Best Winter Boots for Women of 2025

Rain, snow, and mud don’t have to dampen your day outdoors. There are many boots designed to keep your feet dry, no matter where you go or what you do. We tested winter boots for weight, water resistance, warmth, comfort, and traction to identify the 10 best models. These boots were worn anywhere and everywhere including to work, the ski hill, and winter hikes. Using a lifetime of experience living and playing in snowy environments like Alaska, we were able to rank the boots and provide insight to help you choose the best boot for your adventure.

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Quick Picks for Women’s Winter Boots

Check out this quick list of our favorites, or continue scrolling to see our full list of the best winter boots with in-depth reviews.

Best Winter Hiking Boots Overall: Oboz Bridger 7” Insulated ($210)

Most Versatile Boot: UGG Adirondack III ($250)

Best Boot for Casual Use: Blundstone Thermal Women’s Chelsea ($230)

Most Comfortable Winter Boot: Columbia Minx Shorty IV ($110)

Best Slip on Boot: Bogs Arcata Snow Boot ($160)

Best Waterproof Boot: Bogs Neo Classic Tall ($140)

Best Lightweight Hiking Boot: Merrell Thermo Chill Mid ($130)

Best Hiking Boot for Comfort: Keen Revel IV Polar ($190)

Best Boot for Snow: Sorel Caribou ($200)

Most Affordable Boot: Columbia Ice Maiden II ($100)

Women’s Winter Boots Overall Testing Scores

How We Test & Methodology

We rigorously tested each set of winter boots using various metrics to determine which one is the best. Our process evaluated weight, water resistance, warmth, comfort, and traction. We wore these boots daily to work, around town, at the ski hill, and on hikes to help us find the best boot.

WEIGHT

Based on our experience, the heavier a boot is, the more exhausting it becomes to walk in. That’s why we ensured we weighed every boot we tested and compared their weights. Our process involved using a kitchen scale to weigh each boot individually. We then ranked the boots from first to tenth place based on their weights. Each boot received a score according to its rank.

WATER RESISTANCE

Keeping out water is critical in wet and cold weather, which is why we wanted to test the waterproofing of each pair of boots. To do this, we filled a bathtub with a few inches of water, just enough to reach the lower laces on each boot. Then, we placed rocks in each boot since most of them would float, helping to keep the boots submerged. We set a stopwatch to track how long the boots were in the water and a five-minute timer to remind us to check the boots. When the timer went off, we checked the inside of each boot for any signs of water leakage. If a boot leaked, we recorded the duration it had been in the water and used that information to rank each boot. The boots that lasted over two hours, which is when we stopped recording, became our top-ranked boots.

WARMTH

Cold feet are no joke, especially when it comes to standing around in the snow. We know this because our toes were frozen solid by the time we finished testing our lineup while wearing a boot that didn’t make the cut. To test warmth, we placed each boot in the snow and covered the lower part with snow. The boots were tested side by side, and the patch of snow we selected was in the shade. It was late afternoon during the test, and the temperatures were dropping as the sun moved lower in the sky. We used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature inside each boot. We took readings as soon as the boots were placed in the snow and every five minutes over the course of half an hour. Our rankings are based on the lowest temperature reading for each boot, which occurred at the 25-minute mark. 

COMFORT

Comfort can be a challenging metric to evaluate since everyone has different feet, and what feels comfortable for one person may be uncomfortable for another. To address this, we focused on the features that allow individuals to customize or find the best fit in each model. The more customization options available, the higher the likelihood that someone can find a version that suits their comfort needs. We specifically examined whether each model offers half sizes, a wide toe box option, removable inserts for orthotics, adjustable lacing, and responsive customer service for returns or trying out a different version if necessary. Subsequently, we ranked each model based on the number of these features it offers.

TRACTION

To test the traction of each boot, we built a traction machine to evaluate the friction of each boot. It is important to us to ensure that everything is as consistent as possible during testing, which is why we chose this method. The machine consisted of a rotating lever arm with a flat rock at the end. Each boot was placed on the rock, and then the arm was slowly raised. As the angle between the ground and the bottom of the boot increased, gravity had a greater impact on the boot. More friction was needed to prevent the boot from sliding off the rock. The boot with the best traction achieved the largest angle measurement before it ultimately fell off, thereby securing the best ranking. We used a construction protractor to measure the angle.

