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Trudging through winter snow and ice in a pair of sneakers is miserable at best and flat-out dangerous at worst. A solid pair of snow boots not only provides a far more comfortable way to walk when harsh weather hits, but can also provide protection from slips, falls, and health risks related to cold exposure.
To help make sure your feet stay safe and warm this winter, we tested several different snow boot models and aggregated thousands of Amazon reviews to bring you the absolute cream of the crop in winter footwear. Here are our top picks for the best men’s snow boots.
Our Top Pick
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat
With a water-resistant Techlite shell and advanced tread design, Columbia’s Bugaboots are tough and dependable like a good winter boot should be. But the feature that makes these boots truly special is the “Omni-Heat” system, which uses a reflective lining to enhance insulation and keep the boots extra warm. If you’re looking for one of the toughest, warmest pair of boots on the market, we highly recommend Columbia’s Bugaboot.
Other Great Picks
Kamik Men’s Hunter Snow Boot
With over 1,500 5-star reviews, Kamik’s Hunter Snow Boots have a reputation for being incredibly durable, comfortable, and dependable. Deep snow is no match for the waterproof synthetic rubber and cozy thermal guard, and thanks to their high-quality construction, these boots are known to last for years without wear or tear.
SOREL Men’s Glacier XT Insulated Winter Boot
Built to withstand slush and snow in even the most extreme conditions, Sorel’s Glacier XT boots are a great choice for hikers who need winter boots they can depend on. A reflective lining keeps them warm and a vulcanized rubber sole gives them a serious grip.
The North Face Men’s Chilkat III Insulated Boot
Not only do the Chilkat III’s provide powerful traction thanks to a tough rubber outsole, but they’re also compression-molded for maximum foot cushioning. These hiking boots are a pleasure to trek in, even when the weather isn’t.
Muck Boot Arctic Sport Winter Boot
This simple neoprene boot may look unassuming, but it’s an impressively tough product. A fleece-lining keeps it cozy, while the high-tech “Arctic Grip” maintains its traction even on wet ice.
UGG Australia Men’s Hendren TL Winter Boot
Men’s winter boots aren’t just about rugged fortitude; they can be stylish as well. Waterproof leather and suede make these UGG slip-on boots a great option for fashion-forward consumers. And of course, they’re not just stylish: wool-lining and a sturdy exterior make them perfectly functional in harsh, cold weather.
Timberland Men’s Chillberg Mid WP Insulated Snow Boot
If it’s versatility you’re after, these stylish leather boots are the way to go. Although they’re designed for winter, the subtle, athletic design and all-terrain durability make them a great year-round choice for a regular hiking boot.
Vasque Men’s Snowburban II UltraDry Snow Boot
Outfitted with Thinsulate insulation and outsole lugs for traction, these boots are some of the best designed on the market. Vasque boots are especially renowned for their UltraDry waterproofing system, which uses a wicking liner to keep the boots free of excess moisture.
Merrell Men’s COLDPACK ICE Polar WTP Snow Boot
This lightweight boot is all about the traction. Thanks to a Vibram Arctic Grip sole, these boots will keep you steady on your feet in the worst of winter conditions.
Baffin Men’s Wolf Snow Boot
Baffin boots are renowned for their consistent quality and superior resistance to cold weather. With a temperature rating of -40 Fahrenheit and a waterproof rubber outsole, it’s practically impossible for your feet to get chilled while wearing these.
What Are Snow Boots?
In many ways, snow boots can be thought of as an extreme version of rain boots. Like rain boots, snow boots are designed to protect the wearer from harsh weather and dampness, but snow boots tend to have a much more advanced design since they are required to cope with harsher conditions.
Not only is snow is more difficult to walk through than regular rainwater but snow coincides with cold weather, making it necessary for snow boots to provide heat to the wearer as well as protection. A good snow boot must, therefore, repel dampness, protect the foot, provide traction on slippery ice and snow, and maintain a comfortable level of internal warmth.
What Are Snow Boots Made Out Of?
So what exactly makes snow boots capable of handling harsh winter conditions? What makes them so much tougher and warmer than a regular pair of rain boots?
Before examining the specific materials that make snow boots capable of handling snow, let’s quickly look at the different components that make up the boot.
A snow boot can be divided into a few major constituent parts: the upper shell, the lower shell, the lining, and the outsole. Minor constituent parts, such as the toe rand and heel, can also be made of distinct materials, but for the purposes of understanding a generic snow boot, the former categories are of the greatest importance.
The upper shell of a snow boot protects the upper foot and lower leg from the snow and cold. This upper portion of the boot is commonly made from a material that is both tough enough to defend against the elements and flexible enough to provide comfort to the wearer, such as leather, rubber, nylon, or a breathable waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex.
The lower shell of a snow boot is the main part of the boot that repels water. This lower part of the boot is often made of rubber since rubber acts as a highly effective waterproofing material. Snow boots designed for activities such as hiking, however, may elect not to use a rubber lower shell, since it can add bulk to the boot.
