The Best Winter Boots for Women of 2024-2025

How We Tested Women’s Winter Boots

The GearJunkie team includes many editors and gear testers who live in cold winter climates, so we put these boots to the test in an array of snowy, icy, and wintry conditions over several seasons — everything from light snow to heavy blizzards.

Our Expert Testers

After growing up in the San Juan Mountains, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton is now based in one of the snowiest, coldest locals in the Lower 48: Crested Butte, where frigid temps, snow, and ice can stretch across 7 months. She’s tests women winter boots nearly every day from October through May. She’s always owned a pair of winter boots — and the designs keep getting better.

Contributor Mary Murphy put in more than 500 testing hours to help find the best winter boots for women. Her top picks were a culmination of the best boots in terms of quality, traction, warmth, and durability.

Our Testing Grounds

Tilton tests women’s winter boots in temperatures ranging from -15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. She pulls on boots for loads of shoveling, trailering to the trailhead for backcountry skiing, and running errands whether that’s by foot, bike, or truck.

Murphy is based in Denver, Colorado, and travels all over the state while testing winter boots.

Our Testing Process

While testing women’s winter boots we consider the insulation, ease of entry and exit, closure system, outsole, midsole, traction, tread, cuff, style, overall fit, comfort, durability, waterproofness, price, and value. We also consider the most popular, innovative, and legacy products available.

We make sure to include a variety of boot heights and insulation levels for different winter climates and use.

Each pair of boots is tested in below freezing temps (at least 0 to 32 degrees), across icy surfaces, during snowfall, and through slush and puddles. They are also tested on walks for support and comfort and while shoveling for heat generation.

Full disclosure: One test we do not complete is wearing our winter boots while sitting at our desk. But based on our previous experiences of committing to an office, we suggest wearing a shorter, less insulated boot if you plan on wearing them after your commute. Alternatively, you could keep a pair of office shoes at your desk to change into or carry a slender pair of slip-ons in a pack.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Winter Boots

Winter boots come in all sorts of shapes and styles. As our list of recommendations demonstrates, the winter boot market contains everything from extreme weather work boots to stylish formal footwear. With so many options, it can feel daunting to sift through the pile and select the perfect pair.

When choosing the best winter boots for you, it’s important to understand some of the key factors that differentiate one pair from the next. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we thoroughly explain each of these factors to help you make a confident and informed choice.

Insulation: Women’s Winter Boots

Any winter footwear worth its weight will offer plentiful warmth. Many winter boots come with a specific temperature rating. While these ratings can be helpful guidelines, the moderno feel of a pair of boots will always be a better indicator of warmth than a manufacturer’s rating.

Often, boots claim to have very impressive temperature ratings well below zero. Because there is no standardized test for boot temperature ratings, always take these numbers with a grain of salt. The warmth of a boot comes from various factors, including sock thickness, activity level, personal cold tolerance, and much more.

A winter boot rated to -10 will likely feel warmer than a boot rated to zero made by the same manufacturer. Using temperature ratings to compare boots from different manufacturers is a less reliable practice. We certainly recommend trying boots on to get a real impression of their warmth and comfort.

Insulation Type

Winter boots utilize a variety of different insulation types to achieve the desired combination of warmth and comfort. The most common types of insulation are synthetic, felt, and sheepskin.

Synthetic Insulation

Most modern winter boots are equipped with synthetic insulation. Between the outer shell and the inner lining of the boot, synthetic materials provide lightweight and durable warmth. Perhaps the most important benefit of synthetic material is that it can insulate even when wet.

Popular name-brand synthetic insulation options include Thinsulate and PrimaLoft, though many other quality options are available. No matter the name brand, the totalidade weight of synthetic insulation will always be a better indicator of warmth than the name brand.

Many manufacturers include the insulation weight in their boot specifications. Lightweight to midweight boots will usually have a fill rating between 200 and 400 g. If you are seeking heavy-duty boots for extreme cold, look for a fill rating of at least 300 g.

Felt & Sheepskin

Felt and sheepskin are materials that have long been used to insulate winter footwear. While synthetic insulation is by far the current norm, some manufacturers opt for classic and traditional materials.