Why Trust CleverHiker

Gear analyst Bailey Bremner has spent over 600 nights and nearly 8,500 miles on trails across the U.S., in addition to growing up and living in snowy environments her whole life. Living in Alaska, in particular, helped her appreciate the importance of a good winter boot. When she isn’t out backpacking, she enjoys downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing.

Analysis & Results

We rank winter boots using five metrics: weight, water resistance, warmth, comfort, and traction, while also taking their value into account. Our comparative results below highlight the top performers in each metric.

VALUE

We genuinely love using every pair of boots in this review, as each has unique strengths for different occasions. Because of this, we believe that all of these boots offer considerable value when used appropriately. Some of the boots we tested can be on the expensive side, but they typically feature genuine leather construction. This material is durable and performs exceptionally well in wet conditions, making the price worthwhile in these instances.

Most of the more affordable options are crafted from less expensive materials. We still appreciate these boots; however, they tend to be less versatile overall. That said, we awarded the Columbia Minx Shorty IV our Budget Buy badge, as they are not only affordable but also provided us with extensive use thanks to their versatility for various occasions.

WEIGHT

Generally, casual and minimalist designs are lighter than taller snow boots, while hiking-specific boots typically fall somewhere in between. When we placed one boot from each pair on a kitchen scale, we found that the Columbia Minx Shorty IV was the lightest model at 13 ounces. The Blundstone Thermal Women’s Chelsea and the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid closely followed at 14.9 and 15.8 ounces, respectively. All three of these boots are easier to move in due to their light weight and offer more comfort for extended wear when properly fitted.

In contrast, the heavy-duty boots weighed significantly more. When we weighed the Bogs Neo Classic Tall boots, the scale showed 27.2 ounces, or about 1.7 pounds. The Sorel Caribou were even heavier at 31.6 ounces, nearly two pounds! Based on our experience wearing all of these boots, that extra weight can lead to foot fatigue after a long day and make walking more frustrating. Properly fitting the boots can help mitigate this issue.

WATER RESISTANCE

The materials and overall design of the boot significantly influence water resistance. Some of the boots we tested are completely waterproof as long as moisture does not enter from the top. Leather and neoprene rubber are both great choices to prevent water from getting in. Other boots are simply water-resistant and will wet out after a certain amount of time. Thanks to the neoprene material and seamless design, both of the Bogs boots we evaluated are entirely waterproof.

We rated the Neo Classic Tall boots higher because the tall upper can keep more moisture out than the Arcata boots. Conversely, the Keen Revel IV Polar boots became wet inside after less than 20 minutes during our testing. While the lower part of the boot is made of leather, making it waterproof, the tongue is fabric and soaked up water immediately. Additionally, the gusseting on the tongue does not rise as high as on other models.

Both Columbia boots also struggled with moisture. The Ice Maiden II and Minx Shorty IV feature extensive fabric on both the lower and upper parts of the boot. Although treated for water resistance, it takes about 45 minutes for both of these boots to wet out.

WARMTH

During the warmth test, we discovered several boots with excellent insulation. At the top of our list is the Oboz Bridger 7”, which ranked as the warmest after spending time in the snow during the test, and it was also one of the warmest models we used in the field. The overall insulation of this boot is impressive, and the synthetic wool at the cuff feels nice and cozy.

Another favorite of ours is the UGG Adirondack II. This boot features recycled wool on both the cuff and throughout the entire boot, making it both warm and extremely comfortable to wear. This was particularly evident when we wore it indoors as well as during the side-by-side test.

At the bottom of our rankings are both Columbia boots and the Sorel Caribou. The Sorel combines rubber and leather for the outside of the boots, but the inside is made of a felt liner. This is ideal for high output activities like shoveling, but it may not provide as much warmth for sitting around.

The Ice Maiden II and Minx Shorty IV also had cold internal temperatures when we placed them in a snowdrift. Both of these boots are more affordable than others on the list, suggesting that the insulation is likely not as high of quality.

COMFORT

We have a clear winner when it comes to comfort. The Columbia Minx Shorty IV offers various sizing options and adjustability points, making this boot comfortable for a wide range of users. Its extremely lightweight design also enhances comfort, requiring less effort to move, especially over extended periods.

Our experience showed that these boots felt great for all-day wear. The Columbia Ice Maiden II shares many of the same comfort features but is slightly heavier, resulting in some foot fatigue, which is why it ranked second.

