All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We’re planning to spend much of this season buried under the covers, but when we do inevitably venture out, you’ll find us wearing the best winter boots. While you could just rely on your trusty white sneakers, boots are often warmer and so much better at blocking out the unavoidable gray slush on every sidewalk. (No more soaked socks this winter!) With so many options on the market, though, choosing the right pair can be tough. That's why we turned to the experts and Glamour testers to bring you the right pairs.
Our top picks
- Most Stylish Winter Boots: Tory Burch Tall Banana Boots, $348
- Most Comfortable Winter Boots: Ugg Ultra Mini Classic Boots, $150
- Warmest Winter Boots: Sorel Joan of Arctic Waterproof Boots, $240
- Best Waterproof Winter Boots: Keen Greta Waterproof Chelsea Boots, $160
- Best Winter Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab 3 Thermo Hiking Boots, $144
- Best Lace-up Winter Boots: Dr. Martens Leona Boots, $170
What to look for in winter boots
“The two most important things I would look for in a winter boot would be the fit and matching the boot with the activity,” Joann Jablonic, senior sales lead at REI, tells Glamour. (We’re not going to a winter wedding in hiking boots, nor are we snowshoeing in suede knee-highs.) Jablonic recommends waterproof boots for any active pursuits, since unpredictable weather is a wintertime constant. “Don’t forget about wearing the right socks,” she says, noting that warm, well-fitting pairs “will make any outdoor activity enjoyable.”
The best winter boots of 2023
Whether you’re looking for cute fall-inspired boots to wear to brunch or insulated, water-resistant booties to trek the backcountry, you won’t find any duds in this edit. Below are the best winter boots for women that bring any winter outfit together. Let’s get stomping, shall we?
Most stylish winter boots for women
Navigating winter streets and events requires footwear that can handle just about anything your day (or Mother Nature) might throw at you. The best cold-weather boots for all-day wear are season-appropriate—and still look chic when you head indoors. Madewell and J.Crew offer two on-trend options; the former has a chic kitten heel, while the latter is a silver pair of winter boots with the softest faux-shearling lining. Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff says her Tory Burch shoes “go with everything,” especially jeans and dresses. Glamour shopping editor Malia Griggs, meanwhile, loves Timberland’s heeled take on its classic work boots: “Comfy, cute, classy.” Rounding out our favorites are some time-honored Dr. Martens combat boots and a Miu Miu–esque pair from Steve Madden that Glamour junior designer Channing Smith is currently obsessed with.
Best snow boots for women
Running errands around town with chilly feet and soaked insoles isn’t ideal. If you live in a region that will get snow, these picks are weather-resistant and able to handle deep snow. Columbia, Sorel, and Ugg all offer options with thick rubber soles, faux-fur linings to keep your toes toasty, and waterproof leather uppers. (Sorel’s iconic pick even offers a washable, removable liner for faster drying.) Meanwhile, Hunter’s shorter option is built like a puffer jacket and features cinched openings to keep snow and slush out. (Pro tip: Keep things roomy and go up half a size to accommodate thick socks.) Winter weather and extreme cold never stood a chance.
.png)
Best tall winter boots for women
For effortless winter fashion, pair a short sweater dress with black tights, then add polish with knee-high boots. Although these suede and leather boots might not make it through intense snowfall or icy winter conditions, they’ll do the trick on milder days. Everlane’s elegant boots come highly recommended by Griggs and Glamour shopping writer Andrea Navarro. Navarro also loves an over-the-knee version of the Larroudé pair below, which instantly adds drama to any outfit. Meanwhile, Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum recommends Lisa Vicky’s lug sole shoes “because they’re water-resistant (and more affordable than a lot of other options).” On the riding-boot front, Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff says her Cole Haan pair is “fashion-forward and functional, and so easy to go from daytime to nighttime in.”
.png)
Most comfortable winter boots for women
Ask any celebrity or Glamour editor and you’ll get the same answer: Ugg boots make every winter expedition better. Emily Ratajkowski and Glamour’s Navarro have both cosigned the brand’s Ultra Mini boots, while the slightly taller option is still just as cozy today as it was in 2013. If you’d like to go a little dressier, Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz calls Frye’s riding boots “really comfy,” and Glamour shopping writer Jake Smith says Blundstone’s classic slip-ons “are ideal for all-day walking, especially if it’s slushy out, with wide toe boxes and a soft footbeds that keep feet happy.”
Best active winter boots for women
Thanks to the rise of gorpcore, technical winter boots are more popular with the fashion crowd than ever. That’s great news for anyone who likes comfortable, high-performance winter footwear, whether you’re hiking every weekend or just serious about staying warm during blizzards. REI's Jablonic recommends Oboz’s waterproof, insulated boots for hikers and snowshoers, calling them “a versatile winter [option] that provides a nice, sturdy fit with its lacing and lightweight construction.” Glamour’s Smith recommends the Keen and Merrell options below because they offer similar benefits with even more stylish designs (and tall silhouettes for ankle support and puddle-proofing). And according to reviewers, the Tory Burch pair is built with grippy rubber outsoles for better traction on trails and city streets alike.
