Welcome to Winter in Canada. Let’s Talk Boots.

The blog was produced in partnership with Mark’s.

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“You’re moving to Canada? Are you ready for the winters there?” Questions like these will be familiar to anyone who has decided to call Canada home, especially if you’re arriving from a milder climate. The whole idea of winter creates a sense of excitement, but also a quest for answers. What does it mean, exactly, to be ready?

Enter Mark’s, Canada’s clothing and footwear retailer, who makes it their mission to keep Canadians warmer, drier, safer and more comfortable. We’ve teamed up with them to create short guides to help you understand what to look for in winter wear.

For our first edition, we’re starting from the ground up: let’s talk boots.

The Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying Winter Boots

1. Grip matters.

Winter in Canada can get icy and staying on your feet is half the battle. Slips and falls on icy driveways, streets and sidewalks are common and can lead to serious injuries, so good grip is key. This is especially true if you’re in the market for everyday commuter boots. Doing a grocery run shouldn’t end in a grocery spill!

With that in mind, Mark’s has developed an exclusive line of anti-slip boots with ICEFX^® technology, which has become the company’s gold standard when it comes to traction. A few of their top performers include the WindRiver Backwoods Waterproof HYPER-DRI 3 ICEFX Hiking Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for him and the WindRiver Ice Queen ICEFX T-MAX Insulated Waterproof Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for her, both of which provide superior grip on ice in addition to being warm and waterproof. Bonus!

Pro tip: The KITE Research Institute in Toronto conducts independent tests of footwear brands to see how they perform on wet and dry ice at different degrees of incline. Mark’s gets their full line of anti-slip boots independently tested there so if there’s a model that interests you, go to RateMyTreads to see how they scored.

2. Warmth is a hot topic.

No one wants cold feet in the winter, but how warm do your boots really need to be? The answer to this depends on what you plan to do in them, for how long and in what conditions.

If you know you’re going to wear your boots primarily for short outings, like walking to the bus or running errands, then you don’t need the warmest boots out there. But if you plan to go ice fishing or know you’ll be exposed to the extreme cold for longer periods of time, you should prioritize boots that will keep your feet as warm as possible.

Mark’s boots with T-MAX HEAT^® and T-MAX^® Insulation technology are a great place to start. Models like the Helly Hansen Bivy 2.0 ICEFX T-MAX HEAT Waterproof Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for him and the Helly Hansen Bivy II ICEFX Waterproof T-MAX HEAT Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for her look great and keep your feet toasty down  to -40°C.

Pro tip: Most boots have a Cold Weather Comfort Rating (CWCR) that indicates the temperature range at which the boots perform (ie.  -20°C to -30°C, -30°C to -40°C, etc.). Check to see if the model you’re interested in gives you the protection you need.

3. Dry feet are happy feet.

Part of winter in Canada is dealing with the wet and slushy conditions that can occur when temperatures go up and down. Having a good pair of waterproof boots can make all the difference, as wet feet become cold feet very fast! That’s where good tech comes in.

Many of the winter boots that Mark’s carries come equipped with HYPER-DRI^® HD3 technology which makes the boots waterproof while still letting your feet breathe. So whether you need everyday boots like the Denver Hayes Women’s Ella ICEFX Waterproof HYPER-DRI 3 Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) or hiking boots like the WindRiver Men’s Rundle ICEFX Waterproof HYPER-DRI 3 Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item), your feet will stay warm and dry.

Pro tip: Sometimes what looks like a firm snowbank is actually a slushy mess underneath! Before marching through it, test the surface with one foot to see what you’re dealing with. Boots only go so high and you don’t want to end up knee deep in an icy slush puddle.

4. When to put comfort first.

If you plan to go out on long walks this winter, hiking boots that are both warm and comfortable may be your best bet. Models like the WindRiver Peak III ICEFX T-MAX Waterproof Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for him and the WindRiver Peak III ICEFX T-MAX Waterproof Winter Boots (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) for her come with Mark’s proprietary QUAD COMFORT^® technology, which provides the cushioning needed for more active outings. They also have excellent traction and are waterproof. See #3 on our list: no complaining about wet feet!

Pro tip: For added warmth and comfort, it’s a great idea to have insoles on hand that you can add to your boots as needed. The DuraCare T-MAX AEROGEL Insulated Insoles (If living in Quebec, click here to view the item) from Mark’s provide thermal protection in the coldest conditions as well as heel and arch support for added comfort—something that’s especially useful if you’re out on a hike.

5. Look for models that do double or triple duty.

Winter in Canada can throw a lot at you so having a pair of winter boots that keeps you warmer, drier, safer and more comfortable is key. A lot of the Mark’s models that we’ve shared here combine technologies to provide good all-round coverage for Canada’s most iconic season. After that, it’s a question of your own personal style and priorities. Knowing what kinds of activities you plan to do this winter will help you decide which boots will work best for you.

Pro tip: When trying on winter boots of any kind, be sure to consider how you will wear them. Will you tuck in your pants? How thick will your socks be? Cramped toes tend to become cold toes so make sure that there is enough room in the toe bed of the boots for them to stretch out comfortably.

Whichever Boots You Choose, Get Out There and Enjoy Them

Once you’ve found the right winter boots for you, the only thing left to do is to put them to good use. So whether you’re discovering an outdoor festival or going sledding with the kids, be sure to enjoy all that Canada has to offer. Because with the right gear, there’s no wrong weather!

On that note, stay tuned for our next edition, where we’ll break down what to look for when shopping for a winter jacket. (Hint: we may use the word “insulation” a lot!)

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