as well as brutal interesting design.

Winter boots

When it comes to boots, many men do not understand this type of shoe. And only extravagant individuals prefer to protect their limbs in a harsh time with warm high boots. The boots look elegant, they are worn comfortably and for a long time, carefully protecting the limbs from wind, frost and precipitation. Ideal for classic and casual clothes.

Expert opinion
Helen Goldman
Male stylist-image maker

Due to the large offer of models and varieties of men's winter shoes, experts advise choosing shoes according to such criteria as materials of production (leather or suede), shoe height, accessories and fixation method (laces, zippers), sole height and thickness, as well as weather conditions. and the peculiarities of winters in a particular region.

Requirements

Basic requirements for work footwear are regulated by GOST or EN ISO 20345

In particular, it is important that it is suitable for the season, intended for use at low temperatures. Insulated products in this category are produced by European and Russian manufacturers, are certified for compliance with quality standards

Separate categories of footwear are produced for managers. It is made from premium materials.By the type of execution, footwear for engineers and technicians is most often more versatile - in the form of boots, low boots; for cold climatic zones, boots with insulation with natural fur are purchased. The main brands in this category are from Finland, Sweden, Belgium: Sievi, Jalas, Safety Jogger.

The main requirements for winter work shoes are directly related to the level of their quality and functionality. Among the mandatory points are:

• the presence of non-slip soles;
• waterproof impregnation;
• protection of the ankle and ankle from injury;
• resistance to chemical and mechanical damage;
• the presence of a toe cap;
• compliance with the standard list of approved materials;
• compliance with the professional category.

When choosing winter shoes for specific tasks, all these factors must be taken into account. The professional identity of the staff is especially important. For example, when working with fuels and lubricants, boots and boots must have an oil-resistant sole and surface.

For increased shock loads, a choice of work accessories with a toe cap is a must, and with a risk of punctures, with a Kevlar insole. Winter professional footwear must fully comply with weather and climatic conditions. Among the admissible materials, we note the following.

• Lining. The best choice would be natural wool, fur (synthetic or regular), polyurethane.
• Sole. It must be multi-layer, polyurethane or thermopolyurethane, rubber is allowed. This part is fixed to the base mainly by injection molding.
• Top part. For working winter shoes, felt, felt, synthetic fabrics, natural and artificial leather are allowed. A water-repellent coating is required. The top is also made multi-layer, resistant to mechanical damage and other external influences.

Types and purpose

The main purpose of winter safety footwear is to keep warm and protect the worker's feet from the effects of low temperatures. And due to the fact that winter safety shoes can be made from various materials, they can also protect the worker from moisture, harmful reagents or acids. Also, winter safety shoes are widely used by fishermen and hunters to protect them from frost and getting wet.

In addition to protective properties, men's work boots should be comfortable so as not to hinder movement in the cold. The types of winter safety footwear depend on the specific conditions of its use and are subdivided depending on the material of manufacture. The following safety footwear is in greatest demand.

Leather. Such shoes are most often used by workers in those professions where special protection is not required. Winter specialized footwear, as a rule, is insulated from natural wool or artificial fur. It can be made in the form of boots or boots.

Also, some employers continue to use tarpaulin boots to protect workers from the cold. Such shoes are of low cost. But wearing it is not comfortable because of the high rigidity of the material, strong wetting, and tarpaulin boots insulated with a bike will not be able to warm your feet in severe frosts.

Manufacturing materials

Answering the question which men's shoes are better for severe frosts, one cannot fail to mention the materials often used for the manufacture of winter models.

Main part

The top can be made from:

1. Natural leather. This is the most practical and durable material. In addition, it is absolutely safe for health. Such footwear for men is expensive, but protects the feet well from the cold. If you take proper care of your genuine leather boots, they will last for more than one season.
2. Suede. Not suitable for slush and wet weather. The material is not practical, but very beautiful, therefore it is most often used for special occasions. When worn in a damp winter, traces of reagents appear in the form of white streaks.
3. Textile with water-repellent coating. Ideal for wet winters.Designed for hiking, tourist trips, walks in the woods.
4. Leatherette. It is inexpensive, while it has several negative features: it creates a greenhouse effect, not allowing air to pass through. Because of this, there is a risk of getting a fungal disease. The leatherette is not as warm as genuine leather.

Suede leatherLeatherTextileLeatherette

Insulation

You can determine which winter boots are the warmest by the material of the inner insulation. Natural fur is often used for its manufacture, which perfectly removes moisture and warms very well. An artificial analogue is much cheaper, however, it does not warm up so well in cold weather.

