Warm sneaker recommendations

December 12, 2014 2:19 PM

I'm looking for some recommendations of sneakers or similar type shoes to wear in the cold weather. Many details inside.

I dress pretty casually and primarily wear Converse All Stars of some variety when it's not winter. They don't cut it in the winter. I also have some Nikes, but they are vented and let in cold air. My toes tend to be cold to begin with, so I really need some nice comfortable warm sneakers. And yes, sneakers. I'm not good with boots and bulky shoes, though I have them for when the weather really requires them.

I just want comfortable and some kind of color choice (not all-white or all-black, prefer cooler colors blue/pink/purple/green). I'd prefer women's styles, but I'll do men's if need be. Low-top is important to me. Also need to be available in size 10.5-11 (women's) which can be an issue at times. I'd like to keep them under $100, but I'll spend more if they are amazing. I'd usually buy from Zappos, but other online or retail store in MA/NH works too.

Do you know of some nice sneakers or sneaker-like shoes that might fit the bill?

For reference, some things I've tried:

Merrell Azura (http://www.zappos.com/merrell-azura-black-wine)
I like the way they look, but they hurt my feet if I'm walking around more than a little bit and aren't nearly as warm as I wanted, though much warmer than the chucks.

The North Face Arctic Guide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APw14sV41Uk)
These aren't made anymore, but I got a pair last year. These are what I wear when it's snowy/slushy. I'd buy 2 more pairs if they still made them, my only wish being they weren't high-tops.

posted by disaster77 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

These LL Bean "insulated comfort mocs" are fantastic from a comfort & warmth perspective, but more or less fail on the color/looking nice perspective. I haven't personally tried these ones but they get good reviews and I think meet your criteria slightly better.
posted by brainmouse at 2:27 PM on December 12, 2014

Uggs work for this. Fur. Soft! Pink!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:38 PM on December 12, 2014

Maybe you would like a pair of these green waterproof shoes from Ahnu? I have them, and I can attest to the fact that they are warm.
posted by ohisee at 2:40 PM on December 12, 2014

LL Bean also sells 'snow sneakers'. You might have a look at those. I wore them to work all the
last winter that I worked (outdoors 1/2 of the time).
posted by donaken at 2:54 PM on December 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

IF the Chuck Taylor's work for you otherwise, I would try the leather versions of the classic.

Here is a selection of woman's hiking shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods.
posted by 724A at 3:29 PM on December 12, 2014

i have a pair of vasque hiking "boots" (they look more like high top sneakers) that i wear every winter in wisconsin when i go see friends. i've had them since i lived in colorado (almost 10 years ago) - those and a pair of smartwool socks keep me comfy and cozy the whole time. they have low top styles as well.
posted by koroshiya at 4:17 PM on December 12, 2014

I would recommend looking into Paul Green shoes if you can find an online store that ships to you. I bought a pair of shoes from them a couple of years back that looked pretty similar to Chuck Taylor high tops except they had a sturdier sole with better grip (good for snow and ice), and were made of leather and lined with fleece. They might make a low-cut version with the fleece lining, but even if they don't, their low cut leather sneakers with leather lining look like they'd be much more suitable for winter than leather Chucks.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:26 PM on December 12, 2014

I could have written this question! I need casual work sneakers that will hold up to a wet, cold commute and aren't as flashy-ugly as most athletic sneakers. (I wear Onitsuka Tigers now, but they get a bit cold with the mesh top.)

If anyone can second that Ahnu Sugarpine suggestion I'll be all over those. Just here to saw I'm looking forward to more suggestions.
posted by Sayuri. at 6:06 PM on December 12, 2014

I have a pair of Praxis Geos that I got because I was at the Mall of America when the shoes I was wearing literally fell apart, and the size 9.5 fit well (I'm a Woman's 10/11 very very wide) and they were on sale. They've totally become my go-to everyday shoes. I have the all-black ones which are pretty understated, and they've very comfortable to walk in. They're good in cold and wet conditions, too, without looking like Trail! Shoes!
posted by BrashTech at 6:35 PM on December 12, 2014

Five.ten makes very high quality, warm, good-for-puddles-and-slush shoes like this. A little over your price point, but they're amazing.
posted by I need an adult at 10:30 PM on December 12, 2014

You might like the North Face trail runners--the waterproof/GORE-TEX ones are warm. They are basically the bottom part of the NF hiking boots, without the high top and with a slightly lighter sole. The current model only comes in blue+yellow or teal, though (my black-and-pink ones are falling apart, sadface).
posted by anaelith at 5:41 AM on December 14, 2014

Have you tried hiking sneakers? Hiking "boots" come in sneaker, low-cut, and high-cut. I have the Merrell Moab in sneaker style and it's an order of magnitude more substantial than my Converse.
posted by serelliya at 3:06 PM on December 14, 2014

I just discovered the weatherized Vans MTE line and immediately thought of this question!
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:47 AM on December 18, 2014