The 8 Best & Most Supportive Sneakers for Walking in the Winter, According to a Podiatrist

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Before we know it, winter will be here, and our hot girl walks will go from sweltering and sticky to cold (okay, frigid) and slippery. While the walking shoes you wear matter in all seasons, they’re especially important during the winter season to ensure stability on wet, snow-covered surfaces and the occasional—and oh-so-scary—run-in with black ice.

Best Sneakers for Winter Walking at a Glance

• Best Overall: Nike Motiva GORE-TEX, $145
  Most Stylish: KEEN Waterproof Lace-Up Sneakers – Versacore, $155
• Most Supportive: HOKA Transport Gore-Tex Waterproof Running Shoe, $124 (originally $175)
• Most Versatile: On Cloudrock Low Waterproof, $200
  Best Lightweight: Vessi Stormburst Low Top, $130 (originally $160)
• Best White Sneaker: Sorel Ona Ave Low Waterproof Sneaker, $95
  Best Traction: Timberland Motion Access Low Lace-Up Waterproof Sneaker, $130

To keep your soles safe and upright in cold temperatures, you need the right sneakers for winter walking. This means looking at styles that up the ante on function with more tread and traction, and some key material details that can prevent Jack Frost from nipping at your toes. Fortunate for you, we tapped a podiatrist to answer all of our questions about what to look for in winter- and walking-ready kicks.

What to Look for in Sneakers for Winter Walking 

When shopping for winter sneakers, Dr. Brad Schaeffer, DPM, board-certified foot surgeon and Dr. Scholl’s partner, says, “You need a great mix of support and durability when walking,” as well as a supportive tread (aka, the sole of the shoe). “The sole of the shoe has to have enough support to walk you down slippery streets, icy streets, and things like that for the winter months,” he explains. 

Comfort is also vital, and while there are plenty of shoes that are comfortable right out of the box, Dr. Schaeffer recommends adding an insole for additional arch support and comfort—especially if you tend to do a lot of walking, either through exercise or city life. 

Once you have these boxes checked, it’s, of course, important to think about warmth—it is winter, after all! “I recommend something that is warm and going to keep the feet cozy but not overly sweaty,” says Dr. Schaeffer. Contrary to what you might think, Dr. Schaeffer says this actually means staying away from materials such as fur and instead looking at styles that are leather-based with arch support. “In the winter, I like a nice shoe that is going to provide protection from snow and water, I always look for something that might be water repellent in case snow is around,” Dr. Schaeffer notes. “Then, the number one thing is to make sure the shoes are not slippery when walking around outside.” 

What to Avoid in Sneakers for Winter Walking 

Sneakers typically have decent tread on them, but in the chance you find a more stylish—but not very functional pair—that has a flat sole with not a lot of traction, Dr. Schaeffer says to put it down and try something else. “Any type of shoe that is flat is not going to have any tread on it and going to cause slippery conditions on ice when walking down the street,” he explains.

Dr. Schaeffer also says to avoid any mesh-based sneakers because that will allow water and snow to get in and make the foot wet. This can lead to bacteria and fungus growth—no thanks. 

Will Sneakers Keep You Warm in the Winter?

Sneakers might not seem like the warmest shoe style, but according to Dr. Schaeffer, they can definitely keep you warm in the winter. “There are a lot of sneakers out there that have support and padding with foam to keep the feet warm and cozy,” he notes. “This can be done without using fur and [materials] that are in boots like UGGs.” 

When you wear shoes in the winter, you don’t want to just think about the shoe itself, though. Dr. Schaeffer says also to consider your sock choice and recommends slipping into 100% cotton socks. “I think cotton is the best thing for feet, and I also think it’s warm,” he remarks. “There are many people out there that like different fabrics and materials, but I am a cotton guy in the summer and winter.” Cotton is notoriously breathable and has some temperature-regulating benefits since it wicks away moisture. Because of its breathability, it also helps ensure feet don’t get too hot and sweaty, which can lead to bacteria. 

Up ahead, we share the best sneakers for winter walking. 

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