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Byrdie / Amelia Manley
No matter your routine, if you live in the northern latitudes, a pair of reliable snow boots is essential for navigating wet pavement, snow, ice, and slush in the winter. To find the best pairs, we combed through the selection on the web, read reviews, and spoke to footwear experts. Our research for the best snow boots for women also involved evaluating them on materials and design, as well as any extra features like proprietary insulation to keep your feet dry and warm.
For classic styles, you can rely on the selection from brands like L.L.Bean, Sorel, and Ugg. More fashion-forward finds can be found at Prada, though a collaboration between Chloé and fashionable skiwear brand Moon Boots may offer you the best of everything: warmth, wearability, and a fashion statement. And as Regina Popp, Senior Director of Fashion & Trends at Designer Brands, tells Byrdie, it's worth striving to find a balance between fashion and function to meet your every need.
Best Overall
Sorel Caribou Boots
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Sorel
Sorel Caribou Boots are popular because they're seriously warm. The seam-sealed water-repellent construction is ideal for cold weather and heavy snow and perhaps why they've been proven to last decades. As one reviewer writes, “My last pair of Sorel Caribou boots were purchased in 1989. I am thrilled with the quality and comfort of my new boots! P.S. I still wear my 31-year-old boots as they are still in great shape.”
Price at time of publish: $150 for Shale/Stone in size 6
Materials: Waterproof nubuck leather and recycled felt with a Sherpa pile snow cuff | Size Range: 5–12
Best Overall, Runner-Up
UGG Adirondack III Boot
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Macy's
You can always count on UGG to make sturdy and warm snow boots that will last you for years. The brand's Adirondack III boots are among the most well-reviewed women’s snow boots on the market—proof that people are loving their purchase—and strike a great balance between fashion, function, and warmth. The rubber outsole is super durable while the inside is fully lined in wool to keep feet toasty in temperatures as low as minus-32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Price at time of publish: $250
Materials: Waterproof leather and suede with a sheepskin lining | Size Range: 5-12
Best Value
Columbia Paninaro Omni-Heat Pull-On Boot
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Columbia
This pull-on, puffy boot is built to keep your feet warm and dry with its insulation and water repellency. It has a thermal-reflective lining and water-repellent upper, while the serrated soles offer traction to stay stable on a variety of surfaces. There's even a pocket to stash small belongings.
Price at time of publish: $140 for Black/Stratus in size 7
Materials: Textile with a Techlite EVA midsole and Omni-Grip rubber outsole | Size Range: 5–12
Most Versatile
UGG Raincloud Tall Suede Boot
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Courtesy of UGG
It says it all in the name—these boots are like walking on a cloud. Although they're super soft inside, the boots are equipped for most weather conditions. What's more, the sleek and streamlined silhouette makes these cozy boots easy to wear with everything from jeans to miniskirts.
Price at time of publish: $200
Materials: 80% upcycled wool, 20% lyocell lining and insole, EVA regrind midsole, TPE outsole, and recycled polyester binding | Size Range: 5–12
Best Statement
Sorel Brex Boot
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Amazon
The Brex’s chunky lug sole may seem dramatic, but it's made for walking in wet weather, with all the same Sorel-approved technology that ensures your feet stay warm and dry, such as a seam-sealed water-repellent construction, an ultra-soft EVA footbed, and a high-traction sole.
Price at time of publish: $200 for Warp Red Black in size 5
Materials: Leather with a rubber sole | Size Range: 5–12
Best Slip-On
Blundstone Thermal Chelsea Boot
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Amazon
There are great options out there for mild, wet weather, like these Blundstone Chelsea boots. They boast a classic Chelsea boot construction with front and back tabs for easy-on, easy-off capabilities. Aside from their water repellency they also feature genuine shearling footbeds and Thinsulate® insulation to keep your feet warm and dry.
Price at time of publish: $250 for Black in size 7
Materials: Leather, sheepskin with a TPU outsole | Size Range: 5–15
Best Shearling-Lined
L.L.Bean Shearling-Lined Bean Boots
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No snow boot list would be complete without a pair of L.L.Bean boots. They’re lined with cozy shearling and hand-sewn in Maine. The brand promises that the water-repellent full-grain leather and rubber boot bottoms will keep away any moisture from rain or snow. And it has hundreds of positive reviews to back up its claims. "My feet are never cold in spite of the wickedly cold weather we've had lately," wrote one reviewer from Illinois. "They are comfortable enough to shop and run errands in and I don't slip & slide in the snow and ice."
Price at time of publish: $249
Materials: Waterproof leather with a natural sheepskin shearling lining | Size Range: 6–11 (also in narrow and wide)
Best Short
Sorel Kinetic Short Boot
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Looking for an attractive snow boot that doesn’t look like a snow boot at all? Meet Sorel’s Kinetic Short Boots. They're convenient and comfortable with a slip-on design. They also boast water repellency and are lined with fleece for warmth, but would look as cute with jeans as they would with workout leggings. "I added these to my wardrobe a couple of winters ago, and they're still good as new. I love the funky sole that really pops with sleek black pants or a pair of jeans and leather jacket," says Erika Reals, former Associate Fashion Commerce Editor. "They keep my feet toasty and dry during my early morning walks in the snow."
