Rundefeated

From Flip-Flops to Fur-Lined Boots: A Tropical Traveler’s Guide to Surviving Snow

As a proud Indonesian, my body has been finely tuned by years of 30°C humidity, motorbike rides through traffic jams, and sudden afternoon rainstorms. My wardrobe is built for the sun. My sweat glands work overtime. And my definition of “cold” is when the air conditioner hits 18°C. So you can imagine the mild panic I felt when I booked a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska — in the dead of winter.

Now, Fairbanks isn’t your average winter destination. It’s not “sweater weather” cold. It’s “your nose hairs freeze instantly” cold. The kind of cold where your phone gives up, your eyelashes turn white, and you start questioning your life choices.

Like most tropical-born travelers, I had absolutely no idea what shoes to wear in snow. I mean, back home, we debate between flip-flops or sneakers. The closest thing I had to winter shoes was a pair of old running shoes with questionable soles and zero insulation. Spoiler alert: those wouldn’t cut it in -30°C.

This is where my quest for proper boots began. I went down countless online rabbit holes reading about Gore-Tex, Thinsulate, insulation ratings, waterproof membranes, and all these unfamiliar terms that sounded like sci-fi weapons. 200g insulation? 400g? Is that a boot or a Starbucks drink size?

After some panicked Googling and asking a Canadian friend (because they know things), I ended up buying a pair of Merrell men’s boots. I honestly forget the series name because let’s be real — I was more concerned about not losing my toes than product branding.

What I do remember is that they were waterproof, had 200g of insulation, and promised to keep feet warm at extreme temperatures. I was skeptical. How could this pair of slightly bulky boots keep me from turning into a human popsicle?

Fast forward to Fairbanks. Temperature: a casual -30°C. The kind of cold where your exposed skin stings within seconds. I laced up my Merrell boots, stepped outside, braced for the worst… and it was glorious. My feet stayed warm. Not “barefoot on a tropical beach” warm, but “I can still feel my toes and I’m not crying” warm.

It was a revelation. These boots were lightweight enough for walking around snowy streets but rugged enough to handle icy paths and knee-deep powder. The waterproofing saved me when I clumsily stepped into snowbanks, and the insulation was like a tiny tropical island for my feet.

For tropical folks, winter boots always look intimidating. They seem heavy, overengineered, and unnecessarily chunky. But let me tell you — when the mercury drops to sub-zero, those shoes become your best friend. Think of them as your loyal bodyguards against the weather.

And you know what? There’s a certain swagger in walking around a snowy city in proper boots. While other travelers are sliding around in fashion sneakers (and falling dramatically), you’re striding confidently, making satisfying crunch sounds in the snow. It’s a tiny power trip.

Another thing people don’t tell you: good boots aren’t just about warmth. They keep you dry, improve your traction on icy sidewalks, and make you feel like you’ve leveled up in real-life Skyrim. Plus, you get to dramatically stomp snow off them when entering a café. Very satisfying.

Yes, they’re bulky in your luggage. Yes, they’re pricier than your usual sneakers. And yes, you’ll probably wear them for just one or two trips if you live in the tropics. But trust me — when you’re watching the northern lights dance across an Alaskan sky and your feet are toasty warm, you’ll realize they’re worth every rupiah.

The key is looking for waterproof boots with at least 200g insulation for sub-zero adventures. Anything less and you’ll be googling “how to treat frostbite” in your hotel room. And make sure they have decent grip — snow and ice are basically nature’s banana peels.

And no, tropical folks, those cute Instagram snow boots you saw influencers wearing in Tokyo aren’t gonna cut it in -30°C. Function first, fashion second. Though, to be fair, my Merrell boots looked decently rugged. Kind of like I was auditioning for a Discovery Channel survival show.

For those planning trips to snowy destinations, do yourself a favor and invest in a proper pair. Your feet — and your dignity — will thank you. Because nothing ruins a snowy holiday faster than wet, frozen toes and slipping on an icy path while a family of moose watches you.

Tropical people can absolutely survive snowy winters. All it takes is a good pair of boots, layers of clothing you’ve never owned before, and a sense of humor about the absurdity of it all. Stay warm, stay dry, and never underestimate the power of pfft-pfft-pfft… wait, wrong article.