Winter is coming. And this is more than just a stock phrase from Game of Thrones. Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, you are probably seeking the best winter boots for men.
Winter boots are a necessity depending on the climate or your planned outdoor activities. Feet can easily get frostbitten without the right protective covering, so a good pair of winter boots can save your toes.
In extreme cases, your high-quality pair of winter boots could save your life.
Most likely, however, you will just need some sturdy boots to get you through the mundane snow and ice that blows through every winter.
In this review round-up, we will take a look at some of the best winter boots for men available.
Table of Contents
COMPARISON TABLE – BEST WINTER BOOTS FOR MEN
[amazon bestseller=”best winter boots for men”]
HOW WE CHOSE OUR RATINGS
We want our clothing reviews to be helpful to you, so we strive for providing information that is helpful and honest. To help understand how the product actually works for real people that have tried it, we scour online reviews and testimonials in-depth.
The overall reputation of the shoe brand in question is also a factor in our ratings. However, we also realize that sometimes the best “name brands” have slips or downgrades in quality.
In effect, they are skating off of their past accomplishments and not currently producing the best shoes like they used to. This is unfortunately very common, especially in the footwear industry.
WHAT KIND OF WINTER BOOTS FOR MEN DO YOU NEED?
With many different types of men’s boots to choose from, you should get clear before you start shopping on what exactly you need. Or, if you are shopping for a man in your life, what he might need.
“Winter” can mean many different things depending on what location you are living in. A winter in Michigan or Wisconsin is likely to involve a lot of deep, wet snow if it’s a stormy winter. At its worst, you may be dealing with a lot of brown, mushy slush that is cold and wet and seems to get into every crack and crevice of your shoes.
If you are in a warmer climate, however, such as Los Angeles or Texas, your main winter concern could be rain and lots of it, depending on whether El Niño or La Niña is in vogue this year in terms of weather patterns.
WINTER HIKING BOOTS AND CRAMPONS
Are you going to be hiking in the winter? Or perhaps you are planning a trip to Mount Everest? Then you will want to have very tough, insulated boots that have a good grip on the soles.
(Of course, if you are seriously going to try to climb Mount Everest or any other mountain with snow), you will probably need more than just good winter boots – you will also need crampons.
TOP 7 BEST WINTER BOOTS FOR ME
Without further ado, here are some really terrific men’s winter boots that will keep you warm as well as upright on ice and snow. Ratings are based on five stars being the best.
KAMIK MEN’S NATIONPLUS BOOT
[amazon box=”B0078J8BF2″]
At 5 stars, these cold-weather boots are a steal, as they are sold on Amazon. Made from leather, these rubber-soled shoes are temperature rated to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The boot’s shaft is approximately 10 inches from the arch, giving you a lot of warmth for your calves.
The platform is approximately three-quarters of an inch.The leather-and-rubber upper features 200B Thinsulate insulation and a lining that wicks moisture away. The winter boot also offers a “speed-lacing system” that is rustproof. Available colors are dark brown, black, and black/charcoal.
Reviewers say they like the boot for its good tread, though some complain the shoes do not keep the feet warm enough due to “flimsy thin soles.” However, others call them an “everyday practical boot that is warm, durable and practical for the north country winters.”
KEEN MEN’S SNOW BOOTS SNEAKERS
[amazon box=”B01MQKFPWT”]
These are the cheapest winter boot option for men we have here. And with a 4.5-star rating, these “boot sneakers” are a great deal. You won’t look like you are wearing heavy boots, and you won’t feel like you are wearing boots, but you’ll be wearing winter boots.
These rubber-soled “fashion sneakers” are lined with fake fur that is soft and toasty warm in cold wintry weather. You can get a high-quality PU leather upper, designed to keep wet snow from penetrating the shoes. Or, another option is a softer suede that you could even wear out to the club.
The sturdy rubber outsole is designed to be “antiskid.” It is designed to be flexible while keeping you from slipping on icy, wet surfaces.
The best part about these sneaker boots is that they are very lightweight, especially compared to many winter boots or shoes. Both suede and PU leather styles come in black and dark blue.
TIMBERLAND MEN’S WHITE LEDGE MID WATERPROOF ANKLE BOOT
[amazon box=”B000VX584E”]
This is the #1 Best Seller in Men’s Hiking Boots on Amazon, and for good reason. These imported waterproof ankle boots are full-grain leather with a rubber sole. The platform is about a half an inch with a 4.75-inch shaft.
The premium quality leather has been waterproofed and the seams sealed to keep the foot dry in wet sloppy snow and sleet. The rustproof speed lacing system has hooks at the top for easy and secure lacing. These waterproofed winter weather boots can be used for light hiking and casual wear.
They are not made for heavy duty hiking or climbing in part because they do not have the strong ankle support. Some reviewers recommend putting a coating of Mink Oil on the boots to improve the waterproofing on the leather.
You can also put in a “Dr. Scholl’s” shoe insert for added cushioning. Reviewers praise these boots for being durable and having a large, comfortable toe box. They break in fairly quickly. These Timberland boots come in black, dark brown, wheat, and regular brown.
