The Best Winter Boots for Men in 2024-2025

The comfortable, utilitarian North Face Chilkats ($159) aren’t the warmest boots we tested or the best hikers, but like so many of our top picks, they do everything pretty well and hit the sweet spot for most folks. They’re insulated, solidly waterproof, have great traction, and they’re easy to get in and out of.

The Chilkats are a do-it-all winter boot. They’re equally suited for shoveling snow and doing chores around your property as they are strolling around a mountain town for some aprés ski fun. The rust-proof metal quick laces, pull tabs, and a ridge on the heel makes getting them on and off a quick task.

This is not the case with many of the calf-high lace-up boots we’ve tested. The Chilkats are great protection against the slush, but putting them on doesn’t feel like you’re suiting up for battle just to walk to the end of the driveway.

If your adventures do take you beyond the driveway, the Chilkats are totally up for it. We trudged through creeks up to 6 inches and stayed dry, and they resisted water in our dunk test almost to the top of the cuff. The 400 g of insulation kept feet plenty warm — a little too warm for some testers. The Chilkats have gator attachment points and are also designed to accommodate snowshoes.

While the Chilkats have a duck boot vibe, they proved to be much better hikers than the other duck boot styles we tested. Under the hood, they fit much more like a hiking boot, with solid arch support. They’re a touch wide to accommodate thick ski socks, but they have a much tighter fit than a rainboot. The Merrell Thermal Chill Mids are a better choice if you’re looking to rack up the miles, as they’re quite a bit lighter, with tighter-fitting heels.  

Unless hiking long distances in the snow is a must (consider the Merrell Thermal Chill, the Keen Revel IV, or even better — skis!), the TNF Chilkats will have you covered for just about any slushy winter activity.

Kamik just can’t be beaten when it comes to budget boots, and the Nation Plus boots ($100) are a fan favorite. They’re waterproof, warm, and impressively durable for the price.

This is a fully waterproof lace-style leather boot bonded to a rubber sole. The removable liner traps heat using 200 g 3M 200B Thinsulate and gives them a whopping rating of 40 below. We did find the rating plenty warm when hanging around town doing errands or stationary activities, like watching a winter carnival parade.

The Nation Plus soles have a lot of traction for a snow boot — much more than Sorel’s venerable Pac Boot. Paired with its flex and snug lacing system, we found the boot helps you navigate ice and deep snow more easily than Sorels, too.

These are big, burly snow boots. What you gain in warmth and height, you sacrifice in mobility and weight. For more active adventures, we recommend a winter hiking boot. If you are looking for a sturdy, cold-weather boot for occasional use, this one is a no-brainer.

The Baffin Impact ($260) is a cut above pretty much every other boot in our line-up when it comes to one thing: warmth. They are pretty bulky, not waterproof, and involve a process to get on, but they are absolutely dialed when it comes to shrugging off the cold.

Consider Nunavut Territory, Oymyakon, Russia, and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station all fair game with these boots, which claim a -148°F warmth rating. We can’t feasibly get close to that number to test, but taking these boots down to -8°F felt like they were just stretching their legs. They’ve got a lot of tech baked into them to hit that number, too.

The foam liner inside these boots is much thicker than anything else we’ve tested. It tucks in vaporized aluminum membranes, polyester insulation, and a waffle-comb footbed to trap heat and move moisture out. The double aluminum insole works double duty to reflect heat back, and the chunky outsole keeps cold from below from creeping in.

The Impact boots have a loyal following, and a prevailing advice: order one size up. We found this accurate, and while they were snug, we had plenty of space for thick socks and room for our toes. The amount of control you get out of the Impacts really relegates them to piloting snowmobiles, so keep this in mind.

Anything north of 32°F is also generally a bit too warm for these boots, but not because you’ll sweat them out, but because they are only snowproof. Our dunk test showed these boots leak at the textile upper to rubber outsole interface, so better to keep them on in only frozen precip. For the temp range these boots are made for, this is no problem.

The lighter-duty cousin of these boots, the Control Max’s, are likely a better option for those in the lower 48 (though some in high Minnesota may want to disagree). They aren’t quite as crazy warm, but they trade a good bit of added control for it. If you’re headed where the mercury doesn’t crest 0, though, the Impacts are one of the only boots we’d brave those conditions in.

Made for tromping out to the wood pile at the cabin, the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots ($159) are the classic pac boot done best — done up in a fine leather and rubber build that is sure to last multiple winters.

