HomeTravel PhotographyThe ten Greatest Winter Mountaineering Boots of 2025, Examined...

The ten Greatest Winter Mountaineering Boots of 2025, Examined and Reviewed


Not like some winter sports activities, winter mountain climbing is an reasonably priced, accessible snowy exercise with low skill-and-cost obstacles to entry. Except you’re seeking to sort out technical peaks, all you want for average winter mountain climbing is acceptable layering, (generally) traction aids, and the best pair of winter mountain climbing boots.

I’ll be sincere — winter shouldn’t be my favourite season, which makes the truth that I’ve lived in Montana for 13 years a questionable alternative. However as soon as I noticed that mountain climbing is year-round exercise, I ended up getting out into the woods extra through the 9 months of winter now we have in Montana. To seek out the very best mountain climbing boots to put on in ice and snow, Journey + Leisure’s professional testers wore a big selection throughout the nation. One of the best winter mountain climbing boots ended up being the pairs that saved our ft heat, dry, and blister-free in quite a lot of situations. They’d wonderful traction and sufficient insulation to remain toasty with out suffocating our ft. We examined a variety of supplies and designs for various path situations and hike distances and these are the very best pairs for any hiker.

KEEN Men's Revel IV High Polar Boots

PHOTO: Amazon

The Eager Revel IV Excessive Polar Boots for girls and males nabbed our high spot due to the rugged building, protecting toe cap, and 200 grams of insulation below waterproof membranes that shield right down to -25 levels Fahrenheit. We wore these boots by way of the woods and to shovel snow in temperatures into the low 30s with a biting north wind. And so they carried out fantastically, due to heavy laces, sturdy rubber outsoles, and simply sufficient insulation to not really feel the chilly throughout tougher sections of mountain climbing or through the effort of snow shoveling. Eager’s Polar traction alongside the whole lot of the outsole supplied wonderful grip on quite a lot of tread (together with wooded trails and slippery snow), and the lugs are deep and have sharp edges to fight uneven terrain. 

These are an incredible mix of snow boot and mountain climbing boot, and like all heftier pair of footwear, we suggest permitting a break-in interval earlier than committing to any walks longer than a couple of miles. And despite the fact that they felt comfy, we do suggest a pair of moderate-to-heavy mountain climbing socks (of at the very least crew peak) to guard your ankles from the boot collar and make sure the sock doesn’t slide down.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-11 Ladies’s, 8-14 Males’s | Leather-based and artificial | 2.25 kilos | Waterproof

Asolo Arctic GV Women’s Hiking Boot

PHOTO: Asolo

With a considerably sleeker look than different boots we examined, the Asolo Arctic GV Boots for males and girls has a extra trendy silhouette that’s fashionable, heat, and reduces bulk for longer path outings. We had been equally impressed with the traction as we had been with the breathability and heat, and located them to be one in all our warmest mountain climbing boots with out extra weight. Like different boots we examined, the Arctic GV took a couple of hours to interrupt in, although they did really feel extra versatile than a few of the beefier choices. We wore them with moderate-weight socks and had been impressed with the continued consolation all through the testing interval. We by no means felt chilly throughout our winter hikes, and the hollow-fiber insulation offers these a formidable warmth-to-weight ratio. Lastly, Asolo makes use of top-of-the-line Vibram outsoles tailor-made towards icy, chilly climate. 

The Particulars: Measurement 6-9 Ladies’s, 8-11.5 Males’s | 2.8 kilos | Leather-based and artificial | Waterproof

Kamik Men's Trek Snow Mid Boots

PHOTO: Kamik

Kamik makes a variety of winter-ready boots each for informal outings in addition to extra hiking-oriented variations, and we had been very proud of the assist and luxury from the Trek Snow Mids for girls and males. Every little thing from arch assist to ankle assist felt secure, and the dependable traction was confidence-inducing on every little thing from slippery rocks to free dust, gravel, and patches of snow. The match was comfy proper out of the field, feeling extra akin to a tennis shoe than a heavier winter mountain climbing boot. That does create some downsides although, as we did expertise some moist toes in deeper, slushier snow — these are finest for icy or powdery situations.

