Sturdy snow boots that can withstand icy sidewalks and snowy commutes are essential in the winter. However, not every boot is made identically; some are insulated for prolonged use in the cold, while others offer exceptional traction. A boot made for après-ski chalet style will have distinct advantages than one intended for winter hiking. The best snow boots must keep your feet toasty and be water-resistant, if not completely waterproof, regardless of where you want to wear them.
We thoroughly examined 27 pairs of women’s snow boots over the course of five months in the real world, noting factors including fit, support, durability, performance in a variety of conditions and terrains, waterproofing capabilities, and overall value to help you choose the best pair for your needs. There is a style for everyone on this list, whether you’re searching for a pair of boots that will keep you warm and provide just enough grip to walk your dog on a cold morning or for an insulated, waterproof pair that will last you through long days on the slopes. Continue reading for our top choices for all kinds of outdoor activities.
The North Face Shellista IV Boot
The North Face’s everyday snow boots meet all of our requirements: they are incredibly cozy, completely waterproof, insulated with recycled materials, and have highly traction-enhancing rubber outsoles. We adore the way the soft faux-fur top collars look and feel, and they never matted or lost their fluff over our testing period, proving that they don’t have to compromise elegance for comfort. Right out of the package, we discovered that these boots were comfy enough to wear for hours on end and that our feet never felt constrictive. We wore these boots through a full Colorado winter and into spring, which included a lot of ice, snow, slush, and rain, during the five months of testing. The boots provide a great deal of traction control regardless of the conditions.
There is extra warmth and comfort thanks to the boots’ padded ripstop tongue. Because the waterproof rubber shells are specially shaped for women’s feet and combined with lightweight EVA midsoles and molded OrthoLite sock liners, they also have outstanding arch support. With their waterproof shell, grippy rubber outsoles, and 200 grams of insulation made from 85 percent post-consumer recycled polyester, these mid-calf boots are ideal for everyday wear in cold or snowy situations. We were able to wear them with fuzzy socks and hiking socks without any issues. We believe these are an exceptional value buy because of their exceptional quality and adaptability, especially considering the reasonable price point.
Baffin Chloe Boot
These Baffin faux-fur-trimmed boots are stylish Snow Boots and incredibly comfortable. They include amazing multi-layer insulation technology that lets you adjust the warmth and fit to your preference. The exterior of these shoes may be considered fashionable, but within are detachable layers that offer maximum breathability in a variety of temperatures, a moisture-wicking layer to keep feet feeling fresh, and a B-tek foam interior for increased comfort. Additional layers consist of a blend of wool and polyester for enhanced breathability and multilayer insulation to effectively block off drafts, moisture, and slush. Although breaking them in wasn’t too difficult for us, be aware that they may feel snug at first since the layers are meant to conform to your foot. Nevertheless, these boots continue to keep our feet dry and warm in any weather after five months of testing.
These tall boots are designed to hit mid-calf and are waterproof, so they offer plenty of protection from the weather. During testing, we ran them under the faucet, and when we took them outside in the rain, they remained completely dry. These weigh more than four pounds, so they’re a little too hefty for strenuous sports like hiking, but they’re perfect for keeping your feet comfortable and fashionable for daily wear.
Dr. Martens Combs Padded Casual Boots
These padded ankle Snow Boots are so cozy that you could cover your feet in your warmest winter sweater. During our five-month testing period, the brand’s distinctive thick rubber outsole and nearly cloud-comfy feel kept our feet dry and toasty, even in slushy and rainy circumstances. We also liked that they offer strong arch support. These aren’t going to keep a lot of snow or slush out due to their cropped height, but they are perfect for daily wear in cold or wet weather because to their breathability and elasticity. We cherished the roomy, rounded footbed, which let us to easily wear these with thick socks on chilly days.
The thick rubber outsole has deep, wide-set lugs that offer great traction; we thought they were sturdy enough to tackle snow and ice, and we also liked how much shock absorption there was, giving our steps a nice bounce. We are particularly grateful for the nylon quilted fabric’s flexibility, as it allowed us to wander around freely.
Hunter Insulated Tall Snow Boots
Although Hunter is best known for its sleek, minimalist rain boots, you’ll quickly see that the brand’s fashionable heritage also extends to winter footwear once you put on a pair of calf-height snow boots. With a recycled fleece lining that keeps you toasty, these snow boots are among the trendiest available. However, keep in mind that they don’t provide as much warmth as a wool or sheepskin choice. Right out of the box, these were quite comfy and never gave us blisters or other discomfort.
