According to Zappos senior buyer Julie Hardy, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for winter boot shopping. “It all depends on the environment that the shopper will be in and what they need out of the product,” she says. But, there are specifics to look out for in winter boots depending on what you need.
“Shopping for winter boots can feel like a task for Goldilocks; it may take a few tries to find a style that is just right,” Hardy says. “As the definition of winter may change in a shopper’s region from season to season, so do the features they’ll want to look for in footwear.” She points out a bunch of tips to keep in mind while shopping:
Spend time reading product descriptions.
Start by figuring out what you’re shopping for—ask yourself, “What do I need?” The type of boot you’d want for everyday city commuting is way different from what you’d need for winter hiking or snowshoeing in seriously cold weather, explains Hardy. She points out that products are designed based on the user’s intent.
Next up, consider how much warmth your surroundings demand. Hardy suggests that the level of snow and rain will determine factors like boot shaft height, traction, lining, and waterproofing.
Be cognizant of the type of surfaces you walk on.
“You want to consider what pavements you’ll walk on (wet vs dry), snow type (packed vs fluffy), and ice type (black vs wet), or if you’re lucky, all of the above,” Hardy notes. “If you encounter a lot of ice, you’ll want to narrow your search criteria to styles with ice traction and/or cleats.”
She also notes that many brands have their own proprietary slip-resistant technology. “When shopping for a product, read the description and look for terminology describing the outsole and the grip it provides. Some examples of this are keywords like ‘Omni-Grip’ from Columbia, ‘Evertread’ from Sorel, or ‘Vibram Megagrip’ and ‘Arctic Grip’ for many other retailers.” If you’re constantly dealing with ice, look for a pair of boots with lugs (those rubber bumps at the bottom of the outsole), which can help with slip and act as a cleat to rid the shoe of snow/debris.”
Look at the waterproof/insulation rating.
If you’re going to be spending a good amount of time in the snow or rain, Hardy suggests keeping an eye out for seam-sealed and waterproof features—essential for keeping your feet dry and protected. She also advises considering how long you’ll be out in the snow and if you need a lot of insulation. While temperature ratings provide a useful starting point, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule.
For most outdoor activities like snowshoeing, hiking, or backpacking, around 200 grams of insulation should suffice, though it ultimately depends on the user. Hardy also says that liners can boost the product’s warmth. To identify insulation and waterproofing features, she recommends looking for terms like “Thinsulate” and “GORE-TEX” that describe these properties.
Take note of shaft height.
“How much snow you’ll encounter shapes the decision for shaft height (aka the height of your boot),” says Hardy. “We’ve seen customers opt for shorter shaft heights, voting for mid-heights (6.5 inches) over traditional tall heights (12 inches), due to more recent conditions.” However, if you will be deep in the elements, you’ll want to find a taller shaft or product compatible with gaiters, she notes.