The Particulars: Measurement 6-11 Ladies’s, 7-13 Males’s | Leather-based and artificial | 2.5 kilos | Water resistant

Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot Waterproof Men's Hiking Boots

PHOTO: REI

The X Extremely Snowpilots for girls and males are Salomon’s winter-ready boots of their common X Extremely line. The model’s experience in technical path outings is clear in every little thing from preliminary consolation to the safe match by way of the heel counter. These boots are very effectively insulated, so we suggest carrying them for true winter outings, and we discovered them to be preferrred for something round 20 to 30 levels Fahrenheit. The outsole has wonderful traction and was made for rugged trails, and the waterproof membrane was dependable. Our small nitpick about weatherproofing is that we did want the gusseted tongue went all the best way to the highest of the boot, because it permits some failure factors for water or deeper snow to seep into. However should you throw on a pair of gaiters over the boots, you possibly can clear up this drawback pretty simply.

The Particulars: Measurement 6-11 Ladies’s, 8-13 Males’s | Leather-based and artificial | 1.7 kilos | Waterproof

The North Face Men's Chilkat V 400 Boot

PHOTO: Amazon

For these of us looking for further sturdiness and safety in chilly climate, the Chilkat V for girls and males is your reply. These boots have a basic mountain climbing boot type with further insulation — 400 grams on this occasion — that traps warmth, however permits moisture to flee so your ft don’t get clammy. That additionally means it’s vital to pair these boots with moisture-wicking socks. And whilst you’re choosing your socks, we did discover these to suit considerably cosy, so if you wish to put on heavier socks with these boots, we suggest sizing up a half-size to ensure there’s loads of room to your ft. In any other case, the deep tread proved dependable on a variety of footings, and the additional insulation could be excellent for sitting out within the chilly at a soccer recreation, going sledding, or taking shorter winter hikes.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-11 Ladies’s, 8-13 Males’s | Leather-based and artificial | 3.13 kilos | Waterproof

Columbia Men’s Firecamp Boot

PHOTO: Amazon

Columbia’s vary of reasonably priced, fashionable, and well-made footwear continues to impress us, and we cherished every little thing about these boots from their cute quilted insulation to their light-weight and spectacular heat. The Firecamp Boots for girls and males function a lightweight and versatile woven artificial high materials that’s extremely abrasion-resistant with good weatherproofing, and is loads much less stiff than comparable leather-based boots. We haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear throughout out testing, and have stayed heat in our hikes the place the temperatures obtained down into the 30s. The traction each uphill and downhill felt fairly secure, and whereas we do hope they proceed to interrupt in, we’ll say the sizing feels a bit small and people who find themselves between sizes ought to think about sizing up a half-size. 

The Particulars: Measurement 5-12 Ladies’s, 7-15 Males’s | Textile and artificial | 2 kilos | Water resistant

Forsake Rosie Winter Sneaker Boot

PHOTO: Forsake

Apart from the pure grit and dirt of our check hikes, we had been totally impressed with how new these fashionable boots proceed to appear and feel after weeks of wear and tear. Forsake manages to toe the road between technical and town-ready footwear, and we felt comfy carrying these each on the path and into city after. These present nice ankle assist throughout hikes, however had been nonetheless one of many solely pairs we didn’t really feel like we needed to rigorously break in earlier than carrying on a hike. The dense lining is mushy and comfortable, and the cross-over webbing alongside the surface provides simply sufficient element with out wanting busy.

These felt comfy, heat, and dry in all temperature from 30 levels Fahrenheit and snowing to 50 levels Fahrenheit and wet, making them a flexible, comfy pair for every little thing from winter walks to average shoulder-season outings. Forsake does have some distinctive sizing (we’ve discovered their fashions to really feel fairly lengthy and slender), so we suggest studying their measurement charts rigorously.  

