The Best Winter Hiking Boots of 2024-2025

Read Review: KEEN Targhee IV Test: PFC-Free, Comfortable, Durability Guaranteed

The mountains of North Carolina possess varied and dramatic weather. Even in early-season testing, a 50-degree range from 20 to 70 degrees took our tester from down jacket to t-shirt, with the affordable but durable KEEN Targhee IV ($170) keeping pace all the way.

While KEEN is often seen as significantly wider than others, the fit was true, with enough room for midweight wool socks. Comfort came with first wearing, as secure lacing teamed up with waterproofing to splash confidently through icy Appalachian creeks.

Style points brought Targhee from path to café even as the boot’s structure and materials won on the trail. Based on the rigidity of its 6-inch upper, this boot is more for day hiking than backcountry overnights or extended trail campaigns with heavier payloads. Warmth is average for a non-insulated boot that offers fall and spring hiking competency at a reasonable price.

This boot’s bailiwick is support, comfort, and solid foot protection from weather and gritty trail conditions. KEEN’s easy-striding design makes walking less tiring, particularly while coaxing two children to continue exploring the peaks and valleys of California.

The agility of the Targhee IV Boots allowed more starting, stopping, and directional changes without worry about wet, cold, or blisters. And its sole construction smoothed out the bumps along the way. As affordable, dependable companions on cold, gnarly trails — we think these are the best bang for your buck.

Finding a boot that spans the spectrum of winter weather is a challenge, one that Oboz took on with vigor. With the Oboz Bridger Insulated ($210), a well-managed cloak of 200g insulation handles moderate to fairly deep cold. That’s true even during brief periods of stop-and-stare appreciation of the winter landscape.

Wool-topped insoles fight conductive heat loss through the boot’s outsole. The addition of waterproof leather adds years of durability, even on rocky trails or through sharp-crusted snow.

Oboz has never been shy about grabbing for traction with its hiking boots. Here, directional lugs and specialized, silica-infused winter soles add meaningful grip on icy surfaces. Testers took on extremely slick road surfaces along with frosty trails with no notable slippage.

While boot heights for winter hiking boots vary dramatically, this Bridger’s 7-inch upper strikes an efficient balance between weather protection, ankle support, and agility across mixed terrain.

Hikers with Oboz brand experience will instantly recognize the reliable lacing system, protective toe, and wrapped outsole in the Bridger, Sawtooth, and Arete lines. Styling is consistent as well, offering a distinctive profile that’s not shy about staking a claim to adventure.

Newcomers who make Bridger their winter pick will find a consistent fit across multiple products. This allows easy migration to a non-insulated model when the snowpack yields to spring wildflowers.

The Xero Alpine Boot ($160) will satisfy anyone looking for a more minimalist winter hiking boot. With 200g insulation across a zero heel-drop platform, this one merited our attention for its expansive hiking-plus functionality.

The removable, heat-reflective insole adds warmth to a boot that weighs less than 12 ounces per foot (in a women’s 7). The Iowa testing team pushed this completely vegan-friendly boot across forest and field, even jumping low-lying branches and disused farm machinery in the process.

Beyond snow, tar-like mud crisscrossed the trail. No slipping here, with efficient energy transfer from foot to tread. In and through it all, stability bordered on shocking (in a positive way) given the boot’s nontraditional appearance.

Attentive lacing is needed to capture Alpine’s performance. Our female tester noted the stay-connected heel cup that improved the boot’s structure, allowing toes to spread for wider feet. Greater warmth accrued, keeping biomechanical efficiency with the medium lug outsole. Easy to walk past in evaluating hiking options, this eye-catcher from Xero deserves a second look.

When we pulled on these boots, we felt they were more like “running shoes than hiking boots” with a true-to-size instant fit and immediate comfort. The higher, padded cuff made her first steps easy and sure, all underpinned by a Contagrip outsole with multidirectional lugs.

Determined to overcome wet or wild, the Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex ($190) prevails across conditions common to the Pacific Northwest. The integrated lacing system and closed-gusset tongue keep the Gore-Tex membrane’s performance intact.

Uphill and downhill, the Cross Hike couldn’t be prodded into slipping. As the boots aren’t insulated, there’s room for a reasonable sock.

We wore them without gaiters and were impressed to find the uppers dry after a wet, muddy, and snowy hike. Breathability was superior, with little water pushing past the cuff after post-holing through deep snow.

