Extreme Cold Weather Winter Boots
Antarctic Boots

Antarctic Winter Boots
Extreme cold and dry conditions


Very low temperature cold weather boots
manufacturer rated down to -148 F / -100 C
Men's   Women's

Regular leather or synthetic hiking boots don't provide enough warmth in extremely cold conditions, even if you wear an extra pair of socks.

Boots designed for extreme cold are built differently: they feature soft uppers, thick rubber or synthetic soles, removable insulation, and cushioned insoles that reduce heat loss to snow and ice. Their flexible uppers, along with laces or adjustable buckles, make them easier to put on over thick socks (and even while wearing gloves) while still allowing a customizable fit. It's crucial not to compress the socks too tightly, since the trapped air within them provides the real insulation.

These boots excel at keeping your feet warm and work well for most activities in low temperatures, though more specialized footwear is required for very rugged terrain or climbing. For walking or standing on relatively flat ground in extremely cold conditions, they perform their job exceptionally well.

Cold-weather boots are inevitably bulkier and heavier than those made for milder conditions. The insulation needed to block out the cold results in wider uppers and thick, weighty soles. In the harshest temperatures, there's simply no avoiding this, despite marketing claims, no ultra-thin or featherlight insulating or heat-reflective material can replace it.

Cold Weather Winter Boots
for Less Extreme Conditions


Mens | Women's

Boots for your Antarctic Trip

If you're heading to Antarctica, you'll need durable, heavy-duty footwear. While these notes are written with Antarctic conditions in mind, the guidance also applies to any boots intended for cold climates and uneven terrain.

Antarctica is a rugged environment with no footpaths, and the easiest walking you'll find is along sandy or pebble-strewn beaches when landing. Where the ground isn't covered in snow or ice, it's rocky, uneven, and rarely flat. That's why sturdy footwear with a solid, supportive sole is essential, to keep the sharp, rough Antarctic terrain from being felt with every step.

In coastal regions, where most visitors travel, summer temperatures are comparable to a temperate Northern Hemisphere winter and can often dip below freezing. Boots should therefore provide enough warmth and have enough space to comfortably fit both a pair of thin under-socks and thicker, insulating hiking socks.

Your footwear should be warm, water-resistant, supportive (at least ankle-high), and equipped with a sturdy sole. Comfort is equally important, and thankfully modern boots are far superior to those of the past. The days of painfully breaking in stiff, unyielding boots well before actual use are largely behind us.

It's wise to break in your boots a bit, wearing them around the house or around town, before heading to the airport for your trip south. Slipping them on for the very first time in your cabin, just before going ashore to visit a penguin colony, isn't the best plan. Most boots are nearly ready to wear right out of the box, but as with any footwear, it also depends on how typical (or not) your feet are!

Socks - "Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth o' tar." Make sure you invest in good, warm socks as well. Start with a high-quality lightweight pair against your skin, then layer thicker hiking socks on top. These are typically designed without seams in pressure points and often feature extra cushioning in areas that bear the most weight.
Hiking Socks: Midweight  |  Heavyweight

*Ha'porth = half penny worth. Tar was used to ensure watertight seals between the planks of sailing ships.

Antarctic Summer Boots
Cold and wet conditions


Waterproof cold weather boots
manufacturers rating down to - 40 F / - 40 C
Men's | Women's

Waterproof boots will clearly be very useful when cruising on a ship and making boat landings ashore. You won't need to wade through water, but a missed footing into just a few inches of water could result in uncomfortably wet socks and feet that you won't be able to dry out until you're back on the ship again.

For use in and around boats in cold conditions, remodeled rubber wellington style boots with uppers of insulated close fitting neoprene are ideal.

These are much better for walking in than conventional wellington boots and are widely used in Antarctica by scientists, guides and tourists alike. They are waterproof up to the top so you don't have to worry when getting in or out of the zodiac in shallow water, the close fitting insulated rubber is admirable at keeping you warm and you can be comfortable walking around in them all day long.

Clothing for cold conditions - layering is the key

• Layer one: underwear / base layer (can be short and thin or long and "thermal")
• Layer two: the insulating layer, tops & pants
• Layer three: outer shell layer