30
votes
Winter boot recommendations for women
Not really sure where this fits in terms of topic.
My wife and I live in Minnesota, and we can get some gnarly snow and cold weather. This year she had repeatedly expressed desire for a high quality, durable boot for the winter.
I've seen various recommendations but honestly most of them feel astroturfed.
Does anyone here have a good suggestion on a boot that will last, be high quality, and keep her warm in the winters in deep snow?
I recommend LL Bean for all humanoids. The duck boot has been a Maine staple for a century, and is incredibly durable. The basic ones lack insulation one might expect in modern boots, as the historical expectation is to wear them with wool socks, but they have various newer options with more interior padding.
I own a pair of non-duck boots from them, hybrid winter/hiking boots with a more supportive interior, that got me through four years of walking 2+ miles per day in ankle deep snow regularly at the University of Maine. (Snow days are for lesser states, or if the snow is knee deep and the removal crew can't clear it fast enough.) I live in a less wintery state now, so I don't have many occasions to pull them out, but they're still in perfect condition and also great for heavy rain.
I have a pair of Thinsulate lined Bean boots which I wore for about 12 years of hunting - about 1.5 hours a day 2-3 times a week 9 months out of the year. I had to get them resoled once in that time. Granted this was in California where the temperature is typically over 45 but it will at least attest to their endurance.
Crazy to see another black bear here on tildes! Go blue!
*Fills Stein*
Be prepared to spend money, but Sorel is a good brand for serious winter boots. Their "Joan of Arctic" does fine in northwestern Michigan. We don't get quite the chill that you do, but they handle deep snow and slush. Review here.
Backing Sorel. I have had a pair for a decade that I wear snowmobiling everywhere from the rockies to northern Canada.
They keep my feet warm and dry, and I can throw the inner layer and outer layers beside a furnace or fire to dry them both separately quite quickly.
This is anecdotal for Men's boots, but the brand itself seems good.
Oooh removable inner boot felt layer! Pop em out and put over heat vent to dry when one gets home. Great feature.
As someone who grew up in the really cold part of the Midwest, any snow boots that don't come with this are not going to work in snow deeper than the top of your boot. Even if you're wearing snow pants or a snow suit, snow is going to work its way in if you're being at all active, then you have wet boots. Wet boots take forever to dry, enough time for the bacteria to grow and start to smell bad.
Edit: Socks are also really important if you're doing anything more than walking to or from the car. Thick wool/merino/alpaca don't get cold when they get wet. I don't know about the more recent technical fabrics, but cotton socks are terrible when they get wet.
Love the look of these, will be checking them out. Thank you!
Weighing in on these, be it on the Caribou because it's the men's version. I have a hand me down pair from my dad who bought them in the 80s and I started wearing them in the early 2010s. Take everything with a grain of salt because these are ooooold boots but still in very good condition.
My pair has like zero traction. I use them in tandem with a pair of yak tracks if there is any amount of snow or ice. Seriously, it's like being on a slip and slide. The insulation is great. The materials are great - they look almost new despite being like 45 years old. But if I'm actually hiking or really doing much of anything other than kicking it around in a snowy area, I take my Vasque hiking boots or my La Sportiva trail runners.
Again, they are like nearly 50 years old. So A+ build quality and I can't really speak to how they were originally, but zero grip now. I've thought resoling them, but I also kind of feel silly with near knee high outdoor boots as is.
I don't know if the composition is the same now, but I had sorels (the classic style) many years ago, and the rubber on top of the foot cracked pretty quickly. I only got maybe a couple years out of them, and didn't feel like they were worth the price or hype. Maybe its not an issue now, or I flex my foot a lot when I walk, but it's something I'd look into before considering buying them again.
Don't waste your money on Sorel. They were a good brand 30+ years ago, which is why you will hear my parents and other boomers absolutely swear by them. Unfortunately the brand was sold to Columbia like 20 years ago and now they make them in China but still charge outrageous premium prices for them, coasting off the misguided brand loyalty that our parents still have and also weirdly for fashion, I guess because they look pretty much the same as those old boots that did last for decades.
I live in Minnesota too. Northern, rural Minnesota. And I think you need to assess just how much boot your wife really needs. Is she going to be sitting a deer stand for hours at a time in 15° weather, where insulation really matters? Is she going to be working in fresh snow, where waterproofing really matters? If the answer to these questions is no, then I think a pair of mainstream winter boots like Columbia or north face or whatever you find at the sporting goods store will be just fine.
Personally I have a pair of Columbia's that I got for less than $100 nearly a decade ago, and they are still perfectly serviceable. I also bought a pair of Fubuki's just a couple weeks ago when I was down in your neck of the woods for a show at the armory. I got them on sale or I'd never have been able to justify the price tag and I love them so far, but I do not expect them to last very long.
