The best type of winter footwear varies dramatically depending on the environment. But whether you’re trudging through feet of snow to collect firewood or simply walking your dog on a chilly afternoon, the right set of duds makes all the difference. Our test crew of six women and four men tried 38 pairs of boots, from thick, farm-ready mucks to fashion-forward Chelseas in foul winter weather across the country. These eight picks rose to the top.
At a Glance
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Best Overall
Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boot
$265 at REI (Men’s) $265 at Backcountry (Women’s)
Size Range: 4-13 (men’s), 6-11 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Classic Chelsea boot style
⊕ Fully waterproof
⊕ Grippy Vibram soles
⊗ Tight fit around the heel
⊗ Hard to pull on and off
This winterized version of Blundstone’s classic Chelsea boot was an instant favorite. Several testers commented on how happily surprised they were that these boots are truly…