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Specs

Height: Shin Height (Men’s: 6.7in, Women’s: 6.3in)
Insulation: 200g Using Columbia’s Omni-Heat Technology - Rated To -25F
Material: Leather And Nylon
Type of Waterproofing: Seam Sealed Construction
Weight: Men’s: 24.8oz, Women’s: 20.5oz
Outsole: Michelin Winter Compound

Features

Rugged Durable Build
Very Comfortable For Many Different Activities
Reasonable Mid-Range Price

BEST FOR: MULTI-SPORT WINTER ADVENTURING

This gem from Columbia is sure to be your perfect winter footwear from shoveling to snowshoeing. The Bugaboot IV includes all the latest refinements in the field of winter boots, wrapped in a very comfortable and durable package that can roll with those winter punches – or snow balls.

The Bugaboot utilizes Columbia’s omni-heat technology to reflect warmth back towards your feet. While perhaps not the toastiest pair of boots we’ve tried, they are still plenty warm for your general winter frivolity. This boot is furthermore supported by Michelin’s winter compound outsole which provides excellent grip on slick surfaces.

The Bugaboot hits all our crucial points that we look for in the best winter hiking boots, making it a worthwhile addition to any excursion. You’ll find them to be a solid performer on any chilly or frozen trail you have in mind. But they can easily be expanded to any winter activity that needs a sturdy boot!

Sorel Caribou

Specs

Height: Shin Height (Men’s: 9.25in, Women’s: 8.5in)
Insulation: 9mm Removable And Washable Felt Liner - Rated To -40F
Material: Nubuck Leather
Type of Waterproofing: Waterproof Nubuck And Rubber
Weight: Approximately 38oz
Outsole: Vulcanized Rubber Sorel Aero-Trac

Features

Very Warm And Comfortable
Aesthetically Pleasing Style
Liner Is Removable For Quick Drying And Can Be Washed

BEST FOR: STYLISH WINTER BOOTS

Nothing cuts quite a dash like the iconic Sorel Caribou. The beautiful leather upper combined with the snow cuff looks right at home on any winter trail. But Sorel didn’t focus on looks alone. The Caribou is packed with features that easily earn its place amongst the best winter hiking boots.

The insulation is a 9mm felt liner that is easily removable for drying or washing. This liner provides plenty of warmth for any winter stroll you may have mind. We should emphasize the word stroll, however. These boots are beasts and tip the scales much higher than your standard boot and are therefore best suited for shorter hikes and walks.

The aero-trac rubber outsole provides ample traction as you brave the elements on those hikes. But when you hit deep snow, the increased boot length and snow cuff will keep you protected and warm. All these features combined with the Caribou’s classic look made this our favorite stylish winter hiking boots that will look good from snowy trails to city sidewalks.

Oboz Bridger 10″ Insulated BDry

Specs

Height: Shin Height (Men’s: 10.0in, Women’s: 9.0in)
Insulation: 400g 3M Thinsulate
Material: Nubuck Leather
Type of Waterproofing: Oboz B-Dry
Weight: Men’s 26.9oz. Women’s: 24.3oz
Outsole: Granite Peak Outsole

Features

Very Durable Rubber Outsole
Comfortable And Supportive
Excellent Warmth

BEST FOR: OVERALL WINTER HIKING

The Oboz Bridger brings a new level of insulation and ruggedness to our best winter hiking boots list. The 400 grams of insulation combined with a heat reflective insole works wonders for keeping your feet nice and warm in all but the most extreme conditions.

The longer boot length – 10” for men and 9” for women – also does a great job of trapping heat and locking out any snow intrusion at the same time. In terms of durability, we’ve found Oboz to be leading the pack with their tough leather upper and rubber outsole.

All told, we believe the Bridger to be your perfect winter hiking boot for everything except extreme multi-day excursions. All these features come with quite a price tag to match, however. This is certainly amongst the more expensive options on our list. But if you foresee spending a lot of time snowy trails, it may well be worth it.

Vasque Snowblime UltraDry

Specs

Height: Over-The-Ankle (6 in)
Insulation: 200g 3M Thinsulate
Material: 1.8mm Waterproof Leather
Type of Waterproofing: UltraDry Membrane
Weight: Men’s 24.0oz. Women’s: 20.0oz
Outsole: Venture ColdHold

Features

Good Grip In Icy Conditions
Lower Cut For Less Restriction
Excellent Waterproofing

BEST FOR: NON-SNOWY HIKING

Sometimes the chilliest of winter days come without snow, as many of us northern residents are acutely aware. Strapping into a huge snow boot may simply be overkill in these conditions. It’s for that reason we have the Snowblime from Vasque. This over-the-ankle boot provides ample insulation for cold conditions while still providing ankle support, but isn’t as cumbersome as its taller cousins on the list.

