Weve been pleasantly surprised by the level of protection that you get from the tall, 12-inch height and felt interior, and the removable liner makes it easy to dry the insides should they get wet in the snow. To be clear, the waterproofing is excellent, and the Joan of Arctic will certainly do the trick in moderate conditions, but we prefer the more well-rounded alternatives aboveRead in-depth reviewSee the Sorel Joan of Arctic. The Caribou from Sorel seemingly has been around forever, and we love the mix of comfort, style, and performance. The 100-gram synthetic insulation isnt very warmeven combined with the soft fleece liningand the chunky heel isnt as stable for hiking or longer walks. Bean recommends going down a full size if you plan to wear lightweight or midweight socks (we did just that, and the fit is perfect).See the L.L. Other options in the Greta collection are equally well-built, including the more protective Greta Tall (9 in.) Second, despite all of the aforementioned features, the boot looks the part for everyday use and comes in a wide variety of colorways. Most manufacturers nowadays turn to synthetic insulation to reduce bulk, but the Caribous throwback felt interior is decently warm and adds soft cushioning around your feet. Its worth noting that a waterproof design doesnt do much good if snow and moisture come in from around the tongue or top of the boot. Category: Winter hiking/casualInsulation: 200g M SelectShaft height: 5.5 in.What we like: A capable alternative to the Oboz Bridger above for less.What we dont: Shorter, not as stylish, and runs a little big. But in frigid conditions, nothing out there can deliver this much warmth at such a low weight.See the Steger Muklucks Yukon. In this category, we love Darn Toughs classic Hiker, which provides decent warmth to complement your boots but wont overheat as easily in mild temperatures or when working hard. Category: CasualInsulation: 9mm ThermoPlusShaft height: 9 in.What we like: Timeless looks and cozy interior.What we dont: Heavy at over 3 pounds for the pair. Synthetic But value-wise, youd be hard-pressed to find a better daily driver for less. The Bogs Classic High is great for wearing around town or working outside, but the heavy build and imprecise fittheres no way to customize snugnessmean its not our first choice for hiking or all-day wear. The Thermal Chelsea falls decidedly toward the casual end of the spectrum, but the polished looks and top-notch craftsmanship make it an excellent choice for chilly commutes, around-town wear, and even indoor work environments. Winter boots come in a fairly wide range of heights from just over the ankle to just below the knee. Lightweight puffies have their place for 3-season use, but you'll want a well-insulated As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Finally, we love the price of the Kamik, whichdepending on your size and color choiceundercuts much of the competition by at least $50-$100. And like Merrells Thermo Aurora below, the Ice version here tacks on Vibrams premium Arctic Grip outsole, which was specifically designed to provide traction on ice. The rest of the boot is fully styled for the rigors of winter life, with a leather/synthetic upper, waterproof membrane, and sturdy outsole designed for high traction on cold and slippery ground. That's quite the job description, and yet shes pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. And perhaps the most functional element of the two-piece system is that you have the option to remove the liners to dry them more quickly should the boots get wet. For a bump in protection and grip, check out the $55-pricier Muck Boot Arctic Ice below.See the Bogs Classic High with Handles. Again, fit can be tough and its always best to try your boots on before buying. In general, winter boots put a premium on warmth and protection, which has a negative impact on breathability. As such, comfort ranges are not a guarantee that youll be warm at the listed temperatures. The womens options here range from $60 to $399 and run the gamut Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. for particularly cold or snowy days out. Its not the warmest, plushest, or most protective, but the Shellista is competitively priced and hits a great middle ground for anything from shoveling the driveway to winter hikes or walking around town. Bean above, the Cloud Cap has become one of our go-to boots this winter. Felt, Sheepskin, and Wool Linings These waterproof designs typically have a lower ankle height and less insulation than the other boot types, which allow them to breathe reasonably well when youre working up a sweat. However, in addition to the compromises in wet-weather protection and warmth, the Columbia lacks the stability of dedicated winter hiking models, and we caution against taking a boot with a faux fur collar into the backcountrythe additional material could grow heavy with snow and ice. Category: CasualInsulation: 200g Thinsulate & shearlingShaft height: 6.5 in.What we like: Premium warmth and a nice mix of casual and performance features.What we dont: Pricey and can be tough to nail the fit. These types of boots can feel a bit sloppy and ungainly when youre covering long distances, but for short walks, outdoor work, and harsh conditions, a boot with a removable liner is a nice choice. It doesnt help that the Thermo Aurora Mid is already a fairly difficult boot to break in, and nailing a good fit can be a challenge. Category: Winter hikingInsulation: 200g M SelectWhat we like: Light, reasonably nimble, and not overly insulated for active use.What we dont: Not the most high-end winter hiker. On the flip side, the Muck Boot is arguably the better choice in rough weather and conditions with a thicker construction, taller neoprene bootie, and superior winter traction. But for the more hiking-focused models like the Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated, its best to get fit dialed in so that you can maximize precision and warmth. The downside of so much warmth is that the Impact doesnt handle mild winter conditions well and isnt breathable. A final alternative