The lining of the snow boot refers to the internal portion of the boot, mainly responsible for generating heat. Liners tend to be made of warm, insulating materials such as wool, acrylic, or special breathable fibers such as PrimaLoft or Thinsulate. Some boots have special liners that trap heat via “reflective” fibers in a similar manner to emergency thermal blankets.
Removable liners are sometimes used in snow boots since they are easier to dry out should they become damp from use.
The outsole of a snow boot refers to the very bottom of the boot. The key purpose of the outsole is to provide traction against slippery surfaces like slush and ice. A good outsole will be made of rubber and will often be “lugged”: imprinted with special indentations in order to maximize grip.
What Does A Snow Boot’s Temperature Rating Mean?
A snow boot’s “temperature rating” refers to the maximum degree of “coldness” a boot can withstand while still providing comfort and protection to the wearer. Temperature ratings are communicated with actual temperatures: a temperature rating of -40 degrees Fahrenheit simply means the boot can cope with temperatures as low as -40 degrees.
Temperature ratings are not strictly objective since differences in personal body temperature and activity level can affect subjective measures such as “comfort”, but generally speaking, these ratings can be used as a way to gauge how “strong” a snow boot is. Boots will temperature ratings as low as -50 degrees can be trusted to provide extreme protection, while higher temperatures may provide more casual protection.
Can Duck Boots Be Used As Snow Boots?
Duck boots are waterproof boots that are often rubber on the bottom and leather on top. Since duck boots tend to be strong, water-repelling, and insulated, many people choose to use them as snow boots. Some duck boots are marketed as being “winter-oriented” while others are not.
Most duck boots can comfortably handle snowy conditions and can be considered “winter boots”. However, if you are purchasing duck boots for especially harsh winter conditions, it would be wise to do some research and make sure you purchase a pair that provides superior insulation and explicitly states that it can be used in the snow.
It is also important to note that winter boots used for intense activities, such as hiking, may require a tougher construction than the one generic duck boots offer.
What Is A Gaiter For A Snow Boot?
A gaiter is a special garment, often made of a cloth material like polyester, that can be attached to a boot to offer additional protection for the upper leg. Although gaiters are separate from the actual boot, some snow boots are specially designed for easy gaiter attachment.
What Are The Different Lacing Systems For A Snow Boot?
A variety of different lacing systems are used for different snow boot models, and some snow boots contain no lacing system at all.
Theoretically, lacing systems are designed to offer a tight, comfortable fit for a snow boot. Most lacing systems are fairly similar and are mainly distinguished by the type of metal hole or ring that keeps the laces in place. Some of the most popular lacing systems include eyelets (simple metal holes), D-rings (simple metal hinges), and combination laces (any combination of various lacing systems).
Some snow boots elect to use no laces. These boots may simply be slip-on boots or they may use an alternative means of securing the boot to the foot and leg, such as velcro or buckles.
The comfort and security offered by lacing systems or the lack thereof are best measured by simply trying on a few pairs of snow boots and determining what feels most comfortable to you. Some people may prefer the extra tightness offered by a lacing system, while others may prefer the convenience of a slip-on boot.
How Should Snow Boots Fit?
Like any other piece of footwear, a snow boot should conform to the foot in a way that is both snug and comfortable; tight enough to keep the boot securely fitted while walking through the snow but not so tight that the boot becomes unpleasant to wear.
Generally speaking, the ideal snow boot size will mirror one’s regular shoe size. It is not advisable to purchase boots in a larger-than-normal size to accommodate heavy socks since snow boots that are too loose can actually cause blisters when used for prolonged periods.
While one’s regular shoe size is the best measure to use when purchasing snow boots online, it is important to note that some brands have a different “fit” than others. If possible, be sure to test out the feel of a pair of snow boots before committing to a purchase, since small variations in boot construction can make a significant difference in terms of comfortability.
How Do I Clean Snow Boots?
Since good snow boots are waterproof, they won’t need to be dried off in the same way as wet sneakers. That being said, since snow boots are highly warming, they can collect odors over time due to sweat.
Many snow boots come with a removable liner that can be cleaned easily, separate from the boot itself. This process is usually quite simple and will be described in the boots’ accompanying instructions.
Salt stains and scuffs may not be desirable on boots made of leather or suede. In order to remove these stains, one can gently apply a light mixture of water and white vinegar to the boot in order to clean their exterior thoroughly.
It is important to note that some materials are more sensitive to certain cleaning measures than others. Leather, for instance, can be more vulnerable to drying by heat, while suede can be more vulnerable to damp cleaning methods. When in doubt, always be sure to confer with the specific instructions included with the boot.
The Best Men’s Snow Boots
So there you have it, our list of the best men’s snow boots currently on the market.
Remember, even if you’re only using them for a few months out of the year, a good pair of snow boots can be one of the most important items you own. We hope you find our list helpful, and we hope you all stay safe and comfortable when the next winter season rolls around.