Can Hiking Boots Be Used In Snow?

Snow can make the landscape even more beautiful than it usually is, so hiking when it’s snowing can feel attractive even when it’s cold. But you do need proper footwear for hiking, and you might wonder if the snow can damage your hiking boots, or if they’ll keep you warm and dry.

In general, hiking boots can be used in light snow because they’re waterproof and provide enough insulation and traction. They’re not good for deep snow because they’re not as high and tight as snow boots, so your feet are likely to get wet.

In this post, we’ll consider the topic of hiking boots and snow, and detail different footwear considerations for hiking in the snow. The information in this post is based on my research and personal experience.

Hiking Boots and Snow

Hiking boots are generally designed for all kinds of hiking, including cold-weather hiking. Many of the standard hiking boot models are waterproof and have good traction and insulation, all important for hiking in the snow.

We should keep in mind that not all snow is created equal. Light snow isn’t very deep, and it packs as you walk on it, without any snow going above the height of your shoes. In general, most hiking boots can be used while hiking in light snow.

Deep snow is packed high, so snow can go above your shoe level. If you hike with normal hiking boots in deep snow, you’re running the risk that snow will get into your show, melt, and get your feet wet. It’s generally recommended to use proper snow boots for hiking in deep snow because they’re tighter on your feet and don’t allow for snow to get in.

The main things that make hiking boots suitable for hiking in light snow are their waterproofing, insulation, and traction. Most hiking boots are waterproof, also making them snowproof, so the snow that melts on your shoes doesn’t make them wet.

Insulation is very important when hiking in the cold, so your feet are kept warm even when hiking in the snow. Not all hiking boots provide good insulation, but a lot of them do, so make sure your specific boots have good insulation. Wear thick socks to improve the insulation of your feet and keep them warm.

Hiking boots are designed to be used for hiking, so all of them should have good traction, and proper soles that fit walking on rough surfaces. Still, snow and ice can be slippery, so you need shoes that can provide enough traction for you to walk in those conditions. Some people even use crampons to ensure they have enough traction with the ground, though that’s usually reserved for areas with a lot of slippery ice.

Choosing the Right Hiking Boots for Snow

If you’re planning to hike in the snow, you need to have the right gear, especially hiking boots that are good for these conditions. As I mentioned above, the most important features of hiking boots for hiking in the snow are waterproofing, insulation, and traction.

Make sure to get waterproof hiking boots that won’t allow water to get your feet wet. Make sure they’re insulating well, and that you’ll have enough space in them so you can wear thick socks with them. Make sure they have proper soles that will provide the traction you’ll need for the hike.

It’s also important to consider the hiking conditions you’re planning for, to get hiking boots that will suit your needs:

• Type of surface: The type of surface affects how much traction your boots will need to provide. Normal boots should be fine for light snow, but if you’re going to hike on packed snow, ice, or deep snow, you might need boots with a more aggressive tread pattern, or boots that can be used with crampons. If you’re going for trips in deep snow, you’ll need high hiking boots or even snow boots.
• Length of the hike: If you’re going for short walks, most hiking boots should be fine. If you’re planning to go for a long hike or multi-day backpacking trip, you’ll need more comfortable hiking boots.
• Trail gradient: how steep the hike will be is also a major factor for how traction and support your boots will need to provide. If you’re planning to go on hikes with steep icy inclines, you’ll need you might need boots with a more aggressive tread pattern, or boots that can be used with crampons. You’ll also need boots that will provide better support, so go for higher boots with stiffer soles.
• Temperature: How cold or mild the temperatures throughout your hikes will be is an important factor to consider, so you can choose boots with proper insulation. For colder conditions favor boots that have good insulation, and for milder temperature ranges go for breathable boots.

No matter which hiking boots you’ll choose, avoid going on hikes with brand-new hiking boots, before breaking them in. If you want to know why, and what is the best way to break in your hiking boots, I’ve previously written a detailed article about breaking in hiking boots, so make sure to read it as well.

Testing hiking boots in snow

I live in a hot country so we don’t get a lot of snow, and I really wanted to test how well my hiking boots are for snow but didn’t get a chance. I recently took a trip to Europe and brought my hiking boots with me, and walked around in the snow to test them out.

The snowfall wasn’t too heavy, but it did pack. We had light snow in most of the areas we walked, so I got to see with my own eyes how much Columbia Crestwood Mid hiking boots can handle the snow.

The boots are waterproof, and they kept the cold and wet snow away from my feet quite well. I was wearing thick merino wool socks, so my feet stayed warm. The traction these boots provided was enough for the light snow conditions we were walking in. I had a good experience with these boots overall.

If you’re interested to read more about my hiking boots, I wrote a complete review detailing what I love and what I don’t about Columbia Crestwood Mid and showcasing different tests I’ve done on them.

Conclusions

As we discussed, hiking boots can be used in light snow, but aren’t good for deep snow because they’ll have a hard time keeping the snow out of the shoe. The main things to consider with hiking boots and snow are waterproofing, insulation, and traction.

Hiking in the snow can be really fun, so grab your hiking boots, make sure they suit your needs based on the trail conditions and enjoy!