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Whether shuffling from car to chairlift or slogging in the frozen woods, a good pair of boots is requisite footwear for surviving winter and fall. Here we outline the best winter boots for men.
It isn’t long after the first flakes start to fall that we’re rummaging through our closets in search of our trusty winter boots. There’s something special about that first walk about the neighborhood when the snow starts to accumulate, and whether you’re aiming to dive headlong into a winter of outdoor adventures, or just make it out with your toes intact, you’re going to need a good pair of winter boots to see yourself through to spring.
To give you a jump start on the season, we’ve kicked the rubber on a lot of soles to find the best winter boots for men. Because winter varies so much around the country — from slush and mud to deep powder — we included a variety of boots from puddle-stomping to hell freezing over.
Our recommendations aren’t given unearned, either. We’ve saddled up in nearly 20 different pairs of winter boots over the seasons, and have worn them everywhere from elk hunts in the high alpine of Colorado, to digging out our rigs from Sierra snowmageddons and approaching North Cascade fire lookout towers after the first snowfall. All those miles add up to a pretty good impression of what flies when the mercury plummets.
Throughout it all, we kept tabs on our feet and compared boots based on their warmth, durability, waterproofing, comfort, and style. We’ve tested all the boots we could get our hands on and used them through rain, snow, mud, and sun on countless adventures around the world. And we’ve whittled it down to our favorites here. These are the boots we recommend to family and friends — the boots we get excited to wear all winter long.
At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, as well as our comparison chart. And if you still have some questions about winter footwear, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions.
Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on September 22, 2023, to include our new favorite winter pac boot, the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots, as well as expanding our testing regimen, and adding information on boot types and price.
Immediately out of the box, the KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot ($180) feels amazing. The padding is generous, and the volume is ample. The boots have extra volume over the top of the foot and in the toebox, which is critical for keeping the toes warm. This also makes it a good fit for a variety of foot widths.
Beefed up with waterproof, salt-resistant leather and rubber rands, the Revels resist wear and tear and ice-melting chemicals that can be hard on boots.
The boot rides over sharp-edged 5mm lugs that really bite into the crust. And like the Vibram’s Arctic Grip (used in Danner’s Mountain 600), KEEN has its own slip-reducing rubber pads. They give you noticeably better traction on slick, wet ice.
With so many good attributes, we awarded the Revel IV as our favorite boot this winter. It’s warm, comfortable, and secure around the foot.
Our only criticism is that we wish the Revel was a little stiffer, and hence more predictable and stable when hiking across pockmarked snow trails.
Still, the Revel IV is a very capable winter boot. It is offered in both an 8-inch version and a tall one. If you’re really stepping out into deep powder — like elk hunts in winter — we’d recommend investing in the high-collar boot. It’s also rated down to -40 degrees, which makes it a true polar boot.
Kamik just can’t be beaten when it comes to budget boots, and the Nation Plus boots ($100) are a fan favorite. They’re waterproof, warm, and impressively durable for the price.
This is a fully waterproof lace-style leather boot bonded to a rubber sole. The removable liner traps heat using 200 g 3M 200B Thinsulate and gives them a whopping rating of 40 below. We did find the rating plenty warm when hanging around town doing errands or stationary activities, like watching a winter carnival parade.
The Nation Plus soles have a lot of traction for a snow boot — much more than Sorel’s venerable Pac Boot. Paired with its flex and snug lacing system, we found the boot helps you navigate ice and deep snow more easily than Sorels, too.
These are big, burly snow boots. What you gain in warmth and height, you sacrifice in mobility and weight. For more active adventures, we recommend a winter hiking boot. If you are looking for a sturdy, cold-weather boot for occasional use, this one is a no-brainer.
If your winter starts in October and ends sometime before the summer solstice, then you’re looking for a workhorse that can lift the soles and spirits.
Baffin’s Control Max ($260) has a whopping bottom end, dipping all the way to -94 degrees F. We’re going to throw our hands up in mercy at that spec. We haven’t tested them to that level and, hopefully, you won’t have to either. But we have worn these for a few winters and have really come to appreciate the warmth-to-weight ratio of this deep winter boot.
The boot is methodically constructed around thermoregulation. Outside, a waterproof leather exterior is triple-stitched to the rubber rand. Inside, a series of heat-reflecting aluminum membranes, foams, and moisture reservoirs move moisture away from the foot and trap the heat.
