What are the best snow boots? When I planned my first ski trip, I was unsure whether I should buy snow boots or not, not sure what a snow boot was, even decided to purchase I struggled with the snow boots’ size. If you have the same thought, this is the ultimate guide for you.
When finally ahead your family snow vacation, ice fishing on the lake, hiking through the woods, or playing in the snow, you definitely won’t ruin it with cold, wet feet.
There’re plenty of snow boots in the world. Back to my first time, I wondered whether I could wear my sneaker or wellies in the snow. Because I didn’t know can I wear snow boots after my trip? I used to live in Brisbane, Australia, where no snow in winter. (I didn’t think I would immigrate to Japan in the future at that moment.) If I buy boots only worn for one trip, it doesn’t make sense.
What made me change my mind and purchase was after knowing the snow’s road condition and how I can use snow boots without snow, which I share the information below. (Plus, they looks stylish in the snow.) Shopping for a snow boot won’t disappoint you.
Thus, I got my next problem. When I first time looking for snow boots for myself, I was lost. So I took time to search for what I needed for snow boots. Then, found the one with all qualities I wanted, stylish and affordable. Otherwise, it’s hard to find just one in the billion snow boots, different brands, features, looks, and prices.
After I settle down and get into Hokkaido, knowing more friends, learning how to live in the snow season, we always share our experience of snow boots. They are essential in snowy places, especially those with a more extended snow season than others; you wear them most of the time of the year.
Table of Contents
Road Surface in The Snow
Some of the countries’ places are covered with snow when winter comes, especially the places famous for skiing and snowboarding. Like the U.S. (Colorado, Vermont, Utah, New Hampshire), Japan (Niseko, Sapporo, Rusutsu, Hakuba), France (Mont Blanc), Switzerland (Zermatt, Saint Moritz), Italy (Cortina d’Ampezzo), Austria (St. Anton am Arlberg, Kitzbühel), Argentina (Cerro Catedral), etc.
In these places, the surfaces in the snow are snowy, slushy or icy. Cold snow is not that slippery, but snow and ice reduce friction. However, often snowmelt when the temperature rises, and the snow melt-water get surface slippery. Therefore, you need a pair of winter shoes for snow that have better traction. That way, people can walk on ice without falling.
Best Way to Walk on Ice
Many people who have lived in a warm climate have perhaps never seen snow. It’s often impossible to prevent falling on ice, but one can often be safer start by wearing appropriate shoes. Avoid these shoes with too smooth soles. Non-slip soles are better.
The safest way is to wear snow spikes on your boots that dig into the ice and give you traction. It’sIt’s not convenient because the spikes can damage floors. So you have to take it off every time before you walk into a building.
The most convenient way in my experience is to wear snow boots with sole traction grips. That way, you can walk in the snow with no issue. Also, I’ve found that to walk on an icy surface, slightly bend your knees, weigh forward, and take short steps. This way suits most road surfaces if you travel to snowy places.
What are Boots for Snow Called?
The first step in picking out the perfect pair of boots before the next brutal snowstorm is knowing what you’re shopping for: Snowshoes, snow boots, and winter boots have similar names, but they are different.
Snowshoes are footwear for walking over snow. It floats on the snow, not sink into the snow. You can wear it, and a slow hike or trek through the snow is called snowshoeing.
Snow boots are specialist boots designed for use in snow and wet conditions, and it provides warmth and protection for the foot in really nasty weather.
Winter boots are similar to snow boots and have good insulation built inside them to keep the foot warm during cold weather. However, winter boots are more for general use, and they aren’t necessarily waterproof and cannot keep snow from tumbling inside the boot.
Difference: Snow Boots and Winter Boots
| Snow Boots | Winter Boots | |
| Waterproof | Waterproof or, at a minimum, water repellant. | Winter boots are not necessarily waterproof. |
| Uses | Use in very wet or snowy conditions | Better to use on well-maintained roads or paths |
| Materials | Easy to clean, heavier weight, less breathable, and more expensive. | Depends, lighter weight, breathable, may be cheaper |
| Warmth | Heavily insulated | Depends, lightly insulated |
Snow Boots or Winter Boots?
For me, the best boots to wear in the snow are snow boots because they’re convenient, warm, and safe, literally suited for all conditions in the snow.
However, if I go out to dump the rubbish or do indoor shopping, I only go out for a few minutes or indoor. That way, I only wear winter boots or wellies (Wellington boots).
If you’re buying boots for kids to walk in the snow, I highly recommend snow boots for kids because they may play in the snow. They can keep their toes warm when they stay outside for a long time. Also, it’s much safer; you won’t take any risk on it.
What to Wear if I don’t Have Snow Boots?
If you plan to visit snowy places, you may think you won’t buy snow boots. That’s okay, and there’s a way to keep your feet warm and dry.