Our Senior Editor, Nick Belcaster, used these boots last winter when unusually strong snow storms paralyzed the town and made chores an all-walking affair. “It doesn’t get wickedly cold in the Washington lowlands, but these boots had warmth to spare when making the jog into town.” And, even when the melt-out finally came, these boots slogged through slush without getting soaked.

These snow boots are laid up with a tumbled (that is, textured) leather upper that is triple-stitched to the rubber lowers, which form a sturdy base to mount to. The rubber shell is seam-sealed to keep out leaks, and passed every waterproofing test we could put it through.

Inside that, the interior felt liner is a good ¼” thick, and topped with a fleece fringe around the top that acts as an additional snow guard. We did build up some moisture in this liner over a full day, but a night over the wood stove had our liners ready for another day.

You can also slide into these Snow Boots with a nylon upper, but for long-term durability, it’s hard for us to not suggest springing for the leather version — especially since it’s only an added $10 difference. Once you’ve treated them with a good waterproofing wax, these boots are liable to last you decades.

Like any pac boot, these kicks aren’t lacking in the warmth or comfort departments, but won’t be the best option for longer excursions such as winter hikes, due to their more accommodating fit and softer uppers. We found the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots shined instead as the best pac boots to kick on after a day on the ski hill, or beating in a new path to the mailbox after another night of sideways snow.

We’ve saddled up in a spread of après boots over the years, and can confidently say that the Fubuki Niseko 3.0 ($159) lands at the top of the ski hill with all the parameters we’re looking for: Easy to jump into, toasty warm, and just dang fun to boot around in.

Inspired by the footwear of Japanese industry workers in snow-bound Hokkaido, the Niseko 3.0 could be thought of as the spiritual brethren of the Japanese Showa fishing gloves that draw cult-like fanatism in ice-climbing circles. It’s co-opted workwear gone all-around functional, and there’s a certain utilitarian allure under all those colors.

Swaddled in a thick EVA outer, these boots go no-nonsense with their polyester insulation, and pile in a lot of it. Protecting that lining is a 100% wind- and waterproof shell that passes our waterproofing test with flying colors. And because of the undeniable tenacity of EVA (pray to your patron saint of petrochemicals), these boots can take a licking and keep on kicking. Not the most sustainable, though the company is mindful of its impact and is working toward reaching net zero emissions by 2025.

Because Fubuki is a Swedish brand it can take a hot minute for your new kicks to hit your stoop, which also complicates returns (make sure you triple-check your sizing!) but the company is hopefully opening a North American warehouse soon to keep up with the high demand. Also, know that driving is pretty much out of the question with such a tall and somewhat inflexible boot shaft. Ask us how we figured that out.

For those looking for a drivable pair of après footwear, the XTRATUF Deck Ankle Boots are easy-as to slip into and work the pedals, just not as warm as the Nisekos. For post-ski hill kickbacks and even expedition basecamp footwear, however, the Fubuki Niseko 3.0 well makes the grade in our books.

While we prefer the do-it-all nature of the Kamik Nation Plus boots for a budget winter boot, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mids ($130) are the other side of the equation and are a wallet-friendly hiker that uses in-house textiles and tech to keep the price tag low.

Performance, however, isn’t lacking, and we really got around in these boots last winter: taking them on a handful of snowy hikes on the hills outside of town. We found sizing to be the same as we wear in regular boots, and the fit has plenty of instep room to accommodate larger socks.

The Merrell waterproof membrane certainly works. It kept our feet dry through wet creek crossings and our dunk test, where it kept water out to a few inches below the cuff. The 200 g insulation is snug, as well, and the interior is lined with a fleece that kept our feet happy even after an 8-mile trudge through overnight snow.

These boots’ icy sidewalk traction is a bit less than options that incorporate some kind of anti-slip lugging or friction patches, but the tread is deeper than even our top pick, and post-holing snow traction was better for it. As a lightly insulated hiker, you’ll need to keep moving to stay toasty in these boots, but we had no problem doing that.

Truthfully, the only real long-term ding we can level at the Thermo Chill Mids is that the Merrell outsole is likely to wear out quicker than most (we’re still testing to monitor). The rubber used in winter boots is soft from the get-go, and non-Vibram outsoles wear faster compared to the licensed stuff (in our experience).

Even still, for $90 less than our top pick, the value meter is pinned on these boots. If you’re after a budget-friendly winter hiker to get you through the next few winters, give these a look.

Durable and affordable, the Columbia Bugaboot III ($120) is a solid waterproof option. Thanks to its secure-fitting heel and effective omni-grip tread, this boot feels more like a hiking boot than many of its contemporaries, but lacing it up can be a bit tedious if you’re just going down to the mailbox.

