SALTIC VINTERO REVIEW: Versatile boots for winter travel

SALTIC VINTERO REVIEW: Versatile boots for winter travel SALTIC VINTERO REVIEW: Versatile boots for winter travel

Stories and Brands Reviews

We tested insulated, all-round boots for winter travel. Saltic Vintero meet demanding outdoor requirements while combining comfort and flexibility.

Tested model SALTIC VINTERO
Intended use light trekking, winter, leisure, city
Upper material natural smooth leather
Lining WinTherm functional membrane
Sole EXTASY Fix – 3.5mm
Fit suitable for wider feet too, roomy toe box and instep area, for fan-shaped feet and a dominant big toe 
Boot height
 mid
Colour options black, burgundy, brown
Available sizes  34–46
Price 3 870 Kč
Testing conditions approx. 200 km – snow, mud, streets
Manufacturer

ethically made by Saltic with 100% handcrafting in the Czech Republic

For most people, getting outdoors in winter goes hand in hand with heavy, stiff footwear. This winter, though, I had the chance to try the lightweight barefoot shoes Saltic Vintero and wondered how they’d hold up. On my travels, I split my time pretty evenly between cities and the hills, so I need footwear that can do a bit of everything. 

So I took the Vintero for a weekend in the Beskydy Mountains (about 30 kilometres walked in snow), home for Christmas to the Vysočina region (around 40 kilometres in mud and snow), and to finish the year, onto the streets of Istanbul (roughly 80 kilometres on hard surfaces). In between, I wore them for everyday errands across December in the Czech Republic—sometimes on frozen ground, other times through mud or wet streets.    

Main pros:

  • they fit like ‘slippers’—genuinely comfortable, with plenty of space but also good support for the foot 
  • they don’t slip on snow and ice, or even on wet paving
  • they keep your feet pleasantly warm even when it’s below zero 
  • a well-impregnated upper keeps water out even in heavy rain 
  • the boots are lightweight and packable
  • they look great in the city and out in nature 

Main cons: 

Key features and technical assessment 

The insulated barefoot shoes Saltic Vintero are a great option for fans of ‘barefoot’ walking in the colder months of the year. The WinTherm membrane with a 3.5 mm thermal insole provides solid warmth, and you can boost it further with a thicker trekking sock.

They’re easy to put on, because they open up nicely all the way. There’s a large loop on the heel to help you pull them on—sturdy and big enough to grab even with gloves on, without worrying it’ll tear off. The six-eyelet lacing lets you lace them up properly and cinch them down, which I really appreciate. Even though I don’t need heavy hiking boots, I like the feeling of having my foot securely held in place.

The Saltic Vintero sole is a three-millimetre Extasy Fix outsole. At first I was a bit sceptical based on the tread pattern, but using them on snow, ice and mud convinced me that they can handle tougher terrain and more demanding conditions. Sure, there were moments when I slipped even in the Vintero—once on an icy road, and once on a muddy slope. In the first case, it was really a situation for studs, and in the second there was so much mud that even a tractor would have struggled for grip.              

The smooth natural leather looks great, and together with the WinTherm membrane it creates a strong combination against water and snow. You can improve water resistance by using an impregnation spray to protect and care for the outer material. The boot can cope with a lot of water (for example rain), but it isn’t fully waterproof by construction (I wouldn’t wear them through deep puddles, for instance). From experience, though, even after a full day walking in the rain along Istanbul’s city walls, my feet stayed dry and comfortable. A safe bet is waterproof socks from Sealskinz.

The membrane keeps warmth (and sweat) where it should be and contributes to a very comfortable walking experience. Personally, I appreciate the reinforced toe (I tend to catch my toe on things) and the reinforced heel. 

From the very first wear, it felt like my foot was in a warm slipper or a really warm, higher sock. That feeling didn’t change even with long-term use. The toe box fits beautifully and all your toes have plenty of room—both above and at the sides. Even when pulled tight, the laces don’t pinch anywhere and the material doesn’t bunch up in a way that could cause rubbing. Your foot doesn’t slide around inside; it sits securely despite the generous space. The antibacterial insoles with a thermoregulating function, supplied with the Vintero, help with that too. 

In barefoot shoes I often walk around 20 kilometres in a day, and I hadn’t even properly broken these in yet—but there were no signs of rubbing or pressure points anywhere on the sole, toes, ankle, or elsewhere. They really are slippers—in the best possible sense.

Testing out on the trail

On the Beskydy ridge trail

For my first trip in the new boots, I headed to the beautiful Beskydy Mountains. It was slightly below zero, the trees were coated in frost and the hilltops had a dusting of snow—not loads, but enough to feel wintry. At first I wasn’t sure whether to take the Vintero for this trip; after all, the Beskydy are proper mountains—low, yes, but still mountains. 

I could barely feel the boots on my feet, which was a big change compared to my usual winter trekking boots. The first steps on snow and ice felt a bit odd, but after a few moments I got used to it and then it was completely fine. Pleasant and light. I was really surprised that they didn’t slip, and that even with temperatures around minus five degrees, my feet didn’t feel cold. By the end of the day we reached the mountain hut and my feet were still dry and warm. 

Christmas in Vysočina

I’m used to Christmas in the Czech Republic traditionally being more mud than snow, and this year I was actually a bit grateful for it. I took the Vintero on several dog walks across the fields back home in Vysočina, where frozen ground, mud and the occasional snow patch all mixed together. The boots handled the mud and water well. It’s true I had to watch that water didn’t get in through the tongue, but that wasn’t too difficult. Even after a full day in the mud, it was enough to rinse them off in the evening and they looked like new. At first I worried they might get scratched or damaged by branches and stones, but so far I haven’t noticed any damage. 

On the streets of Istanbul

The last big test was waiting on the streets of Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, where I spent the end of the year. It wasn’t freezing, but it did rain a lot. On the hard surfaces of the local streets I walked tens of kilometres, visited several islands, and walked the full length of the Constantinople city walls. Throughout all of that, my feet didn’t hurt and I didn’t get a single blister or pressure point. Even though it rained and blew the whole time, my feet stayed dry and warm.   

Final verdict

The Saltic Vintero barefoot shoes are comfortable, lightweight and very easy to pack away, yet you can still move confidently in snow and frost. I don’t have to worry about them soaking through in heavy rain, but at the same time I know I won’t overheat in them thanks to good heat distribution—say, at an airport or in a museum. I probably wouldn’t take them for a multi-day trip into winter wilderness or the mountains (they’re not designed for that), but as versatile boots for winter travel they meet exactly what I look for in footwear. 

And finally: they look great on Prague’s Náplavka riverbank, at a Beskydy mountain hut, and in Istanbul harbour.   

 

Saltic Vintero were tested by Jiří Kalát. A travelling writer and speaker for people who love to listen. He loves the Middle East and North Africa, but is happy to roam anywhere adventure awaits or where you can discover something new. He is the author of the book Everyone Lies Here, collaborates with several magazines and travel websites, and gives talks at festivals and venues across the Czech Republic.

 

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