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I hate to bring up the subject of winter, but as the colder months approach, a faithful pair of boots (alongside a snug set of slippers and some thick wool socks) will help make life far more bearable. Here, I’ve rounded up the best winter boots for women, from comfy UGGs to ski-bunny Sorels. To hone this list, I tried out several pairs of women’s winter boots myself, while consulting with fellow Strategist staffers and stylish folks who live in chilly climes about their favorite women’s winter boots. Additionally, I spoke with a couple of technical-footwear designers, who advised on the best features to look for and avoid to keep your feet as warm and dry as possible. As a starting point, you should look for boots that are “waterproof, insulated, and have a good, aggressive sole,” says Marty Molitoris, founder and director of Alpine Endeavors. “And you should consider the fit: A slip-on boot is going to be sloppier, whereas laces will fit you better.”
Below, you’ll find recommendations for puddleproof winter boots that can be worn every day as well as insulated snow boots that can hold their own against more extreme weather conditions. I’ve also included a pair of insulated rain boots approved by an Alaska park ranger, as well as winter hiking boots for hitting the trails off-season. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best winter parkas and gloves for women.
Update on November 13, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Waterproofing
The gold standard for waterproof shoes and clothing is Gore-Tex, a finely woven 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, which 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 also 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 advises. A vulcanized-rubber outsole will give an additional rain-boot-like effect. If you’re concerned about weight, Molitoris advises that synthetic boots will be lighter than leather ones, at the expense of durability.
Insulation
“If you have multiple boots, and you’re only going to use 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.” He points out that if you’re spending less time in extreme conditions, there’s an easy hack for warming up a winter boot — and preventing blisters in the process. “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.”
Traction
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, Burt says. “Walking on ice, you can’t get a shoe that has no studs or no lugs on the bottom. You’re going to be slipping all over the place.”
Best winter boots for women overall
Waterproofing: Waterproof leather | Insulation: Synthetic and wool shearling lining | Traction: Laces, lugged rubber sole
I decided to test out a pair of UGG’s best-selling winter boots, the Adirondack IIIs, after they were recommended to me by several technical footwear designers who’d worked with a range of brands. I’ve found them to be cozy and comfortable boots that perform well in snow yet aren’t so heavy-duty that you can’t wear them on above-freezing days. The fit is what impresses me most: While they look big and bulky in the product photos, these boots are actually rather slimline, fitting close to the foot and thereby allowing for a lot of traction and control. Their upper outsoles are made from waterproofed leather rather than rubber, which makes them more flexible on the foot than a pair of clompy winter pac boots, and therefore more ideal for everyday wear. They feature a high shaft that’ll keep the snow out but can also be cuffed down to reveal an inch of shearling lining, with tight lacing for maximum traction and rubber lugs for gripping onto snow and ice. Instead of Gore-Tex, they use a similar technology developed by UGG called DryTech, which creates a highly effective waterproof bootie effect. These boots have a snug fit and a very fluffy interior, so go at least half a size up if your feet are on the wider side.
Best (less expensive) winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather shaft, waterproof rubber outsole | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Laces, lugged rubber sole
I also tested a pair of Sorel Caribous after two of the experts I spoke with praised them as a slightly more affordable yet still very warm and waterproof option. Unlike the UGG Adirondack boots above, these boots have a more traditional “pac” design, which means their outsoles are made from vulcanized rubber, similar to a rainboot. The rubber definitely protects your feet from getting wet, but sacrifices flexibility — Caribous are considerably more stiff and clompy than Adirondacks, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re encountering a lot of snow. They have a cozy feltlike lining that’s less fluffy than shearling but still plenty warm, and faux fur cuffs to keep snow out. Their deep lugs grip onto snow and ice with a satisfying crunch, helping me tread confidently on slushy streets. The fit is generous, especially if you have narrow feet, in which case I’d advise going at least half a size down.
Best high winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather shaft, waterproof rubber outsole | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Laces, lugged rubber sole
I also tested Sorel’s Joan of Arctic boot, which is similar in style and fit to the Caribou but with a higher shaft that’ll keep your feet warm and dry in deep powder. I found them to be just as warm but perhaps not as heavy duty: The lugs are still grippy but definitely smaller, which gave me slightly less confidence when walking on ice, although it does mean these boots are more lightweight and less tiring to wear. The fluffy faux-fur cuffs keep snow out, and all that lacing allows for a lot of traction and control.
Best slip-on winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Ice grip sole, rubber lugs
Baffin sent me a pair of these lightweight, minimalist Chelsea boots four winters ago, and I’ve worn them at the Sundance Film Festival, during an icy November trip to Kings Canyon National Park, and while traipsing through Brooklyn post-snowstorm. Highly waterproof, they’re made from Baffin’s own version of Gore-Tex, B-Tek, as well as durable leather. While Britton advises that lace-up boots are the best choice for icy conditions overall, Chelsea boots are much more convenient for city dwellers. These look nice, too: like Blundstones, but with cozier lining and way better traction. While these boots aren’t tall or insulated enough for deep snow, they’re warm and waterproof, and can be conveniently slipped on and off for trips to the bodega.
