8 Best Men’s Winter Boots (original) (raw)
By ,a senior writer at the Strategist covering appliances and men's style. He was formerly a deputy editor at Wirecutter.
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Michael Zhao
- Best overall
- Best less-expensive
- Best classic style
- Best for hiking
- Best slip-ons
- Best for outdoor chores
- Best barefoot style
- Best winter rain boots
Nothing cools your body faster than having cold, wet feet. The right winter boots will prevent that from ever happening, but unlike with sneakers, picking the perfect pair isn’t just about looks. The climate you live in (or plan to visit), the activities you plan to do, and the shape (and relative warmth) of your feet all dictate the kind of boot you should buy. Whether you’re looking for knee-high wellies for shoveling your driveway in the mountains or just a bit of extra insulation to keep your toes cozy while you wait to enter the Stüssy store, I’ve found a wide variety of warm, waterproof, and stylish options to keep your feet dry and toasty all winter long.
To hone this list, my Strategist colleagues and I consulted with stylish folks who live in chilly climes about their go-to winter shoes and interviewed technical footwear designers to determine the best features to look for and what to avoid to keep your feet as warm and dry as possible.
Updated on January 13, 2025
The Keen Revel IV Polar is my new pick for a winter hiking boot. We also checked prices and stock for all other picks.
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The gold standard for waterproof shoes and clothing is Gore-Tex, a waterproof membrane that locks out moisture while remaining breathable. But the majority of winter boots are simply treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating that can be perfectly adequate for milder climates. “If you live in Portland and it’s pouring 200 days a year, DWR is going to do nothing,” explains footwear designer and lecturer Igor Burt. “But if you live in California, you shouldn’t be buying Gore-Tex shoes.” For extra puddle protection, Burt suggests looking for boots made from leather (a material that is a “breathable natural protectant from water”) with minimal seams and stitching. “The more stitches on the outside of the boot, the less waterproof it is,” he says. A vulcanized-rubber outsole will give an additional rain-boot–like effect.
“If you have multiple boots and you’re going to use only one boot when temperatures are below freezing, look for insulation,” advises Burt. “You should be able to feel it with your fingers on the inside of the boot. If it’s the same material inside and outside, you know there’s no insulation.” As for the amount of insulation you’ll need, a typical winter boot for walking around in below-freezing temperatures has about 200 grams per foot. If you’re looking at temperatures consistently below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or doing a lot of standing around, consider a boot with 400 grams of insulation. Burt points out another way of making a boot warmer: “Build insulation yourself in the form of moisture-wicking wool socks. You can choose when you want to use it and customize according to conditions.”
If you’re encountering ice and snow, traction is even more important than waterproofing. “The reason you slip is because the top layer of ice melts and you have a layer of water between your shoe and the ice,” explains footwear and product designer Mark Britton. In order to increase flexibility and control in such conditions, he recommends laced boots, which will have a tighter, more customized fit. Grip is also key. Whether it’s a Vibram Icetrek sole or a shoemaker’s own ice-specific rubber, many outsoles will contain a mix of regular and ice-specific lugs to provide surer footing across a variety of conditions. Sometimes, such as after freezing rain, even ice-specific rubber is not enough. For those conditions, we have a guide to winter traction cleats.
The things that make a boot warm and durable also make it heavy. A waterproof mid-top boot with good ankle coverage and 200 grams of insulation should weigh somewhere around 600 to 700 grams per shoe (a bit under 1.5 pounds). This is a nice sweet spot in terms of warmth, weight, and durability. Anything lighter is nice for a hiking-specific boot you don’t plan to wear every day — especially if you’re also using snowshoes or traction devices. Anything heavier can start to feel tiresome on longer walks.
For most people, a medium shaft height of six to eight inches is enough to cover the ankles and provide a bit of protection from snowdrifts. And you can always add gaiters if you know you’re going to be walking around deep snow. A low-top shoe can still be warm but won’t offer any protection from snow or water entering through the top. Meanwhile, a much taller boot is nice for shoveling snow and other activities where you know you’ll be encountering deep snow or puddles. But in most cases, it adds unnecessary bulk without benefit.
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant nubuck-leather upper, B. Dry membrane liner | Insulation: 200g | Traction: Granite Peak winter rubber | Weight: 697g | Shaft height: 8 inches
These warm and grippy boots combine a generous and comfortable fit with exceptional build quality and a charmingly chunky aesthetic that evokes a Keen Newport sandal. I tried a true-to-size pair on my slightly wide feet and didn’t feel constrained at all. (But they’re available in wide sizes as well.) There was ample room for thicker socks, and my toes had plenty of room to spread out, which is important since a cramped toe is a cold toe.