But around here, the people actually working outside in the winter are probably wearing some form of insulated Mucks or Bogs or similar.
I ditched my leaky Columbia boots after the first winter back in Michigan, and have had no regrets with the Sorels while shoveling snow, winter hiking, or tromping around in the March slush. I got mine on spring sale for about 40% off, and didn't feel like the price was exorbitant.
YMMV, of course, but I found Bogs/Mucks weren't accommodating for big calves and were too stiff for long distance regular walking.
Interestingly, one of the things that I like about my Bogs is that they are accommodating for my massive calves. I'm wondering if that's maybe the difference between the men's and the women's versions of the same boot? I also walked 16k steps in mine yesterday and was pretty comfortable.
To be clear, I'm not questioning your experience. I find it interesting how different people react to similar products, and it really just brings me round to mention that it's important to go try things out. It's one of the great things about brick and mortar stores; you get an idea for how something actually feels on your body.
The women's Bogs boots are definitely cut differently - I tried both men's and women's lines at the local Blain's Farm and Fleet when I was shopping out boots. Mostly, I didn't like the lack of breathability and the fit in either. [I've got weird long heels. Sizes that are the right length tend to be too wide or have the arch hit in the wrong spot, so I've tried on a lot of boots.]
Yes, this is such good advice to cater to your needs! (plus I agree with your opinion of sorels)
My go-to winter boots are steel-toed leather blundstones, paired with wool inserts and a couple good wooly socks. I really like how versatile they are for my needs. Light enough for general city use, just high enough for most of the snow I enounter (much deeper and I'd either wear gaiters or snowshoe anyway). Keep the leather well-oiled and they're pretty good against melty snow. I've even used them on a couple short winter camping trips.
I think my latest pair has survived 6 years now, used frequently almost year round, and I'm only now wearing through the outer sole.
How deep snow we talking here? :) pair them with snowshoes and float on top like an elf.
I started using "before:2023" in my google search results to avoid AI blogspam, and before 2020 for slightly less astroturfing. But brands also come and go, and get bought up etc so check more recent reviews to see if if they've gone to heck since.
I'm enjoying two different $20 pairs¹ by The North Face: well insulated, good traction, comfortable material, not too heavy, stitching and seams appear well put together, lace clasps made of sturdy looking metal. I didn't even know what a Gram insulation rating means (g/m²) until I got these, which boasts 200g, best for range -10 to -20°C (14 to -4°F).
Columbia I did not like as much: they don't feel very well put together in terms of stitching, but my bias is only for ones I've come across and perhaps does not apply to their flagship / luxury models.
Blundstones are very narrow just my impression but great for light snow fashion wear. The
fursheep skin lined ones are cozy and the leather easy to maintain for waterproof. Light snow.Waterproofing for boots don't seem to use the same 5, 10, 15, 20k (mm of hydrostatic head water submersion) rating system as jackets so you'd have to do more research into each proprietary brand's claims for waterproofing to compare. If anyone has a handy chart please do share.
Lastly, don't forget a pair of wool socks inside to wick moisture and keep warm. I like my Grip6 a lot more than my darntough, personal opinion, no hate please.
1. My current strategy is to buy thrifted winter boots in good condition. The key, I think, is to go to a thrift store near a university which has a large international student population: the kids will arrive cold and unready for North American winters, will splurge on good stuff, and donate them to good will when they leave for the year. Bonus if there is also a skii hill nearby, to score worn only once or tag still attached ski jackets.
My winter "office wear" short Chelsea boots are a thrifted set of wool-lined Travelin' that I also spent $20 on. I think they're made in the Netherlands and not generally available in North America. The Travelin' boots are comfortable and have lasted a couple of winters with regular silicone applications to keep them waterproof and looking good. But I do need to throw on thick socks under them if I'm going to be outdoors for any length of time.
Extra note - I love my Darn Toughs, but they've also gotten darn expensive and I'm starting to doubt the value proposition. What makes you prefer the Grip6?
So regarding value, I recently sent some in for the warranty and they honored it. I'd recommend sending in bulk only because you have to pay shipping to get it to them, but usps flat rate shipping is by far the way to go. It isn't terribly expensive.
Thank you - I haven't managed to wear through any yet (part of why I love them since I walk around the house without shoes on), and I'll keep the warranty in mind the next time I wince at a $25 pair of socks.
Thank you! I have a couple of pairs of Darn Tough where I'd be disappointed if I can't get the same pattern, or at least a choice of comparable designs. I don't have any problems with the fit in Darn Toughs, though, so Grip6 might not be a good match for me.
