Winter boots are a timeless and charming piece of equipment. From classic tall boots to lightweight, modern styles, they're designed to protect and warm your feet from wet snow and cold temperatures. If you live in a cold and snowy climate, love to hit the trails in the winter, or want to keep your feet warm after skiing, you'll likely need snow boots.
Below, we look at the best winter boots for the 2022 season, including our favorite options for everyday use, hiking, and extreme cold.
Merrell Thermo Overlook 2 Mid
What you should pay attention to: Low shaft height, too rigid and bulky for particularly long hikes.
Many winter boots are designed for warmth, mobility, or even style, but the Merrell Thermo Overlook 2 is a true all-rounder.These grain leather boots feature a waterproof membrane to keep moisture out and Vibram's Arctic Grip outsole for improved traction in cold conditions and slippery surfaces. In terms of insulation, you get 200g M Select, which provides good overall warmth without being too bulky, as well as a cozy fleece lining for added comfort. Finally, the Thermo Overlook adds some nice performance features, including gaiter mounts with D-rings and straps for securing snowshoes or winter traction devices. It all adds up to a well-balanced design that's just as good for shoveling your driveway as it is for hiking on slippery trails.
But like any other universal design, Thermo Overlook has its drawbacks. The relatively low shaft height means you'll need gaiters for moderately deep snow, and the boots' light insulation isn't sufficient for particularly cold temperatures.
Plus, with a lot of rubber around the top of the foot, you don't get as much hiking mobility as you do with Thermo Chill boots. But for around-town wear and easy winter outings in less extreme conditions, the Thermo Overlook offers an unmatched combination of style, durability and performance, earning our top spot this season.
Kamik NationPlus
Kamik's NationPlus model doesn't stand out in any particular category, but it ticks all the boxes for a quality budget option. The boots feature a traditional construction with durable leather and thick rubber uppers that provide waterproof protection to your feet and toes.Insulation is provided by a removable liner, which includes 200 grams of Thinsulate foam, and the high cut provides good protection for the feet and shins. Pair them with thick socks and the NationPlus will keep you comfortable while hiking or shoveling snow in temperatures well below freezing.
Sorel Caribou Boots
Sorel's Caribou model has been around for what seems like forever, and many users love its combination of comfort, style, and performance. These are very warm boots with a 9mm felt liner, cozy sherpa cuff, durable leather upper and rubber bottom that gives you good confidence when walking through slushy puddles. Most manufacturers today use synthetic insulation to reduce bulk, but Caribou's old-fashioned felt lining provides decent warmth and soft cushioning. The liner is also removable, which is a nice feature for speeding up the drying process if the boot gets wet in deep snow.
But where the Sorel falls short is in walking long distances: the heavy design will feel bulkier than a lighter, sleeker design like the Merrell, and some may even consider it too heavy a boot for city use, such as driving. car and quick trips to the grocery store. Yet it's a versatile choice for everything from evening walks in the snow to skiing, and it's hard to argue with its iconic and timeless style.
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