First, wear two socks. Inner socks should be thin high socks (as high as you have). Outer socks should be thick wool socks or athletic socks.
Second, wear your general shoes, such as leather boots, rubber boots, sneakers, etc. Notice that you may need to size up as you wear two layers of socks.
Third, apply waterproof spray on your shoes. The waterproof coat can’t last long in the snow, so you have to use it frequently. If you travel with kids, it will keep you very busy. And if you forget, your shoes may still get wet.
Fourth, put an ice grip on the outer sole to make traction with snow. That way, you can walk safer and easier on the snow with your sneaker. However, the snow grips can damage the floor; please remember to take the grips off every time you walk into a building.
What are The Best Snow Boots
When you decide to buy snow boots, the first question is what features a good pair of snow boots should have for men, women, and kids.
Warmth
Most snow boots have good insulation to keep your feet warm in the snow. The amount of insulation you need will depend on your purposes and activities.
Generally speaking, snow boots have 200g of insulation, enough to walk outside or stay active in town. 400g of insulation is good if you stay out for a long time, have poor circulation, or are in frigid climates.
| Amount of Insulation | Temperature Rating | Best Use |
| 100 grams | Mild temperatures down to -4 | Running errands and fashion |
| 200 grams | Mild to moderate temperatures down to -25 | Hiking and being active outdoors |
| 400 grams | Moderate to extreme temperatures down to -40 | Ice fishing, snowmobiling, working outdoors, standing outdoors for long periods |
| 600 grams | Extreme temperatures down to -55 | hunting |
Waterproof
It’s classified snow boots as waterproof or water repellant, and I prefer fully waterproof. The reason is they keep my feet dry no matter walk on slushy, wet snow, or in the rain, sleet weather.
Keeping your feet dry and warm is incredibly play a significant role to prevent cold-weather-related injuries.
Grip
The excellent snow boots have grooved sole traction and treads that help prevent you from slipping. Many feature rubber soles for durability and grip, which provides enough sole traction to walk around the town.
If you plan to hike or walk in the snow, you will want snow boots with deep lug angular grooves on the bottom. That way, it grips the ground well and gives you better stability.
Height & Closure
The snow boots height is all about the rise you prefer. I prefer ankle snow boots when I wear a dress. Other times I love to wear taller ones that cover my ankle and are still flexible. That way, they can protect me from deep snow, give me more ankle support and be warm.
The snow boots closure depends on what activities you will do. Options include lace-up, strap, zipper, single-pull lace, and slip-on. Some have two closures, such as lace-up snow boots with zipper closure, too. That way, the lace-up closure gives the ability to adjust fit, and the zipper closure makes it easy to put on and off.
What I Prefer
I used to prefer lace-up snow boots, so they can adjust to fit my feet every time. Since I have lived in Japan for a while, I wear slip-on closure to shopping or walk around because it’s convenient. ( I get lazy, though, lol) Only wear lace-up ones when I plan to do some activities, off-road or mountains.
Wide Width Snow Boots
Typically, snow boots have a narrow fit. If you have wide feet, If you have wide feet, it may be a challenge to find the right one that fits you comfortably. Primarily, you’re looking for not only snug but chic. You may need to size up to have enough room for your wide feet, plus socks.
One of my friends who has extensive feet told me some snow boots are particularly for wide feet. Therefore I will share her experience below and her best picks for wide feet. (Thank you, Shizuka!)
Snow Boots for Toddlers & Kids
Kids have a higher chance of playing with snow outside longer than adults, which means their little toes will quickly get cold and be the first to suffer from frostbite after extended exposure to colder temperatures.
Experience on Kids Seeing First Snow
Still remember my little niece and nephew first time seeing snow. They ran and jumped and fell into the snow, so blissful. And I sent the videos to my brother (their dad), he was like almost leave his works and buy a ticket fly to where we were.
They were making snow angels, snowmen, then snow castles, and more snowmen. During the day, they only took a short time to rest during the day, ate lunch, and kept heating their feet, which couldn’t stop them from playing with snow. So I bought them proper kids snow boots, kids gloves and snowsuits. (They was wearing canvas waterproof kids sneakers) Otherwise, I was worried they might get a cold injury.
First Time Buy Kids Snow Boots
I made a mistake when I bought snow boots for my niece and nephew; I purchased them lace-up snow boots, which is secure and great for them if they do activities but hard to wear by themselves. So that every time before they go out or change shoes (like change to ski boots or snowboard boots), I have to help them even I carry a big bag pack and my husband takes our ski equipment.
After the trip, my friends shared that buying strap, bungee lace, or single-pull lace snow boots for toddlers are better. She bought single-pull lace closure for her older daughter and a strap one for her toddler son. Well, she said her friend who lives in Colorado shared this idea with her, and it does help because her kids can wear snow boots by themselves. Therefore, if your kids are little, I recommend you buy a strap, bungee lace, or single-pull lace snow boots for them.