Knowing that they are certified vegan and composed almost completely of recycled materials, from the fleece interior to the nylon outside, will make you feel as good as they look. After several months of testing, we discovered that the height and warmth make these most useful in extremely cold or snowy conditions, but the unique ortholite footbed is lightweight and flexible, making them easy to negotiate city streets. Beyond its simple appearance, we adore the no-lace design since it is especially practical for expectant mothers and people who would rather just throw on their shoes and head out. Additionally, there’s a toggle at the top that you can tighten to keep snow and rain out or loosen enough to tuck in sweatpants. We also like how simple it is to clean these—even with the softer cream tint, we could easily remove debris with a damp towel.
Ugg Adirondack III Boot
Because of its well-known fuzzy sheepskin padding, Ugg shoes may have gained a reputation for being the most comfy of all shoe brands. With a waterproof leather and suede upper and a water-repellent tongue to keep out rain and snow, these winter-ready Adirondack boots have a weather rating of -25.6 degrees Fahrenheit. We discovered that they offer great traction on wet and slippery ground, and that they kept our feet warm and comfortable throughout the day when we wore them for extended excursions and errands. We value how these provide superior ankle support without sacrificing enough flexibility for daily walking. The best part is that you can wear it like two pairs of boots at once thanks to the cuffable shaft. Roll it down to show off the fuzzy inner, or leave it up for more warmth and height. These shoes are a bit more expensive than some of the others on our list, but we think the durability, exceptional comfort, and reliability of the Ugg brand make them worthwhile. Although the leather showed some signs of wear after five months of use, we still believe these will last for many years to come.
Helly Hansen Women’s Garibaldi VL Boots
These are undoubtedly not the bulky, outdated snow boots from your dad. These elegant, tall Snow Boots from Helly Hansen are a great illustration of why the company has a long history of being a reliable name in outdoor goods. Thanks to their OrthoLite Eco comfort footbed, which is incredibly lightweight and flexible, they provide complete range of motion and can be bent easily with our feet while still offering excellent arch and ankle support. These would be useful for sledding, strolling through a snowy park, running errands, and possibly even going on a low-lift climb. Their featherweight design, weighing slightly over one pound, makes them feel more like cozy sneakers than bulky, constricting snow boots, making them ideal for a range of activities.
These improved with high waterproof leather and 100 grams of PrimaLoft insulation kept our feet dry and warm even amid a flash flood. The layers of insulation may feel tight at first, but after a few hours, they properly contoured to our feet, giving the impression of a tailored fit. Our feet never overheated in these, even though we wish they were a little more breathable. The white faux-fur is our only genuine complaint; it isn’t completely waterproof and let moisture to enter after we unintentionally stepped in some puddles during real-world testing.
Keen Revel IV Polar Boot
Rainy day errands, muddy yard maintenance, and hiking in chilly weather are all excellent uses for these waterproof Snow Boots. We wore them for anything from outdoor adventures to outings to our local brewery. Their sporty style seems adaptable enough to mix with activewear and athleisure. With a generous toe box and plenty of arch and ankle support, we discovered that these didn’t need any break-in time and felt comfortable right away. There’s enough space for an orthotic to slide right in if you’d rather have more support. The shoe’s perfect amount of give allows for flexibility without sacrificing foot security, which is something we prefer. On longer hikes, we do advise tying them securely because they did chafe a little when knotted loosely.
These have an anti-odor lining and a stability shank for lightweight support, which hikers will appreciate. They weigh slightly over one pound. The excellent traction, which stayed incredibly gripping even when sliding down slick rock, is possibly the best feature. To keep you warm in harsh weather, they also include 200 grams of insulation and three layers of heat-trapping materials underfoot. During testing, we even stepped in a large puddle, and our feet were toasty and dry the entire time. Additionally, these boots still look brand new after five months of frequent use.
Merrell Women’s Bravada 2
These airy, cozy lace-ups from Merrell are perfect for anyone hitting the trails in the winter or needing a pair of lightweight shoes for their commute. These waterproof boots are lightweight for all-day comfort, weighing only 12.4 ounces each shoe. The readily adjustable laces, recycled fleece inside, and 100 grams of low-bulk insulation for extra warmth all work together to give these sneakers-like fit sneakers with extra support and insulation around the ankle. The detachable EVA foam footbed and the integrated shock absorption in the midsole felt supportive of our arches whether we were walking the dog or commuting to work. We adored that these are naturally odor-treated as well.
These run slightly narrow, so you’ll need to break them in over time before you can wear them comfortably. We also discovered that the Merrell Quantum Grip outsole offers outstanding traction on the trail and in snow and slush. We were even able to shovel snow while wearing these boots during our five months of testing, and they kept our feet dry and warm.
