The Best Sneakers for Winter

In the winter, you'll find the rest of the world reaching for their Dr. Martens and Timberlands, but not us sneakerheads. The unsuspecting consumer would assume that sneakers are limited to summer wear, though this is definitely not the case. There are an amazing amount of sneakers out there on the market that are suited to the wind and the rain that comes with the winter months.

Advanced technologies such as GORE-TEX and Vibram have been used by the likes of Nike, adidas and New Balance to create grippy outsoles and waterproof uppers that can stand the test of British weather in the winter. And although these are designed to suit the cold-weather months, there's lots of heat for your feet that will impress your friends and add style to your 'fit, as well as being practical and provide all the functionality you need for the inclement weather.

What isn't there to love about a shoe that has the comfort and style of a sneaker, but the winter-ready durability you need from a winter boot?

So, what do you need to look out for when buying sneakers that are suited for the winter weather? Winter-ready sneakers will often be built with waterproof leather or other materials that will protect your feet from getting soggy in the wet conditions. However, in adidas' case, the Three-Stripes Brand personalised their UltraBoost with a water-repellent mesh upper, so even though they don't look fit for the puddles, they certainly are. It's probably good to avoid suede in the winter as water can damage the material, but if you are risking it, make sure to use a protective spray before rocking your creps outdoors.

The best sneakers for winter also come with extra traction and grip for those icy days. The last thing you want to be doing on those snow days is slipping over in your kicks. Converse are particularly good at achieving extra grip; you'll practically feel like you're wearing your hiking boots! So move over Vans Slip-Ons, there's a new pair in town: the Sk8-Hi Vibram LX is your best friend for the winter.

As well as this, lots of winter shoes will include extra cushioning to keep your feet toasty on those cold days. Often faux-fur lined, the sneaker boots will ensure that your feet are as warm as the rest of your body, so nothing is compromised.

Not everyone is willing to spend half of their winter lacing and unlacing uncomfortable, blister-inducing boots, so winter sneakers are the best option to avoid this. For some people, sneakers are much more suited to their style, meaning that it's great if they can continue wearing them all year round. Sneaker boots are much more easy to wear and very practical, so there's no reason to not fall in love with them. You don't want to get your favourite sneakers for the summer covered and ruined in the slush come December, so make sure to invest in a good pair of sneakers that are built with a waterproof membrane. This way, they won't get damaged. Once you try winter sneakers, you'll never turn back to boots again.

Now let's get to it: The Sole Supplier' best winter sneakers for 2021.

If you're in need of something that really is built to take on anything the winter can throw at you, then look no further than the adidas Terrex Hikster Mid COLD.RDY. Highlights for this sneaker include the COLD.RDY features, which insulate against the cold and prevent moisture to ensure your feet are kept warm and dry. And don't worry about falling over on the ice in this pair, as this adidas Terrex comes with all-purpose grip in the form of a Traxion outsole and outdoor lugs to keep you upright, no matter which direction you're going in. adidas pride themselves on the fact that these are hiker boots that come with the cushioned feel of a trainer and the support of a trail shoe. Could we ask for any more than that? The leather upper is easy to wipe clean and comes with PrimaLoft insulation. Underfoot, EVA midsole cushioning provides the all-important bounce and shock absorption.

Coming in strong is the Nike Air Force 1 GTX Boot. This high-top sneaker is one of our top trainers for the winter months, thanks to its high-cut collar, GORE-TEX lining, lugs and classic Air comfort. The crisp leather on the upper is great to keep clean and comes with GORE-TEX branding embroidered into the sidewall, just below the iconic Nike Swoosh. The gum rubber outsole houses that unrivalled cushioning for the best comfort you can find in a pair of sneakers, as well as making the pair completely waterproof so your feet are guaranteed to stay dry in the rain.

The Yeezy 500 High is a seasonally appropriate sneaker that lacks the usual Boost cushioning and Primeknit mesh that we're used to seeing on Yeezys, but makes up for that with its chunky, winter-ready silhouette. Designed to keep your feet as warm as possible, these booties lack breathability, but in the best way possible. Of course, thanks to the suede upper and neoprene underlay, this adidas x Yeezy pair are not rain-appropriate, but will be great in the cold weather. Those days when the ground is crisp and you can see your breath in the air - this high-top boot is for those days. The roped laces come with a toggle, so you can't deny that this pair scream winter. The "Mist Stone" is one of our favourite iterations, find out where you can cop a pair below.

Now for something a little more attainable. Converse is no stranger to creating warm sneakers for the winter, with loads of fur-lined iterations taking up retailers' shelves for months at a time at the end of the year. The Run Star Hike is a fairly new silhouette, and even though it is not confined for winter use, it suits it perfectly all the same. Having made use of high-performance, technical materials such as GORE-TEX, you can find Converse with water-wicking properties (keep reading to see one of our faves), however you might not turn to these all year round. With the RSH, it's different. Perfect for both the summer and winter, if you're looking for something completely versatile then these are the pair for you.

Although these sneakers do come with canvas uppers, some styles do take on a pebbled, water-repellent leather too. Complete with a rubber toe cap, midsole and heel, they are easy to wipe clean in a crisis (you can find out more about cleaning shoes here) and the two-tone exaggerated outsole tread means that's there's plenty of grip underfoot. However, from experience, TSS would suggest that you stick to the rain rather than the snow in this pair. Extremely practical, as well as fashionable, this is a great pair to add to your rotation for both summer and winter.