The Particulars: Measurement 6-10 Ladies’s | Leather-based and textile | 1.8 kilos | Waterproof

Oboz Sapphire 8 Inch Insulated Waterproof Women's Hiking Boots

PHOTO: Oboz

These boots are sturdy, effectively made, and we noticed virtually no indicators of wear and tear and tear all through our weeks of testing. The nice and cozy, high-pile lining has maintained its loft, too. We examined these boots with each wool socks and artificial socks and felt comfy and blister free throughout all of our hikes, and didn’t really feel like we needed to rush residence to drag them off like stiffer or tighter boots. The only is thick and well-insulated, and the lugs have wonderful tread for a variety of situations. The one factor we’d change is probably extra arch assist, as individuals with excessive arches may think about including a detachable insole for extra consolation and assist. 

The Particulars: Measurement 6-11 Ladies’s | Leather-based and artificial | 2.25 kilos | Waterproof

REI Salomon Outchill Waterproof Hiking Boots

PHOTO: REI

The Outchill Thinsulate Boots for males and girls is a barely extra nimble shoe than Salomon’s Snowpilots, weighing virtually precisely the identical, however with barely extra flexion by way of the boot’s higher for longer days on path. We had been capable of put on these comfortably in our normal measurement with a midweight pair of socks, and the waterproofing was top-notch. We walked by way of a number of inches of water on a number of events and by no means felt any further chill or waterproofing failure. The arch assist and traction had been additionally spectacular, and these felt comfy for standing all day, in addition to safe on each ice and snow.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-11 Ladies’s, 8-12 Males’s | Leather-based and textile | 2.1 kilos | Waterproof

XPETI Men’s Thermator Mid-Rise Lightweight Hiking Insulated Non-Slip Outdoor Boots

PHOTO: Amazon

There’s loads to be mentioned for an reasonably priced pair of winter mountain climbing boots that does not compromise too a lot on consolation, materials, and design. These Xpeti boots for girls and males are a fraction of the price of many others on our checklist, and whereas they could not maintain up for as many seasons, theses boots do have 200 grams of artificial insulation (just like different boots we examined), and the versatile, abrasion-resistant Cordura higher helps deliver the associated fee down in comparison with leather-based or suede fashions. These are nonetheless reliably waterproof and can maintain as much as average use all through winter, and we by no means doubted their heat throughout our checks. We did really feel like they had been considerably slender, and would suggest sizing up.

The Particulars: Measurement 5-12 Ladies’s, 6-14 Males’s | Cordura and artificial | 3.2 kilos | Waterproof

Others We Appreciated

We examined plenty of winter boots this season, and whereas a lot ranked extremely amongst our testers, there are a couple of that virtually made our high picks, however fell brief in a single or two areas. Regardless, the 4 boots beneath are nonetheless good choices for loads of hikers and are value mentioning.

Asolo Tahoe Winter GTX Mountaineering Boots: These boots carried out effectively relating to heat and luxury, and handed all of our waterproofing checks. Nevertheless, they did take longer to interrupt in than most others. 

Journey + Leisure


Timberland Males’s Chillberg Mid Lace Up Waterproof Mountaineering Boot: These boots get main type factors, wanting extra like a town-ready mid-height boot than a technical hiker. We had been impressed with the design and the development, although the sizing felt a bit off (we’d suggest sizing down), they usually weren’t fairly as breathable as others pairs we examined. 

Journey + Leisure


Merrell MTL Thermo Rogue 4 Mid GTX: With dependable waterproofing and out-of-the-box consolation, we admire Merrell’s dedication to trail-ready sneakers. However this pair has a excessive worth level and a decidedly polarizing design, in order that they undoubtedly gained’t be for everyone. 

Salomon Crosstrak Waterproof Mountaineering Boots: These boots are solely artificial and textile, which retains them considerably lighter and didn’t really feel prefer it impacted safety or waterproofing. Nevertheless, we discovered them to really feel surprisingly cumbersome for his or her comparatively low weight, and would suggest sizing up. 

