What are the best women’s everyday winter boots?

Carlotta SusannaStaff - August 27, 2020

Gear

I’m starting to prepare for the winter and something I really need is a pair of winter boots.

I’m not really looking for hiking boots, just an everyday boot. Something to keep city snow away, my feet warm, hopefully steadier on ice, but that I could also drive somewhat comfortably in them. Note that I live in Colorado so “city snow” can easily mean up to a couple of feet high, but also generally cleared away to few inches + ice. Basically, I’m not going to hike long distances in fresh snow up to my knee. 

These are the boots I was looking at:

Women’s Heavenly™ Omni-Heat™ Lace Up Boot https://www.columbia.com/womens-heavenly-omni-heat-lace-up-boot-1702881.html

Bogs Arcata Knit Boot – Women’s (but I’m wondering if the sole is too thick to be driving in them) https://www.backcountry.com/bogs-arcata-knit-boot-womens

Women’s L.L.Bean Boots, 10″ Shearling-Lined https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43281

Women’s Caribou® Boot https://www.sorel.com/p/womens-caribou-boot-NL1005.html

UGG ADIRONDACK III BOOT (these seem to be the warmest) https://www.ugg.com/women-cold-weather-boots/adirondack-iii-boot/1095141.html

What do you folks think?

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I haven’t tried any of these so can’t comment or recommend based on experience. I’m not a fan of the rubber shoe so the Bogs, Beans and Sorels would be out for me. I’m in CT and don’t usually have to worry about the amount of snow you get in CO, so I usually go for more of a hiking boot. I bought these Timberlands a few years ago and absolutely love them – warm, comfortable and not too heavy. https://www.timberland.com/shop/womens-keele-ridge-waterproof-hiking-boots-brown-a1597110

If I achieve my dream of getting a nice chunk of land in Vermont, I think I would probably splurge for the Uggs!

 

Thanks! Good suggestion for a hiking boot. I had Timberlands before and I really liked them!

 

I have an older model of the Omni boots by Columbia and I love them. I like that they lace up so I can make them snug around my calves.  I’ve spent hours in the snow playing with my kids, even to depths over the top of the boot and zero snow gets inside. They are completely water proof. My feet stay warm without getting too hot and I love that they are thin and flexible so I can move well in them and also feel the ground beneath me. They have average traction over ice. I’d buy them again. That said – they are fabric so they are not good for hooking on a pair of snow shoes or certain cleats if you use them for walking over icy spots. 

 

Oh, cool! Really encoraging to hear that, even though they’re fabric, they’re waterproof. I would just use them for everyday errands so wouldn’t hook them up to snow shoes, but good reminder. Thanks!

 

Not to plug a specific store, but fwiw Zappos usually has a video to go along with photos of the shoes they sell so you can see what each boot looks like on a real human.

 

That’s actually really helpful, thanks! I never shopped from Zappos before so I wasn’t aware of that.

 

I recommend Colombia with omni heat. I have an older set.  It’s probably 7 years old and I could probably get another year out of them but I’d rather be prepared and get them before I need them.

 

You’re the 2nd person to recommend Columbia. How snug are they?

I usually wear inserts with my boots and that sometimes results in a too snug fit.

 

I would say fairly snug. I wear 2 pairs of medium thick socks to work and the boots work just fine with those. I’ve needed to grab something from the car and put my boots on while wearing some super thick fluffy winter stocks and those did not work with the boots.

 

Well, if you’re really from Minnessota I guess we can 1000% trust you that they are good winter boots lol Thanks!