Work boots won’t work the same as snow boots for a few reasons, as they are two different types of boots designed with different functionality in mind.
Let’s clarify that first!
Now you need to know what these functions are to understand whether you can wear work boots in the snow or not.
I wear my work boots in the snow because it doesn’t get colder than 5 degrees Celsius where I live. That much my work boots can handle, even with snow.
So is it possible to wear work boots in the snow?
You can wear your work boots in the snow sometimes, but not always. Depending on the temperature, your capacity to bear cold, and the design of the work boots, you have to decide whether or not it’s ideal for you to wear them in the snow.
When Can I Wear Work Boots in the Snow?
As I’ve already mentioned, it ultimately depends on the three things brought up above whether you can wear your work boots in the snow or not.
Detailed explanation coming up!
Temperature
Where you live and the temperature of such location are fundamental determining factors in choosing the proper boots.
Imagine this:
Your hometown has winters that are moderately cold, even when it snows. And you can’t afford new snow boots for the time being or simply don’t want to. What do you do?
Obviously, you wear your work boots in the snow as long as you don’t get too cold! Winter work boots are insulated, which can keep your feet warm in the snow.
What if it’s still cold?
I have a unique trick up my sleeves for such a dilemma. Invest in boot inserts!
Boot inserts are incredible at giving your already insulated work boots a boost. Add as many layers as you need to keep your feet warm in the icy snow.
Is there a way to prepare?
I’m glad you asked! Usually, if the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, you need to wear snow boots, as your work boots won’t help much.
So if the temperature is 5 degrees Celsius or above, you should have no problem wearing your work boots in the snow.
Cold Tolerance
Now that you know what temperature to look out for, you need to figure out how much cold you can tolerate.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cold tolerance! But to learn about your comfort zone, you must go through a period of trial and error.
When you do understand which temperature is too much for you, you have to say to yourself:
“I need snow boots!”
But if you can take the cold, you can wear your work boots instead of snow boots. Again, you can play around with boot inserts if you can’t commit to buying snow boots.
Boot inserts can work to a certain degree. It’s up to you to find out when they can’t take care of your needs anymore and start thinking about snow boots.
With all these taken into consideration, you might be able to wear your work boots if you have a high cold tolerance in the snow.
Work Boot Design
Snow boots are simply designed to get better protection in the snow, whereas work boots are not made with that in mind.
Both types of boots are made of leather, but the leather of snow boots is thicker and double-layered.
On the other hand, work boots use thinner leather, taking into account all weather conditions, which is not ideal for the snow.
That’s not all!
Snow boots usually have something called gaiters, which work boots don’t come with.
Gaiters of snow boots are constructed from waterproof material that can seal the gaps between the boots and your pants. This prevents snow, mud, rain, and grit from touching your legs.
Plus, snow boots are a bit more waterproof than work boots. Work boots aren’t built to protect against the different levels of wetness of snow, whereas snow boots are.
What’s more?
Generally, snow boots stop a bit above the ankles to keep your legs warmer. But work boots don’t factor in this design element, as they’re not meant for the snow.
However, if your cold tolerance and the temperature of your location are just right, this lackings of designs may hinder you from wearing work boots in the snow.
So you need to take these design gaps into consideration before you can decide whether wearing work boots in the snow is in your best interest or not.
Work Boots You Can Wear in the Snow
Now you know the requirements you need to seek for when choosing the correct work boots for both work and the snow.
But not all work boots are waterproof, which is essential for wearing them in the snow. So I’ll suggest you some reliable waterproof work boots:
- Carhartt 11-Inch Waterproof Safety Toe Wellington: These work boots are waterproof, so you can expect a certain level of protection from the snow. And they are made of 100% leather that gives your other kinds of protection that you need from work boots.
- WOLVERINE Floorhand Well W Wellington Boot: This pair of waterproof work boots are well over-the-ankle, which helps with keeping your legs as warm as your feet.
- Carhartt Ruggedflex Safety Toe Work Boot: Even though these work boots aren’t mid-calf tall, they are tall enough to cover your ankles completely to ensure warmth from the icy snow.
- Wolverine Floorhand Waterproof 6″ Steel Toe Work Boot: Another pair from Wolverine that is designed to keep your feet protected. And they come in a lot of different colors too!
Final Words
Can you wear work boots in the snow? Yes, you can absolutely wear your work boots even in the snow if you don’t want to buy an extra pair of snow boots. However, you have to take into account a few things that will make or break your decision to use work boots instead of snow boots.