Price at time of publish: $140 for Camel Brown in size 7
Materials: Waterproof suede with a micro-fleece lining | Size Range: 5–12
Best Designer
Prada Gabardine Boots
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Farfetch
While there are plenty of designer winter boots on the market, finding a snow-specific boot is a little more difficult. Prada's Gabardine boots are specifically made for the snow—the iconic lug sole provides solid traction for icy conditions.
Price at time of publish: $1,650
Materials: Nylon, leather | Size Range: IT35–40
Best for Extreme Conditions
The North Face Shellista IV Boot
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North Face is, of course, known for its outdoor gear, including its snow boots. These have a pretty classic design, like laces and fur trim, but also come with features that make them ideal for outdoor activities. Take its hefty Surface Control rubber outsole, for example, which is optimized for winter conditions with serrated soles, or its patented insulation and comfortable, OrthoLite® insoles.
Price at time of publish: $159 for TNF Black in size 6
Materials: Waterproof leather, nylon, faux fur, and recycled polyester | Size Range: 5–11
Best for Hiking
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots
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Courtesy of REI
Tackling trails in the cold and snow won't seem so daunting in these water-repellent, lace-up boots by Merrell. Because they're made for hiking specifically and executed thoughtfully, they'll keep you comfortable and safe on the trails. They offer sturdy support through the ankles and jagged soles with high traction to keep you from slipping around.
Price at time of publish: $120 for Black in size 6
Materials: Polyurethane-coated leather and mesh with an EVA midsole and a rubber outsole | Size Range: 6–11
Best Heeled
Naturalizer Verney Waterproof Boot
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Amazon
To be frank, if you’re looking for a truly snow-friendly boot with a heel, you are not going to find anything. Unsurprisingly, snowy conditions and heels of any kind don’t mix. But a weather-resistant heeled bootie will help you traverse wet pavement and even slush without a worry. This well-reviewed Chelsea boot style from Naturalizer is made with seam-sealed water-repellent leather and a rubber sole, which will keep your toes dry during the winter and give you better traction on surfaces. They also have a 3-inch heel for a good amount of height and a lesser likelihood of instability. Great for hiking in the snow? Probably not. Great for walking to drinks and dinner as it flurries? Absolutely.
Price at time of publish: $190 for Black Leather in size 10
Materials: Waterproof leather with a soft knit lining | Size Range: 4–12 plus wide sizing
Best Leather
UGG Yose Waterproof Lace-Up Boot
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Amazon
These utilitarian snow boots by UGG are best for those who want a sleek leather design without the fluff and the frills. Their exterior is made from water-repellent leather, while the lining is a wool blend, which functions as any other effective insulation. No, they don't contain shearling, but the brand promises that they'll keep you warm in weather up to negative 32 degrees Celsius.
Price at time of publish: $150 for Black in size 6
Materials: Leather with a UGGplush wool-blend lining and a rubber sole | Size Range: 5–12
Best Knee-High
UGG Adirondack III Tall Winter Boot
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The taller version of UGG’s classic Adirondack III winter boot, these snow boots are designed to hit close to your knees, providing extra warmth to your calves as well as your feet in temperatures as low as negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It's ideal if you’re dealing with snowfall and severe cold for many months of the year. They also have a lot of solid reviews, with one customer having written, “I have tried many different boots, and these are the most comfortable."
Price at time of publish: $325 for Chestnut in size 7
Materials: Leather with a UGGpure wool lining and a rubber sole | Size Range: 5–11
Best Moon Boot
Chloé x Moon Boot Lace-Up Boot
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Bloomingdales
Chloé collaborated with the alpine experts at Moon Boot to create these tan snow boots, which are made from tan suede and insulating white shearling. They're complete with hiking boot laces, though they can be slipped on and off with ease given their flexible structure. They're finished with the designer's embossed and stitched Chloé logo.
Price at time of publish: $550
Materials: Suede, sheep shearling, and rubber | Size Range: 35/36–39/40
Final Verdict
Out of all of the boots on our list, Sorel's Caribou Boot and UGG's Adirondack III Boot rank as our favorite picks. Both offer such sturdy constructions and warm interiors that you can't go wrong either way. But the former is a better option for those looking to spend less than $200 on a pair of snow boots.
Meet the Expert
Regina Popp, Senior Director of Fashion & Trends at Designer Brands, the parent company of Designer Shoe Warehouse, the Camuto Group, and The Shoe Company/Shoe Warehouse.
What to Look for When Buying Snow Boots
Waterproofing and warmth
Keep in mind that the majority of winter boots are simply treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, which is sufficient in most situations. Total waterproofness is a tall claim that generally only proves true in whole-cut constructions, similar to the ones used in rain boots with vulcanized rubber. But for extra reinforcement in heavy-duty snow, sleet, and puddle protection, you should look for thick rubber soles that extend up to the vamps (the material is inherently soak-proof) and a plush shearling lining to keep your feet warm (for example, UGG's Adirondack III Boot). Bonus points if the laces are water-repellent, too. To maximize warmth beyond what a pair of boots can offer on their own, you may want to size up to make room for a supplemental, thick sock.
Traction
In an encounter with ice and snow, traction is just as important as water repellency to keep you from slipping and falling. The best way to ensure this is by studying the soles of your shoes. Good traction generally comes from serrated rubber, or lug, soles. Fit also plays a role, as snug boots will keep your ankles stable.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Olivia Muenter is a fashion commerce contributor for Byrdie. For this piece, she searched shoe retailers of all types. For criteria, she evaluated customer reviews, return policies, and design features.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any snow boots from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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