Underfoot, a waffle-comb footbed traps additional heat in honeycomb-like air pockets. And the entire boot rides over an aggressively lugged “arctic rubber” that’s tacky on ice.
The boot laces shut with four pairs of giant D-rings. The fit can be a touch sloppy, so they’re not our first choice for hiking, where we want a precise fit. But the rings and laces are easy to manipulate with heavy gloves. All in all, the double boot construction does a wonderful job of trapping heat and insulating you from the cold ground.
If your activity level is high, you’ll want something more nimble. If you live in a milder climate, these will be overkill. Our coldest days in these boots were in the low double digits and they didn’t feel overly hot, but we reached for the Bogs on days in the 20s.
The profile is massive underfoot, but the 3.5-pound boot doesn’t collect crud and feels lighter than it looks. If you’re looking for the ultimate cold-winter snow boot, or a boot that works during long periods of inactivity in the cold, the Baffin Control Max will keep you warm and cozy through it all.
While we love the classic look of the traditional duck boot, they come up short in several mandatory requirements. The sizing runs large, the traction is sloppy, the midsole lacks support, and they aren’t all that warm. Huckberry tackles all these issues and brings a better duck boot with its All-Weather Duckboot ($188).
Sure, the AWD could appropriately imply “All-Wheel Drive.” A modern take on the classic duck boot, Huckberry’s All-Weather Duckboot is capable of tackling light hikes, trips to the ski hill, and around-town errands in inclement weather. And it does it better than the duck boots of yesterday.
The full-grain leather upper is welted to the rubberized leather rand. It’s 100% waterproof (up to the gusseted tongue) and breathable. A light inner liner doesn’t sport any fancy insulation. But we found it keeps the feet warm and the padded ankle collar traps warm air inside the boot, covering a wide range of winter activities.
What steals the ride, though, is the plush EVA midsole. It’s soft and cushiony and feels like you’re wearing your favorite sneaker rather than a fat, clunky, winter boot. The midsole is bonded to a Vibram outsole. It won’t be quite stiff enough for workwear or long hikes, but for clomping around town it’s the ticket.
Rather than featuring overly aggressive traction (or barely any at all), the lugs are generously siped, allowing plenty of ports for underlying water to siphon out from under each step.
Clean styling and functional, the AWD is a refined interpretation of the classic duck boot, better in nearly every way.
Allen Edmonds was likely your grandfather’s favorite shoe. The U.S.-made quality has always been stellar, but the brand has fallen out of favor with younger buyers over the years. The brand has revitalized its look to appeal to a new generation of customers. One of our favorite formal winter boots for fall is the Park City boot ($475).
Made in the brand’s Wisconsin factory, the boots feature a waterproof membrane between the Horween leathers. The upper is stitched down to a soft, air-blown Vibram Gloxi outsole. It’s comfortable and has fantastic wet-surface traction.
Wearing more like a foul-weather Chukka, the boot doesn’t have a lot of ankle support and is slightly oversized to accommodate a thicker sock for insulation. (If you want a more secure fit, size down half a size.) This is entirely forgivable for an office boot.
In fact, our only gripe might be the braided gold laces borrowed from a traditional workbook. If you’re already in for $475, we’d recommend upgrading to a nicer lace. (Check out Pisgah Range’s assortment of handcrafted lace upgrades.)
Needless to say, $475 is a steep price. But if you’ve gotta suit up, the stylish Park City boots carry well from the office to the weekends.
Made for tromping out to the wood pile at the cabin, the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots ($159) are the classic pac boot done best — done up in a fine leather and rubber build that is sure to last multiple winters.
Our Senior Editor Nick Belcaster used these boots last winter when unusually strong snow storms paralyzed the town and made chores an all-walking affair. “It doesn’t get wickedly cold in the Washington lowlands, but these boots had warmth to spare when making the jog into town.” And, even when the melt out finally came, these boots slogged through slush without getting soaked.
These snow boots are laid up with a tumbled (that is, textured) leather upper that is triple-stitched to the rubber lowers, which form a sturdy base to mount to. The rubber shell is seam-sealed to keep out leaks, and passed every waterproofing test we could put it through.
Inside that, the interior felt liner is a good ¼” thick, and topped with a fleece fringe around the top that acts as an additional snow guard. We did build up some moisture in this liner over a full day, but a night over the wood stove had our liners ready for another day.
