Best Men’s Winter Boots 2023

If you live or visit anywhere cold, you’ll know that winter weather is highly unpredictable. A solid pair of winter boots ensures you’re not caught off guard—whether you’re shoveling out a driveway, commuting on slushy streets or hiking through snow. The best winter boots for men combine rugged durability, warmth and comfort. After interviewing multiple outdoor experts, I determined the best men's winter boot overall (Baffin Canada) and the best value option (Kamik Nation Plus) can handle any inclement weather, and not leave your feet frozen and wet.

The best winter boots for men

My advice: Beyond checking for a good fit, pay attention to other practical boot details—especially traction, insulation, height and waterproofing. Ahead, I rounded up the top options highly recommended by the experts. And if you need more exceptional outdoor gear, check out our guide to the warmest winter coats for men.

Baffin

Sizes: 7-14 | Colors: Brown, Black | Materials: Leather upper, synthetic lining, rubber sole

Made in Ontario, Canada, since 1979, Baffin specializes in heavy duty boots made for taking on the snow. Designed to handle temperatures as low as -40 degrees, the Canada has breathable insulation, a grippy rubber base for traction on slick surfaces and a flexible gel midsole for comfort. Some wearers say they run large, so size down if you’re between sizes.

Amazon

Sizes: 7-14 | Colors: Dark Brown, Charcoal, Olive, Black/Charcoal, Black, Tan, Navy, Camo | Materials: Leather upper, rubber outsole, synthetic insulation

Kamik has been making boots for more than a century. This pair is affordable and covers all your important bases: It's seam sealed to be waterproof, lined with 200g Thinsulate insulation and is temperature-rated to -40 degrees. It's a casual winter boot that great for everyday errands, shoveling and brief walks. One criticism: You can't cinch these super tightly so they’re not best if you prefer a locked-in feel.

Sorel

Sizes: 7-14 | Colors: Bruno, Buff, Black | Materials: Leather upper, felt inner boot, rubber outsole

The Caribou has been Sorel's top-rated boot since 1962. Made for use in heavy snow, it's been updated through the years and now has a sherpa snow cuff, seam-sealed upper and a seriously rugged sole for sure footing on ice-covered mountainsides and slippery sidewalks. It has a wide toe box to support circulation and blood flow so your feet don't get cold. FYI: Many buyers say these run big.

Ugg

Sizes: 7-18 | Colors: Worchester, Black, Metal | Materials: Wool, sherpa, leather, rubber

Whether you’re skiing or digging your car out from a deep snow drift, this boot is cold weather rated to -25 degrees. The Ugg Butte is waterproof, lined with warm sherpa and wool, and has a durable Vibram outsole that's designed to stay flexible even in freezing conditions. Reviewers love them for their tough outsole and say the plush lining makes them extremely comfortable.

REI

Sizes: 7-14 | Colors: Black | Materials: Ripstop nylon upper, polyester lining, rubber outsole

Baffin's Impact boots can withstand temperatures up to -148 degrees (they’ve been tested in the North and South poles). They rely on a multi-layer inner boot system that traps and regulates heat, a cold-resistant sole and upper with double buckle fastening and a locking collar to block out snow. If you can't survive a full-on blizzard in this pair, don't blame your footwear.

Columbia

Sizes: 7-15 | Colors: Titanium II, Black, Elk, Shark, Abyss, Black/Cordovan, Graphite, Nori | Materials: Synthetic upper, rubber sole

If you’re looking for an all-weather hiking boot, this Columbia pair has a seam-sealed, waterproof membrane and 200mg insulation to easily handle snow. While many winter hiking boots are clunky and heavy, these are comparatively lightweight, with gummy traction to counteract slick surfaces and a cushiony midsole that reduces leg fatigue. Users particularly like the boot's tight lacing system, although some say the fit runs narrow.

Huckberry

Sizes: 8-13 | Colors: Forest Night, Tan, Tan/Brown, Black | Materials: Leather, rubber

From Austin, Texas-based men's lifestyle brand Huckberry, this hybrid of a traditional duckboot is fully waterproof and offers a springy midsole with the comfort of a sneaker and a grippy Vibram outsole for nice traction. Also great: The high rand—the rubber part that comes up around the toe cap—which prevents scuffs and wear and tear over time.

Backcountry

Sizes: 7-12 | Colors: Copper Rough & Tough, Oro Legacy, Briar Oil Slick, Black Prairie | Materials: Leather, cork, rubber

Originally founded in Minnesota in 1906, Red Wing is known for durable work boots. This model—first created in the early 1950s—is a brand classic, with a comfortable cork midsole, traction-tread rubber outsole and a full-grain leather upper that breaks in beautifully. On the downside, there's very little arch support and the boots aren't fully waterproof, so they’re best for cold weather without snow. FYI: They run large, so you might want to size down.

