The Ultimate Guide to Staying Warm Working in Cold Conditions

Working in cold conditions can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and equipment, you can stay comfortable and safe. Whether you work outdoors or in a cold indoor environment, it's important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the cold. This ultimate guide will provide you with the information you need to stay warm and safe while working in cold conditions. From work boots to socks to clothing, here's what you need to know!

Layer clothing.

Work clothing should be worn in multiple layers to provide better protection versus a single thick layer. This is because the air between layers is what provides you with the best insulation – more than the clothing itself! So be sure to layer up.

Material Matters.

Layers are crucial, but so is the material they are made out of. Remember “Cotton is Rotten” as it becomes damp or wet quickly and holds moisture near your skin. Wool and synthetic fibers continue to insulate and retain heat even when wet. For socks, your best option is polypropylene liner socks that keep feet warm but draw moisture away from the foot. Then add a pair of merino wool socks on top. Layers, again, are your best bet to stay warm and dry.

Bulky isn’t Better.

When socks are too thick, they make work boots or safety shoes tight, and you lose insulation properties because it's actually the air between layers that gives you warmth. Tight footwear will also decrease blood flow and make feet colder faster, leading to foot fatigue.

Rubber soles for traction.

Rubber is best for work boot traction on snow and ice but also as a protective layer as well as staying pliable longer in the cold. Don’t forget to use removable insoles that can be taken out to dry overnight.

Look for expertise in grip.

Staying safe and stable across cold, slick, wet surfaces makes having the right outsoles in winter or cold conditions work boots a critical feature. The best brands continue to innovate the technology used in outsoles. Check out these great options:

• Baffin's IceBite™ technology was tested in some of the most challenging environments, from sub-zero Arctic landscapes to wet, frozen urban sites. Whether on icy scaffolding or frost-covered ground they are committed to providing confidence underfoot for those who work hard, no matter the weather. Find them in Baffin's Ice Monster work boots
• KEEN Utility's POLAR TRACTION includes micro-glass filaments combined with oil and low-temperature flex-resistant rubber in their outsoles for optimal traction on wet or oil ice surfaces by piercing the surface. Find them in KEEN Utility Oshawa Duty and Davenport
• Kodiak's Vibram’s® Arctic Grip™. Built specifically to perform on wet ice, the outsole compound is engineered with a unique polymer blend and advanced filler system, ideal for traction in outdoor work environments. Find them in Kodiak's Ice Conqueror
• Timberland PRO All-weather TPU. Specially-formulated thermoplastic urethane compound designed to maintain flexibility in variable weather conditions, providing enhanced traction on wet and frosted ice surfaces, plus slip, oil and abrasion resistance. Find them in Timberland PRO's 8" Boondock  and Pac Max
• Acton's 4 Grip. Designed for grip on icy surfaces, the 4 Grip outsole is made of natural rubber with a lightweight EVA core. Find the 4 Grip sole on Action's Cannonball and All Weather.

  
  

  Choose the right amount of insulation. 

  
  When choosing work boots to wear in cold conditions, inside or outside, looking for insulation, like Thinsulate or Thermolite insulation, for example, are proven to conserve the body’s heat to help keep you warmer longer. If you work outside you need more than the standard 200 grams of insulation. So, look for anywhere from 400 grams to up 1,000 grams on insulation, depending on the amount of time you will spend in the cold and what your activity level will be. You will find many great options in our cold conditions work boot collection.

  
  

  Leather checks many boxes!

  
  Leather safety shoes and work boots are recommended because they are breathable and allow foot perspiration to evaporate. Waterproof work boots are ideal for keeping dampness, slush and snow out but can keep foot moisture in. That’s why wearing the right socks is so important if you do choose footwear that is waterproof or have a waterproof membrane.

Check out our complete selection of winter work boots 

For more information on how to protect yourself while working in cold conditions, like winter, read what the Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety has to say.

At Mister Safety Shoes, we are committed to helping workers get the best fitting, most comfortable safety shoes and work boots and work wear, so they remain productive, protected and comfortable so they have better work days. Check out more than 200 styles of the best brands of work boots and safety shoes at one of our 36 retail store locations in Ontario and Alberta.

 We provide an end-to-end safety footwear management program for all sizes of businesses in Ontario and Alberta. Please contact our business solutions team if you are looking for a safety footwear program for your company.