How To Wear Canvas Shoes In Winter

My boyfriend lives in (read: I can’t even remember a day I haven’t seen him wearing) his Chuck All-stars. Since we didn't meet until spring of this year, I had to ask if he does in fact change his shoes or has some magic strategy for how to wear canvas shoes in winter when the temperatures start to plummet. Turns out, the man is so dedicated to his canvas shoes that he learned what to do on days he just couldn’t bring himself to wear snow boots.

Before I can even talk canvas shoes in winter, knowing basic canvas shoe care is essential for all die hard canvas shoe lovers like my man. For getting rid of small stains on canvas shoes, you can usually get them out with something as simple as a stain erase pen. Also, since canvas is just another type of fabric, you can safely wash them in a washing machine and then toss them in a dryer. Woot woot for easy cleaning! Just don't forget to take out the shoelaces first so you don't end up with a tangled mess.

As for wearing canvas shoes in the winter, here are the steps you can take to help make sure your feet stay as warm as possible!

1. Fabric Protector

Fabric Protector, $12, ScotchGuard

If you're brave enough to wear canvas shoes in the snow, LifeHacker recommends coating your shoes in a layer of ScotchGuard fabric protector to waterproof them.

2. Thin Waterproof Socks

Women's Mid-Length, $45, SealSkinz

Adding as much reinforcement as possible to fit inside canvas shoes is crucial to making sure your toes don't go numb. Winter biking guide site Road.cc suggests SealSkinz socks as the thinnest and warmest waterproof sock option available.

3. Clean, Clean, Clean

EZ Cleaner, $8, Amazon

That "snow" salt can really wreck canvas shoes, as it will eat away at the fabric. After each romp in the snow, ShoeMyColors explained that it's necessary to hand wash your canvas shoes with a fabric and suede cleaner to remove the salt. You can toss them in the dryer afterward.

Image Credit: Ginny/Flickr; Courtesy of Brands