Salomon is known for winter performance from ski slopes to cross-country trails to the mountaintops. The Cross Hike delivers with extras, including a hidden tongue pocket for the lacing toggle.

While its heel drop is only 10 mm, the Cross Hike portrays an elegant heel height that echos fashionable footwear. With adequate room for feet nudging wider, this boot is an athletic option.

The North Face has made a foray back into footwear in recent years, and the North Face VECTIV Fastpack Insulated WP ($185) represents a perfect integration of the brand aesthetic and footwear. With technical capabilities close to that of an approach shoe, the Vective Fastpack is ideal for shoulder season peak baggers who want to cut seconds from car to car.

These winter boots are packed with features. The leather upper has reinforced mudguards for added protection. A waterproof DryVent membrane optimizes breathability when highly active. The 200g Heatseeker Eco insulation lines the insole for supreme warmth retention. Surface CTRL lugs excel on slick terrain. And the list goes on.

We hadn’t experimented with VECTIV technology, but it didn’t take long for us to realize that these boots were meant for speed. The forward-leaning design felt similar to HOKA models we’ve tested in the past, but these are far less bulky.

With wider-than-average feet, however, the Vectiv Fastpack was a bit too narrow for sustained comfort. That said, they excelled when we picked up speed on descents and performed as expected when submerged in icy creek water, keeping our feet dry and providing a confidence-inspiring grip on slick rock.

Crampon and gaiter compatible, we’d recommend these boots for narrow-footed high alpine athletes. Although they do look pretty slick as a wintertime mountain-town daily driver. While they won’t check all the boxes for those with wider feet, The North Face VECTIVE Fastpack boots are a feature-packed ensemble of winter functionality.

If you’re heading into the mountains for a big mission where weight counts or if you need a boot that you can easily throw in your pack (think a spring peak ascent where you’re hiking a trail until you reach snow and switch to your ski boots), these are the best option.

Lowa remains one of the world’s preeminent mountain brands, and the design, construction, and on-trail performance of the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX ($265) does not disappoint.

Our tester — new to Lowa but a savvy denizen of the Appalachians — added another perspective to winter boots: a national champion and a professional athlete from the world of road cycling.

Now coaching, mountain biking, and hiking in North Carolina and beyond, he admired it from top to bottom, from its sturdy upper to its durable Vibram outsole. While the footbed needed an upgrade, the boot was true to size.

Lacing and adjustment took some level of concentration, but the tongue’s comfort was superior to other boots he’s evaluated. Out on the trail, energy transfer was positive and consistent across varied terrain and weather conditions.

With the sole’s debris-shedding lug pattern, progress was steady as the GORE-TEX lining performed under the durable Nubuck leather shell. As with many Lowa boots, the MONOWRAP frame construction meant the boot tracked forward with reduced foot fatigue.

An uninsulated model, Renegade needs proper socking to reach freezing temps. An offsetting factor is enough flex to move freely and quickly and maintain blood circulation in this confidence-inspiring winter option.

Altra has become a force in the long-distance hiking world, and the Lone Peak is its staple. The Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 ($180) successfully combines the Lone Peak’s foot-friendly features with waterproofness and enhanced durability. If you prioritize comfort and speed, this boot/sneaker hybrid is an ideal winter companion.

Basically waterproof running shoes, the Lone Peak design has been a favorite on the trail for years now. They’re extremely lightweight and have a flexible sole, making the ALL-WTHR Mid 2 boots a top pick for fastpacking. The wide toebox minimizes hotspots that lead to blisters, corns, and calluses.

On a hike/run up Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite, the ALL-WTHR Mid 2 boots kept our feet dry on the numerous creek crossings and provided ideal grip over the variable terrain during the 13.5-mile out-and-back. It’s hard to imagine a boot this light being fully waterproof, so we stood in about four inches of water for a few minutes to test whether they’d leak when submerged. Older Lone Peak models would soak around the toe when submerged in water or snow, but this iteration remained leak-free.

Compared to the Xero Alpine Boot (the other minimalist option on our list), the Lone Peak is more oriented toward running. If it was more of a “boot”, it would probably be our choice for the best minimalist winter hiking boot.

Not everyone is a fan of wide toeboxes and zero-drop footbeds. We all have unique foot shapes, including arches of all heights. Those with high or weak arches might prefer more arch support and/or toe spring to balance out deficiencies. Others might prefer a more rigid sole and better ankle support.