Coming in fall-ready hues, the Nike Lahar Low is a grippy shoe that takes a bit of a different route compared to other trainers from the Oregon-based brand. Taking inspiration from a hiking shoe developed by Nike in the 1980s, this contemporary take on a classic makes for a perfect winter sneaker.

Staying true to the retro design, this sneaker is equally suited for the city or the country. The Lahar is constructed from durable canvas and heavy-duty lugs for an insane amount of traction and grip. There's also leather accents that are easy to keep clean, whilst the round laces are simple to do up and add to the hiking look. Nike branding can be seen on the outsole and at the top of the tongue, so there's no mistaking who made this winter sneaker.

If you're on the lookout for some statement outsoles, then look no further than the Vault by Vans collaboration with Vibram. Celebrating timeless styles with a futuristic twist, this collection is said to take inspiration from 'urban exploration', meaning that the SK8-Hi Reissue LX is given a revamp with Vibram's lug outsole, as well as Vans' UltraCush technology. In case you didn't know, the Italian brand is known for creating the first rubber lug soles which were intended to be used on mountaineering boots - so of course these are an insane pair for the winter! Coming in both black and white colourways, this Vans Sk8-Hi will shake up your winter shoedrobe and make sure you're ready for the cooler months.

First appearing in 2013, the Salomon XT-6 was built for athletes who run in harsh conditions. Coming with world-class cushioning, durability and grip, the XT-6 is one of the best in the biz when it comes to waterproof winter sneakers.

The Salomon XT-6 has EVA cushioning in the midsole to ensure great shock absorbance for running on rocks, and as well as being light and durable, the sneaker is built with water-resistant TPU detailing and mesh that's designed to last for years, no matter how many times you'll be wearing them. One for running downhill? Then these will be perfect, as they are constructed with downhill chassis and lug geometry to give you support and stability. It doesn't get better than this if you need a pair of running shoes for the winter. Salomon trainers are built for study, practical days, so are great even if you're not a runner.

Just in time for the Holiday season, the Air Jordan 1 High GORE-TEX "Element" and "Light Bone" will be making their way to the sneaker shops ready for those cold, stormy days. Although you can't buy these AJ1s yet, it's definitely going to be good to keep on your radar ready for when you can, as they're going to be super popular on release. The Jordan's traditional leather upper is replaced with GTX's waterproof material, so you're protected against the elements. "Element" is coming in a "Black" and "Green" colour scheme, that will hide the dirt a bit better than the pale-coloured "Light Bone", which takes on a light grey and lilac palette. On both pairs, GORE-TEX branding can be found on the back of the heel, at the top of the tongue and on the insole.

Having been unveiled at the Yeezy Season 8 show back in Paris in March 2020, the Yeezy NSLTD BT "Khaki" has been a long time coming. NSTLTD BT - or Insulated Boot if you write like a normal person - comes with a quilted high-cut ankle that will keep not only your feet, but your entire calf toasty in the snowy months. Pair this with a puffer coat and you'll be good to go! Of course, it wouldn't be Ye if it weren't for the funky outsole. Coming with circular detailing, like is seen on the 700s, and a super grippy outsole with a jagged edge (the whole thing is reminiscent of the YZY Foam RNNR), you'll be equipped to tackle the outdoors whatever the weather! We're not yet sure when these are said to be releasing, however when they do you need to add them to your must-cop winter sneakers list.

We've already mentioned some Converse which are great for winter without intending to be, but what about some Chucks that are? The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged collection is winter in a sneaker. Coming in a range of different colourways, there is something to suit everyone. From pale pastels to wintery khaki greens, there's no way you'll find a pair you don't like. And what's more is, they are so built for the winter weather! Underfoot, you'll find chevron-shaped grip support on the rubber sole that complement the waterproof leather up top perfectly. The Winter 2.0 comes with taller rubber sidewalls for the ultimate protection, as well as a gusseted tongue that's guaranteed to keep the elements at bay. Inside is where the magic really happens though. A soft fleece liner coats the inside of this sneak, as well as there being an EVA sock liner for ultimate comfort. Complementing the hiker look is the speed hooks and rounded laces; you'll definitely be ready to battle the elements in a pair of these.

Who doesn't love an Air Force 1? Well, if you're looking to wear your AF1s all year round, then you're going to need a pair of the Nike Air Force 1 Luxe sneakers. A fresh take on the '82 Bruce Kilgore-designed silhouette, this pair of Forces see a rugged tread and leather upper give the iconic shoe a winterised makeover. Coming with excellent traction and durability, the Air Force 1 Luxe is a premium pair of sneakers that will keep you upright on the ice and up there with some of the most stylish people about. A theme with the rest of the sneakers on this list, the Luxe AF1 comes with round laces and durable hardware that gives off that hiker look. Pair with your favourite The North Face puffer coat and New Balance tracksuit for the ultimate winter look.

All in all, these are our favourite winter sneakers that you can get! Base your shopping off this list, and you can't go wrong. Having looked at how waterproof, warm and comfortable they are, you definitely need a pair (if not more than one pair!) of these sneakers in your rotation for the cold months ahead. Whether you need a pair of trail running shoes, or just something to keep you warm on your city break, there's a pair here to suit you. Click the links to shop and make sure to let us know what you pick up over on Instagram!

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