Are Timberlands Good for Snow? (The Answer is a Bit Complicated)

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Timberlands are pretty rugged boots. We all know that. These leather boots survive everyday rough conditions like it’s nothing.

But the problem arises when winter comes. You start thinking, are Timberlands good for snow?

Do you need to bring out your snow boots?

I’ve got nothing against snow boots. But they can be a pain in the back when it comes to comfort and style. The style just gets destroyed.

So, I’ve thought of explaining what’s going on with Timberlands. The short answer is you can wear Timberlands for snow.

But it’s a bit more complicated than that. Let’s start and you’ll know what I mean when you reach the end-

Table of Contents

What Makes a Boot Good for Snow?

Getting snow on your feet might not feel that bad at first. But when that snow melts and makes your entire feet wet, it’s the worst. So, whatever you wear has to be waterproof against the snow.

On top of that, the boots need to have enough traction to keep you in your place. But that’s not all. Let’s dig deep into each of the factors, shall we?

Waterproofing

This goes without saying that boots need to be waterproof to protect you from snow. Even if a small amount of water gets in, your feet will be soaking wet. Although it shouldn’t keep you from cleaning your Timberlands.

And it’s not just simple water. It’s ice-melted water.

Getting your feet wet with this very cold water mixed with mud will numb your finger first. Worst case scenario, you might even lose your walking capability. A similar situation would be your Timbs hurting your ankle so bad you can’t walk in them.

A big part of waterproofing depends on how the manufacturer is attaching the sole to the main body. In fact, the sole will come off if the joint is loose or the gum isn’t that good.

Apart from waterproofing, it’s also a pretty big deal for the longevity of the boots. I mean, if you can tear off the sole with your hands, there’s no way it can protect you from the snowy, rough conditions of winter.

Traction

Your boots should let you walk without slipping no matter what the angle is. Needless to say, not all boots come with it.

You need to especially mold the sole to give it that amount of traction. And more often than not, having these properties also makes the soles resistant to oil, water, or even chemicals. While the sole won’t probably stretch, the same can’t be said for the upper body.

Warmth

It gets freezing cold when it snows. A lot of times, you have to go out when it’s -30ºC. You’re not going to get that far without having insulated boots.

Along with the natural insulation of the leather, it’s better to have added insulation for extra comfort. Trust me, you need that extra comfort to stay active all day long.

Why Are Timberlands Good for Snow?

Even though Timberlands are not snow boots(more on that below), they get along pretty well in rough conditions.

While you might not see from the outside, there are a lot of things going on with the construction. Here are the main reasons why Timberlands are good for snow-

Waterproofing Done Right

Most Timberlands boots you see are waterproof. This also includes the all-famous Yellow Timbs.

The waterproofing process starts right from the tanning process. These leather are carefully tanned and coated to ensure water resistance.

You might worry about getting water into your boots when you step into a puddle. Well, that won’t happen because they tie the tongue on both sides for maximum water resistance.

And that’s not all, the upper part and the sole are bonded together with special glue to make sure not a single drop of water gets in.

Both Natural and Added Insulation

Walking in the snow for a little is fun considering the boots are broken in. But when you do it for a long time, the fun goes away as the cold kicks in.

So, you need to stay comfortable in that situation with enough warmth. While the leather used in Timberlands is already good at insulation, it’s not foolproof.

This is why many Timberlands have added insulation. But remember, it’s not for all Timberlands. So, you better check the description before jumping in.

Their environment-friendly technologies such as PrimaLoft®️ Eco and PrimaLoft®️ Down technology are excellent at keeping your feet warm.

Amazing Grip

Timberlands come with special lug soles. Needless to say, the primary material used here is rubber. In most cases, it’s recycled rubber made from car tires.

On top of that, boots that have Vibram® soles offer even better traction control. But whether they have it or not, you can keep your Timberlands to stay with you for millions of steps.

The multiple layered soles are permanently cemented so it prevents any water leakage, keeping your feet dry.

Higher Shock Absorption Rate

As the sole is made out of rubber, there’s already plenty of springiness. However, the high-quality inner materials boost it up even further.

It’s because of these things that Timberlands don’t suffer from that much wear and tear. But that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible, so take care of your boots. This means creases will show up when you’ve worn the boots for a significant amount of time.

Although there’s no reason to think that the boots are like sponges. There’s an ideal balance of step trueness and shock absorption. Long short, you’ll love walking in these boots.

Ensures Proper Breathability

Your feet will always produce sweat. Even when you’re wearing leather boots in a freezing cold environment.

The solution is to make the boots breathable. Timberland leather boots are already quite breathable. At least, they have enough breathability for snow.

But what about the waterproofing chemical they use? Well, those chemicals are waterproof too. At least that’s what Timberlands says on their official site.

