7 Best Winter Hiking Shoes in 2025

How we test winter hiking shoes

To make this recommendation, we’ve thoroughly tested all models in winter, spending significant time in each pair of shoes. We’ve also checked and analysed the footwear inside our lab.

Our selection process involves doing these steps:

• We invest our time, energy, and our own resources to procure winter hiking shoes. This allows us to remain 100% independent and objective when publishing our reviews.
• We take each model on winter hiking excursions to personally assess its actual fit, insulation, traction, stability, durability, and support, among others. We test the models further to determine if they can handle moderate to extreme winter conditions.
• We collect more information from the test results inside our lab. We even dissect the shoes so no part is hidden from our scrutiny. 

3 things to focus on when buying winter hiking shoes

When hiking in winter, we distinguish between 3 different types of weather conditions: when it’s cold and dry, when it’s rainy/snowy, and when the surface is very wet. 

Based on them, we give different recommendations on what to look for in a hiking shoe: 

1. It’s cold yet dry. Look for hiking shoes that are warm (i.e., don’t breathe well). In our lab, that means scoring 1 or 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. We consider these shoes winter-friendly.
2. You expect rain or snow. Look for waterproof hiking shoes that don’t breathe well. By default, most of them don’t. Usually, their names contain waterproof, WP, or GTX. It’s also best when those shoes have gusseted tongues. 
3. If the surface is wet, mushy, or soggy, the focus is on the grip. Look for hiking shoes with deep lugs (4 mm and above). 

Regardless of these conditions, we prioritise shoes that don’t change their features significantly when taken to freezing temperatures. In the lab, we test that by measuring softness and flexibility at room temperature and at freezing temperatures.  

Yes, we simulate the cold weather by putting the shoes in the freezer. We cover this in detail further down. 

If you plan to hike in snowy conditions where the snow levels are higher than the bottom of your ankles, we advise getting a pair of hiking boots instead of shoes. The best thing is, they can be insulated, which means extra warmth! 

Prioritising warmth in hiking shoes for winter 

Nobody likes frozen toes, so here’s our advice on how to find hiking shoes that provide warmth on winter days. We recommend shoes that are not breezy. In the lab, we test the breathability by pumping the smoke into the shoe and examining where and at which rate the smoke comes out. 

In this video, we see how a winter shoe on the right lets way less smoke out when compared to the breathable, summer shoe on the left. 

The breathability rating goes from 1 to 5. Shoes rated 1 or 2 we consider not breathable and, therefore, winter-friendly. 

We also examine the upper of the hiking shoes under the microscope. The non-breathable ones are very tightly woven with no perforation holes:

Breathable ones, that score 4 or 5, are a completely different story. See examples in the image:

Waterproof hiking shoes: Best protection from rain and snow

Winter hiking usually involves some exposure to wet elements. If this is your plan, we strongly recommend choosing hiking shoes that are waterproof. 

When doing wear-testing, we always test waterproof hiking shoes in the rain, puddles, shallow streams, and similar conditions. In the lab, we test the breathability that always corresponds to the waterproofness level we experienced in the field (waterproof shoes are by default less breathable).

If not sure whether the shoes are waterproof, be sure to check the full shoe name or the specifications. The most common waterproof membrane is called GORE-TEX or GTX.

There are other membranes like eVent® or Hydroguard®, and sometimes the name simply includes Waterproof or WP. 

Keep in mind that the waterproof hiking shoes are less breathable than the non-waterproof ones. 

Why gusseted tongues are a must

They are better at keeping the snow, water and debris outside of the shoe because they are attached to both sides of the shoe, just below the eyelets on the inner side. 

Here’s what a gusseted tongue looks like. It is fully attached to the sides: 

In the lab, we check the type of the tongue and note it down in the full-specs sheet. It’s easy to notice the type of gusset just by examining the shoe, but it is much more noticeable once the shoe has been cut in half. 

Lugs must be deep!

Deeper lugs simply bite into the ground better, especially when it’s wet: be it snow, mud, or slush. The deeper the lugs, the better the traction. We recommend 4 mm and above for soft and loose wet ground and up to 4 mm for hard, flat surfaces like rocks. In the lab, we measure the depth of the lugs with a calliper. 

In the example below, we can see that the Fivefingers V-Trek has lugs that are only 2.1 mm deep. On the right, however, the Anacapa Low GTX has 5-mm deep lugs.

However, if it’s mostly mud, which is the stickiest out of the three (snow, mud, slush), our recommendation is to look for lugs that are at least 4 mm deep and not too close to each other. When they have a bit more space between them, they shed the mud better. 

To explain it visually, have a look at Speedcross 6, which is a trail running shoe perfect for mud, and New Balance Nitrel 5, which is more of a do-it-all. Notice how the lugs are deeper and more distant on the first shoe that specialises in mud:

Shock absorption of winter hiking shoes

Regardless of the season, a protective ride is a must. However, here, we're not talking about external factors like bad weather, sharp rocks, etc., but about the harsh impact forces that can hurt hikers' feet. This is why we focus on shock absorption and the midsole's capability to dampen the impact. The higher the shock absorption, the better for the hiker. 

While shock absorption is not so important for very short hikes, especially done by lightweight hikers, it becomes increasingly more important as the mileage grows or backpacks become heavier. 

Durability of winter hiking shoes

Hiking shoes with deeper lugs are usually made of softer rubber. This rubber tends to be less durable, but it is not a rule. The durability of the upper in hiking shoes is always a topic of interest, as not all hikes happen on spotless trails. 

In our lab, we test for both using our Dremel. We press it against the upper and the outsole and measure or assess the damage they sustained. The durability of the upper is assessed on a scale 1-5, where 5 is the most durable. The outsole, however, is measured in the depth of the dent our Dremel has made. More millimetres, less durability.

If you’re worried about the durability of your next pair of hiking shoes, look at our list of top 5 most durable winter hiking shoes (here, we prioritised the outsole durability): 

How softness and flexibility change with the temperature

We like putting shoes in the freezer. Because this allows us to anticipate how the shoes will feel and perform in cold weather. 

First, we measure a durometer to measure the softness of the hiking shoe. We push it against the midsole after we’ve cut the shoe in half. The lower the number on the durometer, the softer the shoe. 

Then, we measure the flexibility of the shoe we did not cut in half. We clamp it to the table and bend it with a force gauge. The higher the number (force) on the gauge, the stiffer the shoe. 

Then, we repeat this test after the shoe has spent 20 minutes in the freezer. For winter hiking, it is important that the changes (in %) are not big. The worst-case scenario is that the shoe stiffens up and firms up a lot (say 50% or more). If it also started with numbers higher than the average, then we can assume it will feel like a brick once taken to the cold area. 

See the top 5 hiking shoes that have firmed up the least in this test. We also added their change in flexibility. 

Socks for winter hiking 

Without a doubt, the best socks for winter are cushioned socks made of wool. Today, Merino wool is usually used, usually at least in some percentage. Wool socks dry quickly, which is very important in case your feet sweat, or the water/snow does get inside.

They also tend to stay odour-free, thanks to their natural antimicrobial feature. And, they are made of a natural material (unlike, say, nylon socks). And, as if we needed anything else, they tend to warm the feet even when they get wet (unlike, say, polyester socks). 

Before buying any kind of hiking shoes

If you’re actually new to hiking shoes, we suggest starting with the basics. From how to find the perfect fit in hiking shoes and which shoes are best for technical terrain to shoes for backpacking and types of midsoles. We’ve covered it all in the Best hiking shoes guide.