Best Winter Boots for European Christmas Markets

Winter in Europe is one of my favorite times of the year. I don’t live in a wintry climate, so each year I travel to a place that has a true winter, and it’s usually to Europe to experience the European Christmas markets. I’ve written a blog dedicated to what to wear to the markets, and I thought a boot-specific blog would be really beneficial to readers, as there are so many options. Since I have more boots than anyone living in the southern United States should have, I thought I needed to share my experiences. Apparel is one of my favorite topics, and I know you’ll gain a lot from discovering the different brands of boots I’ve found to be tried and true.

As I’ve discovered through the years of going to the markets, most people are not going to care nearly as much about what you’re wearing as you do, especially if you’re a self-proclaimed fashionista. Being one myself and enjoying looking nice when I go out into the world, I realized quickly that function is much more important to me than looks. The good news is that you don’t have to pick one over the other. Fashion and function have collided and collaborated, and many boot brands are doing right by us and giving us the variety we need to look and feel good about our boot choices. I’m excited to dive into this particular topic, as boots are my thing. I actually plan the rest of my outfits around which boots I take to the European Christmas markets.

There are a lot of boots that have the right style, but possibly not anything else that is helpful to making a Christmas market trip comfortable. When I first started to do research on different boot brands, I knew that first and foremost I wanted my boots to be waterproof. The markets can get sloshy for various reasons, including rain and/or snow, and I didn’t want to have to hop around puddles trying to avoid getting my feet wet. Not slipping easily is also something I really wanted in a boot, so traction became rather important in my search as well. Luckily, as I’ve discovered, there are several boot brands that are appropriate to take to the European Christmas markets. The more research I do, the more cute and functional boots I find. It’s quite satisfying.

Blondo

Blondo was my first purchase of the all-around boot that makes the most sense for the Christmas market trip I was going on. I bought two different styles, a black one and a brown one, and I took both of them on the first trip. As I’ve gone to not only the markets, but other winter trips, I notice that the Hallie boot is likely my favorite of the two, as I like the look and I like that the sole is flat and there’s no heel. I own the brown color, but I like the lighter colored ones as well. Black is always the easiest to pair things with, but the brown is my tried-and-true.

My other ankle boot from Blondo that I own is the Dagger style. This one is a perfect slight heel and I like the buckle on the side as well. I’ve bought several other Blondo styles, including loafers and over-the-knee boots, but the ankle ones are the easiest to pack to the Christmas markets (and in general when you’re trying to pack light) so those are my winners. Size up if you have a wider foot. They tend to run a little narrow.

La Canadienne

I discovered La Canadienne in some of my research about boots and fell in love with the look of them. Most of the reviews were stellar, noting that they were comfortable to walk right out of the box in and all day at that. Because I am obsessed with the color red (shocking) I bought two pairs of red ankle boots: one in a darker burgundy and one in bright red. Both are gorgeous and both have been worn several times already.

The darker ones came with me to one of my Christmas market trips, and I have to say they really did well. I rotated them with one other pair of boots (the Blondos) and was so impressed. Not once did I have to worry about my feet hurting, and I do a lot of walking. This is a brand I’m going to be loyal to for as long as they keep making gorgeous and functional boots. This brand ran very true to size for me.

Cariuma

When I saw the brand Cariuma (and I can’t remember how I first discovered them) I knew I had to have a pair of their hybrid looking boots. They aren’t sexy or dressy, but the ones I got are insulated and practical, which I do appreciate when I’m traveling to the European Christmas markets. As I said, no one is as concerned as you are about what you’re wearing, and no one will remember your insulated practical boots.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted a pair of Cariuma boots (outside of their warmth) is that they are a sustainable brand. They have numerous certifications for being a green company and they explain how their materials are sourced. Their footwear is very reasonably priced, and they also typically offer a generous amount off for a first order - more than most companies. I’m proud to sport their shoes for my upcoming trips, and I do highly recommend them. Size up if you have a wider foot.

Vivaia

VIVAIA is a brand that I am thrilled to feature. They were all over my Instagram feed, and I couldn't resist reaching out to them to see if they had any interest in doing a brand partnership. When I asked, it was a yes for them, and they sent me two pairs of boots, which I got to choose. One is going to be particularly perfect for my long walks in Paris.

The urban boots that I got are not only water-repellent, but a combination of a sneaker and a boot. I can hardly believe the comfort of them - they are truly remarkable. Even the back of the shoe has padding, making the entire shoe like a slipper around my foot. They also weigh almost nothing. I HIGHLY recommend these. My other boots are a waterproof puffer style boot. It's a short boot, but I got a separate leg warmer that matches the boot and turns it into what looks like a taller boot. Both of these are perfect for the Christmas markets, and I can't say enough good things about them. This, my friends, was a good partnership. I'll definitely get more of their shoes in the future.

My list here is short, but these are the most quality options for what I’m looking and what I’ve found and worn. As I continue to find more options. I will add them to this list. The European Christmas markets are magical and wonderful, and being comfortable at them is truly what will help you have the best time. My love for apparel only grows as I travel and find better solutions to share with you. These boots brands will end up being staples in your whole winter experience, no matter how long or short your winters are. The fact that they are all weather-proof is a bonus, and frankly I feel like all boots should be. Enjoy the Christmas markets, and enjoy looking your best in one or all of these boot brands. 

If you enjoyed this blog, you might also like to see which coat brands I love and what I pack for the European Christmas markets.

For an extensive packing list for the European Christmas markets, here is the link!

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