Today’s winter hiking boots are waterproof, insulated, and compatible with traction aids such as microspikes and snowshoes. While 200-gram insulated mids are fine for commuting and half-day hikes down to about 10-20 degrees (F), we recommend buying boots with higher calf coverage and 400-gram insulation for all-day hikes and mountain climbs in colder temperatures. We are experienced winter hikers with hundreds of successful mountain summits, and we understand what it takes to stay safe and comfortable on long, challenging winter hikes.

Here are our top 10 winter hiking boot recommendations:

1. Oboz Bridger 10″ Insulated Winter Boots

Oboz Bridger 10″ Winter Boots are lined with a waterproof membrane and insulated with 400-gram Thinsulate. The uppers feature synthetic leather for added protection, plus a beefy toe cap and a snowshoe-compatible heel cup. An arched sole and front D-ring provide gaiter compatibility, while aggressive lugs offer excellent traction on snow. The Bridgers feature a PU midsole and nylon shank for better underfoot protection, plus a wool-covered, reflective insole for added warmth. They’re available in wide sizes. A 9″ women’s model is also available.  Read the SectionHiker Oboz Bridger 10″ Review. These have been my go-to winter hiking boots for the past seven years. 

2. KEEN Revel IV High Polar Winter Boots

KEEN’s Revel IV High Polar Boots are rated to -40F with 5 mm lugs for added traction in snow. These winter boots feature KEEN’s signature wide toe box and run a bit wide, making them ideal for people who struggle to fit their feet into narrow boots. A beefy toe kick, heel ridge, and excellent side protection make these boots ideal for challenging terrain. They include a thermal heat shield insole for added warmth. A women’s model is available. Read the SectionHiker Revel IV High Polar review.  These boots are warm and have a wide toe box. They have fewer technical features than the Oboz Bridger above, but are still perfectly suitable for hardcore winter hiking. 

3. Salomon Toundra Pro

Salomon’s Toundra Pro was the first winter hiking boot to incorporate ultralight Aerogel insulation developed by NASA for spaceflight. Rated to -40F, these popular winter hiking boots feature a large, comfortable toe box, a reinforced toe kick for added protection, and a heel cap compatible with microspikes and snowshoe bindings. A midsole arch provides gaiter compatibility, while a fleece-lined tongue and upper boot provide a cushy, comfortable fit. The Salomon Toundras run true to size. A women’s Toundra Pro is also available. Read the SectionHiker Toundra Pro Review. I wore through two pairs of these and think they’re great cold-weather hiking boots. 

4. The North Face Chilkat V 400

The North Face Chilkat V 400 is a warm, insulated winter hiking boot with a durable, waterproof outsole that provides excellent toe protection. Its high calf cuff provides excellent warmth, while gaiter rings and a heel arch accommodate high gaiters. They also feature heel ridges that keep snowshoe rear straps from coming loose, a premium feature. Their soles provide excellent traction and feature a curved rocker design, ideal for hiking. They are a bit heavier than other winter hiking boots, but they’re very warm, and the lack of seams around the outsole means you’ll never have to worry about leaks. A women’s model is also available. Read the SectionHiker Review. These bomber boots are great for winter hiking on and off the trail. I used them for winter bushwhacking when I needed a sturdy, fully waterproof boot with ample protection. They’re quite warm and perfect for urban or rural chores when you’re outside all day. 

5. Oboz Bridger 8″ Insulated Winter Mids

Oboz’s Bridger 8″ Waterproof Insulated Boots have 200g of winter insulation. They’re quite similar to the Bridger 10″ insulated boots listed above, but only come up over the ankle instead of mid-calf. The uppers are covered with synthetic leather for added protection, along with a beefy toe cap and a snowshoe-compatible heel cup. An arched sole and front D-ring provide gaiter compatibility, while aggressive lugs offer excellent traction on snow. The Bridgers have a PU midsole and nylon shank for added undercarriage protection, plus a quality insole for added support. They’re also available in wide sizes. The women’s version is called the Oboz Bridger 7″ Waterproof Insulated Boot. I own a pair of these Oboz Bridgers and use them in autumn and spring when temperatures are below freezing, but there’s little snow.  

6. KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Winter Boots

7. Salomon Crosstrek Powder Mids

Salomon’s Crosstrek Power Mids are lightweight winter hiking boots with aggressive lugs for traction on packed snow. They’re made with PU-coated leather for maximum durability and waterproofing. Insulated with synthetic insulation, they feature a 4mm EVA foam sockliner with a -31°F temperature rating, which is more than enough for winter day hikes or trail runs. They also feature Salomon’s glove-friendly Quicklace system and Contagrip outsoles, familiar if you wear other Salomon footwear. They run about a 1/4 size too small in men’s, so size up, especially in a winter boot: jammed toes can get cold because of reduced blood flow. A women’s model is also available. These boots work well in milder conditions when you don’t need a heavier, more insulated, or more rigid boot.