It can get pretty deep, a few feet in January/February. I live in the Twin Cities.
These are all great recommendations, thank you!
I (male) have a pair of Danner Lookouts with 800g insulation, and they have been very good so far last season and this season (in Ohio winters).
They keep my feet warm pretty well, my feet only started to get cold after 1+ hour outside in temps around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I don’t often trek through snow, just use them when shoveling or scraping off my car.
They were a bit expensive, but they seem to be holding up very well, though I have used some waterproofing spray and boot conditioner. They are distinctively not fashionable though.
I have also heard good things about Sorrel from my parents, but I don’t have any personal experience with them.
Oh they carry wides! I'm in the market for a men's wide pair, thanks! Love how easy their site filters and list specifications
Anyone else want to chime in for men's?
I highly recommend Belleville Boot for all genders -- they were/are the boot made for the US Marines and other services (Air Force ABUs, etc.), but have a variety of styles and sizes -- although currently it looks like they might be moving to a unisex shoe sizing (i.e. they're simply defaulting to men's sizes). They carry almost every shoe size imaginable as well as N/R/W/XW widths and have boots that are made in USA, insulated (200g, 400g, 400/800g hybrid), steel-toe, composite-toe, or other configurations. That said, they don't look like fashion accessories, they're utilitarian like Danner tends to be. Here is Belleville's insulated boot listing, but I'd recommend buying through an online retailer for best pricing and warranty support unless there is a specific sale they have that can't be passed up.
I have thousands of miles on-road and off-trail on my several pairs of boots and with one exception they've held up extremely well (and I think could be resoled). The warranty has been ... accessible if not always a complete replacement like I think it ought to be (I had a cheaper pair wear out on me and I believe it was a defect, rather than from strenuous use, but both could be true). I used to buy the composite toe boots so I could go through airports easier ... sometimes they let me sometimes they don't, has nothing to do with the material composition as it turns out (or at least it's not about it being "metal" or not, they're looking at density). I also have some 200g insulated boots I bought for shoveling snow and they're honestly too warm in that kind of activity. Maybe if I was standing still chopping wood or slowly walking the dog. Anyway, I'm not in a super cold climate, so maybe the 400g or 400/800g hybrids are more fit for task for other people. It's nice to have choices and Belleville has a lot of choices.
You've gotten some good recommendations already, but I'll throw in the Arctic/Arctic Pro Muck boots as another option to consider. They tend to be the "duck boot" rubber style compared to the more "taller hiking boot" style, but they work quite well for deep snow.
Regardless of the exact boot, definitely order (at least) a size up. Tight boots can limit circulation and will result in cold feet, not to mention you'll likely have thicker winter socks. And speaking of socks - they are equally important. If you are doing any sort of movement, you will be sweating - so you want a sock liner (silk or some other thinner wicking material) to pull moisture off of your feet, and then a thick wool sock for warmth. I'd highly recommend merino wool and thats what I use while hunting (Darn Tough is my goto, though there are many good options), though I've recently switched to alpaca wool (pacas) for a softer daily wear - its got similar antimicrobial and thermo-regulating properties.
My strategy is to go to Farm and Fleet and buy boots (and winter coats) there. I can't afford the high end ones and I use them mostly for shoveling and navigating snowy parking lots, but they're warm, fully waterproof and well made but cheap.
Adding Baffin for snow boots. They also do the removable liners (and sell replacements). They start snug but break in comfortably. I have the Maple Leaf style but was also looking at the Cambrians at the time.
I came in to recommend Baffin as well. Been very impressed with not only the water resistance but also just how toasty my toes stay even in thin socks. I ended up buying pairs for my whole family and everyone is happy with them. Love the removable/replaceable inner layer to aid in drying if they get wet for any reason. Baffins plus a boot warmer makes for very happy feet.
I am a man so bear that in mind with my recommendation. I have a pair of Bogs that I love for all outdoor winter activities, and wear any time I need real boots. My still-at-home kids both wear Bogs day to day, and my wife has a pair that she wears when she is not dressing for style. They are durable, comfortable, and warm enough for our relatively harsh Canadian winters. The one drawback is that some people think they are goofy looking.
I was at as party last night and someone there was tickled by the fact that she had the same boots as me, except hers could fit in mine. So it's not just my family that wears them.
Everyone is recommending some pretty sensible options, so I will go in the other direction and recommend oddities. I am a fan of leather footwear, including boots. In particular, the brand that comes to mind for me would be White's. I haven't actually tried any of their boots myself, but I have heard great things. I can personally recommend Carmina, but I have the luxury of being able to try their various last shapes and sizes prior to ordering a pair.