Timberland

Sizes: 7-15 (medium, wide) | Colors: What Nubuck, Black Full-Grain, Brown Oiled Full-Grain, Marigold Full-Grain | Materials: Leather, rubber

Timberland's Pro Direct boots have a tough exterior that can take a beating and an insulated lining to help you retain heat on cold days. This pair is seam sealed to be waterproof, has a lug outsole and is outfitted with "anti-fatigue technology"—which basically means it has comfortable, shock-absorbers built in to reduce strain if you’re on your feet all day.

REI Co-op

Sizes: 8-13 | Colors: Antique Brown, Rustic Brown, Black | Materials: Leather, synthetic insulation, rubber

Blundstone's winter boots have a cult following: Designed in Australia, they’re lined with a shearling footbed, Thinsulate insulation and waterproof leather. Comfort is where this boot really shines: Its springy XRD footbed—a type of foam designed for impact protection—and cushioned midsole are forgiving on joints, and reviewers say they’re good to go right out of the box.

For this story, I spoke with three experts who are well-versed in outfitting—everyone from cold-weather commuters to climbers. This list included Michael McKinney, footwear department coordinator at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Andrew Butterworth, outdoor gear expert and "Summit Gearhead" at Backcountry; and Patrick Kenger, menswear stylist and founder of Pivot Image Consulting. They pointed out what to look for in the best men's winter boots and offered opinions on some of the top-rated styles on the market.

The ideal winter boot depends largely on where you live and what you plan to do in your boots. With that in mind, I began by looking at boots for mild winter climates and progressed all the way up to styles that can withstand negative digits and several feet of snow. I assessed boots recommended by the experts I spoke with and looked at all the top sellers from major outdoor retailers. Then, I scoured hundreds of reviews from users. I also considered if boots were not only functional, but stylish as well.

Ultimately, the best winter boots met the following criteria: They were expert-recommended or had overwhelmingly positive reviewers over a consistent period of time; they come in a wide variety of sizes; they have a sole that offers reliable traction and an upper made from durable, and in most cases, waterproof materials.

Shopping for men's winter boots is likely more nuanced than you’d think. Below, the key factors to consider, according to experts:

First, think about your needs. Are you looking for a commuter boot for walking to the train in slush, a winter hiking boot for snowy mountainsides or an insulated work boot or something stylish that can transition seamlessly from after work to dinner? This information will determine factors like whether you need a boot that's fully waterproof or if you will be best served by a slip-on or lace-up boot.

Also, realize that everyone has a different tolerance for the cold. "When shopping for winter boots, it's important to remember our bodies are like a tree," says Michael McKinney, footwear department coordinator at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Our core is our warmest and our extremities require more time for warm blood to circulate to them. In the cold, our fingers and toes get cold faster." Wearing three pairs of socks and jamming them into boots that are too small isn't a good idea. "You need to have well-fitting boots that allow for good circulation so you can wiggle toes and allow warm blood to get to them. You don't necessarily need to wear the warmest sock possible. You will warm up if you’re active and generate blood flow," says McKinney.

"Synthetic insulation is generally the best bet in winter boots to ensure warmth," says Andrew Butterworth, outdoor gear expert and "Summit Gearhead" at Backcountry. "A good pair of thick wool socks can help, but keep an eye out for synthetic insulation at around 200 grams for plenty of warmth. Although different companies have their own proprietary insulations, Primaloft is generally the gold standard." Many boots are equipped with removable liners that offer both loft and breathability, which is key when you’re moving around and feet start to sweat.

"A good rubber sole with plenty of traction lugs and sticky rubber with something like Vibram will help keep you upright," says Butterworth. "Some boots can also come with spikes to increase traction as well, and in the worst of conditions over-the-foot crampons are also necessary with something like Kahtoola microspikes." Of course, the chunkier the lug sole, in general the heavier the boot, which can be fine for walking short distances but not ideal for long hikes.

The height of a boot can be important for two reasons: The higher the boot, the more potential for warmth and keeping out snow. "Not everyone will need a mid-calf boot, since some locations don't get snow that deep but are still cold and icy to warrant insulation and traction," says Butterworth. "I like to think about the climate and environment the boots will be used in; how cold is it and how deep is the snow potentially going to be?

"A fully gusseted tongue to keep out moisture as well as a waterproof membrane is the only way to ensure the boot is fully waterproof," says Butterworth. "For waterproof treatments, Gore-Tex is your best bet, but leather boots are also able to be treated with waterproof coatings to keep your feet dry in the long run." When shopping for boots, you may also see the term "seam sealed," which means a sealant is applied to a boot's seams, blocking water from seeping in.