7 Best Winter Hiking Boots

We love it when we find a boot that keeps us motivated to get out in the mountains, even when the days are shorter and colder. The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX shines as our best overall winter hiking boot because it supports our ankles on long days, provides unrivaled traction and handles those wet days unlike no other. All this fits into a boot that weighs less than the thermos of tea in your backpack!

Ankle protection in this shoe starts from the laces. Interestingly, Salomon went for traditional laces in the X Ultra Mid GTX, which helps us to get a very secure lockdown. The laces are attached by a strap to a plastic shank in the midsole. This keeps our feet well and truly locked in and prevents us from twisting our ankles when rock hopping.

In the lab, our caliper measured the lug depth at 5.1 mm. Just 0.7 mm deeper than the average for hiking boots, they still made us feel confident as mountain goats on steep, slippery ascents. The sturdy lug on the heel helped us keep our speed in check on the way down, too!

It wouldn’t be a winter hike without encountering some water, so we had to test these boots by standing in a stream. Even after a minute of being submerged, our feet were still completely dry. In the lab, we found this was partially due to the full gusset on the tongue, and the high ankle collar also helps to keep the water out. On weighing the boots, we found they weigh in just below average - at 13.8 oz (390g), they are a whopping 29% lighter than the average waterproof boot.

For those hikers expecting to walk in consistently muddy conditions, we don’t recommend these boots. The 41 lugs are necessarily closely spaced, which gives them a hard time shedding mud. We found this made us slip on muddy trails.

After thorough testing both in the lab and out on the trail in all weather, we chose the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX as our best lightweight winter hiking boots. This high-spec boot is unbelievably light for its category, and it retains its incredible performance under winter conditions by remaining comfortably flexible and grippy. There is so much to rave about in this boot!

Ultra-supportive boots of this caliber average around 17.9 oz (508g), but the Ultra Raptor II Mid surprised us by feeling light and nimble on our hikes. We weighed them back in the lab and discovered that they manage to knock an impressive 3.3 oz (93g) off the average. No wonder our legs still had energy to burn after a long day on the trail!

The delicious comfort that we experience while hiking in these boots comes in part from their ability to flex while keeping our feet supported. At room temperature, our flex test showed the boot to be 19% more flexible than average, but we were interested to know how that translates to winter conditions. Leaving it in the freezer for 20 minutes, we clamped it down once again and pushed it to 90° with a force gauge. It had only stiffened 40.2N, the average for most boots at room temperature, and 21% more flexible than those same boots in the cold! This truly is an excellent cold-weather hiking boot.

On the trail, we felt surefooted and stable on gravel, scree, mud, packed earth, and rock. In the lab, we measured the lug depth. Measuring 4.3 mm, they are only 0.2 mm deeper than average, but it’s the tread pattern that works its magic in all conditions. With a mix of narrow, toothy treads and broad ones, the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is able to adapt to changing terrain without a second thought.

Despite measuring 99.8 mm at the forefoot, which is around our lab average, all its protective overlays leave little room for breaking in the toe box of the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX. Hikers with wide feet should be aware of this limitation, and head directly for the wide option.

Hikers looking for a do-it-all hiking boot for winter backpacking, it truly doesn’t get any better than the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. Astoundingly stable and supportive, especially while carrying a heavy pack, this boot kept our feet warm and dry on the coldest days and protected from unexpected bumps and scrapes.

Salomon’s reputable ADV-C 4D Chassis stabilizer in the midsole is once again put to work in the Quest 4 GTX. In the lab, we twisted the boot torsionally, awarding it the most rigid score of 5/5. It worked like a dream on our test hikes, and we found hiking over rough terrain while carrying a heavy load a breeze. The fully integrated system holds our feet and ankles firmly and we feel confident on rocky trails.

The Quest 4 GTX houses an impeccable Gore-Tex membrane which keeps our feet toasty and dry while hiking in snow or even stream crossings. The high collar and gusseted tongue stop water, snow, and debris from getting into the boot. We checked for breathability in the lab by pumping smoke into the boot and assessing how much smoke came out. It scored 1/5 for breathability, making it highly waterproof and warm - the perfect combination for winter hiking!

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX seriously outdoes itself in the durability department, with its rubber toe cap and sturdy upper. Returning from our test hike with barely a scratch to show for it, we put the boot to the test in the lab with our Dremel. After 12 seconds of exposure at 5K RPM and a force of 3.2N, there was only a minor scratch on the surface. We have no doubts that this boot is a force to be reckoned with!

At 23.4 oz (663g), the Salomon Quest 4 GTX is on the heavy side, compared to our lab average of 17.9 oz (508g) for waterproof hiking boots. Moderate hikers looking for something lighter may want to look at other options.

Hikers with wide feet will be pleased to find a kindred spirit in the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid. Not only does it have an ultra-wide toe box, but it retains its flexible characteristics in cold weather, and feels sturdy and grounded. After thorough testing in the lab and on the trail, we declare the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid to be the best winter hiking boots with a wide toe box.

KEEN’s iconic silhouette prioritizes toe comfort, and the Targhee III Waterproof Mid is no exception. At the widest part, our lab measurements proved that the toe box is 4.3 mm wider than average, rising to 6.5 mm wider than average at the big toe. Our feel had ample room to splay out and wriggle.