You can also slide into these Snow Boots with a nylon upper, but for long-term durability, it’s hard for us to not suggest springing for the leather version — especially since it’s only an added $10 difference. Once you’ve treated them with a good waterproofing wax, these boots are liable to last you decades.
Like any pac boot, these kicks aren’t lacking in the warmth or comfort departments, but won’t be the best option for longer excursions such as winter hikes, due to their more accommodating fit and softer uppers. We found the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots shined instead as the best pac boots to kick on after a day on the ski hill, or beating in a new path to the mailbox after another night of sideways snow.
Blundstone’s sleek silhouette has earned the Aussie Chelsea iconoclast status. The brand’s Thermal Boots have a touch of Thinsulate under the leather vamp that stretches their utility beyond the Australian outback.
The Blundstone 566 ($260) is deceivingly slim — so slim, in fact, that when we unboxed the boot, we weren’t sure we received the right model. But don’t let its svelte lines keep you inside.
The Thinsulate liner punches above its weight, is fully waterproof, and is warm enough to wear to work on frigid days. What seals the deal, though, is the fat shearling footbed that feels like you’re walking on plush carpeting. Two generous pull tabs and elastic stretch panels make it easy to pull the boot on and off.
The boot feels a little stiff, and the low cut won’t keep deep snow from funneling in. But for hikers looking to kick the classic styling well into the cooler months, the 566 Thermals are a solid bet.
The fit is true, but keep in mind that Australian sizes run one full size smaller. (For example, a U.S. 10 is an Australian/U.K 9.)
Read Review: Durable Outdoor Winter Slip-On: Blundstone Thermal Boots Review
We’ve worn our XTRATUF 6-Inch Deck ankle boots ($105) nearly year-round. They’re easy to slip into, and they have a little tab in the back that helps get them off the heels.
They don’t have a lot of support, so don’t expect to do heavy work in them. And the neoprene starts to lose its insulation value at around 40 degrees F. But we always keep our pair by the back door. They’re great for quick errands and running trash outback, and they’re just about perfect for gardening.
The highest accolades we could probably give them don’t actually come from us. It comes from my sprinkler guy. All he wears are low-cut rubber boots; he saw our boots and asked where we got them. He now lives in his 6-inch XTRATUF Deck Boots.
At the risk of likening these to Crocs, these boots are quickly becoming the hottest shoe for winter, and XTRATUF seems to be aware of it. You can choose from 10 colors to match your mood.
When the mercury drops but winter chores pile up, it’s time for a full-on snow boot. Whether chopping wood or walking the dog, the neoprene Bogs Bozeman boots ($160) are rated to -72 degrees F and will keep your feet warm and dry through the sloppiest of conditions. The cushioned sole offers excellent rebound and makes for a comfortable all-day boot.
And one of the standout features is the weight, or lack thereof. Each boot weighs just over 2.5 pounds, and the seamless construction reduces extra materials, keeping these boots 30% lighter than comparable boots. They look burly and are built to last, but we were pleasantly surprised that they don’t feel cumbersome.
In use, our only issue was that folks with fairly wide feet just couldn’t get these boots to be comfortable. Hopefully, Bogs makes a wider last version in the future for our bigfoot friends.
Don’t need this much coverage? The Bozeman’s are also available in a mid version ($155).
The Crispi Briksdal GTX ($435) is a stiff model on a board last. It has a GORE-TEX insulated lining, and a protective rubber rand that guards toes against bashing rocks. Its heavy Nubuck leather upper provides durability against abrasive contact, and the Vibram sole will grab earth, rock, and snow for traction.
Yes, Crispi boots are expensive. But for those who do big miles off-trail in rough terrain in the winter, they’re worth the investment. Crispi is an Italian manufacturer that focuses on hunting boots. For those who haven’t chased elk through the mountains, know there’s nothing outside of full-on mountaineering that tests footwear like hunting.
And Crispis have proven themselves in the roughest terrain and cold weather. Meant for mountain exploration in winter, those who want a pair of boots that will stand up to cold, wet, off-trail terrain should start their search with these boots.
The Danner Recurve 400G ($250) is a wonderfully versatile winter boot. It hits a great compromise of lightweight and durability with a fairly soft, flexible sole. While Danner designed this as a hunting boot, the Recurve can handle winter mountain hiking and shoulder season trails with aplomb.