The downside of felt and sheepskin insulation is they tend to be heavy and bulky. Still, these materials can be warm and comfortable.

Usually, felt and sheepskin are utilized in a boot’s lining where they can be in direct contact with the foot. While these materials provide warmth even when wet, they may become extra heavy when saturated and require lots of time to dry.

Weight: Women’s Winter Boots

As you might expect, heavier boots are usually built for the worst conditions, while lightweight winter boots are better for moderate temperatures and less demanding uses. As the thickness of outsoles and the fill rating of insulation increases, overall weight goes up. Lightweight winter boots are great for active use, but they often sacrifice some stability, grip, and warmth.

Height

Almost all winter boots are ankle-high or higher. Boot height is a major factor that determines the intended function of the boot.

Lower-cut boots are typically around 7 inches from the footbed to the top of the boot. Lower-cut boots are ideal for hiking, as they tend to be relatively light and flexible. The downside of lower-cut boots is they allow snow to seep in, especially when post-holing through deep snowpack. If you find yourself in bottomless snow with a pair of ankle-high boots, a pair of gaiters may offer a simple solution.

If you plan to use your boots in regions with lots of snow accumulation, you’ll probably want to pick boots at least 8 inches tall. Work boots and boots for extreme weather are designed to sit higher on the leg, keeping the elements out and the warmth in.

Waterproofness

Nothing beats a reliable pair of boots that keep your feet warm and dry no matter how bad the weather gets. Waterproofing is the difference between blissful comfort and soggy misery.

Waterproofing is ultimately a product of the materials incorporated into a boot’s design. Features such as rubber outer layers and an exterior water-resistant treatment are standards of most waterproof boots.

All of the boots we’ve selected are designed to keep water out as much as possible. Some of the more robust included models feature a two-piece system that includes an outer waterproof barrier and an inner removable liner.

One-piece boots typically feature a waterproof membrane sandwiched in between the outer material and the lining. While one-piece boots usually don’t have the fail-proof waterproofing of many two-piece styles, they tend to be lighter and more flexible.

Breathability

The downside of built-in insulation and waterproof membranes is decreased breathability. While boots that trap heat are certainly desirable, overheating can be a real concern, even in extremely cold weather. For this reason, a reasonable degree of breathability is an asset in winter boots.

Generally, lightweight hiking-style winter boots are more breathable than heavy-duty work boots or two-piece models that thrive in extreme cold. While hiking or performing other strenuous activities, breathability can help to prevent sweating and blisters.

Ultimately, breathability is a trade-off. Winter boots simply cannot be completely waterproof and extreme weather-ready and fully breathable at the same time. If you’re simply looking for top-notch warmth or waterproofing, breathability doesn’t need to be a major consideration when selecting boots. If you plan to wear your boots for active use in a wide range of conditions, be sure to select a breathable pair.

Exterior Material

A winter boot’s exterior material will significantly affect its waterproofing, breathability, and weight. Rubber and leather are the most common outer materials.

Rubber

The waterproof qualities of rubber boots are unbeatable. For decades, brands including Muck Boot and XTRATUF have been well-regarded for their nearly impenetrable rubber boots. In constantly wet and rainy regions such as the Pacific Northwest, rubber boots are a rightfully popular choice.

The downside of rubber as an outer material is its lack of breathability. In the same way that rubber boots successfully keep moisture out, they also keep moisture in. For long hikes and active use, rubber is not the ideal outer material.

Leather

Leather boots have been a popular winter footwear choice for hundreds of years. While leather does not provide the impenetrable qualities of rubber, it is a supple, durable, and relatively water-resistant material.

Compared to rubber boots, leather models tend to breathe slightly better. If you plan to wear your boots in a wide range of weather conditions, leather boots are an excellent versatile choice.

Outsole & Grip

The outsole is the part of a boot that makes direct contact with the ground underneath. Good grip is essential to a winter boot’s value and performance.

True winter boots come with outsoles designed to provide reliable grip in cold and snowy conditions. To account for subfreezing temps, many winter boot outsoles feature soft rubber compounds that don’t overly harden in the cold. Additionally, thoughtfully designed tread patterns can prevent snow and mud from building up.

