Whether shuffling from car to chairlift, or slogging in the frozen woods, a good pair of boots is requisite footwear for surviving winter and fall.
To give you a jump-start on the season, we’ve kicked the rubber on a few soles to find the best ones to boot-up with for the big freeze. Because winter varies so much around the country, from slush and mud to deep powder, we included a variety of boots, from puddle-worthy to hell’s frozen over.
#1 – Ahnu Kezar (slop hoppers) $130
If you live in the Pacific Northwest and the forecast shows cloudy and drizzling … again, then Ahnu’s Gore-Tex and waterproof-leather Chelsea boot might be the one for you. With its minimal design and weatherproof materials, the Kezar makes the functional transition from the house to a fashionable appearance at the office.
#2 – Bogs Johnny Chukka (mild-weather work boot) $155
Looking for a mild weather winter lace-up boot for work? Look no further than Bogs’ Johnny Chukka . Known for its dairy-man inspired work boot, this season Bogs debuted a more contemporary line-of-work boot. With its no-frills waterproof leather and a moisture-wicking liner, it shows Bogs can milk both function and form.
#3 – Hunter Norris Field Boot (mud, muck & mire) $150
Tromping through the wetlands with a shotgun slung over your shoulder and the Golden wading neck-deep retrieving the fowl, you need a boot that keeps your own dogs dry. Short of pulling on the waders, Hunter’s classic Norris Field Boot is the way to do it — these wet-weather galoshes date back over 150 years in design, have a sturdy argyle sole, and are waterproof enough to track over the river and through the bog.
#4 – ECCO Men’s BIOM Terrain Mid GTX (comfy winter hiker) $240
Melding yak leather and synthetic materials, this Gore-Tex lightweight winter hiker keeps the elements out and the warmth in. Cinched around the foot using a burly Boa closure system, ECCO’s BIOM Terrain mimics “barefoot walking,” the company touts, to provide a snug-yet-natural fit. We’ve tested ECCO boots and found them remarkably good for long miles.
#5 – Keen Summit County III (snow & cold tested) $170
Blending waterproof leather with synthetic insulation, the Summit County III are the warmest boot in KEEN’s lineup. We tested KEEN’s Summit County during an epic three-day elk hunt in knee-deep snow and single digits and found them to be light, comfortable, and warm even after snow accidentally slipped inside the boot.
#6 – Wolverine King Caribou III (rugged hunter) $140
You’ve got your elk tag… but trying to cash it in is another deal all together. Enter Wolverine’s rugged King Caribou III. The KCIII has a burly yet spry 900 denier shell that keeps this hiker light on your feet as you bash through the backcountry, while the 800 grams of Thinsulate insulation keeps your digits warm.
#7 – Timberland Schazzberg (cold in the city) $200
It’s not chic to shiver. No worries, Timberland insulated a handsome high-top with 400 grams of PrimaLoft to keep these classy storm troopers warm even on the coldest city ventures. Premium leathers and a vintage Pendleton plaid wool liner keeps the Schazzberg boots looking good.
#8 – L..L. Bean Storm Chaser (ice fishing anyone?) $119
L.L. Bean gave its iconic Bean Boot a techie update, insulating the Storm Chasers with 200-gram PrimaLoft and wrapping the uppers with waterproof leather. Designed for warmth in wet snow, these rubber-leather hybrid ducks are dialed for persevering winter chores that pull you through the daily rigors of walking the dog and pushing slush.
#9 – The North Face Thermoball Utility Boot (‘puffy’ for your feet) $140
Like a puffy jacket for your feet, The North Face Thermoball Utility Boot provides killer warmth in a lightweight package. Its water-resistant collar sheds snow and keeps the ankles comfortably dry while the waterproof suede and nubuck leathers fortify the foot from snow and slush. Should water compromise the boot, the insulation can keep the boot warm when wet.
#10 – UGG’s Boysen TL. (classy, classic & warm) $200
Channeling the quintessential hiking boot, UGG’s 0˚ rated Boysen are crafted from waterproof leather and lined with UGG’s classic wool, making them ideal for lumbering through Central Park or après-ski. We’ve been wearing the Boysen around town and to work and love their mountain cool and handsome good looks.
#11 – Adidas Terrex Ultimate Boost CH (high-tech winter boot) $200
Athletic shoe juggernaut Adidas entered the winter boot market with its Terrex Ultimate Boost CH . Boost technology is Adidas’ proprietary cushioning system used in its running shoes. Lugged with Continental rubber and lined with PrimaLoft, this sporty pairing makes the boots ideal for fast-pace winter sports like snowshoeing in temperatures down below zero.
#12 – Sorel 1964 Nylon Pack Boot (boot for bitter cold) $130
Embracing the age-old adage “if it ain’t broke … ,” Sorel reached into the archives to bring back its classic color palette with the 1964 Pac Boot . The nylon-sheathed ’64 embodies Sorel’s traditional lines but with modern utility — be that marching miles at a winter carnival or behind the snowblower in temperatures down to -40˚F.
#13 – Muck Boot Company, Arctic Excursion Mid (ultra-warm boot) $150
Insulated with 5mm of fleece-lined neoprene, Muck’s Arctic Excursion Mid is rated to keep your feet warm on bitterly cold rendezvous that pull the mercury down to -40˚F. The durable rubber exterior runs over EVA mid- and out-sole to provide miles of no B.S. comfort well below freezing.
#14 – Baffin Ice Breaker (boot for arctic cold) $170
This isn’t even Baffin’s warmest boot. That honor goes to Baffin’s Polar series (rated to a preposterous -148˚F!) Still, rated to -90˚F, Baffin’s Ice Breaker is plenty warm to fend off the screaming yowies anywhere on Earth. Insulated with a proprietary “arctic rubber” and a multi-layer inner boot, the Icebreaker is constructed to trap heat and reflect the cold. Bonus, the extendable waterproof snow collar protects blowing snow from funneling in the cold.