Are Timberlands Snow Boots or Winter Boots? When Should You Avoid Using These?

Let’s get this right. Timberlands are not snow boots. They are winter boots.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them in snow. Both of these boots are made in a way that ensures your feet stay warm and dry in cold weather(even below zero).

But using ‘winter boots’ in certain snow conditions is a recipe for cold and wet feet. Remember, the price and amount of insulation don’t matter in this case.

So, here are a couple of instances(only applicable for winter) where you should avoid wearing Timberlands-

You Have to Work in Deep Mud-filled Snow

If you work in road construction projects where there’s lots of mud, these boots are a big no for you. The dirty mud mixed with snow can ruin your Timberlands as it’s quite deep(not 2-3 inches of snow, I’m talking about deep piles of snow).

Other than that, if you’re a farmer or rancher, you’ll find it hard to work with Timberlands in snow. I mean, the stain alone is going to give you nightmares.

You’re Planning on Hiking or Camping in Winter

You can hike in Timberlands. But it’s only possible when there’s no snow.

Timberlands are much heavier than regular hiking boots, making them a bad fit for this purpose. And when it’s deep into winter, you can just forget about it.

You Want to Engage in Outdoor Games

Sure, you can walk around in Timberlands even when it’s winter. But most outdoor games involve running. And I’m sorry to say, Timberland boots weren’t really made for that purpose.

Are All Timberlands Waterproof?

Most Timberlands are waterproof as they are coated with a chemical. On top of that, they inject silicone into their leather to increase water resistance.

However, there are nubuck Timberland boots that are not suitable for water splashes. Obviously, the boots will survive water rain, splashes, or even snow.

But the problem is by the time you get home, you’ll find that your nubuck Timberlands are filled with stains. You can remove those stains with a bit of effort.

Nevertheless, these boots are still more vulnerable than their counterparts as you have to take the hassle of cleaning stains.

The best solution is to check the description of the boots. That way you’ll be absolutely sure that the boots are waterproof.

Which Timberlands Are Best for Snow?

As this isn’t really a review post, I won’t be going deep into how good these boots are. I’ve been around Timberlands for quite some time. And this is just my suggestion of Timberlands to wear in the snow.

Best Timberland Boots for Men

Best Timberland Boots for Women

Best Timberland Boots for Kids

How to Protect Timberlands in Winter?

Timberlands are made to survive in rough conditions. But you should still take some steps to make your boots snow-friendly. Here’s a detailed article on how to protect Timberland boots.

By doing this, you’ll save yourself from the trouble of treating nasty stains. Most importantly, you’ll be giving an extra layer of protection to your boots.

Here are the things you should do-

Never Forget to Protect and Condition

This is the first thing you should do after buying a pair of boots regardless of the brand. For regular Timberland boots, you can use the Timberland Waximum.

But I find Red Wing’s Mink Oil much more effective. However, DO NOT use it on suede or nubuck boots unless you want to destroy them.

The Timberland Travel Kit is all you need to protect your suede and nubuck boots. From cleaning to stain protecting, it’s really got the complete package.

Although I highly recommend the Gear Aid Revivex as some people might think the Timberland product is a bit too expensive.

Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that both of these products work.

Keep Your Boots Dry (Always Air Dry)

If you’ve ever owned a Timberland, you know how notoriously long they take to dry. What’s more, you shouldn’t even let them get wet.

But still, it happens to the best of us. The worst thing you can do at this point is to place them near an open fire or a radiator.

There’s no doubt it’ll speed up the drying process. However, it’ll dry out the natural oil of the leather along with the excess water.

That’s where the problem is. As the leather’s already dried up, chances are the leather might crack at any time unless you condition the boots.

And even with conditioning, it might not go back to its original state.

Extra Tip: How Often Should You Clean and Protect Timberlands?

The first waterproofing should be done right after you bring out the boots from their box. After that, the frequency depends on how often you wear the boots.

With regular usage, you should clean and protect the boots every 2-4 weeks. Simply take a look at your boots. Are you seeing any stains?

If yes, then you need to apply a protector.

However, a lot of people only wear these boots in winter. The rest of the year, they stay locked up in the shoe cabinet.

If that’s the case, then you should take out the boots every 5-6 months and take proper care. Even if you don’t wear them, regular maintenance is a must for the longevity of leather boots.

So, Are Timberlands Good for Snow? Will They Survive?

Honestly, it all boils down to what you’re planning to do with your Timberlands. For everyday use in winter, Timberlands will survive easily.

However, when you think of hiking, walking in deep piles of mud-filled snow, or wanting to engage in outdoor games, Timberlands might not be the right choice.

The bottom line is if you’re not doing anything extreme in the snow, your Timberlands will be just fine.

Your Boot, Our Concern

Are Timberlands Good for Snow? (The Answer is a Bit Complicated)