- Traversing snowy or icy roads and sidewalks requires more than just throwing on a standard pair of boots or tennis shoes.
- A reliable pair of winter boots should offer protection from the elements, provide enough traction to safely navigate patches of ice, and be comfortable to wear all day.
- Here are the winter boots I can’t live without, with picks from Danner, Cat, and Forsake.
- For more general recommendations, take a look at our picks of the best winter boots for either women or men.
To say Lake Tahoe in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains is snowy during the winter is an understatement. With an average snowfall somewhere in the range of 200 to 215 inches per year, it’s a haven for skiers, snowboarders, or anyone yearning for several feet of soft powder.
For everyone else, navigating the accumulated snow takes a careful approach – and the right collection of snow-specific attire. As a resident of Lake Tahoe, I’ve learned that one of the most important pieces of gear is footwear. It’s not unusual for me to walk out of my front door in the morning and find snow up to my knees. Even the snowbanks can easily be as tall as houses.
Over the years, I’ve tried various pairs of snow boots to find what works the best in conquering Lake Tahoe’s cold, snowy, and icy conditions. Whether it’s a pair of boots for everyday wear or something to relax in after a day on the slopes, there’s a pair fit for anyone’s snow-filled lifestyle. Here are five of my favorite, including pairs from brands like Danner, Cat, and Forsake.
Here are the best boots to get you through the winter:
- Best for everyday winter wear: Danner Arctic 600 Chelsea
- Best for deep snow and spring mud: LaCrosse Alpha Lite
- Best for wood stacking and snow shoveling: Cat Stormers
- Best for dinner or a night out: Forsake Alma
- Best for post-ski relief: Puff 'N' Chill
Best for everyday winter wear
Danner's Arctic 600 Chelsea is my everyday winter boot, perfect for running errands, walking the dog, or spending the morning working from a coffee shop.
There's plenty about the Artic 600 from Danner that makes it a worthy winter boot. They feature a slip-on style for easy on and off (along with a helpful finger loop on the front), and the lack of a tongue and laces prevents leakage in low snow and puddles. The boot's low-profile style (about ankle-height) means they pair well with most styles of pants, too.
Since the bottom of the shoe is made entirely of rubber, they have excellent grip on icy roads and sidewalks. Danner refers to it as its Arctic Grip, and while I haven't tested them on something as sheer as a glacier, they do make me feel stable in any icy conditions.
My favorite part of these boots is that they're insulated. I wear them snowshoeing in frigid conditions and never get cold as they're filled with 200g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation. PrimaLoft Gold insulation is a synthetic material that maintains heat even when wet - the whole boot is completely waterproof, anyways but this is still a great feature. My feet have never been wet wearing these.
There are two downsides, however. The Arctic 600 Chelsea retails for around $200 and while they're durable enough to last, it's still a hefty price tag for some consumers. The other drawback is its style - it may not appeal to all wearers. A more traditional laced style is available, though the boot as a whole is a bit chunky, not entirely unlike a pair of Doc Martins.
Pros: Waterproof, insulated, slip-on style, very grippy outsole
Cons: Expensive, only one color/style available for women
Best for deep snow and spring mud
LaCrosse Footwear's Alpha Boot is perfect for shoulder seasons when snow is melting and dirt turns to mud.
It's not unusual for me to wake up to a foot of fresh snow, but that doesn't mean anything I have to do that day gets put on hold. For heavy snow days, it's important to have a tall waterproof boot. While rain boots may occasionally work, the thin rubber leaves my toes freezing in minutes, especially when I'm walking through snow up to my shins.
Instead, I throw on a pair of Alpha Boots from LaCrosse Footwear. Thanks to the diamond pattern quilting and thick rubber base, I find them far more stylish than traditional rain boots - in addition to the fact they function better, too. Their combo of rubber and neoprene makes them as waterproof as can be, even when my foot is completely submerged in water. They're a good option for spring skiing days when warm temperatures and sunny skies mean roads and parking lots are muddy and slushy by early afternoon.
I find that tying and untying laces on tall boots is annoying, especially if they're covered in snow, so I appreciate that these boots are pull-on. It takes no time to get them on if my dog decides he wants to run through the snow at 6 a.m. or if I have to grab something out of my car late at night.