Tips
From experience, be sure to choose well-insulated, waterproof, taller one and drawcord closure. So your kid won’t lose their snow boots when climbing through snowdrifts (or snowbanks).
For active kids, I recommend you choose clompy, heavy snow boots. That way, keep your kids moving without slipping and falling, especially in icy conditions. (But it’s not 100% guaranteed, and you still need to warn your kids do penguins walk through the frozen snow.)
Snow Boots Size and Fit: Men, Women
The first time to buy snow boots was for my first ski trip to Hokkaido, and I thought I would wear wool socks or fleece socks to keep my feet warm. These kinds of socks are generally thicker than regular cotton socks. So I bought them one size bigger than my everyday boots.
About 4-7 days before I visited Hokkaido, I saw thermal socks on sale, so I bought some to wear in Hokkaido. And it was comfortable and warm, at least I like thermal socks feel than wool socks. After a couple of days in Hokkaido, I started to feel my knees were painful. When I wear thermal socks, it’s similar to cotton socks, I only need to wear my regular size, but mine is one size bigger. The big snow boots interfered with my natural stride, and I started to walk funnily (it hurt my knee). If I bought a bigger one, and only wore wool socks, maybe okay. However, I won’t try it again. (It took me a half year of therapy after back to Australia.)
Should the Snow Boots Be Tight or Loose?
As a consequence, loose-fitting snow boots are a big no-no. In the past, people bought one size bigger because they wore thick socks or two-layer socks. However, with the advance of science and technology, snow boots warmth and waterproof technology are going up to the next level. Also, thermal socks can keep your feet warm and breathable. It’s not necessary to buy loose or tight snow boots.
Sizing Up or Down for Wide Feet?
If you have wide feet, do not try to fit your foot into a too narrow boot for your foot or size up in regular boot sizes. Even if the bigger one fits your feet width, they will be too long and cause blisters, chafing and heel slippage.
Instead of loose-fitting snow boots, try to find the one design for wide width feet. Below I share my friend wide width snow boots reviews, who has wide feet.
Snow Boots Fitting
- Standing straight and place a measuring tape or ruler below your heels.
- Measure both feet from the longest toe to the hill, the longest distance of your feet.
- The longest distance will be your guidance.
The maximum wiggle room you should leave is a one-finger width gap down the shoe’s heel. (DON’T add this distance to your measurements, but mind that when you try them on.)
Snow Boots Size and Fit: Toddler, Children
The same rules apply to fitting adults’ as well. However, little kids may hard to stand straight to place measurement. You can stick a blank paper to the floor with masking tape, put kids feet on the form and gently press it down. Draw the line precisely, repeating his toes shape and the other string around the hill. That way, you can measurement petite kids feet size easily.
The maximum wiggle room for kids snow boots should leave a 1-1.5 cm gap down the shoe’s heel. (DON’T add this distance to your kids’ measurements, but mind that when your kids try them on.)
When To Buy
You can buy snow boots anytime online. And there are more choices if you look at the shop is near or in snow season. However, if you’re on a budget and looking for a lower price, where you live in the world, your region’s seasons and culture play a significant role in sale events.
- End of snow season
- Annual shopping and sales events
- Amazon Prime Day
- Year-end
In the U.S.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are annual shopping and sales events in the U.S. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving. There are great discounts on these two days in America. Nowadays, many countries also have Black Friday and Cyber Monday events.
If you plan a family ski trip to Colorado on a budget, you can save more money to buy ski equipment on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Colorado Ski Trip Budget Planner>>
In Australia
If you’re in Australia, the most significant sales of the year are the post-Christmas sales and mid-year clearance sales. Post-Christmas start Boxing day (the day after Christmas). Mid-year clearance sales start in early June (used to create on the first day of July).
In Japan
The shopping and sales events are in summer (early July to early August) and winter (January). Summer sales will drop prices low (some items can be 50% off), and various choices available. Winter sale is the best timing to buy discount snow boots, ski equipment, and winter gear. Also, many shops will wrap value items in a bag, sell them at a discount price, and you can’t know what’s inside until you buy it. In Japan, it calls Fukuburo (福袋, lucky bags). In the past, the Fukuburo were limited sales in the shops. Nowadays, many shops make limited sales online. I always check my favourite brand’s website and shop and pay straight away when they are just on sale. (These popular brands always sold out in the first few minutes.)
Other sales like the Golden week sale (May) and the Halloween sale (October) are good, but not as much discount as the above two sale events.
Hokkaido Family Road Trip Planner>>
Snow Boot Brands
Here are not all, but some familiar, famous, or popular snow boots brands. List from A to Z.