This boot is one of our favorites for longer winter hikes where you could encounter slush puddles or need to break trail in up to a foot of snow. While boots like the TNF Chilkat and Boggs are easy to slip in and out of, they can be a bit too roomy if you’re looking to rack up miles. The Bugaboot is a little bit narrower than these boots, so your feet don’t have as much room to slide around and form hot spots over longer distances. The tread also performs well, and we had no complaints in the slip department, even when the trail was more mud than snow.

The Bugaboot III isn’t too shabby in terms of warmth, with 200g of insulation, but it isn’t as warm as our top pick, the North Face Chilkat, which has 400g of insulation.

Getting these boots on and off can be a little tedious. We wish they had a few open metal quick lace clips like the ones on the TNF Chilkats. The Bugaboots have nylon eyelets with one set of closed metal eyelets at the top of the cuff. They allow for a lot of adjustability. We could cinch them tight over the midfoot while leaving the ankle a little looser or vice versa. This makes them excellent for longer hikes but not as utilitarian for around-the-house winter chores when you may only need to wear them for brief amounts of time. 

Finally, we think $120 is a screamin’ deal for such a solid pair of boots. The seems are exposed, but as of yet, there are no signs of wear and there they’ve retained their waterproof properties. The uppers aren’t fancy suede like on the Danner Arctic 600, but they’re just as effective, and they cost half the price. The Merrell Thermo Chill Mids are lighter and better for hiking but don’t work as well in deeper snow. If you’re on a tight budget this year or outfitting a growing teenager, the Bugaboots are a great way to go.

With handsome looks built from a rugged history, Danner has been making quality boots out of Portland, Ore., for nearly 90 years now. We’ve been wearing the brand’s boots for about 30 of those years, and in that time it’s become obvious that the Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip ($240) is just about the best winter boot we’ve had the pleasure of braving winter with.

Offered up as a classic winter hiker, the Arctic 600 doesn’t just look the part (though it does that very well), but is built with all the time-tested building blocks we’ve come to expect in a hardy winter boot. From the ground up, a Vibram Arctic Grip outsole keeps the rubber side planted and provides added traction on icy trails and sidewalks. Mated to that is a suede leather upper bonded with a Danner Dry waterproof membrane, and while it isn’t the name-brand stuff, it accomplishes the job with ease.

The boot itself proved to be waterproof up to within an inch and a half of the collar in our dunk testing (a gusset of the waterproof barrier sits behind the zipper to protect it), and the suede exterior of the Arctic 600 does a bang-up job of holding moisture at bay. The 200 grams of PrimaLoft insulation in these boots is just about right on the money for winter hiking in our opinion, as well.

The boot shaft is 8 inches on the Arctic 600, and while that’s plenty for winter trail tromping, those looking to wade into unpacked snow and slush ought to seek out something with a taller profile, such as the Baffin Control Max or L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots. $240 is also a high-dollar compared to the rest of the market, but given the longevity we’ve experienced, we’ve got no problem recommending the Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip to anyone looking for a solid winter boot.

Immediately out of the box, the KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot ($180) feels amazing. The padding is generous, and the volume is ample. The boots have extra volume over the top of the foot and in the toebox, which is critical for keeping the toes warm. This also makes it a good fit for a variety of foot widths.

Beefed up with waterproof, salt-resistant leather and rubber rands, the Revels resist wear and tear and ice-melting chemicals that can be hard on boots.

The boot rides over sharp-edged 5 mm lugs that really bite into the crust. And like Vibram’s Arctic Grip (used in Danner’s Arctic 600), KEEN has its own slip-reducing rubber pads. They give you noticeably better traction on slick, wet ice.

With so many good attributes, it was tough not to award the Revel IV as our favorite boot this winter. It’s warm, comfortable, and secure around the foot. Our only criticism is that we wish the Revel was a little stiffer, and hence more predictable and stable when hiking across pockmarked snow trails.

Still, the Revel IV is a very capable winter boot. It is offered in both an 8-inch version and a tall one. If you’re really stepping out into deep powder — like elk hunts in winter — we’d recommend investing in the high-collar boot. It’s also rated down to -40 degrees, which makes it a true polar boot.

If your winter starts in October and ends sometime before the summer solstice, then you’re looking for a workhorse that can lift the soles and spirits.

Baffin’s Control Max ($270) has a whopping bottom end, dipping all the way to -94 degrees F. We’re going to throw our hands up in mercy at that spec. We haven’t tested them to that level and, hopefully, you won’t have to either. But we have worn these for a few winters and have really come to appreciate the warmth-to-weight ratio of this deep winter boot.