One of our editors tested it while elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains. They held up great even after 48 miles of continuous hiking to haul out an elk — half of that with a 100-pound pack on his back. The 400 g Thinsulate insulation kept his feet warm in the mornings down to about 15 degrees F, while the Danner Dry membrane kept out water even when slogging through streams.
The Vibram outsole, while relatively soft and pliable, held up to steep climbs off trails. It’s worth noting that for super-steep terrain, the sole might be a tad on the soft side, especially if you plan to kick steps. But in rough conditions, it did suffice.
These weigh in at 48 ounces a pair. For an insulated, 7-inch boot that can withstand the rigors of elk hunting, that’s pretty light indeed.
Read Review: Danner Recurve Hunting Boot Review: 2 Years of Use & Abuse
With handsome looks built from a rugged history, Danner has been making quality boots out of Portland, Oregon, for nearly 90 years now. We’ve been wearing the brand’s boots for about 30 of those years.
Danner recently fell back on its classic laurels, ushering in a new category, “performance heritage.” The Insulated Mountain 600 ($220) is a fully waterproof boot that has a classic mountain look that will appeal to a lot of buyers.
The Mountain carries over a lot of what we liked in the Danner Arctic: 200 g PrimaLoft insulation, a soft, felt liner, and Danner’s super-grippy Vibram slick-resistant rubber lugs. (The Arctic Grip pads on the sole feel like sandpaper to the touch.) Outside of full-on spikes or Yaktrax, these sticky lugs offer the best anti-slip traction on ice.
At just over a pound per boot, the pair feels really light on the feet. It’s way more agile than a traditional boot, and the lacing mechanism only adds to this sense of security. While the Mountain is capable of backpacking and hiking, the boot isn’t really a winter hiker. It’s shorter and more streamlined for streetwear. But it’s easy on the eyes and a great boot for hiking through any frozen urban landscape.
Danner’s Mountain 600 is insanely popular and is offered in more than 10 color schemes, in both suede or full-grain leather. For true winter warmth, however, we recommend opening the wallet and forking over the extra cash for the PrimaLoft insulated version.
Columbia has been kicking its Omni-Heat technology for over a decade now. Its patented insulation works by reflecting the wearer’s body heat back to the body.
This year, Columbia released an updated version of its venerable boot line with the Bugaboot Celsius Plus ($170), featuring the latest Omni-Heat Infinity technology. Columbia’s gold-standard 400 g insulation reflects upward of 40% greater than the former technology. The boot is protected with a rubberized Techlite shell, adding durability and weatherproofing.
On the underside, the Bugaboot rides over a generously siped outsole for better traction on slick, wet surfaces.
With the warm liner of slippers and the sleek style of Chelsea boots, Stio’s new Colter marks the brand’s first foray into footwear. We’ve been testing a pair of Colter Boots ($169) since spring 2022, and compliments have been rolling in at a steady clip.
We especially like the boot’s water-resistant leather upper, which beads moisture and keeps our feet dry in light rain. In our initial testing, the Colter’s outsole offers excellent grip on wet and icy surfaces.
This is the ideal footwear for après-ski. After you release your tootsies from their ski boot foot prisons, the Colters offer a welcome reprieve. The wool-blend lining is soft and offers warmth without restricting blood flow or movement.
The outsole tread is pretty shallow, so we don’t recommend riding through deep snow or mud in these boots. The rubber itself is quite sticky on wet pavement and smooth ice. Ultimately, we recommend this boot for casual everyday uses like walking the dog and running errands. Due to the sleek Chelsea-boot styling, the Colter is also a choice for drinks at the bar.
This handsome boot combines elegant styling and rock-solid materials. Due to their faux fur lining and dressy appearance, most people will prefer to use these boots for urban use. Still, the outsole is fully capable on mild to moderate trails, and the Primaloft insulation is very warm. The Garibaldi V3 boots ($160) can be worn hard, even if they look like formal footwear.
We tested these boots in various mountain towns from the Canadian Rockies to southern Colorado. On icy city streets and muddy urban trails, our feet remained warm and dry. Plus never slipped and fell onto our butts – the tread pattern is confidence-inspiring on various surfaces.
A pair of men’s size 10s weighs 3 pounds even, which is reasonably light for an insulated ankle-high winter boot. The ankle support is great, but the mid-and-outsoles are quite soft and flexible.