Modern technologies have made it possible to create high-quality synthetic fibers, which are now used to insulate winter shoes:

1. Primaloft - used in the manufacture of casual boots and athletic shoes.
2. Thinsulate is used for professional hiking, fishing and hunting footwear.
3. Heartseeker - designed for insulating work shoes. It creates the warmest footwear in the world. It is used even in permafrost areas.

These synthetic materials also insulate expensive footwear for the city. They perfectly wick moisture away, are very lightweight and durable.

PrimaloftSheepskin
Thinsulate

Sole

Before choosing the right winter boots, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the sole material:

• polyurethane - keeps its shape well, does not crack or break during wearing;
• leather is a short-lived material, wears out quickly;
• rubber - it is cheap, it is not able to keep warm for a long time.

PolyurethaneRubberLeather

Clasps

The quality of the fastener determines how dry the legs remain:

• Velcro is a short-lived option, it does not always guarantee protection;
• lacing is the most practical option, it does not break;
• lightning - will last a long time if made of plastic, metal options break when interacting with salt or reagents.

The latter type is the most popular, since such fittings are convenient to use, do not allow moisture to pass through, and rarely fail.

Popular models

The Canadian Kamik Waterproof winter shoes are in high demand. In the production of these boots, insulation is used, which is not used anywhere else. The main properties of the specified Canadian shoes:

• ease;

• availability in the range of models up to size 47;

• excellent resistance to water;

• comparatively low bootleg height.

A good model of Toptygin boots from the Russian manufacturer Vezdekhod can be noted. The designers have managed to ensure the maximum elasticity of the bootleg. The fur liner has as many as 4 layers. The manufacturer promises operation at temperatures up to -45 degrees without excessive stiffness of the pads. Thanks to the tightening cuff, snow will not get inside.

And also in good demand:

• Baffin Titan;

• Woodland Grand EVA 100;

• Torvi EVA TEP T-60;

• "Bear" SV-73sh.

If these are not enough to choose from, you should pay attention to the products:

• Rieker;

• Ralf Ringer;

• Wrangler;

• Columbia.

Criterias of choice

When buying any type of winter safety footwear, you need to take into account the fact that the worker will spend the entire shift in it. Therefore, when choosing a particular model, the following features should be taken into account.

1. Choose boots 1 size larger than the actual size of the foot, since in winter it is customary to use woolen socks for insulation, which need additional space.
2. Buy safety shoes with thick soles and high treads, as in shoes with high soles, the foot will be farther from the frozen ground, which will ensure greater heat retention.
3. The material of work shoes should directly depend on the characteristics of a particular production. And, if necessary, protect the legs of the worker not only from frost, but also from the effects of harmful reagents.

Since even in the warmest, but uncomfortable shoes, the legs will quickly get tired, which will negatively affect the speed and quality of the work performed.

Winter workwear set

To protect against low temperatures, suits made of membrane fabrics and with down insulation are used. The set includes 3 layers of insulation - thermal underwear, insulated overalls and a jacket with additional vests. A large number of design solutions are used for suits.

Previously, a lot of fur was used for sewing uniforms for workers in the North. Now it can be used as decorative items such as gloves or a hat. Decorating the hood with fur is not welcome, since a crust of ice forms on the pile when breathing. Only wolverine fur does not allow ice to appear, sheepskin is often used.

Footwear requirements

Basic requirements for winter boots:

• A light weight. It is not easy in winter, with full gear, to wade through the snowdrifts to the future hole. Therefore, despite the thick sole and the use of multi-layer insulation, boots should be lightweight.
• Good stability on any surface. The outsole should be equipped with a grooved tread or special spikes to prevent the shoe from sliding on the ice.
• Increased thermal insulation. Correctly chosen insulation material should keep warm for a long time.

When choosing and buying winter boots, you should definitely pay attention to the following:

• Insulation functionality. This element of the shoe should be removable for ease of use (drying or urgent replacement).

• Compliance with the size of the feet. Correctly selected shoes should not hinder movement or dangle on the leg. While driving, a person should feel comfortable. Otherwise, it will lead to frostbite of the leg or the formation of calluses on it.
• The material of the shoe itself. In addition to retaining heat, the sole of the boots should not crack in cold weather and have good grip on slippery surfaces. Preference is given to a rubberized sole. The boot shaft should not get wet. It is made of special fabric, rubber or just woolen.
• Insulation material. It should provide excellent air exchange, preventing the leg from sweating and, as a result, freezing.
• The peculiarity of the structure of the bootleg. The bootleg is considered comfortable, where thick warm pants can be easily tucked in. In most cases, a comfortable lace with a protective cuff is provided, which, by pulling the boot off from above, protects the shoe from moisture ingress. The height of the boot to overcome water obstacles will become very important.