The Bridger’s fully gusseted tongue and eight-inch shaft combine the protection and support of a high-top boot with the ease of wear of a mid-top. Two hundred grams of insulation and a heat-reflecting insole kept my feet toasty warm, and the dry membrane-lined waterproof leather exterior kept moisture out while allowing my toes to breathe. The deep, angular lugs made from winter-specific “Granite Peak” rubber provided ample grip on snowy and icy surfaces alike. They’re great for winter hiking, even if they are a touch heavy at just under 700 grams per foot.
Because the Bridger is made almost entirely from nubuck leather, it does have a bit of a break-in period, but I didn’t find them to be uncomfortable out of the box, just a little bit stiff. However, they should last much longer than similar boots made with more rubber or other synthetic materials, which degrade more quickly.
The Oboz Bridger’s tall tongue gusset keeps snow from getting in through the boot’s collar.Photo: Michael Zhao
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather upper, waterproof rubber outsole | Insulation: 400g | Traction: The North Face SURFACE CTRL | Weight: 713g | Shaft height: 8 inches
The first thing I noticed about the North Face Chilkats when I unboxed them was just how normal they look. They look pretty outdoorsy in online photos, but in person, they look less aggressive and work just as well with jeans as with snow pants. They fit true to size on my slightly wider-than-average feet, wearing regular socks, but I would recommend going half a size up if you want room for thicker socks. At just under $160, they are among the most affordable waterproof winter boots with 400 grams of heat-trapping insulation. A rubber covering extends all the way around the bottom half of the shoe to protect against slush and puddles. On the bottom, deep lugs made from winter-specific rubber provide confident grip on all manner of icy and snowy surfaces. On top, its eight-inch shaft with an extra-tall tongue gusset keeps snow and rain from entering while providing extra support and stability for your ankles on dicey terrain.
That being said, all the insulation and rubber that make the Chilkat so warm and dry also weigh it down and reduce its breathability. Unless you live high in the mountains or in an area that gets lake-effect snow, a mid-top boot with less wraparound rubber and 200 grams of insulation would be a better choice for those activities.
The North Face Chilkats look much less outdoorsy in person than they do in the online product shots.Photo: Michael Zhao
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather shaft, waterproof rubber outsole | Insulation: 300g | Traction: Sorel aero-trac | Weight: 1,048g | Shaft height: 10 inches
If you want a less outdoorsy-looking boot, the Sorel Caribous are a perennial favorite for their exceptional warmth, solid construction, and classic styling. Footwear designer Igor Burt calls the Sorel Caribou “one of the standards” for winter boots against which others should be measured.
The extra-tall ten-inch shaft — topped with a _faux_-fur cuff — keeps snow and drafts out, while 300 grams of insulation distributed throughout the uppers keep heat in. Removable, washable felt liners add even more insulation while making them easier to clean. The wide D-rings make lacing, loosening, and tightening a bit easier and faster than with the narrower eyelets on other boots. The mostly leather exterior and the generous vulcanized-rubber splashguard make these boots very durable, but they’re also very heavy. At about two pounds per foot, a single Caribou boot weighs half a pound more than the similarly tall and protective North Face Chilkat V.
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Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Insulation: 200g recylced polyester | Traction: Keen.Polar traction | Weight: 688g | Shaft height: 4.53 inches
The Keen Revel IV Polar is the insulated version of Keen’s hiking boots, renowned for their comfort and longevity — my wife has worn the women’s version through two Vermont winters now, and they still clean up like new after she wipes off the salt stains. Since getting my own pair in December, they’ve also become my go-to boots for winter hikes or even just walks to the store when there’s ice on the sidewalks: The stiff shaft and midsole shank provide plenty of support in dicey conditions, and the proprietary high-traction outsoles really work.
The Revel IV feels well made and Keen’s signature roomy toe box fits comfortably true to size on my slightly wider-than-average feet, leaving just enough breathing room to throw on a thick wool sock on frigid days. It is also made from breathable materials that prevent my feet from overheating and sweating profusely once the blood starts pumping on a brisk walk. 200 grams of recycled polyester insulation isn’t quite enough for standing around outside in freezing weather, but it’s plenty for walking around.
These boots have metal rings for attaching separate snow gaiters, but I wish the 4.5-inch shafts were slightly taller — especially since the tongue gaiter doesn’t extend beyond the body of the shoe. I like how easy it is to put the boots on and take them off compared to the eight-inch Oboz, but they’re not the best choice for stomping through fresh snow. Given their short height, they should probably weigh a bit less than 688 grams per foot, but the extra bulk seems to translate directly to superior ice traction, so it feels like a fair trade-off.
