How to Choose a Pair of UK-Friendly Winter Boots

We’re not great at winters in the UK, are we? 

Our houses are draughty. A few flakes of snow are enough to bring public transport to a halt and make UK winter walking hazardous.

And we neglect our winter footwear, too. 

“I’ll get some decent boots in time for next year” is a line we bet you’ve told yourself as you skid across refrozen snow in February. 

But the next day it thaws, and your treacherous journey to the post office is forgotten – until the snow falls again next winter, and you curse your past self for not taking action. We’ve all done it. 

It’s easy to put off buying a proper pair of snow-ready winter boots because we don’t think the UK has enough icy and snowy days to justify it. Instead, we buy a few pairs of extra warm winter socks and make do until spring rolls around.

Our footwear philosophy at Mammal

Here at Mammal, we believe having the right kit is key to getting outside as much as possible. But our family homes already have shoe racks that are exploding with abandoned pairs of trainers, and general footwear clutter…

For us, choosing footwear carefully isn’t just a question of quality and expense – it’s also a question of confidence. Which means when it comes to winter, we’re all about investing in a pair of boots that keep us safe and help prevent potentially nasty falls.

We don't want the wrong choice of winter boots to stop us from running errands, walking to the bus stop, standing on the side lines of a football match, going to the pub, walking the dog, or exploring the resort after a day on the ski slopes. After all, life must go on, even when temperatures drop and pavements turn icy.

Making an informed choice

Choosing one perfect pair of winter boots might sound extra daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are our top three tips for what to look for:  

1. Materials that work, last, and look good

For the outer material of the boots, look for a material that is:

• Durable. Suede has a bad reputation as a ‘delicate’ material, but it can actually be one of the most robust. Leather is a similarly reliable option.
• Water-resistant or waterproof. If you go for leather or suede boots, make sure they have been properly treated, or better still, have a waterproof membrane, like all waterproof Mammal Boots styles. 

Darker colours are a safer choice for UK winters, where you can expect a healthy dollop of mud and slush alongside any snow and ice. 

For the inside of the boots, look for materials that are: 

• Soft and insulating. We recommend looking for a type of fleece or shearling lining.
• Breathable. Look for moisture-wicking options to stop your feet from getting wet with sweat.
• Thermally insulated. In colder conditions our hands and feet tend to lose heat fastest. A thermally insulated boot will keep the heat in and your feet nice and warm.

We also like our winter boots to have features that let us adjust how warm they are, because this helps us get as much use out of them as possible. Look out for removable additions, like thermal footbeds.

And as a heads up, when you’re researching potential winter boots, the ‘upper’ refers to anything above the sole. 

A sturdy sole 

A good sole isn’t just about getting good traction – it’s all part of keeping your feet warm, too. 

• Choose a deep sole. When your feet get cold in a pair of shoes, this is often down to a thin sole that doesn’t put enough space between you and the freezing ground. A deeper sole will also protect the upper part of your boots as you make your way through slush, snow, and puddles. 
• Go for grooves. Look for a rubber sole or a lugged rubber sole with deep grooves and contours to help you keep your grip in icy conditions. 
• Take traction one step further: Mammal boots come with the trademarked OCSystem®, with retractable ice spikes built into the soles. Simply unclip, flip and go. 

A high-quality finish

When your boots arrive, give them a quick once-over to check they are well-made and built to last. 

Look out for details like: 

✓ Tight double- or triple-stitched seams and careful seam sealing.

✓ Minimal glue residue.

✓ The boots feel solid without feeling heavy.

✓ Minimal stitching on the inside (you want it to feel smooth and comfortable). 

✓ The boots have a gusseted tongue, with the tongue opening higher up the boot to prevent snow from getting in. 

A quick word on maintenance

We’re all about investing in quality kit that will last for years. And if you get a great pair of boots and care for them well, you should enjoy many warm-toed winters together. 

We’ve already touched on the more durable materials, but it’s worth considering what you can do to keep your boots looking and performing their best.

We've partnered with footwear cleaning and protection experts Grangers, to help you care for your Mammal boots, and keep them looking great year after year.

Water repellents cost just a few pounds, but can really extend the life of your boots and maintain their repellency – as can brushing dirt and dust off them regularly with a soft brush. 

Wrapping up

Investing in a good pair of winter boots is a sure-fire way to help you get you outside in the colder months, and to keep your toes warm while you do. 

Our advice is to: 

• Choose a style that will work for lots of parts of your life, rather than just when it snows. 
• Look for boots made of durable and insulating materials, with a high-quality finish and a sturdy, deep sole.   
• Take the time to learn the best way to care for your boots, so you can extend their life and look forward to bringing them out year after year. 

Mammal creates stylish and functional winter boots to help you embrace life outdoors and walk with confidence both in the UK winter, and on the slopes. Designed in Italy, based in beautiful Devon.