Best Winter Boots of 2024

Footwear that keeps you warm and dry will make it much easier to get outside and enjoy a hike when the temperature drops. We put dozens of winter boots to the test on over 500 miles of snow-covered trails to bring you this list of the very best. We look at insulation, traction, support, lacing systems, durability, and price to figure out which boots land on top.

And we’ve also covered the best winter boots for women as well. If you need more than the lugs on your shoes through deep snow and ice, you should also check out our reviews of the best snowshoes and traction devices so you can climb with confidence.

Quick Picks for Men’s Winter Boots

Check out this quick list of our favorite winter boots, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Best winter boots for hiking overall: Salomon X Ultra Mid Winter ($175)

Best warm snow boots: Sorel Caribou ($200)

Best winter boots for wet conditions: Muck Boot Arctic Sport ($117)

Best snow boots for extreme cold: Baffin Impact ($250)

Best town-to-trail winter boots: Columbia Fairbanks ($130)

Best ultralight trail runners for winter: Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 ($180)

Stylish winter boots for around town: Sperry Striper Storm ($50)

Supportive winter boots with excellent traction: Merrell Thermo Chill Mid ($130)

Rugged winter boots for hiking & snowshoeing: Oboz Bridger 8” BDry Insulated ($210)

Leather hiking boots with an extra-wide toe box: KEEN Targhee High Lace ($180)

Durable & stylish boots for wet winters: Blundstone 587 Classic Series ($230)

What’s Most Important to You in a Winter Boot?

PRICE

You don’t have to break the bank to get a pair of top-quality winter boots, but we find that spending a little extra is often worth the boost in insulation, traction, and durability.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

What will you primarily be using your boots for? Hiking? Working outside? Everyday wear around town? Figuring out what you’ll use your boots for most will help determine how warm they should be. The use will also help you decide how much coverage is ideal and what materials are likely to suit your needs best.

INSULATION

You’ll likely want a lighter, more breathable boot for high-output activities, but your feet should never get really cold in a good pair of winter boots. All boots meant for winter should be at least minimally insulated with materials like fleece, wool, or synthetic fibers to help retain body heat. Uninsulated waterproof boots can also work as long as there’s ample room to wear thick wool socks. For extremely cold weather or low activity levels, medium-heavy insulation may be required to keep your feet warm.

BOOT HEIGHT & GAITERS

Taller boots are best for extreme cold and deep snow, though lower-cut ankle boots allow greater movement and are generally more comfortable to walk or hike in. Snow gaiters can be added to any height boot to increase weather protection and keep snow from getting into the top cuff. Some boots have built-in gaiter loops near the toe that you can connect gaiters to increase their effectiveness.

TRACTION

The more intense your activity will be and the more extreme the conditions (ice), the more traction you’ll need to keep from slipping, sliding, and potentially falling. For activities like hiking, a boot with aggressive traction is recommended. To increase traction on any boot, traction systems like Kahtoola MICROspikes (for backcountry hiking) or NANOspikes (for use around town) are available.

Critical Winter Boot Considerations

WEIGHT

Winter boots can weigh 4-7 lbs., but we prefer styles that keep bulk and weight to a minimum for hiking or casual use. For those of us that are used to wearing trail runners, lightweight boots will feel more familiar, comfortable, and far less clunky on the feet. Lighter footwear also takes less of a toll on your body, is generally less stiff, and is easier to break-in.

LINERS

Some boots have removable liners (like the Sorel Caribou) which makes it easy to wash them, dry them out quickly, and replace them as needed. But they can also give the boot a looser, less specific fit. A boot dryer can be helpful for quickly drying out wet/sweaty boots with non-removable liners. A loose fit isn’t really an issue for snow boots you’ll use primarily for shoveling the walk. For boots you’ll be hiking or walking around town in, more close-fitting liners will feel less cumbersome and floppy to walk in.

INSOLES

Upgrading your insoles to cushier, warmer, or more supportive aftermarket ones like Superfeet can improve the fit and comfort of most boots. Just remember that you’ll need a little extra room to accommodate thicker insoles.

WEATHERPROOFING

Rubber, treated leather, or vapor barrier membranes (like Gore-Tex), are typical materials used to weatherproof boots. Always take the time to read reviews about boots that claim to be waterproof, and find out if they require any treatments or maintenance (especially leather). A good winter boot should keep your feet dry since moisture leads to heat loss.

BRAND

Sometimes it can pay off to try inexpensive off-brands, but we’ve found that it’s usually worth paying a bit more for the quality and durability of tried-and-true brands that have been around for a long time. Generally, we find that we’re more satisfied with the materials and craftsmanship of products from bigger footwear brands that continually take feedback from their customers to improve their products.