Whether the snow is an everyday part of your life or simply just a vacation destination, you’re going to need a good quality pair of snow boots, either way. Your feet are incredibly susceptible to frostbite, so it’s important to have your feet protected from snow, slush, and freezing rain. There are a lot of features that you could want in a snow boot, but the three most important features are insulation, waterproof construction, and grip. We’ve compiled a list of high-quality snow boots that have been tested and rated by the most discerning reviewers out there: regular folks like you and me. We have your bases covered when it comes to style, too, whether you’re looking for a boot to wear while shoveling the driveway or a night out on the town. No matter how and when you intend to use your snow boots, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for on our list.
Best Overall
Kamik Men's Nationplus Boot
Best Value
Quicksilk Eyushijia Men's Waterproof Snow Boots
Honorable Mention
Skechers Men's Relment Pelmo Chukka Waterproof Boot
Best Winter Boots Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Kamik Men's Nationplus Boot
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Best Value
Quicksilk Eyushijia Men's Waterproof Snow Boots
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Best for Hiking
Skechers Men's Relment Pelmo Chukka Waterproof Boot
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Best for Women
Columbia Women's Ice Maiden II Insulated Snow Boot
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Most Stylish
Bearpaw Women's Emma Tall Fashion Boot
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Honorable Mention
Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber High Performance Men's Winter Boot
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Honorable Mention
SOREL Men's Snow Winter Boots
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Honorable Mention
Northside Boys Girls Toddler/Little Kids/Big Kids Frosty Winter Snow Boot
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Honorable Mention
SOREL Women's Joan of Arctic Waterproof Insulated Winter Boot
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Honorable Mention
DREAM PAIRS Women's Mid-Calf Winter Snow Boots
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Honorable Mention
Gracosy Warm Snow Boots
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Honorable Mention
ALEADER Women's Waterproof Winter Snow Boot
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Best Winter Boots Buying Guide & FAQs
If you live in a place where it gets cold, then you need winter boots. These are special shoes that you put on when the temperatures hit freezing or colder. That way, your feet will stay warm and dry. They come in a variety of styles, so you can find the perfect pair for working around the house, heading to the office, or walking the trails.
Wearing boots specifically designed for use in winter will help keep your feet healthy. This will let you get more work done, be more active, and spend more time outside. This guide will help you find the perfect pair.
The Advantages of Owning Winter Boots
The most important advantage of wearing winter boots is that your feet stay warm. Since your feet are the furthest body part away from your heart, your circulation is at its weakest. This puts your feet at risk of hypothermia. Insulated boots radiate your natural body heat back to help your feet stay warm.
Quality winter boots are also waterproofed. This is because boot makers expect you to walk in snow and ice. The waterproofing prevents the water from getting in your boot. If this happens, your boots will become incredibly heavy and ineffective at keeping you warm.
The final benefit of winter boots is the increased traction you’ll have. Regular shoes aren’t designed to be worn when walking on snow or ice. They typically have smooth surfaces. Winter boots give you more traction because they have edges that will give you a biting grip on the surface you’re walking on. This will help prevent you from slipping and falling.
- Keep your feet dry
- Help your feet to stay warm
- Improve your walking traction
The Most Common Types of Winter Boots
The type of winter boots you buy will depend on where you plan to wear the boots and the type of activities you plan to do while wearing them. Each type of winter boot is specifically designed for the intended activities, so wearing the wrong boots will leave you wet, cold, tired, and frustrated.
Everyday
This type of boot tends to be the least warm of the winter boots. They’re meant for everyday wear, such as running errands or heading into the office. This means you’ll only spend limited amounts of time outside in them.
They have more flexibility and comfort built into them. This allows you to easily walk without creating undue stress on your feet, legs, and back.
These boots are typically made out of leather or suede. They have the most variety when it comes to colors, styles, and designs. In addition, they could be a range of shaft heights, from just above the ankle to mid-shin to knee-high.
Hiking
These boots tend to have a shorter shaft so that they don’t come far up the leg. This helps keep the weight down and improve your movability and flexibility. This is important to prevent fatigue while walking long distances through nature.
The rubber sole on these boots tends to be more flexible. This eliminates the “robot” style of walk that happens with frigid and extreme cold weather boots. You’ll find that these boots are typically lace-up with a synthetic or leather upper material.
Look for breathability in the upper material to prevent your feet from getting too warm and sweating. This creates a whole set of additional problems that you don’t need.