Muck Boot Company Arctic Ice Tall AGAT Boot
These knee-high rubber boots are essential if you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain. Their strong rubber exterior and plush neoprene interior keep warmth in and the weather out. They also provide excellent traction on slick grates and sidewalks. The elastic top-line binding guarantees a tight fit around your leg, keeping moisture out, even though their height already contributes to keeping feet toasty and dry in snow and mud. We waded through deep puddles for more than an hour during our testing, and these boots kept our legs and feet completely dry up to our knees without letting any chilly air penetrate through. Our feet remained dry and warm even after using these in the real world for several months.
Even for people with longer legs, their height is advantageous for blocking wind and rain, but it does restrict movement because the thick rubber might make it challenging to bend your knee when climbing stairs. We did discover, nevertheless, that these boots are cozy and warm. In addition, they have Vibram lugs for superior traction on ice driveways and slick roads alike. For a few seasons of normal wear and tear in muddy or wet weather, these are excellent at keeping you dry, but be aware that the thick rubber exterior is prone to cracking.
Oboz Ousel Mid Boot
Considering packing the appropriate snow boots for a winter camping trip or planning to tackle the trails in cold or snowy conditions? On lengthy excursions, your feet will be warm, dry, and supported with the help of these insulated waterproof boots from Oboz, which include thermal insoles and a high-lined cuff. The nubuck leather boots, which come in regular, wide, and half sizes, include a specifically contoured insole that’s intended to maximize comfort and regulate body temperature to keep you going. Our feet were completely dry even after standing in a creek, despite spending five months trekking through the rain and splashing in deep puddles. Besides, there was no period of break-in. With its 200 grams of Freeze Guard Insulation and great traction, we found these to be perfect for winter weather and rainy or snowy days. However, since they’re not the most breathable pair on this list, they’re not as good for shoulder seasons. We adore that Oboz plants a tree for each pair of shoes sold as a feel-good bonus.
Ryka Brae Winter Boot
These stylish booties by Ryka are the perfect combination of comfort, style, and performance that’s ready for winter. Although they are not waterproof in the strict sense, we discovered that they are incredibly water-resistant; in fact, throughout our tests, they easily repelled water and kept their interiors completely dry, even after we ran them under the sink faucet. These are among the lightest and coziest pairs of snow boots we’ve ever tried. The basic lace-up design and puffy nylon outer make them suitable for both everyday errands and après-ski events. We discovered these are more appropriate for chilly neighborhood strolls than for strenuous excursions since the fluffy, soft nylon provides a tight, cushioned fit but isn’t strong enough to offer much ankle support. You can easily choose the ideal pair with four adorable colors and a wide range of sizes. They still have their original appearance after five months of use.
Salomon Toundra Pro CSWP Boots
These Salomon waterproof boots are suitable for any activity, be it hiking, snowshoeing, or driveway shoveling. Made from durable leather and insulated with Aerogel, their tough design first fits like ski boots, with a stiff outer that reduces flexibility but offers superior ankle support and cushioning. When we hiked in slick circumstances, we felt very safe. Although they required multiple wears to break them in, we discovered that they were comfy right away and never gave us any pain or hot areas. In addition, the interior’s fuzzy polyester lining keeps everything warm and comfortable.
These are made to keep you warm in winter circumstances that can reach -40 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to the lining and insulation. Additionally, they have improved lugs on the bottom that are incredibly grippy and can easily navigate slick trails, snow, and ice. Although they take a little longer, the ice skate-style laces are a great advantage for anyone who appreciates an extremely snug fit because they make it simple to tighten them to your preferred level of smugness. After trying the boots for five months, we discovered that the laces came undone quickly if they weren’t double-knotted, but other than that, we were really satisfied.
Sorel Caribou Boot
The Sorel Women’s Caribou Waterproof Boot is a stylish and useful duck boot that will last you through many seasons. These robust, waterproof, seam-sealed boots are a perfect example of the brand’s reputation for producing high-quality outdoor gear. Whether you’re trekking in the snow, running errands, or spending time at the ice rink, they’re made to keep your feet toasty warm for extended periods of time in cold weather. Extra support and warmth are provided by the detachable, recycled felt ThermoPlus inner boot that hugs the ankle. Throughout our five months of testing, we never had any foot, ankle, or calf pain when wearing them for lengthy walks or long workdays. We also discovered that they didn’t require any break-in time.
Since these are made to fit a thicker sock, it’s crucial to think about what kind of socks you’ll wear with them most of the time. If you wish to wear them with thinner socks, you might want to go down a half-size. Like any good duck boot, we also adore how well-tractioned they are on slick surfaces and snowy trails.
