7 Best Snow Hiking Boots in 2025

How we test snow hiking boots

Here are exactly the things we do to deliver objective reviews and top picks in different categories:

• We use our own money to buy snow hiking boots from various brands. This keeps our reviews 100% independent.
• After beating up each pair, we evaluate its fit, protective features, shock absorption, stability, durability, insulation, traction, and overall performance across all kinds of surfaces. We also check all parameters of the boots, particularly their reliability and comfort level during the most challenging part of the outdoor adventure.
• We get the lab data. We cut the boots in half and use various tools (like durometers, tire tread gauges, calipers, smoke machines) to measure all the important features of hiking boots.

One of the things we investigate that is especially important for snow hiking is how a shoe reacts to cold weather. We measure the softness of the midsole and the flexibility of the boot at room temperature. Then we freeze the boot and repeat the tests. Looking at the change in softness and stiffness, we're able to anticipate how the boot will feel in very cold weather. 

4 features to look for in snow hiking boots 

Before heading out on that snowy hike, it’s important to know what type of the terrain you’ll cover and the temperatures that are expected. 

We will break it all down by the features needed in snow hiking boots: 

1. Waterproofness: waterproof upper stops the snow/water from getting inside of your boots and keeps your feet dry. The most common waterproof material is called Gore-Tex but many brands develop their own waterproof membranes. 
2. Grip: we recommend looking for lugs that are at least 4 mm deep. Such lugs bite well into the snow and prevent slipping. 
3. Insulation: depending on the temperatures, you might need insulation in your hiking boots. If you’re not hiking in especially cold weather, thicker socks can do the job. For sub-zero temperatures, consider getting insulated hiking boots. 
4. Not turning into a brick at sub-zero temperatures: we examine this by measuring the softness and stiffness of a boot at room temperature and after exposing it to the cold. The smaller the difference, the more similar the experience when hiking (room temp vs very cold weather!). 

So, it’s all about what’s on the inside of the shoe (waterproof membrane, insulation) and measuring the lugs precisely. Fortunately, we do it all in our lab after wear-testing the boots, freezing them and cutting them in half. 

Insulation 101 in snow hiking boots

Insulation means warmth. The more insulated the boot is, the more extreme cold weather you can take in it! 

Insulation is measured in grams. You can see specifications like 100-gram insulation, 400-gram insulation, 800g insulation. The same specifications apply to other outdoor apparel, not just footwear. The higher the number, the more insulated the boot is. But, make no mistake, it does not make your boot 100, 400 or 800g heavier! 

The number that describes the amount of insulation tells us how heavy that material is per square meter. Not per boot, shoe or a jacket. Of course, more insulated boots weigh more, but not as much as implied in the specification of the insulation. 

See the table below to better understand the amount of insulation and which occasions it is best used for: 

Freezer test: boot performance at cold temperatures

When you first try your hiking boot on, you might love the level of softness or how flexible it is. But, what if that changes when hiking in very cold weather? What if that changes a lot?

Here’s how we go about it. We showcase the difference in softness change and in stiffness change: at room temperature vs after being exposed to freezing temperatures. When these changes are smaller, it is more likely for a boot to feel and perform in cold weather, similarly to how it felt and performed at room temperature. 

When testing the stiffness, the bigger number on the machine display means more force is needed to bend the boot to 30 degrees, which means it is stiffer. And when doing the durometer tests, a bigger number means it is firmer.

Bigger changes between these numbers at room temperatures and post-freezing them are a red flag and might mean you should keep the boots inside and still, they might not perform similarly. 

To help you out with this decision, we sorted the hiking boots by the smallest difference in softness in the table below. 

Waterproof means not breathable 

Snow hiking boots are waterproof so that the snow can stay out and your feet stay dry. However, that waterproofness and sometimes even insulation, mean that the boot can’t breathe properly or.. At all. 

We test the breathability of hiking boots by pumping the smoke inside and watching where the smoke comes out, at which pace, and how long it takes. Based on this, we rate the breathability of the boot on a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the least breathable. 

Smoke test: non-breathable upper (left) vs a very breathable upper (right) in hiking footwear

To get a better understanding of these bad breathabilty ratings in snow hiking boots, we examine the upper under the microscope. 

So, it’s not “just” the insulation and a waterproof membrane, it’s also how the upper is made, being more tightly woven and having no ventilation holes (when compared to the upper of a breathable summer hiking boot). 

Best grip for snow

Snowy conditions mean you need deep lugs and, ideally, ones that are not too close to each other. Lugs that are spaced very far from each other are best for mud, those that are too close to each other are best for versatility - covering a bit of everything, and somewhere in the middle are those best for snow. 

For snow, we recommend lugs that are at least 4 mm deep. We measure the lugs in our lab and always note the number down in every hiking boot review. 

Not just that but we also measure the hardness of the rubber. This is important because harder rubber provides more protection and is more durable. Softer rubber is usually more pliable and stickier. 

Wide-feet friendly snow hiking boots

Snow hiking boots have a lot of it going on. It’s not just the upper, but a waterproof membrane, and then also insulation (in some cases). Because of this, uppers are stiffer, toes have less room in the toe box, and you might want to look for something roomier. 

In our lab, we always measure the width of the shoe in 2 places. Based on this, we can examine which boots are pointier (taper more) and which boots are better suited for, say, Celtic or Roman type of forefoot. 

Pouring a special gel into the boots and freezing it. It perfectly fills the boots so that we can measure the exact inner width of the shoe

If this is where you need the most room, consider these snow hiking boots:

If you want the least pointy toeboxes in snow hiking boots, look at those with the widest toeboxes in that place:

Our gel mold also allows us to measure the exact height of the toebox. Knowing this measurement is great for hikers whose big toe may be pointing up or whose toenails become black. Also, hikers who love wearing thick socks when hiking in cold weather often need more room, both vertically and horizontally. 

If the vertical space is what you need the most, look at the snow hiking boots with the highest toeboxes. 

New to hiking boots? Nail the fit

In case this is your first time buying a pair of hiking boots and you’re not sure how to go about it, here are our recommendations that are a result of extensive research and testing: 

1. You should go boot shopping in the afternoon or evening. We advise this because by then, our feet are swollen up a bit, and similar swelling happens on the hike as well. 
2. When trying the boots on, use the hiking socks and also orthotics (if you’re using them). 
3. When you lace up the boot, there should be one thumb’s width of space in front of your toes. Or, you can push the foot forward as much as possible and check if your thumb can fit behind your heel. 
4. When trying the shoe on there should be no hot spots. It should feel comfortable: not too wide and not too snug. 
5. If you’re trying the shoe on in the specialized store, use the ramp covered with different materials like artificial grass and rocks. Go up and down. Your heel should not slip and your feet should not be sliding to the sides inside the shoe! 

And, as always, keep in mind that many hiking boots need to be broken in before embarking on a (longer) hike. Do this to avoid blisters (best case scenario) and other inconveniences!

Up the ante: more waterproof protection

While snow hiking boots are as good as it gets - with their superb waterproof protection and maybe even insulation, water still can get inside of the boots and then it’s a nightmare to get it out. Such boots can’t dry out on their own while you keep hiking because they don’t breathe enough. 

Because of that, we recommend getting knee-high waterproof gaiters They offer additional protection and work wonders at keeping the lower parts of the pants, boots, socks, and feet dry. 

If you worry about perspiration and sweating inside snow hiking boots, we also recommend getting wool or bamboo socks. They come in different thicknesses, so you can choose thinner ones for not-so-low temperatures and narrower boots, or thicker ones when it’s really cold and you have enough room for them inside the boots.