We recommend the Garibaldi V3 for everyday urban use, post-ski comfort, and casual hikes on low-angle trails.
Our team includes skiers, hunters, climbers, thru-hikers, and cyclists, and our activity doesn’t stop when winter rolls around. Every year, we field-test dozens of winter-ready boots on the market and compare notes to determine our favorites. We’ve tested boots while trudging through the snow with heavy packs and pursuing elk through frozen mud.
GearJunkie’s Editorial Director Sean McCoy is no stranger to a snow-bound romp in the highlands, and regularly pursues big game in the alpine of Colorado where cold feet are simply not an option. McCoy spearheaded the testing of winter hunting boots for this guide and aimed to balance a test of grizzled durability with the need for undying off-trail traction when testing winter boots.
Staff Writer Austin Beck-Doss has a front-row seat to the brutality of a Wyoming winter from his station in Lander, where his transition from climbing season to snowboarding can be as short as a 48-hour storm cycle. Beck-Doss has been putting boots on the ground for this guide since 2022, and maintains a broad view over the category from slush-city cruisers to insulated après ski lot slippers.
Finally, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster may have a problem understanding the concept of a “shoulder season”, and regularly sets out into the mountains of the North Cascades as the first snows of the season are blowing in. An accomplished backpacker, mountaineer, and splitboarder, Belcaster has also advised and outfitted thousands of mountaineering clients in appropriate cold-weather footwear in his time, and knows that cold toes won’t do when the summit is calling.
When we test a boot for cold weather performance, we pay extra attention to warmth, ice and snow traction, and durability. Our waterproofing testing involves exposure to rain, snow, puddles, mud, and other elements that you’re likely to encounter between October and May. And if the weather fails to materialize, we improvise and bust out the garden hose. All told, we have drowned about 20 pairs of boots through our testing since 2021, and most all come out on the other side shining.
Our recommendations are not fixed in time. As new winter boots hit the market, we’ll be waiting to put them to the test. If they’re exceptional, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.
Winter boots come in all sorts of shapes and styles. As our list of recommendations demonstrates, the winter boot market contains everything from extreme weather work boots to stylish formal footwear. With so many options, it can feel daunting to sift through the pile and select the perfect pair.
When choosing the best boots for you, it’s important to understand some of the key factors that differentiate one pair from the next. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we thoroughly explain each of these factors to help you make a confident and informed choice.
This list doesn’t cover every boot out there, but it’s quite comprehensive. We have a separate article if you’re looking for the best winter boots for women.
As sure as there are at least 50 words for snow, winter too can come in many different forms, from middling skiffs of transient powder to full-blown arctic blizzards that will get down to where Fahrenheit and Celsius meet. Because of this, not every winter boot will be the same, nor should they be.
Some are perfectly suited to setting out on one last hike of fall, while others prefer the brief transit between the door and the mailbox. When looking for a pair of winter boots, begin here by deciding on what exactly you’re angling to get done in your boots, and purchase based on what a boot excels at, not just what it can be pressed into service doing.
While they won’t be the warmest or the most waterproof, casual winter boots undoubtedly get the job done for cruising around a snowbound downtown or slipping into after a ripper of a day on the ski hill. Boots of this ilk won’t pile on the rubber, and more often use a higher leather or synthetic content to keep things light. Insulation levels will be around the mid-range, and support and comfort will be in high measure when compared to overall ability. These are your all-day snow shovelers (if it’s not too deep).
Insulated Chelsea boots like the Blundstone 566 (Thermal) are perfect examples of winter boots that are capable enough for a plowed sidewalk, but not quite tall enough to brave the drifts. You’d also be hard-pressed to keep us out of our Stio Colter Boots for après activities, and for more wet-weather climates like the Pacific Northwest, the XTRATUF 6″ Deck Ankle Boot are a fisherfolk favorite for when the waters are rising.
If the first snowfall of the season ignites some primal fire in you to get out into it, you’ll likely need a bit more than your regular hiking kicks. Winter hiking boots are best thought of bulked-up hikers with additional insulation and traction, but maintain a similar mid-height boot cut to not impede foot control. Traction, too, is important here, with snow and ice-specific rubber outsoles like Vibram’s Arctic Grip being unrivaled in slick situations.
For light-duty use, the Helly Hansen Garibaldi V3 has enough chutzpah to hack it on groomed urban trails, but if real trekking is what you’ve got in mind, the rugged 5 mm outsole and added toe room for insulation of the KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot has our hearts.
