Rozette Rago/NYT Wirecutter

By Elissa Sanci

Elissa Sanci is a senior writer who has reported on label makers, tumblers, and more. She once dumped glitter in her car to test handheld vacuums.

Many people probably don’t think much about their winter boots — until suddenly, they’re stuck trudging through a snowstorm, their socks soggy and toes frozen.

Don’t let that be you.

We can help. For starters, the picks in our guide to the best winter boots will keep you warm, dry, and on your feet as you brave slick sidewalks and ankle-deep snowdrifts. What else should you keep in mind while snow boot shopping? Here’s some advice.

Choose a pair of tall boots

A waterproof sole can be pivotal to keeping your feet dry, but the height of your winter boots is just as important. Boots with tall shafts, measuring about 8 to 10 inches, keep snow from falling in — and it’s even better if you can find a design like our top pick, the Kamik Nation Plus (men’s sizes), that has a snow collar, which lines the opening of the boot. Also make sure that your tall boots fit snugly, or snow still might find its way down to your feet.

Choose a pair of tall boots

A waterproof sole can be pivotal to keeping your feet dry, but the height of your winter boots is just as important. Boots with tall shafts, measuring about 8 to 10 inches, keep snow from falling in — and it’s even better if you can find a design like our top pick, the Kamik Nation Plus (men’s sizes), that has a snow collar, which lines the opening of the boot. Also make sure that your tall boots fit snugly, or snow still might find its way down to your feet.

Photo: Rozette Rago

Look for a winter boot with insulation

You’ll want to look for boots with 200 grams or more of insulation — that means one square meter of insulating material weighs 200 grams. These boots should be able to keep your feet warm while active for one or two hours. Stationary warmth for a similar amount of time typically requires 400-600 grams of insulation. Some boots, like the Baffin Cloud, use confusing proprietary language like "Tundra rated" to express warmth, but we tested them and found that they’re about as warm as a boot with 200 to 300 grams of insulation.

Avoid boots with smooth or wavy treads

Instead, check the bottom of the boot for nubby, widely spaced lugs — these little rubber teeth help the boots grip onto uneven ice, providing the traction you need to stay upright in treacherous weather. Our testers also found that those types of treads, such as on our top pick, the Ugg Adirondack III (women’s sizes), and its counterpart, the Ugg Butte (men’s sizes), stop side-to-side sliding quite well, whereas smooth and wavy treads can be very slippery.

Photo: Rozette Rago

For optimal stability, make sure your boots really, truly fit well

After going through 125 hours of in-the-snow winter boot testing, we’ve learned that fit has the biggest effect on traction and stability. Find a boot that fits snugly around your ankle and keeps your foot in place, which is better for walking on slick ice — note, too, that lace-up boots are superior to slip-ons in this regard. A boot with a wide surface area on the bottom can also provide extra stability. Our current also-great pick, the Sorel Caribou, which comes in women’s and men’s sizes, is excellent for tight, quick lacing.

Wirecutter-tested winter boots to consider

Meet your guide


Elissa Sanci

Senior Staff Writer

What I Cover

I cover a little of everything, from travel gadgets and car-organizing tools to label makers and reusable tumblers. I have an affinity for testing the buzzy products you’ve probably seen clogging your social media feeds — my goal is to figure out which trending items are actually worth your time, and which are a waste of money. I also talk to everyday experts, like firefighters, nurses, and chefs, about the unexpected essentials they use to make their jobs easier.