The boot is methodically constructed around thermoregulation. Outside, a waterproof leather exterior is triple-stitched to the rubber rand. Inside, a series of heat-reflecting aluminum membranes, foams, and moisture reservoirs move moisture away from the foot and trap the heat.

Underfoot, a waffle-comb footbed traps additional heat in honeycomb-like air pockets. And the entire boot rides over an aggressively lugged “arctic rubber” that’s tacky on ice.

The boot laces shut with four pairs of giant D-rings. The fit can be a touch sloppy, so they’re not our first choice for hiking, where we want a precise fit. But the rings and laces are easy to manipulate with heavy gloves. All in all, the double boot construction does a wonderful job of trapping heat and insulating you from the cold ground.

If your activity level is high, you’ll want something more nimble. If you live in a milder climate, these will be overkill. Our coldest days in these boots were in the low double digits and they didn’t feel overly hot, but we reached for the Baffins on days in the 20s.

The profile is massive underfoot, but the 3.5-pound boot doesn’t collect crud and feels lighter than it looks. If you’re looking for the ultimate cold-winter snow boot, or a boot that works during long periods of inactivity in the cold, the Baffin Control Max will keep you warm and cozy through it all.

With as much style as performance, the Helly Hansen Arctic Patrol Insulated Winter Boots ($160) look like they belong on a cruise to the Antarctic. While boots tend to be function-forward, these are some of the more good-looking options when it comes to a boot that can stand some actual cold.

The fat-lugged rubber outsoles aren’t just for show, though, and kicking around on iced sidewalks proved steadyfooted. Mated to those are 10″ tall textile collars that cinch at the top, meaning you’ve got some extra protection from topping your boots in very deep snow. Then, the smaller details: the coordinates in the rubber logo translate to the chill of Svalbard, Norway.

When it comes to warmth, the 400 g of Primaloft insulation does an admirable job, and we’d place these boots solidly on par with other pac boots like the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots, but not as warm as boots with thicker foam liners like the Baffin Control Max. There is an aluminum shield on these below the foot, and we felt insulated from cold underfoot.

Like most other pac boots, support on the Arctic Patrols is a bit washy, with only the single boot lace on the front securing things down. In practice, this didn’t feel as locked in as we had hoped, and a second set of laces on the inner boot would likely fix this. Better to stay on deck rather than hit the trails in these.

In terms of comparable options, the L.L.Bean Leather Snow Boots are an immediate parallel and likely get our vote over these when you’ve got some work to do (but don’t need a full-on work boot). In our head-to-head waterproofing tests, the L.L.Bean Boots were waterproof almost to the top of the shank, while the Helly Hansen boots leaked from above the rubber shell.

So, it’s best to call these just snow-proof, which the boots even call out on a tag, so no love lost there. Sometimes that’s all you’re up against, however, and for a boot that looks good doing it, the Arctic Patrols get a passing grade from us.

Blundstone’s sleek silhouette has earned the Aussie Chelsea iconoclast status. The brand’s Thermal Boots have a touch of Thinsulate under the leather vamp that stretches their utility beyond the Australian outback.

The Blundstone 566 ($280) is deceivingly slim — so slim, in fact, that when we unboxed the boot, we weren’t sure we received the right model. But don’t let its svelte lines keep you inside.

The Thinsulate liner punches above its weight, is fully waterproof, and is warm enough to wear to work on frigid days. What seals the deal, though, is the fat shearling footbed that feels like you’re walking on plush carpeting. Two generous pull tabs and elastic stretch panels make it easy to pull the boot on and off.

The boot feels a little stiff, and the low cut won’t keep deep snow from funneling in. But for hikers looking to kick the classic styling well into the cooler months, the 566 Thermals are a solid bet.

The fit is true, but keep in mind that Australian sizes run one full size smaller. (For example, a U.S. 10 is an Australian/U.K 9.)

Read Review: Durable Outdoor Winter Slip-On: Blundstone Thermal Boots Review

We’ve worn our XTRATUF 6-Inch Deck ankle boots ($105) nearly year-round. They’re easy to slip into, and they have a little tab in the back that helps get them off the heels.

They don’t have a lot of support, so don’t expect to do heavy work in them. And the neoprene starts to lose its insulation value at around 40 degrees F. But we always keep our pair by the back door. They’re great for quick errands and running trash outback, and they’re just about perfect for gardening.