- Blundstone
- Baffin
- Chanel
- Columbia
- Doc Martens
- Danner
- Fendi
- Hunter
- Keen
- Kamik
- Louis Vuitton
- Merrell
- Muck
- Nike
- Overland
- Ross & Snow
- Sperry
- Sorel
- The North Face
- Timberland
- Uggs
- Versace
- Vans
- Western chief
…more
Where Can I Find Snow Boots
There’re many shops you can buy online in the world. Below I listed some shops that my friends, families and I ever purchased on the websites. (Not all, that’s a lot.) You can visit each shop and find the one you like. Or you can check below the best lists with our reviews, which may save you more time.
Walmart
It’s is an American multinational retail company.
- Official website U.S.>>
- Exchange or Return: free (90 days after purchase)
- International Shipping: X
Amazon
- Official Website>>
- Exchange or Return: depends
- International Shipping: V
REI
REI is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. You can buy all the ski equipment literally at REI. I’m an REI member; it only cost me $20 to join them (a one-time fee). As a member, I receive 10% off of almost everything in the store, and it saves a lot of money on outdoor equipment.
- Official Website U.S.>>
- Exchange or Return: one year after purchase>>
- International Shipping: V
Montbell
Montbell has been one of my favourite outdoor gear stores in Japan. The price is a bit cheaper and comfortable.
- Official Website>>
- Exchange or Return: U.S.>>, Japan>>
- International Shipping: V
A&F
If you plan to visit Japan in the snow season, check the snow boots at A&F, Japan’s famous outdoor products distributor. They sell many brands of outdoor equipment and wear.
- Official Website>>
- Exchange or Return: you need to pay the shipping fee (7 days after purchase)
- International Shipping: X
DSW
It sells designer and name brand snow boots and fashion accessories.
- Official website U.S.>>, Official website Canada>>
- Exchange or Return: fee depends, click Here>>
- International Shipping: X
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is an outdoor apparel and equipment retailer in Australia and New Zealand. They haven’t got many snow boots choices, but comfortable and of good quality.
- Official website Australia>>, Official website New Zealand>>, Official website U.K.>>, Official website U.S.>>
- Exchange or Return: 60 days after purchase
- International Shipping: V
Mountain Warehouse
Mountain Warehouse is an outdoor clothing brand. The ski wear is acceptable, and snow boots are cheaper, similar to Decathlon, ALDI.
- Official website>>
- Exchange or Return: free (60 days after purchase)
- International Shipping: V
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack is the off-price division of Nordstrom, so you’ll find prices of up to 70% off there and good quality brands.
- Official website U.S.>>, Official website Canada>>
- Exchange or Return: depends, click here>>
- International Shipping: X
ALDI
It’s a grocery store, and you can buy cheap snow boots when the snow season comes.
- Official website around the world>>
- Exchange or Return: free (90 days after purchase)
- International Shipping: X
Decathlon
A French retailer, sometimes it sells cheaper than other shops. However, the brands choices are minimal.
- Official website around the world>>
- Exchange or Return: one year after purchase
- International Shipping: X
Best Snow Boots for Kids, Men & Women
In each topic, the reviews included high-end, hiking, cheap, and wide width snow boots. My husband, friends, and my experience may give you some more idea about it.
FAQs
Can I Wear Snow Boots when It’s Not Snowing?
Yes, you can wear snow boots whenever you want, cold weather, rain, or snowy because they are warm and waterproof. However, you won’t wear them in the middle of summer.
Can I Wear Rubber Boots in The Snow?
Yes, you can, but there’re two critical factors to keep in mind, warmth and sole traction. You need to wear two layers of warm socks inside. Otherwise, your feet easy to get frostbite in the snow. On the other hand, make sure the rubber boots with no-slip sole traction. That way, it’s safe to walk in the icy snow.
Do Snow Pants Go Over Boots?
The only thing that should be in your snow boot is your foot and a sock. However, some people may tack snow pants into snow boots to be stylish.
For ski pants, most ski pants go over ski boots.
What Do You Wear to Play in The Snow?
Warmth and waterproof are the keys to playing in the snow. You need to wear warm from top to bottom. Beanie is a must item, snow boots if you need to stay outside longer, gloves (waterproof if you want to build a snowman or castle), scarf, snow pants, waterproof jacket, etc. Clothing for adults and kids to play in the snow—Click Here>>
What to Wear in Hokkaido, Japan>>
What to Wear in Colorado, America>>
How Do People Walk on Ice Without Falling?
Bend your knees slightly and keep your centre of gravity over your front leg. Take short steps slowly while keeping your hands out to allow your arms to balance.
However, you still need to wear proper snow boots for staying safe on the ice. Learn to choose the snow boots by this article and get a proper one for yourself and your kids.
Conclusion
Here are the best snow boots with our reviews.
If you enjoyed this, don’t miss other ski equipment reviews. [Click Here]
