I have a confession to make: I don’t own a pair of snow boots. And after New York City’s latest snowstorm, my daily commute to the office left my socks soaked and my toes frozen.
To help you avoid my fate, I asked for recommendations for comfy, long-lasting boots from people who spend far more time outdoors than I do. They include a ski instructor, a dog sled musher and a former National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year.”
Below are nine of the very best women’s winter boots to buy for life, including one that held up during a 24-day winter camping trip in northern Sweden. Whether you’re shopping for an end-of-season deal or prepping for next season, it’s never a bad time to invest in a quality pair.
At a glance
Best affordable women’s boots:
Sorel Whitney III Waterproof Winter Booties
Now $90, originally $120 at Dillard’s
Best women’s boots for outdoor activities:
Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
Now $108.99, originally $150 at Merrell
Best women’s boots for rain and snow:
Fubuki Niseko Lightweight 3.0 Low Boots
$148.95 at Backcountry
Best shearling women’s boots:
Ugg Classic Ultra Mini Platform
$169.95 at Zappos
Meet our experts who work outside
Mirna Valerio, a trail runner and former National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year.”
Shelby Christopher, a full-time dog walker based in New York City. Sometimes she does 10 dog walks in a day.
Danielle Pittman, a nature and travel photographer based in Whitefish, Montana.
Tamar van Delen, a ski instructor.
Maiu Lünekund, a sled dog musher and artist. She’s camped for weeks on end in the frigid weather of northern Sweden.
Carl Murawski, a licensed electrician who’s worked as a tradesman for over two decades. He’s also a product reviewer who helps consumers find buy-it-for-life items.
A sporty, breathable pair: Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
Merrell
Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
from $108.99
$108.99 at Merrell$109.93 at REI
Now $108.99, originally $150 at Merrell
Now $109.93, originally $150 at REI
Though I’ve been sponsored by Merrell in the past, I’m not sponsored now, and would absolutely buy these Merrell boots again and again and again because they are the best winter boots for actually doing athletic activities outside. I choose them over and over again, even though I’ve had Sorel and Columbia boots too. They’re warm, waterproof and rugged enough for hikes outside in the snow. – Mirna Valerio, trail runner and former National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year”
Merrell
Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
from $108.99
$108.99 at Merrell$109.93 at REI
An elevated, everyday pair: Women’s L.L.Bean Suede Snow Boots
L.L. Bean
Suede Snow Boots
$170
$170 at L.L. Bean
$170 at L.L. Bean
The boots I’ve worn for the past five winters are the Black Suede Insulated Boots from LL Bean. I like them because they’re comfortable, sturdy, warm and waterproof. – Shelby Christopher, dog walker
L.L. Bean
Suede Snow Boots
$170
$170 at L.L. Bean
A wool-lined, colorful pair: Fubuki Niseko 3.0 Low Boots
Fubuki
Niseko 3.0 Low Boots
from $148.95
$148.95 at Backcountry$149 at Free People
$148.95 at Backcountry
$149 at Free People
I own both the high and low versions, but my absolute favorites are the low pink ones. They are the perfect snow boots: warm, comfortable and cute. The inside is lined with wool, which keeps your feet extra warm, ideal for cold days on and off the slopes. – Tamar van Delen, ski instructor
Fubuki
Niseko 3.0 Low Boots
from $148.95
$148.95 at Backcountry$149 at Free People
A stylish slip-on pair: Sorel Whitney III Waterproof Winter Booties
Sorel
Whitney III Waterproof Winter Booties
from $90
$90 at Dillard’s$120 at Free People
Now $90, originally $120 at Dillard’s
$120 at Free People
Finland-based journalist Paula Hotti recommended these Sorel boots in our global winter apparel gear roundup. While she loves the green and pink combo, they’re also available (and on sale) in this eye-catching red color at Bloomingdale’s.
Sorel
Whitney III Waterproof Winter Booties
from $90
$90 at Dillard’s$120 at Free People
A pair for treading on ice: The North Face Shellista VI Mid Waterproof Boots
The North Face
Shellista VI Mid Waterproof Boots
from $164.99
$164.99 at Zappos$165 at Sunny Sports
$164.99 at Zappos
$165 at Sunny Sports
For cold and snowy conditions, I grab my North Face Women’s Shellista VI Mid Waterproof Boots. They keep my feet dry, the tread is great on ice and they’re super comfortable. The only hazard to be mindful of: the inner clasps for the shoelaces can sometimes hook together while walking, which has almost taken me out a couple of times. Since then, I’ve used pliers to bend those metal pieces back so they are less dangerous. – Danielle Pittman, travel photographer
The North Face
Shellista VI Mid Waterproof Boots
from $164.99
$164.99 at Zappos$165 at Sunny Sports
An edgy leather pair: Red Wing Classic Moc Women’s Short Boot
Red Wing
Classic Moc Women’s Short Boot
from $309.95
$309.95 at Backcountry$319.99 at Red Wing Shoes
$309.95 at Backcountry
$319.99 at Red Wing Shoes
In our cold-weather apparel guide, Ruth Baron, the Guardian US senior newsletter editor, praised her Red Wing boots: “In 2019, I pulled the trigger on a pair of limited edition Red Wing boots to traverse filthy salt-covered sidewalks and lingering ice patches – and I learned they’re suited to just about any weather condition. My exact pair has limited availability, but this style comes pretty close.”
Red Wing
Classic Moc Women’s Short Boot
from $309.95
$309.95 at Backcountry$319.99 at Red Wing Shoes
A pair for extreme cold: Neos Navigator 5 Overboots
Neos
Navigator 5 Overboots
from $179.95
$179.95 at Global Industrial$181.99 at Amazon
Now $179.95 at Global Industrial
$181.99 at Amazon
When I took dog sledding trips in -22F weather and I needed to stand on the sled for hours, I used Neo overboots. Inside, you can insert a felt boot and two to three pairs of wool socks. While a bit bulky for hiking, this combo is how many dog mushers keep their feet warm in frigid temperatures.– Maiu Lünekund, sled dog musher and artist
Neos
Navigator 5 Overboots
from $179.95
$179.95 at Global Industrial$181.99 at Amazon
A durable, outdoorsy pair: Baffin Titan Boots
Baffin
Titan Boots
$180
$180 at Baffin
$180 at Baffin
In the dead cold, if I had to pick a one-and-done solution, it would be the Baffin Titan. They’re big, warm and have all the safety features, such as a safety toe and EH (electrical hazard) rating. I’ll use mine when it’s the coldest of cold days. They’re so big that they’re hard to drive your car with! – Carl Murawski, licensed electrician
Baffin
Titan Boots
$180
$180 at Baffin
A trendy pair for mild winter days: Ugg Classic Ultra Mini Platform
Ugg
Classic Ultra Mini Platform
from $169.95
$169.95 at Zappos$170 at Ugg
$169.95 at Zappos
$170 at Ugg
My go-to pair is the UGG Classic Ultra Mini Platform boots. We don’t get a lot of snow here, but these are guaranteed to keep my feet warm and cozy. They’re easy to slip on, incredibly comfortable and I absolutely love the platform stack. – Stephanie Platt, organizer of Fort Worth’s Social Run Club
Ugg
Classic Ultra Mini Platform
from $169.95
$169.95 at Zappos$170 at Ugg
The Guardian
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