The highest accolades we could probably give them don’t actually come from us. It comes from my sprinkler guy. All he wears are low-cut rubber boots; he saw our boots and asked where we got them. He now lives in his 6-inch XTRATUF Deck Boots.

At the risk of likening these to Crocs, these boots are quickly becoming the hottest shoe for winter, and XTRATUF seems to be aware of it. You can choose from 10 colors to match your mood.

When the mercury drops but winter chores pile up, it’s time for a full-on snow boot. Whether chopping wood or walking the dog, the neoprene Bogs Bozeman boots ($160) are rated to -72 degrees F and will keep your feet warm and dry through the sloppiest of conditions. The cushioned sole offers excellent rebound and makes for a comfortable all-day boot.

And one of the standout features is the weight, or lack thereof. Each boot weighs just over 2.5 pounds, and the seamless construction reduces extra materials, keeping these boots 30% lighter than comparable boots. They look burly and are built to last, but we were pleasantly surprised that they don’t feel cumbersome.

In use, our only issue was that folks with fairly wide feet just couldn’t get these boots to be comfortable. Hopefully, Bogs makes a wider last version in the future for our bigfoot friends.

Don’t need this much coverage? The Bozemans are also available in a mid version ($155).

Read Review: Danner Recurve Hunting Boot Review: 2 Years of Use & Abuse

The Danner Recurve 400G ($250) is a wonderfully versatile winter boot. It hits a great compromise of lightweight and durability with a fairly soft, flexible sole. While Danner designed this as a hunting boot, the Recurve can handle winter mountain hiking and shoulder season trails with aplomb.

One of our editors tested it while elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains. They held up great even after 48 miles of continuous hiking to haul out an elk — half of that with a 100-pound pack on his back. The 400 g Thinsulate insulation kept his feet warm in the mornings down to about 15 degrees F, while the Danner Dry membrane kept out water even when slogging through streams.

The Vibram outsole, while relatively soft and pliable, held up to steep climbs off trails. It’s worth noting that for super-steep terrain, the sole might be a tad on the soft side, especially if you plan to kick steps. But in rough conditions, it did suffice.

These weigh in at 48 ounces a pair. For an insulated, 7-inch boot that can withstand the rigors of elk hunting, that’s pretty light indeed.

This handsome boot combines elegant styling and rock-solid materials. Due to their faux fur lining and dressy appearance, most people will prefer to use these boots for urban use. Still, the outsole is fully capable on mild to moderate trails, and the Primaloft insulation is very warm. The Garibaldi V3 boots ($160) can be worn hard, even if they look like formal footwear.

We tested these boots in various mountain towns from the Canadian Rockies to southern Colorado. On icy city streets and muddy urban trails, our feet remained warm and dry. Plus never slipped and fell onto our butts – the tread pattern is confidence-inspiring on various surfaces.

A pair of men’s size 10s weighs 3 pounds even, which is reasonably light for an insulated ankle-high winter boot. The ankle support is great, but the mid-and-outsoles are quite soft and flexible.

We recommend the Garibaldi V3 for everyday urban use, post-ski comfort, and casual hikes on low-angle trails.

Offered as a purpose-bred hunting boot, we found that the LaCrosse AlphaBurly Pro ($210) has a longer reach than that, and worked admirably as everything from a winter muck boot to some late autumn log bucking. These boots are hand-laid rubber, and the quality is evident from the get-go.

While mid-height 400 g insulated boots like the Danner Recurve are ideal for active hunts in relatively mild temps (15°F+), these are your tree stand boots. We tested the 1,600 g Thinsulate Ultra insulated version of this boot, which is the warmest they offer. There are also 400, 800, and 1,000 g versions to suit your needs.

Sizing on these boots is claimed as true-to-size, and we’d agree — the size 10 we normally wear was a perfect fit in these. Our test of a truly well-designed slip-on boot is the ankle hold its able to accomplish, and these boots pass with flying colors. Scrambling around in recent logging cuts was no match for the chunky outsole.

To be sure, this is a lot of boot if you aren’t going to be hunting in it. A muck boot like the BOGS Bozeman won’t be as supremely warm, but are certainly enough boot for winter chores and $70 less. The outsole profile is particularly moon-boot when just kicking around, so consider this when deciding if these are the boots for you.

We’d recommend the AlphaBurly Pros to anyone who might be out all day in 0-degree temperatures, or who have to traverse a lot of frozen terrain to get to where they are going. They are a lot of boot, and we found that while we spent more of our time in the Bozemans this past winter, the frozen center month of February was owned by the AlphaBurlys.