Born out of necessity, duck boots trace their lineage back to an old Mainer by the familiar name of Leon Leonwood Bean, who grew weary of his leather hiking boots slowly becoming soaked on his forays into the depths of the Northeast. Working with a cobbler, Bean glommed the lower portion of a rubber rain boot onto the leather upper of hunting boots, and created one helluva winter tromping boot. Duck boots today are still identified by this hybrid construction, which makes them perfect footwear for getting chores around the cabin done.
If you’re a sucker for the real deal, the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots draw a direct line from the OGs, and are dang tough to boot. And if you want all that classic styling, but refuse to compromise on things like comfort and support, the Huckberry All-Weather Duckboot (AWD) is the idea taken to its natural (and cozy) conclusion. These duck boots won’t be the best for big days, but for kicking around they make the grade.
With roots in the military, pac boots were originally rubber-soled overboots that soldiers would place over their boots to add additional warmth and waterproofing. Today, the term pac boot has evolved to mean pretty much any boot that sports a removable liner. It can be said that many pac boots also exhibit the characteristics of duck boots, but the liner is the key difference, and one that makes these boots far more versatile for multi-day use. Sizing is typically fairly generous to accommodate large socks, and as such, overall control is a bit limited.
Our top pick for a pac boot was the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots, which incorporate a felt liner that was easy to pull in and out of the boot and dry over our wood stove. The budget-minded Kamik Nation Plus boots will only cost you $100 and also perform the same feat, and for a high-end no-compromises boot, the Baffin Control Max Heavy-Duty loads up on tech to keep your feet warm.
The chase doesn’t have to end when the weather turns for the worst, and in fact, many hunters enjoy the challenge of tracking quarry through the snow. Hunting boots for winter don’t make any concessions in the traction department, and anticipate muddy, rocky, and slick conditions. These boots require a good bit of added insulation to ensure your feet don’t go numb sitting in a tree stand for hours on end. Look for at least 300-gram insulation in any winter hunting boot, with some going all the way to 1,600 grams.
The stiff soles on the Crispi Briksdal GTX Boots won’t wilt under the full weight of packing out an elk on your back, and our Editorial Director has the notched tag to prove it. For more fleet-footed hunts like chasing pheasants, the Danner Recurve 400G is a slightly more forgiving and nimble boot that still packs in 400-gram insulation.
Nobody said that mucking out a barn in -15 was going to be easy, but somebody has got to do it. Winter work boots don’t often have the luxury of a clean slate of untouched snow to traipse across, and if icy mud is more your office, then a good pair of winter work boots is in order. Waterproofing in these boots is an absolute, and rubber and neoprene constructions reign here. High-cut boots are also a necessity, with calf-highs not being uncommon.
The Bogs Bozeman Tall Boots are easily the most work-ready winter boots out of our tested bunch, with a 14.5″ collar and 7mm-thick neoprene insulation that kept us warm while splitting wood this previous winter. And for serious work, Bogs even makes a line of insulated boots that incorporate a steel toe.
Any winter footwear worth its weight will offer plentiful warmth. Many winter boots come with a specific temperature rating. While these ratings can be helpful guidelines, the actual feel of a pair of boots will always be a better indicator of warmth than a manufacturer’s rating.
Often, boots claim to have very impressive temperature ratings well below zero. Because there is no standardized test for boot temperature ratings, always take these numbers with a grain of salt. The warmth of a boot comes from various factors, including sock thickness, activity level, personal cold tolerance, and much more.
A winter boot rated to -10 degrees F will likely feel warmer than a boot rated to zero made by the same manufacturer. Using temperature ratings to compare boots from different manufacturers is a less reliable practice. We certainly recommend trying boots on to get a real impression of their warmth and comfort.
Winter boots utilize a variety of different insulation types to achieve the desired combination of warmth and comfort. The most common types of insulation are synthetic, felt, and sheepskin.
Most modern winter boots are equipped with synthetic insulation. Between the outer shell and the inner lining of the boot, synthetic materials provide lightweight and durable warmth. Perhaps the most important benefit of synthetic material is that it can insulate even when wet.
Popular name-brand synthetic insulation options include Thinsulate and PrimaLoft, though many other quality options are available. No matter the name brand, the total weight of synthetic insulation will always be a better indicator of warmth than the name brand.
