Winter Hiking Boots for Snow and Cold: Six Picks by Insulation and Weight

Winter Hiking Boots at a Glance

Six winter hiking boots that independent outlets review, each with a US Amazon listing and a price category. Tap a photo or the button to see the boot. For three-season use, see our best hiking boots guide.

Price category reflects current US listings: budget is roughly under $150, mid-range roughly $150 to $200, premium above $200. Prices change, so confirm on the product page.

Reported Scores, Weights and Insulation

These are the scores and weights RunRepeat and Switchback Travel published. Their scales differ, so compare within an outlet, not across them.

Which Winter Boot for Which Hiker (and Who Should Skip Each)

Who should skip each boot

Winter Hiking Boots the Outlets Review

All six boots below are waterproof and either insulated or reviewed for cold use. They span the budget, mid-range and premium price categories on current US listings.

Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid (Men’s)

Best for: active winter day hikes

Switchback Travel names it the best winter hiking boot, with 200g of M Select Warm insulation and a 6 inch shaft. It says the boot is light, nimble and roomy in the toe box, and keeps hikers comfortable from the mid-teens to the low 30s degrees F while moving.

What this means for you: a lighter boot for moving in the cold, not for standing around in it.

Fit and sizing: Switchback Travel notes a roomy toe box.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 2 lb 8 oz for the men’s boot and 1 lb 11.5 oz for the women’s.

Watch for: Switchback Travel says toes got cold when sedentary around 20 degrees F, the low shaft needs gaiters in deep snow, and it gives less support for heavy packs.

Skip it if: you stand still in the cold or carry a heavy pack.

Columbia Bugaboot III (Men’s)

Best for: snow and cold on a smaller budget

RunRepeat names it the best 200g insulated boot with a score of 83, praising strong insulation, a watertight upper, durability, cushioning and reliable grip. Switchback Travel lists it as rugged and inexpensive, at 3 lb 6 oz for the men’s boot.

What this means for you: two outlets agree it is warm and durable, and both call it heavy.

Fit and sizing: RunRepeat lists a restrictive toebox.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 3 lb 6 oz for the men’s boot and 2 lb 11.6 oz for the women’s.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists a restrictive toebox and a weight above average. Switchback Travel calls it heavy for hiking and middling in deep snow.

Skip it if: you want a light boot for long hikes.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX

Best for: a lighter boot for cool, dry-snow days

RunRepeat names it the best overall winter hiking boot with a score of 87 and a weight of 15.4 oz, praising excellent Gore-Tex waterproofing, a durable upper, good insulation and grip on wet terrain.

What this means for you: RunRepeat’s top winter pick is light, but it is not an insulated snow boot, so it suits cool days more than deep cold. Only RunRepeat covers it for winter in this guide.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists limited cushioning, poor suitability for deep mud and low breathability.

Skip it if: you hike in very cold, deep snow.

The North Face Chilkat V 400 (Men’s)

Best for: sustained cold and snowy walks

Switchback Travel names it the best overall winter boot, with 400g Heatseeker Eco insulation and an 8 inch shaft at 3 lb 2.3 oz. It calls it a stylish, protective, grippy all-rounder with gaiter attachments and a heel clip.

What this means for you: the warmest pick here with a taller shaft for snow. It is a winter boot first and a hiking boot second.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 3 lb 2.3 oz for the men’s boot and 2 lb 14.1 oz for the women’s.

Watch for: Switchback Travel says it is not premium quality, is stiff and bulky for long hikes and is overkill on mild or dry days.

Skip it if: you plan long hikes or hike on mild days.

Oboz Bridger 7″ Insulated (Women’s)

Best for: comfortable insulated hiking with secure lacing

Switchback Travel lists the women’s Bridger 7 inch Insulated at 2 lb 9 oz with 200g Freeze Guard insulation, calling it comfortable with secure lacing.

What this means for you: a comfortable insulated hiker. Only Switchback Travel covers it in this guide, so treat it as a single-source pick.

Watch for: Switchback Travel says the wool collar can wet socks and traction on packed snow is weaker.

Skip it if: you hike on packed snow and ice.

Salomon Quest 5 GTX

Best for: winter backpacking with a heavy pack

RunRepeat names it the best winter boot for backpacking with a score of 90, praising stability on technical terrain, a secure lockdown, durability, effective waterproofing and the fact that it stays warm. It lists it as heavier than average with poor breathability.