For such a robust, leather boot, we were surprised to find how flexible the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof felt on our feet while hiking. It flexed well with our feet, so we brought it into the lab to dive deeper. Pushing it to 90° with a force gauge, we found that it is an incredible 32% more flexible than average at room temperature. As astounding as that news is, this boot wins all the prizes in the cold. After chilling it thoroughly in the freezer for 20 minutes, we restested it. It stiffened by only 9.1%, meaning it will feel like practically the same shoe whatever the weather. Compared to the average hiking boots in the cold, it is 46% more flexible in sub-zero temperatures! This is truly the champion of winter hiking!

Stream crossings and rainy days proved no match for the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid’s waterproofing. The leather upper prevents water from getting in by its very nature, and we double-checked the weave of the tongue fabric under our microscope. The incredibly dense weave makes it hard for water to penetrate. The KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane finishes the job, and our feet stay warm and dry, even on wet winter days.

We don’t recommend the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid to hikers looking for a lightweight winter boot. Tipping the scales at 18.2 oz (515g), these boots are slightly heavier than the average 17.9 oz (508g). For a lightweight option of the same quality, take a look at the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX.

On freezing winter days, it’s time to bring out the Colombia Bugaboot III. The leather upper and insulated padding keeps our feet warm when it’s below 0°C outside. It is extremely durable, and has the perfect winter midsole, making it our best winter hiking boots with 200g of insulation.

Whether hiking in the wilds or shoveling snow in the driveway, the 200g of insulation packed around our feet keeps us warm in temperatures below freezing. Due to the leather upper, padding and 7-inch collar, the boots scored 1/5 in our breathability tests, making them some of the least breathable boots we’ve ever tested! It presents no problem in cold weather since frigid air can’t enter the boot, and snow has a hard time entering over the high collar. Freezing toes are a thing of the past. 

This boot looks like a workhorse, keeping our feet protected from hidden objects in deep snow. It even passed our durability tests with flying colors! The heavily layered rubber toe cap stood up to our Dremel, with an impressively small amount of damage after 4 seconds. We awarded it the most durable rating of 5/5.

At room temperature, the midsole measures 27.5 HA, a little softer than the average of 29 HA. Not only does this make for a really comfy boot, but it still keeps our feet well-supported on our hikes. But where this shoe really comes up with the goods is in cold weather. We retested the midsole with a durometer after the boot had spent 20 minutes in the freezer, finding it had only become 21.5% firmer. We can still expect high-quality performance from this boot, even on a chilly winter’s day!

On the downside, when we tested it for flexibility, this boot turned out to be very stiff, requiring 47N to push it to 90°, making it 14% stiffer than average. For this reason we don’t recommend it to hikers looking for a more agile boot.

We cut open the best winter hiking boots in the lab and took them out for a spin in search of the most supportive boot — it’s no other than the Asolo Fugitive GTX. Its watertight, protective upper and firm cushion kept us safe from unwanted elements and delivered one-of-a-kind steadiness on snow.

With its water-repellant and heat-preserving construction, our feet stayed warm and dry through winter, leaving no excuses to skip our training. The mesh upper is so tightly woven that light barely passed through in our breathability test. Further ensuring our safety are the rubberized toe bumpers, suede upper, and fully gusseted tongue.

The firm cushion preserves our balance even as we tackle rocky and uneven terrains. The stacked heel ensures protection from sharp objects, while the modest forefoot balances it off with some ground feel. What also keeps us stable is the rigid build that prevents awkward foot movements. Our bend test confirms it’s a whopping 97.2% stiffer than average!

Grip is a must in icy routes, and Fugitive GTX keeps us steady on slick surfaces with its firm clasping traction and 3.6 mm various-shaped lugs.

While the outsole rubber is durable, its glue to the midsole is disappointing. After just a few test hikes, the outsole began to unpeel. 

Of all the winter hiking boots we lab-tested and wore on the streets, Fairbanks Omni-Heat topped the urban hiking list. Its unmatched lightness and sneaker-like flexibility make it stand out. We enjoyed staying outdoors despite sub-zero temperatures since Fairbanks ensures our feet stay comfortable and insulated all day.

We’re blown away with how this Columbia boot doesn't feel like a brick. At 15.5 oz (439g), it's significantly lighter than the 18.4 oz (521g) average hiking boot. Fairbanks sheds off grams by housing a lower-than-average stack to enhance flexibility. Despite the lower stack, Fairbanks ensures comfort by providing a velvet platform. Our durometer confirms it's 25.0% softer than average.

This pair is the most flexible winter boot we’ve tested so far, even beating some running shoes! It only requires 16.6N force to bend to a right angle, making it 58.5% more adaptive than average.

Honoring its name, Fairbanks really keeps our feet warm the whole day. On our breathability test, it scored the lowest 1/5. It effectively protects us from water and cold air. Moreover, its interior has an Omni-Tech lining that reflects and traps our body heat inside the boot. We highly appreciated this feature on 0°C (32°F) days.

Since Fairbanks highlights comfort and flexibility, we cannot recommend it to severe overpronators because it lacks stability and support for excessive pronation.