MERRELL MEN’S MOAB POLAR WATERPROOF WINTER BOOT
[amazon box=”B00D7CHCYU”]
Merrell is known for offering quality outdoor shoes at prices that aren’t super crazy expensive. This waterproof winter boot is not their best shoe available, at only 4 stars. But, it still makes our list for being a strong showing at a decent price range.
This imported winter boot is offered in two colors, black and espresso, and the materials are a mix of leather, fabric, and synthetic.The synthetic sole supports a heal that measures approximately one and a quarter inch. The midsole and footbed are made from molded EVA. The outsole has what Merrell calls an “M-Select ICE GRIP.”
The shaft is six and a half inches high. This “high silhouette” boot also offers a “protective shell bootie” and “color-blocked cage overlays.”To keep the boot free from wet slush and snow, it is treated with an “M-Select DRY treatment.”
Overall, the reviews of these winter boots were very positive. For example, one reviewer wrote: “These boots are excellent. They are very comfortable and very durable. They grip the ground (in the snow) very well. I live in an area where it snows fairly often, and it just stacks up, and these boots kept my feet dry walking through the deep snow.”
However, one of the most common complaints was that these Merrell boots were just too narrow. If you have wide feet, you will need to pass. This is why we gave these boots 4 stars instead of 4.5 or 5.
MUCK BOOT MEN’S ARCTIC PRO HUNTING BOOT
[amazon box=”B007KI2H06″]
These are some serious boots for some serious winter cold conditions. They aren’t the cheapest, but they may just be what you need for arctic conditions.With a 14-inch shaft and a 15.5-inch opening, these high boots come in black and dark shadow styles.
Materials include flexible neoprene that helps with retaining warmth as well as shock absorption and chafe reduction. Special materials featured are high grade extended rubber with “Spandura” that makes the shoes more durable while remaining flexible. The entire shoe is 100 percent waterproof.
The shoes are lined with fleece and they are comfort rated from -60 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-50 to -1 degree Celsius).The manufacturer boasts that most advanced traction on wet ice with their “Vibram Arctic Grip outsole pods.”
COLUMBIA MEN’S BUGABOOT PLUS III OMNI COLD-WEATHER BOOT
[amazon box=”B00RGW2HKG”]
You can find these 4.5-star men’s winter boots for really crazy prices. The leather and textile upper come in three unique color combinations: mud and squash, charcoal and bright red, or black and charcoal.
These boots have rubber soles and shafts that are seven inches from the arch, which provides tons of ankle coverage and warmth. The “Omni-Grip” rubber outsole offers non-marking traction. The “Techlite” midsole is lightweight to keep it comfortable with strong cushioning and “high energy return.”
The upper is an attractive construction of nylon, leather, strong synthetic webbing, and sturdy metal hardware.
The waterproofed boots are seam-sealed. The “Omni-Heat” reflective lining provides 200g of insulation.These get some great reviews, like the following:
“Great boots! I’m a USPS letter carrier who does most to all of my routes on foot. Just bought these yesterday and they’re great. Been walking in snow all day today and my feet were dry and comfortable. There’s no breaking in period, they’re already comfy and my feet are picky too so that’s nice. Great tread too. Walked on lots of ice today too and they kept me as stable as any boot I’ve owned.”
However, some people have complained that the shoes are not as sturdy as they used to be, and the quality may have declined slightly in recent years.
KAMIK MEN’S GREENBAY 4 COLD-WEATHER BOOT
[amazon box=”B003IWYN3W”]
Here is another great entry from Kamik, in a completely different style from their other entry in our list. This 600 denier nylon shoe ranges on Amazon. These boots, which made in this “best winter boots for men” list, are made in the USA with imported materials.
The synthetic RubberHe sole provides good traction in snow and on ice. The generous boot opening is about 20 inches around, and a long, warm shaft is a total of 13 inches high. The waterproof upper is very versatile, with a heat-retaining 8mm thermal-guard liner that you can remove on warmer days. There is also a hook-and-loop strap closure and a drawstring at the top line.
Here is one happy reviewer: “I recently rented a snowmobile at Government Camp Mt Hood and were given these boots with the rental. I LOVED them SOOO much I bought a pair to use on another recent snow trip to Bear Valley California! They are SOOO comfortable and keep my feet ‘toasty’ warm in the deep snow all day.
BUYER’S GUIDE – BEST WINTER BOOTS FOR MEN
As always, personal taste and preference place a huge role when it comes to fashion items such as shoes.
We realize that shoes are more than just “fashion,” as they need to be protective and sturdy. But ultimately, your personal tastes will decide whether a shoe or boot is right for you.
And sometimes, the only way to do that is by buying a pair of best winter boots for men and wearing it for a while.
This is especially true when it comes to boots, which need a breaking in period before you achieve comfort.
The main thing to remember when buying any sort of hiking boot or winter shoe that requires thick sock is to size up. You should get at least a half size up from your normal shoe size, or even a full size up.
Once in a while, a boot might run small, but nine times out of ten you need a bigger shoe for thick socks and possibly swollen feet.