The Snowblime utilizes 200 grams of 3M Thinsulate to retain heat. This insulation is perfect for most conditions, but is less warm than other boots on the list. That winter slush will also be held at bay thanks to the excellent UltraDry membrane that locks out any and all moisture intrusion.

Its greatest threat is deep snow as these boots are lower than most other options. Any snow over the top of the boots will seep in and soak the interior, which is definitely something to be avoided! These boots therefore dominate in icy yet snow-free conditions and will quickly earn their place in your cold-weather lineup.

View at Backcountry

Merrell Thermo Adventure 6″ Ice+

Specs

Height: Over-The-Ankle (6 in)
Insulation: M-Select Warm Polar Fleece
Material: Leather And Suede
Type of Waterproofing: M-Select Dry
Weight: Approximately 22oz
Outsole: Vibram Arctic Grip

Features

Outsole Is Extremely Grippy And Protects Against Open Circuits And Oil
Comfortable Footbed With Added Arch And Heel Support
Exceptionally Durable

BEST FOR: BEING ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY – HIKING OR WORKING

If your job involves being out in the cold all day, then the first thing to say is: we’re very sorry. But secondly, the Thermo Adventure from Merrell may be your perfect boot to transition from work to play without having to change. These boots are designed to be put through the wringer and feature increased cushioning and support along with a bomb-proof design.

The Thermo Adventure uses Merrell’s Kinetic Fit system to give your arch and heel extra support and cushion. Perfect for either a long day of hiking or your honest toil. In the cold weather department, we have the M-Select Warm lining composed of polar fleece. This lining is plenty warm for your average winter day on the trail or work-site.

The Vibram Arctic Grip outsole is built to exacting industrial specifications and is therefore incredibly grippy in all icy conditions. It is furthermore resistant to both oil and open circuits, making these boots just as functional for work as they are for hiking. This dual-functionality easily makes the Thermo Adventure the best winter hiking boots for you outdoor workers out there!

The North Face Shellista III Mid

Specs

Height: Mid-Calf
Insulation: 200g PrimaLoft
Material: Waterproof Leather With Suede Accents
Type of Waterproofing: TPR Shell
Weight: 21.0 oz
Outsole: TNF Winter Grip Plus Ice-Pick Temperature Sensitive Lugs

Features

Very Stylish Blend Of Leather And Suede Looks Great Anywhere
Decent Mid-Range Price
Excellent Warmth Retention

BEST FOR: WOMEN’S WINTER HIKING BOOTS

The Shellista is currently in its third iteration, and each change makes us love it even more. The Shellista III brings together every critical point we look for in a women’s boot, and presents it at a very reasonable mid-range price.

The overall design is stylishly functional. The leather and suede upper is entirely waterproof, yet looks at home from the city to the trail. This is complemented by a durable rubber outsole that provides decent traction in most conditions.

The insulation itself also follows the midrange trend. The 200 grams of PrimaLoft is plenty warm for cold days above zero, but not quite warm enough for extended periods in arctic sub-zero temperatures. The Shellista certainly strikes the perfect balance of excellent features for a reasonable price, which has earned the boot its place amongst our best winter hiking boots.

View at Backcountry

Vasque Snowburban II UltraDry

Specs

Height: Short Shin (8.5 in)
Insulation: 400g 3M Thinsulate
Material: 1.8mm Waterproof Leather
Type of Waterproofing: UltraDry Membrane
Weight: 27.0 oz
Outsole: Nordic Rover ColdHold

Features

Lasting Comfort On The Trail
Very Effective Waterproof Membrane
Fits Slightly Wider Feet Very Well

BEST FOR: MEN’S WINTER HIKING BOOTS

Gentlemen, when it’s time to tramp off on your winter hikes, you can’t go wrong with the Snowburban. These boots are designed to plow through anything winter throws at you, and keep your feet warm and comfortable the entire time.

For waterproofing you have Vasque’s UltraDry membrane – very similar to GoreTex – that does an excellent job of keeping slush and snowmelt out. This works in tandem with 400 grams of thinsulate to make a boot that’s completely impervious to winter. For all this protection, however, we wish that Vasque had made the Snowburban just a little higher, or the tongue full-length, to prevent problems in deep snow.

