Can You Wear Vans in the Snow? (During Winter)

During cold winter months, it can be troublesome to put on layers of socks and heavy snow boots every day when you want to go outside. You’re tempted to slip into a pair of classic Vans shoes, but can you actually wear them in the snow during winter?

You can wear Vans shoes in the snow, but only if you wear the Vans MTE collection, which has shoes that are water- and snow-resistant. Regular Vans shoes made of canvas and suede would easily become ruined by the salt and snow during winter.

Moreover, regular sneakers can make it difficult to stay on your feet because some surfaces may be slippery during winter, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead before the snow pours in.

In this post, we will share with you how you can wear a pair of Vans during winter.

Are Vans Shoes Good for Snow?

What shoes you wear during winter can be the difference between bliss and disaster.

Sure, you can wear any shoes you want in the snow, but you have to be careful because surfaces can be slippery. Let’s explore whether Vans shoes are good for snow or not…

Regular Vans are not suitable for snow

Whether you can wear a pair of Old Skool Vans in the snow depends on where you live. Generally, you can wear regular Vans shoes during fall, but not during winter when it snows.

One thing you have to understand about Vans shoes is that they are skateboarding shoes.

This means that they are not made for snow because the upper part of the shoes is made of canvas and suede, materials that are not able to withstand moisture very well.

In fact, Vans shoes are not waterproof, so you should not wear them in the snow.

If you choose to wear a pair of Vans in the snow, the canvas or suede upper part would be soaked in minutes. And the next thing you know, your socks will be wet too, no matter what type of socks you wear. As a result, your feet would be wet and cold for the rest of the day.

Not to mention, salted sidewalks and roads can cause irreversible damage to your footwear.

Vans MTE Collection is perfect for snow during winter

If you want to keep your feet warm and dry while rocking a pair of skate shoes, then we recommend buying a pair of the Vans MTE Collection.

It is made with weather-resistant materials that can withstand snow, water, and wind. 

The Vans MTE Collection features weather-resistant shoes for the elements.

Because they are coated with Scotchgard, the Vans All-Weather MTE Collection has premium water-resistant leather and suede uppers. Moreover, there are warm linings and a heat retention layer between the sock liner and outsole, so your feet can stay warm at all times.

In addition to keeping the heat around your feet, the Vans MTE Collection shoes are non-slip too.

Inspired by Vans’ 20-plus years of snow boot design innovation, a durable lugged outsole was created to offer top-performance traction during the slippery winter season.

Best of all, you don’t have to live in the mountains to rock a pair of this functional footwear. The Vans MTE Collection fits your feet well even if you’re exploring the urban setting of a city, fishing by the lake in the fall, or going to the beach in the Northeast.

You don’t have to worry about sweaty feet either because the MTE 360° heat and moisture management system will keep your feet nice and dry at all times.

This is because they are made with breathable materials that promote airflow to your feet.

The Vans All-Weather MTE collection retails between $75 to $180 USD and is available now. You can also find better deals on Amazon right here.

So if you plan to go out tonight, you have nothing to worry about because the Vans MTE Shoe Collection is snow-, water-, and cold-resistant. They look pretty cool and casual too, so you can stay comfortable and warm all evening while wandering around in snowy streets.

How to Snow-Proof Your Vans Shoes

If you don’t feel like buying a new pair of weather-resistant shoes, then your next best option is to snow-proof your existing pair of Vans shoes. The best snow-proofing spray costs less than $15, so you should be able to save money while protecting your shoes during winter.

1. Clean and Condition First

Before you try to snow-proof your Vans shoes, you need to make sure that they are completely clean. Otherwise, you will just be sealing in the dirt under the invisible layer. 

Use an old brush (or toothbrush) to remove any dust, dirt, and debris you can find, then apply a cleaning solution. While you can use simple dish soap and water, some experts recommend using a special shoe cleaner (like this one) for the best results.

2. Remove Salt Stains From the Shoes

If you’ve gone out in the snow with your Vans, there may be some salt stains on them. Sure, they can be damaging, but you can reduce the stains with a little bit of white vinegar.

The Spruce suggests using a mixture of 1 cup of cold water and 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Use cotton balls or a dry towel to apply the homemade solution to the salt stains. The stains will disappear because the acid from the vinegar will dissolve the salt.

It works best on fresh stains, though, so it’s best to do it as soon as possible.

3. Apply Snow-Proof Spray

When snow-proofing, we’ve found the best result by using the NANOMAN Shoe Protector Spray. We love the fact that it is non-toxic and has absolutely zero smell when you apply it.

We understand that some people may be sensitive to chemicals and fragrances, so we looked for one that is non-toxic. The best part is that it actually works.

We sprayed this on a pair of Vans and water rolls right off and beads up like it should, even after going through small streams and slushy snow. In fact, our white suede Vans were stain-free after the spray was applied so we can wear them in the snow.

NANOMAN non-toxic weatherproof spray (buy on Amazon):

When using a weather-proof spray, it’s good practice to not shower your shoes with the liquid.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions before spraying, but generally, most sprays should be applied at least 8 inches away from the shoe to get an even distribution.

Let the shoes dry thoroughly before you go out in the snow.

Bottom Line

Now you know whether you can wear Vans shoes in the snow during winter or not. To summarize, don’t wear canvas and suede shoes, like Old Skool Vans, in the snow.

But if you really want to rock a pair of Old Skool Vans during the winter, your best option is to wear a pair of the Vans All-Weather MTE Collection. They are built to withstand the elements, including snow, water, and wind while keeping your feet warm and cozy all the time.