What this means for you: the sturdy option for carrying a pack in cold weather, at a weight cost. See also our best backpacking boots.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s model, the Quest Echo, covered in our best hiking boots for women guide.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists poor breathability and extra weight.

Skip it if: you want a light boot or hike in mild weather.

How Much Insulation Do You Need?

Insulation is the main difference between a winter hiking boot and a three-season one. RunRepeat gives these guide ranges.

Switchback Travel adds that temperature ratings are not standardized, so plan conservatively, and that heavy insulation is overkill for active use on mild days. Removable liners dry faster, and a taller shaft or gaiters help in deep snow.

For extreme cold, Switchback Travel also picks the Baffin Impact, and for a budget pick the Kamik Nation Plus. Both are heavy and made for walking, not hiking, so they are not on our buy list.

Our Winter Boot Evaluation Framework

We score each boot on five questions using only what the named outlets published.

1. Source agreement. How many outlets cover it?
2. Warmth. Reported insulation and cold performance.
3. Weight. Reported weight.
4. Snow readiness. Shaft height and traction notes.
5. Recurring drawbacks. Complaints the outlets raise.

Source agreement counts outlets that reviewed the boot. The rest summarizes what those outlets wrote. As general advice, treat single-source picks as leads to check.

How to Choose Winter Hiking Boots

• Match insulation to your effort. Switchback Travel says heavy insulation is overkill when you are active or the day is mild. RunRepeat suggests 200g for winter hikes.
• Check the traction. RunRepeat recommends lugs of 4 mm or deeper for slush and snow.
• Pick the shaft for the snow. Switchback Travel says to choose a taller shaft or add gaiters for deep snow.
• Size with your winter socks. RunRepeat advises shopping in the afternoon with your hiking socks and leaving about a thumb’s width. See the best hiking socks to wear with boots.
• Break them in. See how to break in hiking boots.
• Compare options. See best waterproof hiking boots, best premium hiking boots, best hiking boots under $150 and how to choose hiking boots.

Where the Expert Reviews Disagree

The best winter pick. RunRepeat picks the light Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX as best overall, while Switchback Travel picks the 400g Chilkat V 400 as its best overall winter boot. The first favors moving fast, the second favors warmth.

Columbia Bugaboot III. RunRepeat calls it comfortable and well cushioned, while Switchback Travel calls it heavy for hiking.

What counts as a winter hiking boot. Switchback Travel names the 200g Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid its best winter hiking boot, and the heavier 400g boots its picks for general winter use.

Questions About Winter Hiking Boots, Answered

“What is the best winter hiking boot?”

Switchback Travel names the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid, and RunRepeat names the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX best overall.

“How much insulation do I need?”

RunRepeat suggests 200g for winter hikes, 400g for snowy or wet weather and 600g or more for very cold conditions and winter backpacking.

“Are waterproof boots enough for snow?”

RunRepeat calls waterproofing the usual requirement. For deep snow, Switchback Travel says to use a taller shaft or gaiters.

“Do winter boots breathe well?”

RunRepeat says winter boots are usually not very breathable, and recommends wool or bamboo socks and gaiters to manage moisture.

“How do I keep my feet warm when I stop?”

Switchback Travel reports cold toes in a 200g boot when sedentary around 20 degrees F, so choose more insulation if you rest often.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

• Buying too much insulation. Switchback Travel calls heavy insulation overkill for active use.
• Trusting temperature ratings. Switchback Travel says they are not standardized.
• Ignoring the shaft height. Low shafts need gaiters in deep snow.
• Skipping the break-in. RunRepeat advises breaking boots in before long hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best winter hiking boot?

Switchback Travel names the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid.

Which is warmest?

Switchback Travel lists 400g insulation on the North Face Chilkat V 400.

Which is lightest?

RunRepeat lists the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX at 15.4 oz.

How much insulation for hiking?

RunRepeat suggests 200g for winter hikes.

Do I need gaiters?

Switchback Travel says a low shaft needs gaiters in deep snow.

Which suits winter backpacking?

RunRepeat names the Salomon Quest 5 GTX best for backpacking.

Which is the cheapest pick here?

The Columbia Bugaboot III and Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX sit in our budget category.

Where can I compare three-season boots?

See our best hiking boots guide.

The Short Version

Pick the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid for moving in the cold, the Columbia Bugaboot III for a warm boot on a smaller budget, and the Chilkat V 400 for sustained cold. Match the insulation to how much you move.

Keep Reading

Sources

• RunRepeat: Best winter hiking boots
• Switchback Travel: Best winter boots