Many manufacturers include the insulation weight in their boot specifications. Lightweight to midweight boots will usually have a fill rating of 200-400 g. If you are seeking heavy-duty boots for extreme cold, look for a fill rating of at least 300 g.
Felt and sheepskin are materials that have long been used to insulate winter footwear. While synthetic insulation is by far the current norm, some manufacturers opt for classic and traditional materials.
The downside of felt and sheepskin insulation is they tend to be heavy and bulky. Still, these materials can be warm and comfortable. Usually, felt and sheepskin is utilized in a boot’s lining where they can be in direct contact with the foot. While these materials provide warmth even when wet, they may become extra heavy when saturated and require lots of time to dry.
As you might expect, heavier boots are usually built for the worst conditions, while lightweight winter boots are better for moderate temperatures and less demanding uses. As the thickness of the outsoles and the fill rating of insulation increases, the overall weight goes up. Lightweight winter boots are great for active use, but they often sacrifice some stability, grip, and warmth.
Almost all winter boots are ankle-high or higher. Boot height is a major factor that determines the intended function of the boot.
On the low end of the boot height spectrum are lightweight hiking-style boots such as the Danner Mountain 600 Insulated. Lower-cut boots typically measure around 7 inches from the footbed to the top of the boot. Lower-cut boots are ideal for hiking, as they tend to be relatively light and flexible.
The downside of lower-cut boots is they allow snow to seep in, especially when post-holing through a deep snowpack. If you find yourself in bottomless snow with a pair of ankle-high boots, a pair of gaiters may offer a simple solution.
If you plan to use your boots in regions with lots of snow accumulation, you’ll probably want to pick boots at least 8 inches tall. Work boots and boots for extreme weather are designed to sit higher on the leg, keeping the elements out and the warmth in. On this list, the Baffin Control Max is a high-cut and extremely warm boot ideal for the coldest, snowiest conditions.
Nothing beats a reliable pair of boots that keep your feet warm and dry no matter how bad the weather gets. Waterproofing is the difference between blissful comfort and soggy misery.
Waterproofing is ultimately a product of the materials incorporated into a boot’s design. Features such as rubber outer layers and an exterior water-resistant treatment are standards of the most waterproof boots.
All of the boots we’ve selected are designed to keep water out as much as possible. Some of the more robust included models feature a two-piece system that includes an outer waterproof barrier and an inner removable liner. On this list, the Kamik Nation Plus is a great and affordable two-piece boot that successfully keeps moisture out.
One-piece boots typically feature a waterproof membrane sandwiched in between the outer material and the lining. While one-piece boots usually don’t have the failproof waterproofing of many two-piece styles, they tend to be lighter and more flexible.
On this list, the KEEN Revel IV is a burly one-piece boot that refuses to let the weather in. Plus, it comes in two different heights.
The downside of built-in insulation and waterproof membranes is decreased breathability. While boots that trap heat are certainly desirable, overheating can be a real concern, even in extremely cold weather. For this reason, a reasonable degree of breathability is an asset in winter boots.
Generally, lightweight hiking-style winter boots are more breathable than gravy-duty work boots or two-piece models that thrive in extreme cold. While hiking or performing other strenuous activities, breathability can help to prevent sweating and blisters.
Ultimately, breathability is a trade-off. Winter boots simply cannot be completely waterproof and extreme weather-ready and fully breathable at the same time.
If you’re simply looking for top-notch warmth or waterproofing, breathability doesn’t need to be a major consideration when selecting boots. If you plan to wear your boots for active use in a wide range of conditions, be sure to select a breathable pair.
A winter boot’s exterior material will significantly affect its waterproofing, breathability, and weight. Rubber and leather are the most common outer materials.
The waterproof qualities of rubber boots are unbeatable. For decades, brands such as Muck Boot and XTRATUF have been well-regarded for their nearly impenetrable rubber boots. In constantly wet and rainy regions such as the Pacific Northwest, rubber boots are a rightfully popular choice.
The downside of rubber as an outer material is its lack of breathability. In the same way that rubber boots successfully keep moisture out, they also keep moisture in. For long hikes and active use, rubber is not the ideal outer material.
Leather boots have been a popular winter footwear choice for hundreds of years. While leather does not provide the impenetrable qualities of rubber, it is a supple, durable, and relatively water-resistant material.