The Keen Revel IV Polar is a bit short but very grippy and stable.Photo: Michael Zhao
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather | Insulation: Thinsulate (no stated amount) | Traction: Vibram outsole (not winter-specific) | Weight: 512g | Shaft height: 6 inches
For non-extreme winter conditions — puddly commutes, wet park walks, and the occasional snow day — a pair of All-Terrain Thermal Blundstones combines the casual styling of a Chelsea work boot with the insulation and added grip of a winter hiking boot. Compared to the normal Blundstones, the shearling footbed and additional insulation throughout the sides and top make them noticeably cozier when waiting on line at the coffee cart during a cold snap. And the Vibram sole is grippier than Blundstone’s typical sole. It’s not the winter-specific Icetrek compound and therefore not great on ice, but it’s also more hard-wearing — I have a pair going into its ninth winter that still doesn’t need resoling. The nearly continuous waterproof leather upper is similarly tough. The wax from the factory will fade over time, but I reapply it every fall to restore water resistance (associate editor Jeremy Rellosa recommends this $2 plumber’s wax).
It’s worth noting that the soft, elastic collar isn’t nearly as supportive or secure as the laced picks from this guide — speaking from personal experience, I definitely wouldn’t recommend them for snowshoeing — but they are more than sufficient for most urban terrain, including any unpaved walks in the park. However, a lack of gaiter clips limits their utility for shoveling snow or walking during or after a snowstorm.
Compared to normal Blundstones, the 2250 is insulated and features a grippier Vibram sole.Photo: Michael Zhao
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather | Insulation: 5-mm. thick neoprene | Traction: MS-1 molded outsole | Weight: 1,020g | Shaft height: 15 inches
These rubber-coated neoprene boots are the default winter shoe for men and women alike in my corner of southwestern Vermont because they’re impressively warm, completely waterproof, and easy to slip on and pull off. They were originally designed for waterfowl hunters who need to wade through nearly frozen, knee-deep mud in pursuit of their prey, making them plenty warm enough for just about any other use. The tall shaft allows the wearer to step fearlessly into deep slush and snowbanks without worrying about snow getting in through the top. On the bottom, the semi-spherical lugs provide a confident grip on snow and ice alike. They’re perfect for shoveling snow, chopping wood, or even just taking out the trash before you’ve had a chance to clear a path after a significant snowfall.
At over two pounds per boot, they’re pretty heavy on paper. But they feel much lighter in reality because much of that weight is distributed along the shaft as opposed to the foot. The more noticeable downside to this design is that they basically don’t breathe at all, so they’re not great for hiking or walking around.
The extra tall Muck Arctic Sport boots are easy to slip on and off for doing outdoor chores in fresh snow.Photo: Michael Zhao
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Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather, waterproof membrane, sealed seams | Insulation: Fleece lining, heat-reflective insole | Traction: Vivobarefoot Soft Ground | Weight: 585g | Shaft height: about 5 inches
“Barefoot winter boots” sounds like an oxymoron, but Vivobarefoot’s Tracker Winter III manages to deliver on that promise. The wide and flexible insulated rubber footbed gives my toes plenty of room to spread and move naturally with each step, while the sherpa-fleece-lined, seam-sealed leather uppers add much-needed ankle support for better stability on uneven terrain. The deep, hexagonal lugs on its rubber outsole aren’t quite as grippy on ice as some other ice-specific rubber compounds I tested. Still, a wide and pliable surface is inherently grippier than that of a rigid hiking boot.
I did find that the stiff, fleecy collar rubs a bit abrasively against my ankles when I wore them with thinner socks. Also, the tongue gusset doesn’t extend far enough up the shaft to prevent snow from entering through the sides if they aren’t tied tightly. But the overall result is like a pair of broken-in shearling slippers you can confidently wear outside, no matter how cold or snowy it may be.
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1Waterproofing: Waterproof, vulcanized rubber | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Rubber tread, no lugs | Weight: 1,180g | Shaft height: about 14 inches
If you truly do not want a single drop of water to touch your socks or feet, I recommend a pair of heavy-duty insulated rain boots. Ben Shryock, chief ranger of the Alaska State Parks Kodiak region, told us that Xtratufs are his only choice and daily go-to: “They are the most comfortable and durable rubber boots I’ve found. You can find them for sale in almost any coastal Alaskan town.” Shryock’s insulated 15-inch Xtratufs do a great job of keeping his feet both warm and dry, but he says that if you do happen to step in some water that goes over the 15-inch mark, they’ll air out fast — “much faster than leather boots.” Being too warm for extended indoor or summer wear, he’ll usually trade them out for the uninsulated regular Xtratufs in April.
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• Mark Britton, footwear and product designer
• Igor Burt, footwear designer, apparel designer, and lecturer
• Ben Shryock, chief ranger of the Alaska State Parks Kodiak region
With additional reporting by Jeremy Rellosa and Katherine Gillespie.
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