At the bottom of the list were both pairs of Bogs and the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid. We didn’t experience any major comfort issues with the Bogs Neo Classic Tall or the Bogs Arcata Snow Boots, but they lack a variety of sizing options and adjustable features. The Thermo Chill Mids were a bit disappointing for us. They have many excellent attributes, but the ankle shape didn’t align well with our tester’s leg shape, leading to significant discomfort.

TRACTION

We used a combination of the traction machine we built, the tread surface area, and our own experience with these boots to rank them. After concluding these tests, we found that the Oboz Bridger 7” had the best overall traction. These boots performed really well on the traction machine and also have beefy tread that is suitable for hiking.

The Keen Revel IV Polar also has great grip thanks to grippy material on the soles and tread that has a lot of surface area. The Columbia Ice Maiden II ranked lowest due to its poor performance in side-by-side testing and minimal lugs on the boot’s bottom.

How to Choose WINTER BOOTS

PRICE

Materials like insulation and waterproofing can significantly impact price. While the most expensive isn’t always the best, selecting a boot that provides good value and performance relative to the cost will help to maximize comfort.

USAGE

There is a wide variety of differences in the boots we tested. Some boots are designed for hiking, while others have features that make them ideal for shoveling snow or walking around town. Ankle-high boots with variable lug patterns are better suited for hiking. In contrast, taller boots with more insulation are great for driving to work on a snowy day. It’s worth considering the primary activity for which the boot will be used before purchasing it.

INSULATION

The intended use will also help determine how much insulation is needed. Activities like hiking, which involve a lot of movement, require less insulation than boots designed for riding snowmobiles. Winter-specific boots are generally insulated with materials such as fleece, wool, or synthetic fibers. As a result, feet usually do not get extremely cold when wearing them.

Thick socks can provide additional insulation, particularly for uninsulated, waterproof boots. Just ensure to select a size that has extra room to accommodate the socks.

BOOT HEIGHT AND GAITERS

Taller boots are ideal for cold weather and deep snow because they do a better job of keeping out moisture. However, ankle-height boots are usually easier to walk and move in. A good compromise can be found by using winter-specific gaiters.

These attach to the bottom of the boot and cover the opening at the top to prevent moisture coming in. We like gaiters because they can typically be used with any style of footwear, and they increase overall comfort. Some boots even feature dedicated attachment points for the gaiters.

TRACTION

Activities with a lot of movement, such as hiking, or in areas with lots of ice will require more traction to keep from slipping. We suggest choosing boots with more aggressive tread to help with traction. If conditions are extremely slick, the boots can be paired with a traction device or crampon.

TRACTION

Activities with a lot of movement, such as hiking, or in areas with lots of ice will require more traction to keep from slipping. We suggest choosing boots with more aggressive tread to help with traction. If conditions are extremely slick, the boots can be paired with a traction device or crampon.

WEIGHT

Extra weight on the feet can be exhausting throughout the day. Bulky and heavy boots often feel awkward and challenging to wear. Heavier boots are usually warmer and better suited for cold conditions and deep snow. The intended use will again determine what weight is appropriate for the boot. Though we tend to lean towards lighter boots, selecting the proper size can also lessen the overall weight and cumbersome feel of footwear.

LINERS

There are pros and cons to choosing boots with liners. We appreciate liners because they are easy to remove and dry if they get wet. They can also be replaced, which helps extend the life of the boots. The downside is that liners typically do not fit as snugly and can be less comfortable for long periods of walking. However, this is less problematic if the boots are only used to clear snow off the car or for quick trips to the store. For boots intended for hiking or higher-paced activities, a tighter fit will make movement easier. Boot dryers can also be used to help them dry faster.

INSOLES

Upgrading the insoles can help improve the comfort and warmth of a boot. Well-known brands like Superfeet provide insoles that are warm, cushy, and more supportive than those that come with the boots. Just be sure to consider the additional space required to fit thicker insoles.

WEATHER PROOFING

Some materials are inherently more waterproof than others. Naturally, waterproof materials like rubber will repel moisture for longer periods of time than treated fabrics. It’s important to consider weak points or other areas where moisture might seep into the boot and plan accordingly during use.

Conclusion

There are many different types of winter boots, and the selection can be overwhelming! However, by considering the intended use and how each boot performs in various situations, you can narrow down the list. Our goal is to provide the necessary information to help you choose a boot for your situation, and we hope you find success.