With all of that said, if you’re already a fan of zero-drop shoes and prefer moving quickly through the mountains, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 could be the winter unicorn you’ve been looking for.

For 2024, Vasque updated its Vasque St. Elias GTX boot ($230) with modern specs and tech, taking a retro-leaning style and injecting it with modern performance. Sometimes, this kind of play doesn’t work, but Vasque gets the balance just right here.

The midsole is built with a partially bio-based EVA, alleviating the clunky weight normally associated with full leather hiking boots. Further supplemented by an energy return tech that’s en vogue in running shoes, we found there’s way more performance under the hood than the throwback silhouette suggests.

The GORE-TEX waterproofing proved effective and efficient for our tester while he was breaking trail into a record-level Eastern Sierra snowpack and during his sleet and puddle-filled hikes through the woods of Michigan. 

It’s worth noting that these are leather, so they require some maintenance. Cleaning off mud and drying before storing is crucial. Our tester noted easy scuffing and an occasional hotspot caused by tight lacing.

Ultimately, these were small issues in the scope of the Vasque St. Elias’ rugged performance. If you’re looking for a winter hiking boot that looks sweet and performs well, the Vasque St. Elias GTX is for you.

Many models in this guide make the step, leap, or jump into fall and spring use. Not the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 C.RDY ($260) — it’s a pure winter hiking boot champion. This insulated model integrates a proprietary COLD.RDY insulation technology and uses an elastic liner and exterior side zipper to harness the foot.

While startling to lace-and-eyelet traditionalists, this fitting and closure method is common in expedition-capable boots. That’s because gloved hands can operate the mechanism to change socks or switch to down booties in an alpine context.

Employing the BOOST technology in the midsole improves the energy return (according to documented lab testing), making difficult miles less strenuous. Additionally, PrimaLoft insulation keeps your feet at a nice, warm homeostasis on bitter-cold jaunts.

GORE-TEX is employed for waterproofness, and a stretch ripstop upper delivers what Adidas calls a “sock-like fit.” While others at the trailhead might mistake it for a recreational Pac boot (because of the zippered upper), they’ll be left standing in a cloud of snow.

PrimaLoft Gold steps into the mix with the Women’s Danner Inquire Mid Insulated ($180), which is as nimble as any tested for this Guide. Its trail capability competes with everyday utility for outstanding value across wide-ranging conditions.

The design captures the benefit of advanced, lightweight materials without sacrificing structure to turn an OrthoLite footbed and TPU shank into hiking efficiency. These proven components serve Danner well across their line, including the Men’s Mountain 600 Insulated footbed (a boot also test-hiked with positive results).

Inquire sports a proprietary moisture barrier and midsole in a 5-inch-high boot. A leg gaiter is warranted for moderate to deep snow, as the easy-walking upper isn’t self-sufficient through deeps and drifts.

Our female tester, with flatter feet, wanted more arch support. Most hikers are advised to use an aftermarket footbed or insert. Danner offers a range of worthwhile options starting at $14. Importantly, MegaGrip material forms a high-traction outsole to make the entire package durable, with enough warmth to carry the day for winters to come.

This selection is back to the future, with big news attached to a perennial hiking favorite — wide is now available in the LaSportiva Nucleo High II GTX ($239). For several years, this trail-and-mountain workhorse has taken hikers and their stuff up, down, around, and across challenging terrain.

While structured for moderate loads, the package of features assembled here deserves to be revisited. Blood circulation is critical to winter hiking success, and too-narrow boots are a common risk factor to comfort and safety.

GORE-TEX Surround Technology is central to the boot. Breathability in all directions doesn’t sacrifice waterproof protection. Instead, it aids in creating and maintaining a 60% humidity environment.

Durable Nubuck uppers protect this function, and their warrior-like appearance will beguile any Mad Max fan. The upper’s superior ankle stability and protection drew kudos from the hulking tester, a former football and rugby standout.

The outsole construction and lug design comprise this boot’s Impact Brake System. This system allows superior control without blister-inducing movement inside the boots or nasty spills while barging through snow, ice, mud, and sleet.

As a European brand, the traditional shapes, or lasts, can challenge some American feet. With wide now available, there’s good reason to take La Sportiva’s legacy of mountain adventure to winter trails this season.