The Alpha line is one of the brand's most popular offerings, so LaCrosse offers several styles and options within the category. I have the Alpha Lite, which is for warmer conditions, so I need to wear a thick ski sock with it in chilly weather. There's an insulated version available for freezing climates like Canada or North Dakota.
Pros: Tall, completely waterproof, equestrian-inspired style
Cons: More expensive if you want the insulated version, tight fit for anyone with larger calves
Best for wood stacking and snow shoveling
With an available steel-toe version and workwear in its DNA, the Cat Stormers are what you need for durability and protection.
In winter, some tasks call for extremely durable and protective footwear. At our home, we have a wood-burning stove to heat the house, which means we're always stacking and chopping wood - and I wear the Cat Stormer boots to protect my feet while doing so.
I also toss these shoes in my trunk when I'm driving in poor weather. If I slide off the road, end up in deep snow, or have to maneuver out of ice and mud with spinning wheels, it helps to have a shoe that I know protects my feet. Though it's never happened, these boots would also be ideal for if I needed to walk a bit to call for roadside assistance, which could easily happen if there's a snowy fender-bender in an area without cell service.
These boots fall more on the workwear side, so style-wise, they won't appeal to everyone. But for the harder parts of mountain life, they're seriously handy. Some might recognize that "Cat" is short for Caterpillar, and yes, it's the same brand that makes that heavy-duty construction equipment.
They come in a steel- or soft-toe option, so you can even choose your level of protection. They're also completely vegan, making them an excellent choice for anyone trying to stay away from animal products.
Pros: Great foot protection, available in a variety of colors and styles, unisex, waterproof
Cons: Heavy, runs a little large
Best for dinner or a night out
Forsake's Alma Boot is the perfect footwear option when you need something dressy yet still want to feel confident trudging through ice and snow.
When I'm going out to a nice dinner or going to a more formal social event, I need a pair of boots that's more elegant and style-focused than the others on this list. But since I'm still walking through snow and ice, I can't put water resistance and warmth on the back burner. This rules out many boots from more style-focused brands.
Fortunately, outdoor companies realized the need to mesh a dressier style with protection from the elements. My current favorite is the Alma Boot from Forsake. They have a sophisticated, modern look, thanks to a tall wedge heel and a choice of three understated colors. I wear them most often with skinny jeans but they lend themselves to just about any winter outfit, and look great with a long wool jacket.
Most importantly, they're warm, and the moisture-wicking fabric on the inside ensures my feet stay dry even if I start to overheat. It also has a comfortable inner foam liner that cradles my foot, making it comfortable when walking long distances. Despite the tall wedge, there's no pain on my heels or ball of my foot when walking on hard surfaces, either. The laces are a bit short but that's a slight annoyance that's easy to overcome.
Pros: Waterproof, more urban/elegant, wedge heel
Cons: Slightly narrow, can come untied, only women's sizes
Best for post-ski relief
Sanuk's Puff N Chill gives your feet a comfortable break at the end of a long day of being shoved into ski or snowboard boots.
While living at a ski resort can have its challenges, there's a major perk: skiing and snowboarding every day. But as anyone will tell you, ski boots are incredibly uncomfortable on your toes. A tight fit is necessary but it can lead to sore spots, poor circulation, and tired feet which is why I always throw Sanuk's Puff N Chill boot into my ski bag.
These slip-boots have a rubber outsole, so they're extra-grippy on snow and ice, plus a foam footbed that contours to your foot. Slipping these on after wearing ski boots all day feels like walking on clouds. Since they're insulated with a fluffy foam fill, they're also quite warm in chilly conditions. They have a wide toe-box, so feet can relax a bit after being shoved into narrow boots. As someone who has wide feet, I feel like I have plenty of space to stretch.
This is also the boot I wear on ski trips, either during long car rides or while flying. They're toasty enough to keep my feet warm on airplanes but comfortable enough to sleep on a red-eye flight. And if they get dirty during travel, I just toss them in the washing machine when I get home. On the off-chance I rip or destroy them, they're relatively affordable to replace. On sale, you can usually find them around $30-$40.
The most obvious downside of these is that they aren't waterproof, so I can't wear them on really wet or rainy days. At resorts, it snows far more often than it rains, so this is rarely a problem but skiers who often contend with rain might want to check the forecast before packing these as their apres-ski boot.
Pros: Extremely comfortable, machine washable, plenty of styles/colors, affordable
Cons: Not waterproof, not as grippy as a true hiking boot