Compared to rubber boots, leather models tend to breathe slightly better. If you plan to wear your boots in a wide range of weather conditions, leather boots are an excellent and versatile choice.
The outsole is the part of a boot that makes direct contact with the ground underneath. Good grip is essential to a winter boot’s value and performance.
True winter boots come with outsoles designed to provide reliable grip in cold and snowy conditions. To account for subfreezing temps, many winter boot outsoles feature soft rubber compounds that don’t overly harden in the cold. Additionally, thoughtfully designed tread patterns can prevent snow and mud from building up.
Outsole compounds and tread patterns vary wildly across the winter boot market. Generally, models geared toward hiking will have a deep tread and superior grip. Work boots typically come with heavy, bulky outsoles that prioritize durability above grip.
In severe conditions, you may want more winter traction than your boots can offer on their own. No matter how deep and sticky your tread is, chances are it won’t help on solid sheets of ice.
Traction devices such as Yaktrax and MICROspikes can be fixed onto the bottom of winter boots for improved grip on ice and hardpack. These devices have metal components designed to dig into ice and improve traction — just like tire chains on a car.
Properly sizing winter boots can be a tricky process. Unlike with most footwear, you’ll likely wear extra thick socks with your winter boots, and it’s important to consider this when picking a size.
Ideally, your winter boots will be comfortable and free of major air pockets and hot spots. Of course, the best fit for you depends on the type of activity you’re using the boots for.
If you’ll be hiking or working on your feet, we recommend a snug fit for maximum performance. If you plan to use your boots for hanging out casually or simply wearing them about town, a looser, comfort-first fit is the way to go.
As always, there’s no substitute for trying on shoes, and we highly recommend you do so if possible.
Winter boots typically start out at a bottom dollar of $100, and for the budget price, there’ll be some concessions made to hit the price point. This is the realm of casual winter boots, which typically are less insulated, and likely to use suede leather or synthetics in their uppers.
The outsoles will also often be molded together with the boot lowers, which is a cheaper manufacturing process but not as durable. For the money, the Kamik Nation Plus was a boot that absolutely punched above it’s weight class.
Mid-range boots will often run between $150 and $300, and this is where most winter hiking and snow boots reside. These boots will often spring for a more top or full-grained leather, and may incorporate a proprietary waterproof lining into the build. Vibram soles also make an appearance here, which can greatly enhance the traction on hard-packed snow or ice. The Baffin Control Max Heavy-Duty and KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot are two mid-range boots that give a lot for a moderate amount of money.
Anything north of $400 means you’re paying for either luxury or extreme durability, with both the Allen Edmonds Park City Lace-Up and Crispi Briksdal GTX being prime examples. For the high dollar, boots like these utilize name-brand technologies that lead the market in terms of warmth, traction, and durability, such as Italian Nubuck leather, Vibram outsoles, GORE-TEX liners, and the higher-end PrimaLoft insulations. All of these materials cost more to produce, and as such command a higher dollar amount.
What makes a boot winter-worthy is weather protection. Insulation and waterproofness keep the feet warm and dry. So consider waterproofness a requirement, not a nice-to-have.
Ask yourself if you’ll frequently be in rainy, or wet conditions or if slushy snow is a common occurrence. If so, prioritize waterproofness. Just be aware that it often comes at the cost of breathability and excessive heat retention.
These days, shoe sole technology is a science all its own and can truly make or break the shoe. If you find yourself walking and hiking in icy conditions, pay special attention to the tread grip and look for one designed for ice.
Vibram makes an arctic-grip lug that has a tackiness on slick, icy surfaces. It’s not as grippy as microspikes, but it adds extra confidence when walking on ice.
Many boots have replaced the liner with insulation directly in the boot. The benefit of the liner is you can remove it and set it out to dry between uses. The downside is that liners can sometimes cause extra movement and friction, which can lead to blisters and discomfort.
The main considerations with height are ankle articulation, keeping snow out, and comfort. If you regularly get out in deep snow and want a lot of support, choose a taller boot.
Be aware that taller boots can have different diameters. If you have larger calf muscles, you may need to try a few pairs on to see if they fit your legs.
We tested the best winter boots for women in 2023, including winter hiking boots, snow boots, extra-warm boots, and winter rain boots.
Keep your hands warm with the best winter mittens of 2023-2024. From Colorado to Minnesota, we put these mitts through the ultimate test.
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