Are Feelgrounds Winter Boots Warm Enough? My Review

After wearing the Feelgrounds Chelsea Boots for two years, I wanted something warmer for winter. That’s why I bought the Feelgrounds Patrol Winter Boots, hoping they’d be the perfect upgrade for cold days.

I’ve now worn them for over a month on everything from snow-covered streets in Zell am See to Christmas markets in Vienna, and I have some thoughts.

While they do have some great features, like being waterproof and having a solid grip, there’s one thing I really wish I had done differently: I should have sized up.

If you’re considering these vegan barefoot winter boots, here’s my honest review based on real-life use in Austrian winter weather.

First Impressions

Out of the box, the Patrol Winter Boots looked solid and well made. The material felt thicker and more rugged than my Feelgrounds Chelsea boots (read the full review of them here).

They did feel a bit stiff when I first tried them on indoors, especially around the front of the foot where the material creased when I walked. I assumed that stiffness would go away with wear and it mostly did but not all the way.

The fluffy lining at the top, which looks super warm and cozy at the promo pictures, is only around the ankle area (about as wide as the coloured trim), while the rest of the boot has a much thinner lining.

One more thing I noticed is that the laces are quite long. I always tie a double knot because I don’t like them dangling around or dragging on the ground.

Still, the boots felt promising, sturdy, warm-looking, and clearly made for winter.

🥾 Check the different colour options in the shop

Fit & Sizing Issues

I ordered the Patrol Winter Boots in my usual size (EU 37), based on several reviews saying they fit true to size. Many reviews also said the Patrol boots are high-volume, but that wasn’t my experience at all.

The toe box feels narrower than in the Feelgrounds Chelsea boots. In fact, the tightness around the forefoot and toe area surprised me, and made layering socks a challenge, which isn’t ideal for barefoot shoes for cold weather.

With a second pair of socks or my special toe socks to keep my feet warm, the boots felt uncomfortably tight. I could still fit in, but my feet felt cramped, the opposite of what you want in barefoot shoes. And squished toes also make you feel colder, not warmer.

I regret not sizing up. I haven’t tried the next size, so I can’t say for sure if it would’ve been a perfect fit, but I do think the extra room would have helped.

🥾 Shop your winter boots here and use Feelgrounds discount code VEGANDERLUST for 15% off

Winter Performance in Austria

I’ve been wearing the Patrol Winter Boots almost daily this winter, on both long day trips and week-long stays across Austria. From Vienna’s Christmas markets to the snowy streets of Zell am See, they’ve handled a lot.

They’ve kept my feet dry in slushy snow, icy puddles, and rainy weather. The sole has a good grip too, which made me feel stable even on snow-covered paths or slippery pavement. I also wore them while shovelling snow at my parents’ house, and they held up well.

Warmth: Better, But Still Not Great

They’re definitely warmer than my Feelgrounds Chelsea boots, but still not quite warm enough for long days outdoors, especially with the sizing issue.

On colder days, my feet felt cold with just a regular pair of socks. When I tried adding a thicker pair or my special toe socks, the fit became too tight. My toes were cramped together, and that reduced circulation, so they didn’t feel much warmer.

With a better fit (and room for thicker socks), they probably would’ve kept my feet warmer. But with cramped toes, my feet still felt cold after long days out in winter weather.

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Material & Durability

After just over a month of regular wear, there are already some visible creases where my toes bend. It’s not a huge concern yet, but I’m keeping an eye on those spots, especially since my Chelsea boots developed tears in similar areas over time.

The outer material on the Patrol Winter looks the same as on the Patrol Lite, which my boyfriend has been wearing for over a year. His pair still looks great, no cracks, no visible wear.

That gives me higher hopes that this pair might hold up better than my Chelsea boots, but only time will tell.

Would I Recommend Them?

It depends.

The Patrol Winter Boots are waterproof, have good grip, and feel quite rugged. They’ve kept my feet dry through snow and slush, and they’re stylish enough to wear every day. I think they could work well for short winter walks or if you live somewhere with milder winters.

If you’re like me and your toes get cold easily, and you rely on layering socks or wearing toe socks for warmth, I’d recommend sizing up. In my usual size, they felt too tight with anything more than a thin pair of socks, and that tightness made my feet colder.

But if you live somewhere with extremely cold winters and you spend full days outside in freezing temperatures, I don’t think they’re the best pick, they’re just not warm enough.

If you’re considering them, you can shop the Patrol Winter Boots here and save 15% with the Feelgrounds discount code VEGANDERLUST

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