Journey + Leisure


Our Testing Course of

We despatched our testers 27 pairs of winter mountain climbing boots to check throughout the nation in quite a lot of climate situations. Every tester wore their boots for at the very least one hour round their residence for an preliminary break-in interval, on at the very least two technical hikes, and whereas working errands, shoveling snow, and strolling canines. Testers took notes on every little thing from rapid out-of-the-box impressions to consolation, match accuracy, traction, and waterproofing.

Our testers famous the temperature and terrain of their hikes, in addition to climate situations. All of our high picks carried out the very best and felt essentially the most comfy through the testing interval, specializing in a variety of temperatures, situations, and hiker wants. Our testers will proceed carrying the boots after the preliminary check, and we’ll accumulate their insights for updates on sturdiness and high quality. 

Ideas for Shopping for Winter Mountaineering Boots

Prioritize waterproofing and traction

Waterproofing and traction are two of an important issues to contemplate when looking for winter mountain climbing boots. The waterproof membrane and supplies assist shield your ft from snow and slush, and membranes like Gore-tex or in-house waterproof/breathable know-how will permit moisture to flee whereas holding water out. Icy or snowy trails demand outsoles with deep lugs and specialised rubber compounds designed to grip slippery surfaces — extra vital in winter than three-season mountain climbing. Search for specialised rubber compounds like Vibram Arctic Grip for enhanced winter-ready grip and stability.

Insulation is essential

Most boots on our checklist have at the very least 200 grams of artificial insulation. That’s in regards to the minimal you need in a real winter mountain climbing boot, although there are lighter choices on the market for extra average temperatures. This insulation is light-weight and low bulk, permitting your ft to remain heat with out getting clammy. Severe winter hikers, mountaineers, or peak-baggers will need extra insulation, and may search for boots with as much as 400 grams.

Do not forget breathability

With waterproofing and insulation as key elements to a pair of winter mountain climbing boots, breathability will naturally undergo. And whereas we emphasize the breathability in winter mountain climbing boots due to Gore-tex membranes and breathable Primaloft insulation, the actual fact is, these boots should not as breathable as your light-weight path runners. And that’s okay! One of the best winter mountain climbing boots nonetheless have an excellent quantity of moisture administration capabilities, and it’s vital to put on the best mountain climbing socks to assist wick sweat and preserve your ft dry and (hopefully) blister free.

Incessantly Requested Questions

  • Do I want particular mountain climbing boots for winter backpacking?

    When the temperatures drop and snow begins to pile up on the path, you truly do want winter mountain climbing boots, particularly for backpacking. Search for a pair with deeper lugs and tread for icy or snowy trails, in addition to compatibility with traction aids like spikes or snowshoes. Your boots ought to sit over the ankle and have at the very least 200 grams of insulation with dependable waterproof supplies. 

  • Ought to I measurement up when shopping for winter mountain climbing boots?

    It is dependent upon the model, however we regularly suggest sizing up should you really feel such as you’re between sizes. You undoubtedly don’t need your winter mountain climbing boots to suit too tightly, as that may trigger blisters, sizzling spots, and cut back circulation, which makes your ft colder than regular.

  • How do you forestall slips throughout winter hikes?

    One of the best ways to forestall slipping throughout winter hikes is to know the situation of the path and put together accordingly. Winter mountain climbing boots have good traction for ice and snow, however we suggest bringing a pair of traction aids like spikes. These will be tossed in a pocket or your backpack, and can turn out to be useful for something slippery and steep.

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, and path runner who has backpacked 1000’s of miles, and her mountain climbing and backpacking has taken her from winter peak bagging and coastal backpacking to prolonged journeys within the desert and excessive alpine. Maggie checks dozens of path trainers and mountain climbing sneakers annually, from waterproof winter mountain climbing boots to ultralight summer-ready path runners.

Love an incredible deal? Join our T+L Recommends publication and we’ll ship you our favourite journey merchandise every week.