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Best Winter Hiking Boots:
What To Look For

What are the best winter hiking boots for your feet?

Depends on where you're going to wear them, the activity level you'll be putting them through, but also upon the shape of your arch and width of your foot.

Let's take a closer look at how to choose the perfect pair of winter boots.

Where will these boots go?

Hiking trails become muddy, frozen, slippery, or buried beneath snow as the seasons change from their summer time splendor.

Your regular hiking boots aren't going to cut it.

Your feet deserve stability, good thermoregulation and protection from the elements.

• If you'll be booting it up snowy trails, your winter hiking boots are going to have to handle accumulating snow in the tread so you don't lose your grip.
• Sometimes you'll have to add additional traction to your boots,  to handle not only snow but ice.
• If you're snowshoeing, you need boots that can handle the bindings plus protective gear.
• If you're not sure what the conditions will be, err on the side of caution and wear heavier winter boots.
  

Best winter hiking boots features

Look for these features in any boot you're considering for snowy, cold conditions:

• seam-sealed waterproof design;
• removable, thick synthetic liner that can be dried overnight and replaced in the morning;
• a lacing system that can be easily managed with gloved hands;
• good arch support to prevent foot fatigue;
• plenty of wiggle room for your toes, which should be encased in warm socks;
• tread that won't get iced up or clogged with mud.

Best winter hiking boots brands

I grew up in a snowy, cold upper Michigan town, so I know winter boots inside and out.

The brand I come back to year after year is Sorel.

These boots may seem overbuilt, but in fact, every feature is incredibly useful and well designed.

And who doesn't love the security of triple stitching?

Rest assured, you'll like the way they perform on the trail, or attached to your snowshoes.

Here's a company that also knows winter conditions:

• The Getzs company was founded in Marquette MI (upper peninsula of Michigan).
  
• I have great respect for this company, because it doesn't mess around with trendy stuff.
  
• Getzs sticks to the basics, and does them well.

So it's no surprise that they feature Sorel winter boots.

Take a look at the variety of Sorel winter boots offered by Getzs, and see if you like the look of any of them.

Here's the style I use for snowshoeing in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Note that I've had the same pair for over 15 years!

• Quality may seem like an steep investment up front, but it pays dividends over the years.
• You will never have to worry about the condition of your feet in Sorel boots.
• And they last and last. I've had mine for double digit years, and no signs of wear and tear yet.
  

There's another company that has earned my trust: KEEN.

I use them for lots of three season trail miles, and have come to enjoy their out of the box comfort along with their durability.

• Here's a KEEN boot review I wrote recently.

Now KEEN has entered the winter hiking boots market, with this little beauty they call the Durand Polar.

Here's why these boots are worth a look:

• Waterproof but breathable materials;
• Nice high design to cover your ankles and lower calves (I'd still recommend wearing gaiters);
• Easy lacing system;
• Decent tread;
• Lighter weight - compared to Sorel, 3 pounds a pair! But think of how toned your calves will be if you stick with Sorel :)
  

Note that I don't wear these boots for snowshoeing, because you can't remove and dry the liner material and I want as much insulation between my feet and the snow as possible.

However, for booting it up snow packed trails, or for plowing through slush and mud on a winter hike, these boots are the real deal.

And they look kinda cute with my jeans tucked into them for a quick trip to the grocery store.

Best winter hiking boots conclusion

Do not mess around with your feet in cold, wet conditions.

Hypothermia sets in really fast if you're not paying attention to your core body temperature, and just think how much heat you'll lose to the cold ground if you wear sub-optimal boots.

Sometimes you can get away with less expensive hiking gear, but not for your feet.

Invest in a great pair of winter hiking boots, and then relax into the wonderful vistas that unfold during winter.

More winter hiking tips can be found here!

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