Can sheepskin really take the snow?

Sheepskin boots are brilliant in cold, dry snow and less so in slush and ice, so here is why, and how to protect yours.

By jelli.world, the bag brand. Our styling advice, with sources linked in the text and jelli.world products offered for sale.

In 1916, the Royal Flying Corps issued its aircrew a pair of boots made for one of the coldest jobs of the war: flying in an open cockpit, high above the Western Front. The surviving pair at the RAF Museum is made of sheepskin and runs right up the thigh, with tops that fastened to the uniform and straps at the knee and instep to keep them close. The crews called them "fug boots" because they were so warm. When the most demanding customer imaginable needed to keep its feet from freezing, it turned to sheep.

That is the best short answer to the question of whether sheepskin boots are good for snow. For cold, dry snow, crisp frosty pavements and the long standing-about of a winter city, they are excellent, warmer and more comfortable than most alternatives. They are less suited to deep slush, standing water and icy hills, where the suede can soak through and grip depends entirely on the sole. Know the difference and you'll know when to wear them.

Why sheepskin is so warm

Sheepskin is wool still attached to the hide, and wool is built for cold. Each fibre has a natural crimp, and according to The Woolmark Company, the wool industry's own body, that crimp traps pockets of still air that insulate the skin from the cold. Still air is one of the best insulators there is, and a sheepskin boot surrounds your foot with a thick, dense layer of it.

The other half of the story is moisture. Feet sweat, even in winter, and damp socks are cold socks. Woolmark says wool can absorb up to 35 per cent of its own weight in moisture before it feels wet against the skin, and that as it absorbs moisture it releases a little heat. That is why your feet tend to feel dry and comfortable in a sheepskin boot after hours of wear, and why the boots are so pleasant indoors, where many synthetic-lined boots get hot and clammy. It's also why the RFC's choice made sense: a high-altitude pilot couldn't step out and change his socks.

Where sheepskin boots are good for snow

The ideal conditions are cold and dry. A frosty morning a few degrees below zero, with powdery snow underfoot, is sheepskin's home ground: dry snow brushes off before it can melt into the suede, and the fleece keeps the cold at bay. City winters suit them beautifully, too. Walking to work, the school run, Christmas markets, a bonfire night, a long wait on a cold platform: all the occasions where you're on your feet but not wading through anything.

They are also very good for standing still, which is where many technical boots fall down. The fleece holds warmth around the whole foot, so you don't get the creeping chill that comes from a thin sole on a cold pavement.

Where they struggle

Slush is the real enemy. Grey, half-melted snow mixed with grit soaks into untreated suede, darkens it, and leaves salt marks when it dries. The boot also feels heavier and colder until it has dried out, which can take a day. Deep puddles and heavy rain are the same story.

Ice is about the sole, not the sheepskin. A smooth or shallow sole can be slippery on a frozen pavement, whatever the upper is made of. And for serious winter walking in deep, wet snow, a purpose-built waterproof hiking boot is the better tool. If you're heading for the mountains, wear proper snow gear on the slopes and save the sheepskin for the evening.

How sheepskin compares

There's no single winner. Sheepskin takes comfort and everyday warmth; a waterproof boot takes the slush; leather takes the office.

Making a pair more snow-ready

Start before the first snowfall. Spray the boots with a suede and sheepskin protector, which helps water and stains bead on the surface, and reapply it through the season. Check the sole when you buy: chunky tread with some depth is what keeps you upright on a gritted pavement.

Height helps. A tall boot keeps snow from getting in over the top and keeps more of your leg warm. Brush snow off as soon as you come inside, before it has a chance to melt into the nap. If the boots do get wet, stuff them with plain paper and let them dry slowly at room temperature, never on a radiator, which can stiffen and crack the hide. If you can, give them a day off between wears so they dry right through.

As for socks, sheepskin is designed to feel good against bare skin, but in very cold weather a thin wool sock adds comfort and keeps the lining fresher. Avoid thick socks that make the boot tight. Squashed toes get cold faster, because there's less trapped air around them.

The Sherpa boots at jelli.world are colourful snow boots in real sheepskin,. As with any sheepskin boot, read the product details for sole and finish, and protect them before the first snow.

The honest verdict

Are sheepskin boots good for snow? For most winter days in most cities, yes. They are warm, comfortable and cheerful, and they have been keeping people's feet warm in hard places for more than a century. Add a protector spray, a good sole and a little caution around slush. If you'd like yours in a brighter shade, jelli.world is the place to look.

Common questions

Are sheepskin boots waterproof?

Not by default. Sheepskin suede is naturally absorbent. Some pairs have a water-resistant finish, so check the product information, and use a protector spray either way.

Will snow ruin sheepskin boots?

Not if you brush it off promptly and dry damp boots slowly. Road salt is the bigger risk, so clean salt marks as soon as they appear.

How cold can you wear sheepskin boots in?

They are comfortable through typical UK and many US winters, including days below freezing. Comfort in extreme cold depends on the boot's height, the thickness of the sole and how long you are outside.

Last reviewed: 15 October 2026