8. Hoka Kaha 2 Frost GTX

The Kaha 2 Frost GTX is a waterproof Gore-Tex lined winter hiking boot with 200g insulation and a heat-reflective foil liner rated by the manufacturer down to -32°C/-25°F. It features a Vibram Megagrip outsole, plush cushioning, supportive construction, and convenient pull tabs for comfortable extended hikes and everyday cold-weather wear. While it is compatible with snowshoes, certain winter traction devices with elastomer harnesses, such as microspikes, can cause discomfort under the softer forefoot section under the toes. Be sure to dial in your traction system before use. A women’s model is available. These boots work well for snowshoeing or hiking on packed trails when heavier traction devices like crampons are not required. 

9. Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mids

The Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid is a strong choice for winter hiking because its waterproof membrane helps keep feet dry in snow, slush, and rain while allowing moisture to escape during active use. Breathable mesh and suede offer durability without added weight, while 200g insulation and a recycled fleece lining add warmth in cold conditions. The fleece collar improves comfort and helps seal out snow. Merrell’s sticky rubber outsole provides dependable traction on wet, snowy, and uneven trails, making it practical for moderate winter conditions. A women’s version is available. These boots are good when you want a lower-profile boot for hiking that doesn’t include calf coverage and “walks” more like a regular mid. 

10. Columbia Bugaboot III Insulated Winter Boots

The Columbia Bugaboot III is a winter hiking boot with 200-gram insulation, leather uppers, and a wide waterproof rand that provides superior toe and side protection. While it is styled as a pac boot, it has rockered soles that make it easy to hike in. Deep lugs provide excellent traction, while a lightweight midsole adds support for heavy loads. They have a front gaiter hook and snowshoe ridges on the heel to help keep straps from slipping. The Bugaboot III is available in a women’s model. These are dependable hikers, good for winter hikes in milder weather. The wide rands provide superb waterproof protection in slush and snow. 

Why You Need Winter Hiking Boots

You can’t use your regular 3-season boots or shoes for winter hiking because they lack waterproofing and insulation. Most insulated winter hiking boots are guaranteed waterproof out of the box. Many have rubber or waterproof synthetic soles, so you don’t have to worry about water soaking into the fabric. If moisture does get into your boots, insulated winter boots will still keep your feet warm. The same isn’t true of leather hiking boots, even when treated with waterproofing creams and sprays. If your regular hiking boots absorb water in winter, they can freeze and cause frostbite.

Winter boots should be waterproof and insulated to keep your feet dry and warm, have laces for a secure fit, be comfortable enough to wear all day, and be compatible with traction aids like microspikes and snowshoes. While the insulation you need varies, winter boots with non-removable synthetic insulation are the lightest and therefore the easiest to hike in. Synthetic boots are also lighter and more waterproof than leather boots.

Some boot manufacturers provide temperature ratings, but there’s no standard way to measure how warm winter boots are. Understand that these ratings are estimates at best and that users will have varying experiences based on their activity level, health, weight, sex, metabolism, and other factors.

Winter Hiking Boots: 400 g  vs 200 g

Most 400 g insulated winter hiking boots suit all-day winter hikes and snowshoeing in subzero temperatures. They have calf-high uppers, which makes them warmer than mids because more of your lower leg is covered by insulation. Many manufacturers claim they’ll keep your feet warm down to -40F, but that assumes you’re actively hiking, not sitting around doing nothing. Realistically, they work best in temperatures from 30F down to -15F.  If you plan to climb 4000-footers in winter in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Adirondacks, Maine, or Vermont, we recommend using 400 g boots.

Most 200 g winter hiking boots are ankle-high mids and retain less heat on the lower leg than calf-height 400g boots. On the other hand, they’re a little easier to hike in because they’re lighter and feel more like regular hiking boots. 200 g boots suit temperatures from 30°F to 10°F and are ideal for milder winter conditions and shorter hikes, where you’re less likely to get caught out after dark when temperatures drop.

When to use mountaineering boots

Mountaineering boots have rigid soles that work with crampons that lack flexible center bars, for rugged mountains with steeper slopes or thick ice. You can hike in them, but it feels very different from a soft-soled 400g or 200g insulated winter hiking boot. Most insulated mountaineering boot manufacturers don’t rate their boots’ temperature ranges, so you have to rely on anecdotal word-of-mouth about how warm they are. If you hike across glaciers or go on trips led by mountaineering guides, it’s usually best to ask them which boots to bring. They may even rent you boots.

Key Winter Hiking Boot Features

Temperature ratings

While you should take the manufacturer’s temperature ratings with a grain of salt, they are a good indicator of a boot’s relative warmth. It’s difficult to compare warmth between boots with different insulation, but knowing how much insulation a boot has can help you compare models from the same manufacturer.

Gusseted tongue

This is like a regular boot tongue, except the sides are closed and sewn to the boot sides to prevent water from leaking in when you step in puddles.

Reinforced toe cap

In addition to providing more protection, a beefy toe cap won’t collapse when you wear microspikes or crampons.

Lugs

Your boots’ soles should provide good traction on loose or packed snow. Look for boots with a deep tread, like a Vibram sole, though you’ll likely augment your boot with microspikes.

Cuff

Look for boots with a soft cuff that closes off the gap between your leg and boot.

Gaiter ring

A gaiter ring is a small ring attached to the top of the boot that you can hook your gaiters onto. It’s not the end of the world if your boots don’t have one since you can still hook the gaiter to your boot laces.

See Also:

• Winter Hiking Boot FAQ

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