If you live in a cold climate, winter boots are a necessity for navigating everything from slick, slushy sidewalks to snowy trails. A good pair should have cozy insulation, waterproof construction and durable, grippy soles. Our top picks for the best winter boots for women are from Ugg, Sorel and The North Face; these have plenty of features to keep you warm and dry—and they’re cute, too.
To prevent freezing toes, winter boots need a combination of technical features so you can safely—and warmly—navigate messy snow and sleet, but you also want them to look stylish enough to wear for après-ski or to run some errands. I spoke with an outdoor apparel expert for insight on the best styles and drew upon decades of personal experience with brutal Chicago and Northeast winters to curate our top picks. Here are the best winter boots for women for all your outdoor adventures, whether you’re traversing poorly shoveled intersections or clomping through snow drifts.
What To Consider When Choosing A Winter Boot
The top things to keep in mind when shopping for winter boots are comfort, traction, warmth, waterproofing and style.
Comfort
For many people, comfort comes down to padding and midsole support. When shopping, look for styles that have midfoot support and cushioning, especially if you’ll be walking longer distances or taking outdoor walks or hikes. Also, “shaft height is essential for ensuring proper fit and comfort,” says Peter Park, footwear buyer at New York City-based outdoor gear store Paragon Sports. If you plan to walk a lot, you may find a shorter shaft height to be more comfortable. For example, boots such as the UGG Adirondack Boot XXV, The North Face Shellista V Shorty Insulated Boot and the Columbia Minx Shorty IV Boot are all good options if you won’t be climbing through deep snow drifts (in which case you should choose a taller boot). Also, look for flexible rubber that bends with your foot as you walk—rigid rubber can cause blisters, even with thick wool socks.
Traction
Slush and slick ice can be tricky—and dangerous—to navigate. A great winter boot typically has a lug sole or pronounced outsole grooves to provide grip on icy sidewalks and layers of slippery, packed-down snow. “Look for boots that can grip wet, snow-covered, and icy surfaces,” says Park. Look for a pattern with pronounced, deep lugs for traction, like on the Ugg Adirondack Boot XXV and Helly Hansen’s Garibaldi VI Insulated Boot. Certain rubbers like Vibram, a vulcanized rubber compound that’s both elastic and weather-resistant, are popular choices for winter boot outsoles.
Warmth
The amount and type of insulation you’ll need depend on the location you’ll be in, the duration of your time outside and the kind of activity you’ll be doing, says Park. It sounds obvious, but in general, you’ll want more insulation if you’ll be in an especially cold climate, you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors and you won’t be moving around as much. In general, the higher the shaft, the warmer the boot will be. Consider that, with warmth, you’ll also want breathability so your feet aren’t feeling suffocated and sweaty while shoveling or snowshoeing. Both wool and synthetic insulation, such as PrimaLoft, help excess moisture escape, so your feet stay warm without overheating.
Waterproofing
There is one non-negotiable when it comes to a great women’s winter boot: “A true winter boot should be waterproof,” says Park. “A wet insulated/non-insulated boot is a cold boot.” Every single style on our list is waterproof, meaning the leather or fabric has been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating. In many cases, the tongues are gusseted and the seams are sealed to prevent snow and moisture from getting into the boot—and keep you from ending up with soggy socks and frozen toes.
Style
Ultimately, the best winter boots are the ones that you’ll look forward to wearing even when the weather outside is less-than-appealing. Once you’ve checked all the boxes for functional features, look for style details that speak to you. Maybe you’ll want a faux fur cuff or quilting, or you’d prefer bungee laces to a more traditional lacing system. When it comes to color, many brands offer ivory or gray in addition to traditional brown and black.
How We Chose The Best Winter Boots For Women
To ensure we provided a thoughtful, comprehensive list of the best women’s winter boots, we carefully surveyed the market, sought out expert advice and evaluated key specifications.
- We began by looking at bestselling snow boots on the market from reputable brands such as Sorel, Ugg, The North Face and Helly Hansen.
- After years of personal experience with women’s winter boot brands and styles, I incorporated many of my favorites into this list.
- I sought the insight of an outdoor footwear expert to determine key factors to consider when shopping for boots for inclement weather.
- To separate the good from the great, I evaluated a variety of technical boot features and specs, including sizes, materials, color variety, insulation type, waterproofing and outsole type.
- Finally, I only incorporated boots that have overwhelmingly positive online reviews from consumers.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our fashion team dedicates hundreds of hours researching, testing and reporting on cold weather outerwear and accessories.
- Our coverage includes the best Chelsea boots for women, the warmest winter coats for men and the best leather jackets.
- Fashion and beauty writer Molly Calhoun is an experienced lifestyle journalist who has spent two decades penning stories for magazines and digital outlets. For Forbes Vetted, she has written a variety of pieces on winter clothing, including the warmest winter coats for women, the warmest wool coats for women, the best knee-high boots and the best cashmere sweaters.
- Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung assigned and edited this story. She oversees the beauty, fashion and travel verticals for the site and has covered women’s fashion, accessories and footwear for over two decades
- We consulted Peter Park, footwear buyer for lifestyle and outdoor footwear at New York City sports apparel and outdoor gear retailer Paragon Sports, for insight on what to look for when shopping for winter boots.