Shoes can make or break your vacation, especially in winter when you have to contend with cold toes and slippery sidewalks. But winter-ready shoes with sturdy soles, good treads, and cozy liners tend to be bulky, heavy, and hard to pack.
Take heart: Packing cold-weather footwear doesn’t have to be this way. The following super packable winter shoes and boots, for men and women, serve a specific cold-weather purpose yet still manage to be lightweight and easy to fit in a suitcase.
Packable Winter Shoes and Boots
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Vibram Furoshiki Shearling Boots
A boot that packs nearly flat? It’s true—unlike any other boot you’ve seen, Vibram Furoshiki Shearling Boots unfold to be nearly flat, making them a suitcase superstar. To wear them, you slip them on and then use the Velcro straps to wrap the boot around your feet and legs. They’re so easy to pack, in fact, that you could stow these in your suitcase and wear a second pair of boots on the plane. Talk about possibilities.
Vibram Furoshiki Shearling Boots
A boot that packs nearly flat? It’s true—unlike any other boot you’ve seen, Vibram Furoshiki Shearling Boots unfold to be nearly flat, making them a suitcase superstar. To wear them, you slip them on and then use the Velcro straps to wrap the boot around your feet and legs. They’re so easy to pack, in fact, that you could stow these in your suitcase and wear a second pair of boots on the plane. Talk about possibilities.
Beacon Rainy Duck Skimmers
Love flats but hate squishing around all day in wet shoes? Then you’re a good candidate for the ultra-affordable Beacon Rainy Duck Skimmers. These lightweight waterproof flats have grip treads for traction on slippery surfaces and a removable cushioned insole for maximum comfort. And with a slight wedge heel and two-tone color choices, they’ve got style cred to boot.
Men’s Ankeny Moc Toe Boot
The men’s Ankeny Moc Toe Boot from Sorel has a waterproof leather and suede upper, seam-sealed waterproof construction, and still manages to weigh less than most men’s boots. It’s as at home on city streets as on the trail, and has a deep herringbone tread to prevent slips in snow, ice, and rain.
Lowa San Francisco GTX Lo Surrounds
The Lowa San Francisco GTX Lo Surrounds looks like a Euro-style walking shoe, but performs like a waterproof hiking boot. The lower-profile style is lighter weight and easier to pack than a hiking boot, but still protects feet on uneven walking surfaces like trails and cobblestone streets. Available for both men and women in a variety of colors, it’s an attractive and packing-friendly alternative to heavier footwear.
Gobi Hi Top
The minimalist but hardy Gobi Hi Top boot from Vivobarefoot delivers shearling-lined leather comfort to protect you from the cold without weighing down a suitcase. The lightweight boot is warm but also flexible enough to be squeezed into a suitcase. The weather-proofed uppers and thermal insole rest on a thin but puncture-resistant sole so you’ll be protected without bulk.
SOfft Salem Wedge Booties
The lightweight SOfft Salem Wedge Booties offer high style and serious walkability. A half-inch platform balances out the two-inch wedge, giving the boot an edge for anyone looking to stay comfortable and stylish in urban surroundings. The side zip makes them easy to slip off and on at the airport, and the sole’s rubber tread prevents slips.
Fitkicks
Planning footwear for cold-weather travel isn’t all about protection from the elements. You’ve also got to plan for chilly indoor floors. Fitkicks foldable shoes have a rubber sole, so they can be worn outdoors as well—but for winter travel, your best bet is to pack a pair of the fold-and-go shoes as a comfortable slipper alternative.
Dansko Paisley Shoes
Dansko lovers, rejoice! The company has the Paisley, a winter shoe that offers its signature comfort in a sporty style that’s winter ready. Waterproof uppers meet Vibram rubber outsoles for dependable traction on slippery surfaces. The shoe also has built-in moisture and odor control, plus a triple-density footbed for good arch support.
Aetrex Women’s Tessa Short Sweater Boot
The Aetrex Women’s Tessa Short Sweater Boot weighs almost nothing compared to most boots, and offers serious warmth and cool style. Its synthetic sole keeps it light, and a slight platform heel keeps it comfortable, especially for people who don’t like flats. Note that these boots aren’t waterproof, so they won’t be good in wet conditions. But for anyone looking to combat cold temperatures with warm feet, these might be just the ticket.
More from SmarterTravel:
- 10 Stylish Shoes You Can Wear Without Socks
- How to Fit More Stuff in Your Suitcase
- Foldable and Collapsible Shoes Perfect for Your Carry-On
Follow Christine Sarkis on Twitter @ChristineSarkis and Instagram @postcartography for more advice about making every vacation the best vacation.
Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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