Sheepskin boots or winter boots: which to choose for winter

What is the main difference between sheepskin boots and winter boots?

Sheepskin boots are about warmth: sheepskin all the way up inside, a fur-covered insole and a light sole. Leather winter boots are about protection: a denser upper, a chunkier treaded sole and a firmer hold on the foot. So the choice depends on your winter: dry and frosty, or wet and icy.

The short answer:

• Dry frost, snow, lots of walking around town or driving — sheepskin boots.
• Slush, puddles, road salt, ice, long walks — leather boots.
• A mixed winter — ideally own both and alternate, so each pair has time to dry between outings.

Below we compare them point by point, using models from Babylon, a Ukrainian footwear factory with its own production in Kharkiv since 1997: the Frost-74 (women's) and Frost-84 (men's) sheepskin boots, and the Glori-14 (women's) and Armor-11 (men's) leather boots. All facts come from the product pages. The general rules for choosing winter footwear are in our guide “How to choose winter footwear”; here we only compare the two types.

Sheepskin boots vs winter boots: comparison table

Which is warmer: sheepskin boots or leather boots?

Usually sheepskin boots. Natural sheepskin is a natural insulator: the wool traps warm air and draws moisture away from the foot. The Frost-74 and Frost-84 pages state comfort from +5 to −20 °C, while Armor-11 boots with Winterfrost 500 insulation are rated +5 to −15 °C.

• Sheepskin all the way up. The Frost upper is double-face leather: leather outside, dense thick sheepskin fur inside, with no separate lining. The insole is fur-covered too.
• Sole height. According to the product page, Frost boots don't let the cold through: the fur insole and 3.5 cm of sole height inside keep the foot away from the cold ground.
• Leather boots rely on the lining. The men's Armor-11 come in two versions: with a breathable Respira lining or with Winterfrost 500 insulation. For frost, only the second option counts, rated +5 to −15 °C. The women's Glori-14 are lined with thick natural fur; their page gives no temperature range.

The NHS notes that frostbite mostly affects fingers and toes, so warm socks and warm closed footwear come first. The difference between double-face sheepskin, fur linings and faux fur is explained in “Real sheepskin boots”.

Which copes better with slush, rain and salt?

Leather boots. Dense genuine leather with a protected base handles wet snow and road salt better than sheepskin. You can wear sheepskin boots in snow or a short light shower if the upper is treated, but puddles, downpours and salty slush are not their weather.

So, can you wear sheepskin boots in the rain? Yes, briefly and with preparation. Babylon's sheepskin boot pages recommend a water-repellent spray for suede or leather; a wet pair should be stuffed with paper or towels and dried at room temperature, never next to a radiator or heater. What to do once they are soaked or salt-stained is covered step by step in our “Sheepskin boot care” guide.

Leather boots have nuances too:

• Genuine leather is the most practical for slush. On Armor-11 the base of the sole is coated with liquid rubber, which the product page says protects the boot from moisture, dirt and damage. The leather upper keeps out water, snow and slush.
• Nubuck (as on Glori-14) looks great but darkens temporarily when wet and, like sheepskin, needs a water-repellent spray before the first wear and through the season. See “Nubuck and suede care”.

Which slips less on ice?

Boots with a chunky sole and a deep tread. The Armor-11 page states plainly that the foot stays steady even on slippery surfaces. Sheepskin boot soles are lighter and softer, yet ours do not slip on wet paving or ice either: according to our factory technologist Yevhenii, this goes for Frost, UG-1 and MARY, and MARY grips best.

• Frost-74 has an EVA sole, a light foamed polymer that cushions each step. Frost-84 has a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) sole, a rubber-like material. Both have 3.5 cm of height inside the sole.
• Armor-11 has a chunky sole with a deep tread. Glori-14 has a TPE sole that its page calls practical for the winter city.

Which holds the foot better, and which is lighter?

Leather boots hold the foot better; sheepskin boots are lighter. The gap is smaller than you might think: Babylon's Frost sheepskin boots lace up like boots, so the foot does not slide around. Still, a soft sheepskin shaft does not give the firm support of a leather boot on a chunky sole.

• Hold. Laces secure the foot in both Frost and leather boots, and the Armor-11 page highlights a secure fit. Slip-ons such as the nubuck MARY-94 hold the foot only with the shaft.
• Weight. The product pages give no weights, but the materials tell the story: an EVA sole is light, and “chunky” in the Armor-11 description speaks for itself.
• Driving. The Frost-74 and Frost-84 pages mention a comfortable height, easy both behind the wheel and on a walk around town.

Which is easier to care for?

Leather boots. A damp cloth, regular cream and a water repellent are enough. Sheepskin and nubuck need more attention: a dry brush after every outing, a dedicated stain cleaner and careful drying.

The advice on Babylon's product pages is the same for both types:

Treat a new pair with a water repellent before the first wear, and dry wet footwear naturally, away from radiators and hair dryers — sudden heat deforms leather.

How to put both pairs away for summer is covered in “How to store shoes between seasons”.

Who should choose sheepskin boots, and who leather boots?

Choose sheepskin boots if your feet get cold, your winter is mostly dry and frosty, you drive a lot, or you want light, warm everyday footwear. Choose leather boots if you walk a lot, often meet slush and ice, or need something to wear with a coat to work.

For women:

• Frost-74 sheepskin boots — double-face leather, sheepskin inside, EVA sole, +5 to −20 °C, sizes 36–41.
• Glori-14 boots — genuine nubuck, thick natural fur, TPE sole, sizes 36–41.

For men:

• Frost-84 sheepskin boots — double-face leather, sheepskin, TPE sole, +5 to −20 °C, sizes 39–45; the silhouette of a lace-up insulated boot.
• Armor-11 boots — genuine leather, Respira or Winterfrost 500 lining, chunky deep-tread sole, sizes 39–45. More in “Men's winter boots”.

• LeatherWomen's sheepskin boots, down to −20 °C Frost-74Heel counter and decorative tongue insert: genuine leather; inside: dense; insole: fur-covered€115View →
• LeatherMen's sheepskin boots, down to −20 °C Frost-84Heel counter and decorative tongue insert: genuine leather; inside: dense; insole: fur-covered€115View →
• NubuckWomen's fur-lined winter nubuck boots Glori-14Lining: thick genuine fur; sole: thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)€107View →
• LeatherMen's leather boots Armor-11Winterfrost 500: insulation between the upper and the lining; rated from +5 to −15 °C; sole: chunky€120View →

Choose the size the same way for both: measure your foot in the evening in a warm sock (see “How to measure your foot at home”) and check it against the size chart on the model's page. Sheepskin-specific tips are in “Sheepskin boot sizing”.

Browse women's sheepskin boots, women's boots, men's sheepskin boots and men's winter boots. We ship worldwide free of charge, with delivery in 5–10 business days (7–12 to the US, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Georgia and Montenegro).

All winter styles for her are in Women’s winter shoes, for him — in Men’s winter shoes.