The article presents national and foreign data concerning influence of feet cooling on local and general cooling of human body. Having analyzed results of studies on thermoregulatory feet reactions, the authors presented criterial values (skin temperature, heat flow) necessary for calculation of required heat insulation of shoes in actual usage conditions. According to the method specified, the authors demonstrate requirements for shoes heat insulation, considering ambient air temperature and wind speed, level of energy inputs, duration of exposure to cold, degree of local and general coolding.