Best winter rain boots for women
Waterproofing: Waterproof vulcanized rubber | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Ice-grip, rubber lugs
For advice about rain boots for the cold winter months, I turned to Ben Shryock, chief ranger of the Alaska State Parks Kodiak region. He told me 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.” I’m already a fan of Xtratuf’s non-winterized rainboots, and am in the process of testing out this insulated pair. Check back here in a few months for a more detailed review.
Best shearling winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Non-grip
While they lack the traction and waterproofing of the tougher winter boots on this list, I’ve always got plenty of space in my closet for a warm, utilitarian pair of standard UGG slipper boots like these. They’re an essential for cozying up indoors on cold days, and you can even wear them outside, in the right conditions. (“They are my go-to when it’s below 50 degrees, but there’s no slush or snow, and I’d rather be wrapped up in a duvet than out on the street running errands,” says former Strategist editor Maxine Builder.) If you do want to wear these in slush and snow, the brand sells a clever rubber boot guard that’ll help keep your feet dry.
Best lace-up shearling winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather upper, waterproof rubber outsole | Insulation: Yes | Traction: Rubber tread, no lugs
Builder, alongside New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff and Strategist writer Lauren Ro, is also loyal to L.L.Bean’s duck boot. “Any other winter duck boot is just trying to copy what L.L.Bean perfected more than a century ago, and I do not believe in straying from a classic — especially when it comes to outdoor gear,” she says. This shearling-lined pair provides a little extra warmth and insulation for colder days compared to standard duck boots, while retaining the Maine-worthy rainproof qualities that they are known for.
Best winter hiking boots for women
Waterproofing: Gore-tex membrane | Insulation: None | Traction: Lugged rubber sole
Not everyone’s going to need insulated hiking boots in the winter, says Scott Wilkinson, communications director at the Pacific Crest Trail Association. “So much of that depends on temperature, weather conditions, whether it’s wet or dry, and the individual: Some people’s feet are always freezing, and they’re going to need more insulation.” Budget-wise, you’re better off investing in a quality waterproof boot that can be used in all seasons, like these Gore-Tex Salomons that Wilkinson uses in both winter and summer. Despite being waterproof, these boots will never feel stiff, being designed to flex with your foot in the same way that trail runners might — but unlike trail runners, they feature high cuffs to keep water and even snow out of your socks.
Best winter riding boots for women
Waterproofing: Leather and rubber | Insulation: Yes, removable | Traction: Lace-up, deep lugged rubber soles
Montana-based film wrangler Maggie Slepian worked a full season wearing nontechnical winter boots before splurging on this pair from Western Packer. She says the difference in warmth “was incredible.” Schnee’s specialized hunting boots have a narrow toe (better for riding in stirrups), stay warm all day, are comfortable for walking, and have a solid grip and traction on slippery snow. “They saved the day on a shoot where I was stomping back and forth through a semi-frozen creek resetting saddles during a camping scene where the actor was pulling saddles on and off for each take,” says Slepian. “They are made in Bozeman, Montana, have a supple waterproof leather upper and multiple layers of insulation, and are rated to -30 degrees.”
Best everyday winter boots for women
Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather | Insulation: None (501), Thinsulate lining (Thermal) | Traction: Lugged sole (501), Lugged Vibram sole (Thermal)
After spending six East Coast winters in Blundstones, I can’t imagine conquering the elements without them. For non-extreme winter conditions — puddly commutes, wet park walks — they’re comfortable, reasonably waterproof (being made of leather, with minimal seams), and neutral enough to style with almost any outfit. They work well develop an attractive patina over time, get comfier with wear, and seem to mold to most people’s feet with ease. “A Chelsea boot is actually difficult to get right,” says Britton. “The fit has to be spot on, because there’s no lacing — so I give Blundstones extra kudos.” For extra waterproofing in snowy and rainy conditions, my fellow Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa swears by coating his Blundstones in this $2 plumber’s wax. And if you’d like a little more traction on snow and ice, the brand now makes thermal boots with chunky Vibram soles that I really like wearing in cold weather. Lined with both shearling and Thinsulate, they look like standard Blundstone 510s but with a bit more bounce and a slightly padded feeling that’s rather cozy.
Some more women’s winter essentials we’ve written about
Our experts
• Mark Britton, footwear and product designer
• Maxine Builder, former editor, the Strategist
• Igor Burt, footwear designer, apparel designer, and lecturer
• Camilla Cho, senior vice-president of e-commerce, the Strategist
• Bea Helman, photographer
• Mia Leimkuhler, former senior manager of audience development, the Strategist
• Marty Molitoris, founder and director, Alpine Endeavors
• Dominique Pariso, writer, the Strategist
• Chelsea Rizzo, co-founder, Hikerkind
• Lauren Ro, writer, the Strategist
• Ben Shryock, chief ranger, Alaska State Parks Kodiak region
• Maggie Slepian, writer and film wrangler
• Alexis Swerdloff, deputy editor, New York
• Scott Wilkinson, communications director, Pacific Crest Trail Association
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