Fall is officially here, and while some days might still feel like summer, it won’t be long until the colder temperatures set in and the sandals in our wardrobes have to be swapped for something a little more robust.

With fashion for the colder seasons top of mind, FN reached out to New York City-based podiatrist Dr. Casey Ann Pidich, who runs the shoe and foot wellness blog Dr. Glass Slipper, and Austin-based podiatrist Dr. Anne Sharkey, founder of Solely Podiatry and Soley Nails Salon, for insights on how to keep our feet safe when the warm weather dissipates.

In terms of styles, Pidich recommended Chelsea boots, insulated snow boots, water-proof ankle boots and utility-type boots for the upcoming weather — and specific brands with the doctor’s stamp of approval include Sorel, Rockport, Sperry, Merrell and Columbia.

Sharkey, meanwhile, offered a list of shoe recommendations featuring styles by Sorel, Merrell and Columbia, in addition to a couple of other names. The podiatrist breaks down boot recommendations into different categories: urban/walking/all-purpose boots, hiking-level winter boots, snow/cold boots and fall/winter fashion boots.

Sharkey’s list specifically included the Vynn heeled ankle bootie from Vionic and the Tahoe boot from Waco Shoe Company for fashion/all purpose boots; the Out N About IV Chillz women’s waterproof boot from Sorel and Women’s Ice Maiden II boot from Columbia for snow and cold, and the Women’s Moab 3 Mid Gore-Tex from Merrell for hiking.

Across the boot categories, the general design characteristics Sharkey is looking for stay the same: waterproof or water-resistant to stave off water, slush and snow and thereby protect from fungus and cold injury; a deep tread and outsole with traction to take on slick surfaces; built-in arch support or the option to take outsoles and swap with orthotics, and a roomy toe box to allow toes to spread even if wearing thicker socks.

Pidich also laid out what to look for: “Firstly, fall and winter boots should offer both ankle flexibility and stability. The right boot allows for some movement at our ankles. Simultaneously, our ankles need to feel stable for walking on uneven surfaces, such as snow or ice.”

The podiatrist continued, “Secondly, good traction is a necessity. Fall and winter boots often feature grooves on the bottom to help prevent slipping on ice and snow. Thirdly — warmth. Our toes and fingers are the body parts most prone to frostbite; therefore, boots have to keep our feet and toes warm to prevent it.”

Pidich also mentioned the importance of waterproof shoes, adding, “Another quality to look for is protection; reinforcement on the toe box portion of the snow boots helps protect our toes. We also need extra protection on our soles because our feet contain thousands of sensitive nerve endings; sensitive mostly to temperature changes. A rubber sole will protect the sensitive bottoms of our feet from snow and ice.”

Regarding what not to do, Pidich also recommended avoiding boots labeled as “water-resistant” as opposed to “waterproof.” Per the podiatrist, shoes with flat or smooth soles should also be avoided, as they can bring about slipping in inclement weather.

Similarly, Sharkey cautioned against smooth soles without traction, in addition to those that are flat and inadequately supportive at the midsole or arch since they increase strain and fatigue on soft tissue and worsen the risk of injury. Per Sharkey, customers should also steer clear of styles that have too narrow of a toe box or are too tight; this last characteristic can be particularly painful for people with bunions and/or hammertoes, and it can cause rubbing, blisters and soft tissue irritation. Pidich also warned against too-tight boots that don’t leave room for socks.

With this advice in mind, here’s hoping we can all stay a little warmer and safer as the lingering warmth of summer fades.