Illustration by Chandler Bondurant
As an urban apartment dweller who hasn’t had to shovel snow in well over a decade, I don’t tend to give much thought to how insulating a given pair of boots may be. That was until a memorable wintertime trip to Seattle in 2019, when a freezing afternoon spent at Pike Place Market resulted in my feet being completely numb by the time I finally sat down to eat a meal.
What would have helped in that situation was shearling lining, a feature the trusty Bean Boots I’d packed for the trip sadly lacked. I now own the shearling-lined iteration below, which has since saved my toes from utter numbness multiple times, although any of the alternatives listed from brands including Mojas, Mr P., Blundstone, and more would surely do the trick.
It’s either that or dropping a few handwarmers into your boots before lacing up, which doesn’t sound nearly as comfortable or practical.
L.L. Bean Boots, 10″ Shearling-Lined Tumbled Leather
Image Credit: L.L. Bean The Bean Boot is a wintertime icon in New England—and even more so when it’s been lined in shearling, which gives the rugged shoe the feel of a favorite indoor slipper.
Santoni Genuine Shearling Lug Sole Boot
Image Credit: Santoni This Santoni boot blends the DNA of a hiker with a sneaker and is lined with shearling throughout. Contrast laces and a lugged sole add to its sporty appeal.
Mephisto Leonardo HydroProtect Waterproof Genuine Shearling Lined Boot
Image Credit: Mephisto While chiefly known for its sneakers, Mephisto also produces this shearling-lined boot that features waterproof seams and a subtly hidden side zipper.
Overland Men’s Tobias Shearling-Lined Leather Boots
Image Credit: Overland Overland’s claim to fame is its sheepskin jackets, but they’ve saved enough of the material to line these Goodyear-welted lace-up boots in soft shearling.
Ludwig Reiter Maronibrater Boots
Image Credit: Ludwig Reiter Ludwig Reiter was founded in Vienna in 1885, where it earned commissions to make riding boots for officers. There’s more than a little of the equestrian in the design of its tall Maronibrater boot, which features a felt and bark-tanned upper and a shearling-lined interior.
Mr P. Commander Shearling-Lined Leather Lace-Up Boots
Image Credit: Mr P. Commander Mr P.’s Commander boot has a striking exterior, with a split-apron toe, speed hook eyelets and a heavy lugged sole. But its interior also deserves attention, as it’s lined with warming shearling.
Loro Piana Beinn Walk Shearling-Lined Leather and Padded Suede Boots
Image Credit: Loro Piana Never one to miss out on using a luxurious fabric, Loro Piana’s Beinn Walk boots are made from leather and down-padded suede and feature an interior lined in shearling.
Morjas the Hiking Boot
Image Credit: Morjas It would seem impossible for Swedish footwear brand Morjas to make its hiking boot anymore winterproof, as it includes a coated leather mudguard, a storm welt construction, cushioned padding and shearling lining within.
Blundstone Thermal Waterproof Genuine Shearling Lined Chelsea Boot
Image Credit: Blundstone Blundstones are prized in their native Australia for their hard-wearing utility, and this iteration of the Chelsea has been fully winterized with a removable shearling insole and a waterproof construction.
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