How to Keep Your Feet Warm in Boots: 8 Practical Tips

To keep your feet warm in boots, start by keeping them dry. Wear wool or synthetic socks rather than cotton, make sure your boots have enough room for your toes to move, and put a layer between your foot and the cold ground, such as a warm insole. A boot that is laced too tight or packed with socks that are too thick usually makes feet colder, not warmer, because it squeezes out the warm air and slows the blood flow to your toes.

Below, we look at why feet still get cold in good boots, which socks work best, whether two pairs help, and how to dry boots properly.

Why do my feet get cold in my boots?

Cold feet in boots usually come down to one of four things.

• Moisture. Feet sweat, even in winter, and that dampness has to go somewhere. If your socks hold it against your skin, your feet cool quickly. Rain, puddles and wet grass seeping in over the top or through worn seams make it worse.
• A tight fit. Warmth comes from still air trapped around your foot, and that needs a little space. A boot that pinches, or a sock that is too bulky for the boot, flattens that air layer and restricts circulation.
• Cold coming up from the ground. Standing on a frosty pavement, a station platform or a muddy touchline draws heat out through the sole, especially if the sole or insole is thin.
• Standing still. When you walk, your muscles help push warm blood down to your feet. Waiting at the school gate or on the sidelines of a football match, that help stops.

How to keep your feet warm in boots: 8 practical tips

1. Choose wool or synthetic socks, not cotton

Cotton absorbs moisture and is slow to dry, so a damp cotton sock sits cold against your skin for the rest of the day. Wool, especially merino, stays warmer when damp and moves sweat away from the skin. Synthetic fibres such as acrylic, polyester and nylon also dry faster than cotton and are often used in thermal socks with a brushed or looped inner surface that traps warm air. Many good winter socks are a blend of the two.

2. Match the sock thickness to the boot

A thicker sock is only warmer if your boot has room for it. Try your boots on with the socks you plan to wear. You should be able to wiggle your toes freely, and nothing should press on the top of your foot. If a thick sock makes the boot feel snug, a medium-weight sock will usually keep you warmer in that boot.

3. Lace firmly at the ankle, not tightly over the toes

Your laces should hold your heel in place without squeezing the front of your foot. Keep the lower laces comfortable and do most of the tightening around the ankle. If your toes go numb or tingly soon after lacing up, loosen them.

4. Add an insulating insole

If you can feel the cold coming up through the sole, a thicker or insulated insole adds a layer between your foot and the ground. Check it does not take up so much space that the boot becomes tight, which would undo the benefit.

5. Keep water out from the top

Plenty of cold feet start with water getting in over the top of the boot. For dog walks across wet fields or country paths, gaiters stop rain and wet grass running in. Re-proof leather and fabric boots from time to time, as an outer that soaks up water feels colder.

6. Put dry socks on just before you leave

Socks you have worn around the house all morning are already slightly damp. Changing into a fresh pair just before you put your boots on helps. On a long day out, carry a spare pair in your bag and swap them at lunchtime or as soon as your feet feel damp.

7. Start with warm boots and a warm body

Boots left overnight in a cold porch, car boot or shed take a while to warm up once you put them on. Keep them indoors at room temperature. It also helps to wear a hat, scarf and warm layers on your top half, because when your body feels cold it reduces blood flow to your hands and feet first.

8. Keep your feet moving

If you have to stand still, wiggle your toes, shift your weight from heel to toe and take a short walk every few minutes. On a cold bench, rest your feet on a bag rather than bare concrete.

Should you wear two pairs of socks in boots?

Only if your boots have room for both. Two layers can trap more warm air than one, and a thin liner sock under a warmer outer sock is a common combination for long, cold days outside. The liner sits next to your skin and helps reduce rubbing, while the outer sock provides the warmth.

If the two pairs make your boots tight, though, they squash the insulation and restrict circulation, and your feet end up colder. For most everyday UK winter wear, one good wool or thermal sock in a well-fitting boot does the job.

Which socks are warmest for winter boots?

How to dry boots properly

Boots that are still damp in the morning make the day start cold. After a wet walk:

• Take out the insoles and loosen the laces so air can reach the inside.
• Stuff the boots with dry newspaper or paper towels to draw out moisture, and replace it when it gets wet.
• Leave them to dry at room temperature, away from direct heat. Putting boots on a radiator or right next to a fire can crack leather and weaken glue.
• Give them a full day to dry if you can. If you wear boots every day in winter, having two pairs to alternate between helps.

When you get home with cold feet

Take off damp socks, dry your feet and let them warm up gradually. The NHS advises against putting your feet on a radiator or under hot water to warm them up, as this can contribute to chilblains, the itchy, sore patches that can appear on toes after cold exposure. A pair of dry, warm socks and some time in a warm room is the gentler option. For more ideas once you are indoors, see our guide on how to keep your feet warm at home.

If your feet are often painfully cold, turn white or blue, stay numb, or you have diabetes or circulation problems, speak to your GP or a pharmacist.

Everyday winter socks for men

For day-to-day wear with shoes and boots, our men's autumn and winter socks are made from a soft, comfortable material with flat-seamed toes. Each order is a single pair in one size, listed as fitting UK shoe sizes 6–11, and the colour is chosen at random. They are an easy everyday option for the commute or the school run. For long spells standing outside in freezing weather, a specialist wool or thermal sock is the better choice.

You can find them alongside gloves, thermal floor socks and other cold-weather basics in our winter collection. We offer free standard delivery to the UK and US, with an estimated delivery time of 5–8 business days, or fast delivery for £8, with an estimated delivery time of 1–2 business days. Free fast delivery is available on UK orders of £50 or more and US orders of £60 or more. Full details are on our shipping policy page.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my feet cold in my boots even with thick socks?

Usually because the boot is now too tight. A thick sock in a snug boot compresses the warm air layer and restricts blood flow. Try a medium-weight wool or thermal sock instead, and check you can wiggle your toes.

Do wool socks keep your feet warmer than cotton?

Generally, yes. Wool stays warmer when damp and moves sweat away from your skin, while cotton holds moisture and dries slowly, so feet in cotton socks tend to feel colder as the day goes on.

How do I stop my feet sweating in winter boots?

Wear wool or synthetic socks, avoid boots with more insulation than you need for what you are doing, and change into dry socks if your feet get damp. Letting your boots dry fully between wears also helps.

Are insoles worth it for cold feet?

They can help if you feel cold coming up through the sole, particularly when standing still on cold ground. Choose one that fits without making the boot tight.

Warm feet, start to finish

Warm feet in boots come down to staying dry, leaving room for warm air and blood flow, and keeping the cold ground at a distance. Get the socks and fit right, dry your boots between wears, and cold UK mornings become far more comfortable. When you are ready to stock up on cold-weather basics, take a look at our winter collection.