Extreme Cold Weather
If you expect to be in extremely cold temperatures, then you need a pair of boots that can perform to the weather demands. These boots are heavy-duty with the most amount of insulation. These tend to be the least attractive of the winter boots style as the function takes priority to form.
These boots have a tall shaft since they’re meant for wear while standing or walking in deep snow. All of these design qualities make them not great for walking long distances in them and impossible to drive in them. They typically are made out of nylon, leather, and rubber.
What to Look for When Buying Winter Boots
When buying a pair of winter boots, they need to be durable enough to last throughout the entire season. They also need to perform well by giving you better traction, keeping your feet dry, and, most importantly, keeping your feet warm as the temperatures drop.
By paying attention to the material, insulation, and closures, you’ll be able to buy the best pair of winter boots for your walking needs.
Material
There will be multiple materials used in the construction of your winter boots. Typically, the bottom or sole will be made out of rubber. Look for one that has a thicker sole and plenty of texture to create traction on slippery surfaces.
The upper or top part of the shoe is typically made out of waterproof material, such as leather, suede, or nylon. Look for boots that have been pretreated for waterproofing. Some boots will have rubber that covers part of the upper; these provide the most amount of water protection.
Consider where you plan to wear your boots. Some are rugged in the design of the material and best for outdoor hiking, while others are more refined and can blend in when worn to professional occasions.
Insulation
The insulation in your winter boots is what keeps your feet warm. The key to staying comfortable is to buy boots with the right amount and type of insulation. To know this, consider the bulk it creates around your foot and the coldest temperatures you plan to wear the boots in.
Wool and synthetic materials, such as Thinsulate, are both lightweight and good for a wet cold. These materials dry quickly and won’t feel like cinder blocks on your feet.
If you decide to buy Thinsulate insulated boots, pay attention to the weight. The bigger the number, the warmer the boot will be. Cool to cold climates will call for around 200 grams, while frigid climates will require 400 grams or more.
Closure
The closure is how the boot secures to your foot once you’ve put it on. There are some boots that have no closure. They fit the loosest and won’t be very effective at keeping your feet warm or staying on securely. If you plan to be active in your winter boots, look for a full lace-up boot. This will give you the tightest and most custom fit. A third option is zippers. They will give you a better fit than pull-on, but not as secure as a lace-up.
For the most amount of protection, look for a boot with a gusseted tongue behind the closure. The tongue is attached at the sides to help keep the elements out.
Tips for Buying and Using Winter Boots
The worst thing you can do for your winter boots is to neglect them. This will cause them to wear out faster and potentially fail on you when you need them most. The first thing you should do is clean them when you take them off. This will remove any dirt, debris, salt, or other chemicals that are on them. All of these things can cause the material to become stiff and rot quicker. This will make your boots more likely to crack or have the stitching rip.
The second thing you should do after taking them off is let them air dry in a well-ventilated place. This lets the air circulate through the boots and dry the material. This also helps with preventing the boots from decaying or rotting. The boots can dry out on the inside if your feet sweat in them.
The final thing you should do to care for your boots is to check the soles. As you walk, you wear the soles down with your body weight and scuffing your feet. Over time, the sole becomes uneven and will cause you to walk off-balance and lose traction.
- Air them out and let them dry after each use.
- Periodically check the sole for wear.
- Keep them clean.
Best Winter Boots FAQs
The most common debate people have when buying boots is whether or not to size up. This can be confusing when shoe manufacturers don’t follow one standard size chart. Then once you buy the boots, how are you supposed to wear them? You could tuck your pants into them, or perhaps leaving them out is the appropriate thing to do. Finally, you can’t wear your boots forever. Eventually, they’ll give out, and you’ll need to replace them.
Q. Should winter boots be a size bigger?
A: Good-quality winter boots should automatically come slightly bigger because they’re designed to slip on. This makes sizing up unnecessary.
Q. When should I replace my winter boots?
A: The standard winter boot will last one to three winter seasons and should be replaced when they become well-worn.
Q. Do pants go over boots?
A: This depends on the pants. Some are designed to tuck in, while others are meant to cover your boots.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick for the best winter boots is the Kamik Men’s Nationplus Boot. This boot comes in a variety of colors and has a rubber sole, faux leather upper, and lace up front. The boots are wide for more foot room and comfort. You can also buy them with a fur lining for extra comfort and warmth.
Final Thoughts
For furry, warm, and cozy boots, you can’t go wrong with the Kamik Men’s Nationplus Boot. A more affordable option that comes with effective Thinsulate insulation is the Quicksilk Eyushijia Men’s Waterproof Snow Boots.