Nevertheless, this boot’s durable and grippy design combined with an excellent shield against the elements makes it one of the best winter hiking boots on the market, underscored by the boot’s lasting comfort and support.

Salomon Toundra Pro CS WP

Specs

Height: Short Shin (~8.0”)
Insulation: Aerotherm Aerogel Plus Faux Fur Lining - Rated To -40F
Material: Polyurethane Coated Leather
Type of Waterproofing: ClimaSalomon Waterproof (CSWP)
Weight: Men’s: 15.9 oz, Women’s:13.8 oz
Outsole: ContaGrip W

Features

Very Light And Nimble Design
Spacious Enough For Thick Socks
Durable Materials

BEST FOR: LIGHTWEIGHT WINTER HIKING

For a rugged and warm winter hiking boot that feels akin to a light trail runner, we have the Toundra from Salomon. These boots weigh in at less than a single pound and are perfect for those longer hikes. But, being so light, these boots must sacrifice insulation, right? Wrong!

Salomon has implemented AeroGel as the primary insulator. This is a thin silica based gel – first implemented by NASA – that’s 90% air. As such, it is an excellent insulator and should keep your feet comfortable in temperatures down to -40F!

The rest of the boot follows Salomon’s usual penchant for durability and waterproofing. Utilizing their own tried and true waterproofing scheme (CSWP) and a tacky Contragrip sole, these boots are sure to provide traction in all scenarios. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Toundra Pro has a hefty price tag that may make most buyers think twice. We also wish that at such a high price we’d have a few more color options. But in terms of warmth-to-weight, the Toundra is definitely among the best winter hiking boots you can buy.

Kamik Greenbay 4

Specs

Height: Mid-calf (~14”)
Insulation: 8mm Removable Liner
Material: Nylon
Type of Waterproofing: Waterproof Nylon And Rubber
Weight: Men’s: 30.5 oz, Women’s: 23.0 oz
Outsole: Pulse Rubber

Features

Extremely Reasonable Price
Very Warm
Removable Liner Makes Cleaning And Drying Easy

BEST FOR: BUDGET WINTER HIKING

Finding a decent winter hiking boot doesn’t need to break the bank. The Kamik Greenbay 4 provides excellent insulation and waterproofing for all your winter escapades, at a refreshingly reasonable price.

The 8mm removable liner is amongst the warmest of all the boots on the list and is sure to keep your feet warm all day long. The waterproofing is also top-notch with a 600D nylon upper and rubber soles. The Greenbay does sacrifice a little comfort and fit for price, however. The fit is typically very loose and uses a simple drawcord and velcro cinch for securing. This makes the boot a little clunky for hiking, but it still gets the job done on shorter excursions.

Overall, we’re very impressed by how warm and durable the Greenbay is for the price. The traction is also adequate for most applications. All these factors combine to make this boot an obvious addition to the best winter hiking boots for budget conscience adventurers.

View at Backcountry

Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX

Specs

Height: Mid-Calf
Insulation: Insulated GoreTex
Material: 3mm Suede
Type of Waterproofing: GoreTex
Weight: Men’s: 32.0 oz, Women’s: 27.5 oz
Outsole: Vibram Essential AC

Features

Crampon Compatible
Very Burly And Rugged Design Intended For Harsh Environments
Relatively Light For A Mountaineering Boot

BEST FOR: ALPINE HIKES AND MOUNTAINEERING

Perhaps your idea of winter hiking involves alpine views, glaciers, and altitudes over 10,000ft. If this sounds like you, then a dedicated mountaineering boot is well in order. The Mont Blanc from Scarpa fits this bill perfectly with a warm and durable design that is comparatively light for such a burly boot.

The Mont Blanc relies on GoreTex for both insulation and waterproofing. This provides a very comfortable bunker for your foot that is also reasonably breathable. The outsole is constructed from Vibram rubber, which has proven itself to be a durable and reliable material in boot construction. The Mont Blanc is rated as B3 – meaning it has the stiffest sole in the boot industry and is suitable for all types of alpine hiking, mountaineering, and even ice climbing.

Such a formidable boot comes with an equally formidable price tag, unfortunately. This is by far the most expensive boot on our entire list. But in the realm of mountaineering, it pays to purchase reliable and durable gear. The Mont Blanc easily meets that criteria with its impressive list of features and therefore earns a spot amongst the best winter hiking boots for mountain enthusiasts.