to consider in this category is LaCrosse Footwears Alpha Thermal ($170), which boasts a 7-millimeter neoprene lining, 14-inch shaft height, and adds a neoprene gusset with adjustable cinch at the back of the calf for smooth on and off.See the Muck Boot Arctic Ice Mid. Weve also found that the stiff upper takes some time to break in, and the boot can run a little narrow in the heel (keep this in mind especially if youre planning to wear heavyweight socks). Another nitpick we have is the IVs fairly low shaft height, which is roughly similar to the Adirondack above without the option of extending the cuff. The Baffin Impact is an exercise in excess, but if youll be outside in sub-zero temperatures for extended periods of timethink ice fishing or outdoor work in places like the upper Midwest, Montana, or Alaskaits in a class of its own. For example, if you will be snowshoeing or walking without stopping, uninsulated and waterproof hiking boots with good socks may very well do the trick. To keep your winter boots lasting as long as possible, its worth taking proper care of your investment. How does the Greta compare to the popular Oboz Bridger above? You also get helpful hiking-specific features like a gaiter ring at the forefoot and rubber tab at the heel for removing the boots hands-free (it also helps with securing snowshoes). for the pair) will feel much more cumbersome than the UGG Adirondack above, and some might even find it to be too much boot for around-town errands like driving and quick trips to the grocery store (Sorels Winter Carnival is a lighter-weight alternative). Its true that the use of Merrells in-house M Select GRIP outsole gives up a bit of traction compared to the Thermo Auroras premium Vibram rubber, and you dont get cozy additions like a fleece liner and extra-cushioned midsole. Primaloft and Thinsulate by 3M are popular synthetic insulations that have a strong presence in the jacket, glove, and ski boot worlds and have an equal standing with winter boots. But for mild winters, short trips outside, or even on wet fall and spring days, the Tivoli IV is a fun and stylish choice. Below we break down the best models for winter 2022, including top recreational/trail snowshoes MSR is well-regarded in the world of snowshoes, and their budget-friendly Evo Trail remains a favorite year after year. A properly sized boot should be large enough to accommodate your thickest socks without pinching (a fit that is too snug will inhibit circulation and compromise the warmth the boot provides). If youll be stopping or out for long stretches of time, its safest to stick with an insulated winter-specific design.Back to Our Top Women's Winter Boot Picks Back to Our Women's Winter Boot Comparison Table. Its not often that we see wool used in a serious winter boot, but the Adirondacks design lends a great deal of versatility: when the cuff is rolled down, you get a playful, casual boot thats at home over jeans or leggings. Category: CasualInsulation: 200g woolShaft height: 7 in.What we like: Premium materials, versatile cuff design, and a great one-quiver boot.What we dont: Expensive. To be clear, this is a good option for trips when you will be on the go the whole time and the weather isnt particularly frigid. The removable insulated liners are cushioned and soft, providing more comfort than a typical one-piece design. The light insulation and soft materials give it excellent comfort for mild winter conditions, and the woven upper has a nice feel thats noticeably less bulky than options like the Shellista IVabove and Sorels Joan of Arctic below (although its not as dependable in deep snow). And as we touched on in the boot height section above, a tall design like Sorels Caribou can be useful in keeping your legs dry, but its often worth adding a pair of waterproof gaiters to truly stay protected in deep snow. With less rubber around the foot and a lighter (6 oz. Looking a lot like beefed-up hiking bootsbecause they arewinter hikers are a great choice for snowshoeing and other hiking adventures in the cold. Category: WorkInsulation: 9mm wool linerShaft height: 12.5 in.What we like: Extremely warm and comfortable.What we dont: Lacks stability and traction for winter hiking; not everyday-friendly. For subzero temperatures or if youll be sedentary outside, its worth going with a super thick design. Leave it fully extended, and the Adirondack is a traditional leather model with no-frills warmth and functionality. The KEEN runs on the narrow side and is a little stiffer and therefore will take longer to break in, but it should conform nicely to your foot over time (you can always use a leather conditioner to help). We recommend using the comfort ranges as basic guidance, but stay very conservative by adding a sizable buffer with your real-world use. Material-wise, the clear leader is wooland particularly the merino varietyfor its high level of warmth, breathability, and stink prevention. To increase the boots protection from snow, the Bridger 7 is taller by a few inches and features 200-gram 3M Thinsulate insulation along with a cozy and stylish wool collar. For $20 more, the UGG Adirondack III above is a more functional choice with better on-trail capabilities, while the similarly casual and still-fashionable Tivoli IV below will save you a considerable $100. At this price point, you get a simple molded plastic decking, but its nevertheless a great value with excellent traction, a quality Winter traction devices go by a variety of namesincluding microspikes, snow grips, ice cleats, and morebut the goal is the same: to provide reliable and consistent grip on snowy and icy surfaces. Similar to many designs here, the Columbia utilizes 200-gram synthetic insulation, although the light and streamlined build does translate to a slight step down in warmth. Light to midweight boots will have 200- to 400-gram fill, while heavy-duty cold-weather boots will have significantly more. From the get go, the 400-gram insulation offers twice as much warmth as much of the competition, and Columbia doubles down by way of their Omni-Heat Infinity heat-reflective lining.