Outsole compounds and tread patterns vary wildly across the winter boot market. Generally, models geared toward hiking will have a deep tread and superior grip. Work boots typically come with heavy, bulky outsoles that prioritize durability above grip.

In severe conditions, you may want more winter traction than your boots can offer on their own. No matter how deep and sticky your tread is, chances are it won’t help on solid sheets of ice.

Traction devices such as Yaktrax and MICROspikes can be fixed onto the bottom of winter boots for improved grip on ice and hardpack. These devices have metal components designed to dig into ice and improve traction — just like tire chains on a car.

Fit & Sizing

Properly sizing winter boots can be a tricky process. Unlike with most footwear, you’ll likely wear extra thick socks with your winter boots, and it’s important to consider this when picking a size.

Ideally, your winter boots will be comfortable and free of major air pockets and hot spots. Of course, the best fit for you depends on the type of activity you’re using the boots for.

If you’ll be hiking or working on your feet, we recommend a snug fit for maximum performance. If you plan to use your boots for hanging out casually or simply wearing around town, a looser comfort-first fit is the way to go.

As always, there’s no substitute for trying on boots and shoes, and we highly recommend you do so if possible.

Price & Value

Budget

Typically, women’s winter boots hold a minimum price tag of $100-$200. When footwear is built out with insulation, beefier tread, and technical rubber that’s grippy on ice or waterproof, footwear inevitably costs more than a classic pair of sneakers. If you opt for a shorter design and moderate insulation, you can snag a rubber pair like the Bogs Arcata Faded ($160) that keeps you grounded, dry, and warm across variable ground conditions. Utilitarian designs like the Muck Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boots ($150) offer ample protection with height and a durable, fully waterproof exterior, as well as ease of use with a pull-on style.

Mid-Tier

Sneaking at and above $200, synthetic pairs including the Baffin Icefield Insulated Boots ($220) or Sorel Women’s Caribou Boots ($200) both dish out the best insulation value among our collection. These boots are designed with a roomier toe box and nail the warmth with a removable liner: felt in the Sorel and two types of synthetic insulation (DiamondNet and B-TEK) in the Icefield’s interno and midsole.

Premium

The priciest women’s winter boots near the third Benjamin. Designs like the L.L.Bean Women’s Bean Boots ($289) and Blundstone Women’s All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots ($280) are not necessarily taller or made for expeditions. Rather, these pairs are made with crafted leather that’s long-lasting, aesthetic, and waterproof. These boots also offer more and resilient support underfoot than others with a steel shank integrated into both. These boots are truly made for walking and being paired with a variety of apparel from jeans to snow pants. Other pairs like the leather Manitobah Waterproof Tamarack ($275) are artfully created with style and function.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a few important things to consider. First are the overall weight and fit. A super-heavy boot will quickly become tiresome. And one that’s too loose will rub and cause blisters.

On the other hand, a slightly taller boot may be worth the weight, as it offers extra ankle support. Consider where you’ll be walking and your personal preference for high or low designs.

Second, good traction is a key consideration. Icy, slick conditions are a common winter occurrence. And you don’t want to spend your time outdoors worrying about slipping. The Oboz Sphinx are great winter boots for light hiking and walking.

If you find yourself regularly heading out in icy conditions, we recommend the Baffin Icefield Insulated Boot. The Vibram Arctic Grip outsole is true to its name and delivers excellent traction. And the 15-inch height keeps out snow.

A more budget-friendly option for lots of prolonged use in the snow (think trudging around a ski resort, shoveling snow, hiking, or walking to work) would be the Oboz Sphinx, which is also equipped with the Vibram Arctic Grip rubber if you want a lighter and smaller boot that’s still capable on snow.

The best winter boot is subjective and depends on your needs. Sorel and Oboz all make excellent winter hiking boots for women.

For truly frigid conditions, you need a burly, super-warm boot. The Baffin Icefield Insulated Boots have a comfort rating of -100 degrees F. And they’ll keep you cozy down to -148 degrees F. Pair them with some extra-warm winter gloves, and you’ll be ready for whatever winter serves up.