Shopping for winter boots often involves compromising between comfort, durability and style. The details that enable snow boots to keep your feet warm and dry—water-resistant fabrics, lugged soles and layers of insulation—are often what makes them so unattractive and cumbersome to wear. Fortunately, if you search hard enough, you can find high-performance winter boots for women that can withstand the elements and look good on your feet, whether you’re navigating the slopes or city streets.
With that in mind, we put our feet into numerous pairs to determine the most important qualities to hunt for—including easy-to-lace-up fronts, breathable linings, pull-tabs at the back so you don’t have to struggle to get them on and off, flexibility in the sole to prevent blisters when you walk and an aesthetic that’s fashionable. Ahead, 12 pairs of highly-rated, stylish boots that are made for walking in snow, sleet, rain, hail and whatever else comes your way this season.
- Best Overall Winter Boots: Sorel Joan Of Arctic Next Boot
- Best Warm Winter Boots: L.L. Bean Rangeley Waterproof Pac Boots
- Best Winter Boots For Commuting: Hunter Insulated Roll Top Sherpa Boots
- Best Faux-Fur Winter Boots: Sperry Torrent Winter Lace-Up
- Best Waterproof Winter Boots: Sorel Cumberland Boot
- Best Winter Boots For Comfort: Ugg Classic Weather Waterproof Hiker Boot
- Best Tall Winter Boots: Bearpaw Isabella Women's Waterproof Winter Boots
- Best Wedge Winter Boots: Ugg Malvella Waterproof Boot
- Best Winter Boots For Skiing: Moon Boot Shell and Faux Leather Snow Boots
- Best Sustainable Winter Boots: The North Face Shellista IV Mid WP Boots
- Best Hiking Winter Boots: Overland Brescia Waterproof Leather Ice Gripper Hiker Boots
- Best Après-Ski Winter Boots: Tod’s Leather-Trimmed Shearling Ankle Boots
Best Overall Winter Boots
These boots really check all the boxes. Made with a combination of waterproof full grain leather and suede, they’re lined in shearling, have a seam-sealed construction to keep your feet dry, a leather heel pull-tab for easy on-and-offs, and importantly, are lightweight. Also nice: The high-traction scallop sole has a rubber mudguard to prevent slush from mucking up the boots. If you prefer an even lighter option with a thinner sole, try the Sorel’s Joan of Arctic Next Lite version.
Best Warm Winter Boots
L.L. Bean’s Rangeley boots offer incredible value for the price. They have a waterproof upper, 200-gram PrimaLoft insulation to keep feet warm and dry and the cushioned, removable EVA insole is lined in warm polyester fleece. For extra measure, the entire boot is wrapped in seam-sealed construction to block out snow and ice.
Best Winter Boots For Commuting
This versatile boot is great for slogging through the slushy streets or getting in and out of your car, thanks to its convertible construction. The sherpa-lined upper can be rolled up or down, allowing you to wear it multiple ways, and the sole is thermal insulated to keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as 23°F.
Best Faux-Fur Winter Boots
This pull-on style boot has a cozy faux-fur trim to balance the ruggedness of the rest of the features, including a waterproof suede upper and lugged synthetic outsole with IceTread for extra grip. Plus, the insole that can be removed for easy drying (should it absorb any sweat from your feet or just need to be aired out).
Best Waterproof Winter Boots
Sorel’s Caribou and Carnival boots are popular for wet, snowy conditions, but many reviewers find them very heavy. The Cumberland is a lighter alternative that doesn’t sacrifice on warmth or durability: This sleek pair keeps feet happy and dry with 200-gram weight insulation, an injection-molded thermal rubber shell, cushioned footbed and multi-directional lug outsole for rugged traction.
Best Winter Boots For Comfort
This pair feels as snuggly as Ugg’s slippers, but is fully winterized for wearing outside in snowy climates. Made with a seam-sealed waterproof leather upper and lined with a soft wool blend, they have a super-light rubber sole for enhanced grip on wet and frozen surfaces—slip them on with jeans or ski pants.
Best Tall Winter Boots
Best Wedge Winter Boots
Best Winter Boots For Skiing
The retro-fabulous Moon Boot first gained popularity following the Apollo 11 moon landing in the 1960s, and then more recently blazed back into fashion again. Made in Italy, this newly-released pair is fully waterproof, lined in fleece and has a flexible rubber sole—perfect for navigating slick mountains before you strap on your skis.
Best Sustainable Winter Boots
This redesign of North Face’s classic Shellista boot is now insulated with 85% post-consumer recycled Heatseeker eco materials for comfort in cold conditions and has a waterproof leather-ballistic-nylon upper. Also important: The shoe isn’t overly heavy so you can wear for hours without giving your ankles a workout.
Best Hiking Winter Boots
Canada-based Overland’s well-designed boots combine fashion and functionality. This leather pair has ice-grip traction, front lacing and an inside zip closure (so you can take them on and off easily). They’re also lined in merino wool—which naturally wicks sweat and provides insulation with less bulk than shearling—so you can hike in temperatures as low as -25°F.
Best Après-Ski Winter Boots
It’s a splurge but Italian leather brand Tod’s boots are extremely well-designed. This pair can stand up to the icy elements, with a high-grip, nubby sole and textured faux shearling to pamper your feet, post-ski. The leather straps also ensure a secure, comfortable fit and keep you looking chic in the lodge.
