Can You Wear Rain Boots in the Snow?

Rain boots vs. snow boots: can you wear rain boots in the snow? They are not the best for snow but there are tips you can do to make them more comfortable.

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Is there a feeling of uncertainty holding you back from wearing the same pair of rain boots in different weather conditions? Should you buy a new pair of boots when the winter season with its snowy roads it’s just around the corner? Can you wear rain boots in the snow for real?

Sneak a look at our article and figure it out!

Can You Wear Rain Boots In The Snow?

Long story short: Yes, you can wear your rain boots in the snow as well. However, wearing rain boots in the snow is not all rainbows and butterflies; there are some hindrances on the way.

When you decide to wear your rain boots on snowy days, check the weather first – whether the roads are icy, and know your walking distance. Still and all, your boots won’t get damaged when you wear them in snow. In addition, they’ll keep your feet dry. The issue of the matter is the feet’ temperature and the chance to fall face first.

How long are you going to walk in the snow?

Albeit the design and comfort of rain boots protect our feet from getting wet, you can walk out there only for a few minutes with them on. If you’re going to walk for a long-distance or stay on your feet all day long, the rain boots will not satisfy your demands. This is because the rain boots are made of plastic or rubber, which means they cannot offer you sufficient comfort, warmness, security, or traction.

On such occasion, we suggest you wear your winter boots.

Are the roads icy?

As a general rule, you cannot wear rain boots when the temperature is lower than 5°C. The rubber material will not provide ample insulation, so the odds that your feet will be cold are high, especially if you own a wide-opening model of rain boots.

Accordingly, if the weather channel marks a low temperature with a lot of snow, get rid of the rain boots for the day. Since rain boots don’t offer sufficient traction, you’re likely to slip and injure yourself due to packed snow and icy roads out there. Of course, you can wear rain boots when it’s snowing lightly, and the pavements are not veiled in snow. But, once it’s snowing a lot, freezing rain or drizzle, bring out the winter boots straightaway. 

Are Rain Boots Slippery In The Snow?

The bitter truth is that rain boots are slippery in the snow, particularly if it’s snowing heavily. This is due to the lack of firm grip of the rain boot soles when stepping on the snow surroundings. But, after all, we cannot refer to this as a flaw since they are predominantly constructed for rainy days.

So, once you wear your rain boots in cold and snowy conditions, keep your fingers crossed for good luck because you most probably will slip and fall. 

3 Tips For Wearing Rain Boots In The Snow

If wearing your rain boots in the snow is the only option you have, there is a solution for you. Here’s what you have to take into consideration to wear them like a pro.

Wear warm socks

Since the rain boots do not contain the proper insulation for winter days, your feet will feel numb from the cold. For that reason, pick up the warmest socks you own and put them on. By doing so, your feet will feel warmer and cozier, despite freezing temperatures. 

Add boot liners to make them tight 

If the thoughts like ‘can you wear rain boots in the snow’ hit you a lot, but don’t know what to do, here’s another method you can put into practice.

With the right boot liners, you can wear your rain boots as your snow ones. Boot liners are quite affordable and will save you from investing in a new pair of winter boots.

The boot liners are designed with soft fleece material providing you with the warmth and coziness you look for in cold weather. When you put them on, you’ll make the wide openings of the boots tighter, which will prevent the cold from getting in and keep insulating the body temperature of your feet.

Increase the grip

Although the soles of rain boots won’t hold up in cold and snowy weather, there are some practical techniques you can employ to increase grip and wear your rain boots on icy roads. 

Scuff the soles 

Use an abrasive material to scuff your rain boots’ soles to increase traction, especially if your rain boots are brand new. Rub the soles against grit or concrete surfaces, and flee goodbye to chances of experiencing slippery moments in the snow. 

Use glue and salt mixture

For your boots to increase traction, try out one of the most common methods: a mixture of glue and salt. This technique is easily performed; you need to prepare a homogeneous mass of glue and salt and apply it to the soles. Then, all you have to do is rub it against the surface, which will create a coarse surface that will increase the soles’ grip. 

Get grip pads 

Enhancing the traction of your rain boots, it’s of great importance when those are the only boots you own. But, here’s a way out. You can buy grip pads to add to the soles of your boots. They are anti-skid and designed to protect you from slippery surfaces. The only thing to be cautious about is the size of the grip pads. 

Final Thoughts: Rain Boots vs. Snow Boots

There is no right or wrong answer if you want to wear rain boots in the snow. 

The material used to construct the rain boots is either PVC or rubber, making them flexible footwear to move around freely. However, they do not have the best insulation and grip to be worn in cold weather as snow boots do. Snow boots can be made of wool, leather, nylon, rubber, and other synthetic materials. Your feet will feel warm, and you’ll be free of slips when wearing snow boots.

But, there are cases when we want to wear rain boots for both fall and winter. You can manage this situation by using the proper hacks. You can wear your rain boots as your snow boots by increasing the traction of the soles, adding the appropriate boot liners, and wearing warm socks. Once you try these tips, you’ll walk like you own the place. 

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