Best men’s snow boots for winter walks and cold weather in 2024

Sorel’s caribou is the definitive snow boot. It’s insulated, waterproof, fleecy on the inside, rubberised on the toe, and nice and high for trudging through the powder. This pair is the benchmark for all other snow boots and winter boots to aim for, and boasts the added bonus of looking great, too.

The caribou is very much a cold-weather boot. This isn’t a piece of footwear you’re going to be able to rotate throughout the year – it’s really only suitable for the darkest depths of winter. As such, it has a cosy shearling collar, insulated felt liner (removable for easy washing), and a heavily lugged outsole for maximum grip.

It’s most at home in heavy snow, but equally useful in mud, rain, cold and general winter conditions.

From the most expensive pair of boots we tested, to the most affordable. These cosy snow boots from Trespass may not be made from high-end leather, nor are they Goodyear welted, but they’re warm, comfortable, rubberised where it matters, and about as waterproof as you can get for under £40. Nothing flashy, but if you’re seeking something cheap and cheerful for the occasional snowy school run or dog walk, they’re hard to fault.

One thing to note is that these boots are quite stiff, which is largely because of the rubberised lower portion. As a result, they can rub on longer walks. To combat this, we’d suggest going up a half size from your usual and wearing them with a pair or two of thick socks.

If you’re looking for a comfortable sneaker boot to keep you warm on winter walks, then this admittedly quite unusual-looking option from Adidas terrex might fit the bill. It has a dual closure system, which consists of an inner quick-lace cord and an outer zip-up flap. Together they create a solid barrier against the wet and cold, with a Gore-Tex membrane helping to seal out the worst of the weather.

These are extremely warm boots that perform well in wet and muddy conditions, thanks in part to the deep, aggressively patterned lugs to the outsole that allow the shoe to bite into mud and snow for traction. The springy foam midsole is excellent for comfort, and while it doesn’t provide enough support for serious hiking, it’s perfect for everything else.

For us, the only downsides are the rather large terrex branding to the sides and the price tag. If neither of those things bother you, then this is one of the best options out there.

American heritage brand Red Wing is famous for tough-as-nails work boots, and these particular ones are robust even by its signature standards. The roughneck is essentially a beefed-up, winterised version of the brand’s famous moc toe work boot, which, instead of the classic white wedge sole, features a heavy-duty commando outsole, courtesy of the biggest name in the game: Vibram.

The uppers are cut from thick yet supple oil-tanned leather, which is incredibly hard-wearing and resistant to water, stains and scuffs. This, combined with the grippy outsole and gusseted design of the tongue, makes this boot an excellent choice for winter conditions, including use in snow.

We’d advise pairing them with a shearling insole for a bit of added warmth. It’s also a good idea to go at least half a size down from your usual shoe size, as these boots fit large, and the leather softens and stretches slightly with wear.

Warm, waterproof, supremely comfortable and as grippy as they come – in terms of sheer winter-readiness, it’s impossible to fault these Primaloft-insulated snow boots from American boot brand Danner. Our tester has spent several winters trudging around various Alpine ski resorts in these boots, as well as their fair share of muddy British fields and icy footpaths, and they’ve never put a foot wrong.

One of the details that makes the Arctic 600 unique is the waterproof zipper that features on the inside of each boot. These make getting the boots on and off incredibly easy, which is appreciated when your fingers are tender from the cold or you’re in a hurry to get out of the house.

However, the major selling point is the comfort. This boot is one of the most comfortable we’ve tested. The gusseted tongue is soft and padded, and it hugs the foot gently when the laces are pulled tight. The insulated padding inside adds to this feeling, resulting in a warm and cushy boot that’s perfect for traipsing around in unpleasant weather.

It’s a shame these beautifully made, round-toe boots from R.M. Williams are so brilliantly suited to winter conditions, because they’re almost too nice for trampling through ice and mud. At a shade under £500, this is not a cheap piece of footwear by anyone’s standards, but for those who appreciate real quality and craftsmanship, there might be a case to be made for the boot as an investment piece.

What makes it so well suited to winter is the addition of a heavily lugged commando sole unit, which contrasts nicely with the boot’s smart looks and provides ample grip and traction in wintery weather.

Handmade in Australia, the rigger boot is Goodyear welted, which means the upper is stitched to the sole in a way that makes it easily replaceable and repairable. In other words, if you look after these boots for life, they may very well look after you for life, too. Couple that with the beautiful Horween leather, which develops character and patina as it ages, and you’ve got a boot for the long haul.

Snow boots aren’t the comfiest things in the world, but when we slipped our feet into Mountain Warehouse’s arctic snow boots, oh boy, did we enjoy them. Tested in the Norwegian mountains, these boots kept our feet warm, toasty, and best of all – dry.

There’s a really soft lining on the inside that kept our feet cosy, and we didn’t want to rip our feet off after a long day out in the snow, like we do with most snow boots. The only real issue is that they aren’t the most grippy. We had a few falls on particularly icy days, so watch your step if you opt for these.

They are a lot cheaper than some of the competition, however, and for the price, they’ll do the job. And they look pretty stylish to boot, with no maximalist functional hooks and ribs that will cause you to look away in disgust.

Let’s address the elephant in the room right from the off: no, these are not the prettiest boots in the world. The thing is, that’s basically Hoka kaha 2’s USP. The French brand designs maximalist footwear with lots of cushioning. It’s built for comfort above all else, often at the expense of streamlined, low-key aesthetics. If you’re looking for a stylish, casual boot to go with your jeans and shirt, this is probably not it. However, if you’re more into function over fashion, then you’ll appreciate what Hoka has to offer on this one.

The boot features an extremely wide outsole and midsole, with an enormous footprint that gives it a stable and planted feel whatever the terrain. The midsole is springy, spongy and responsive too, which means the Kaha 2 offers a cloud-like feel underfoot and is extremely comfortable to wear. This is because it’s a hiking boot first and foremost, but one that will perform exceptionally well in cold, wet, muddy and snowy conditions.

The outsole features specially designed lugs with rough, knobbly patches that bite into any type of terrain, ensuring a good grip whatever the weather. In the uppers, a Gore-Tex membrane seals out water and keeps the foot warm, even in cold conditions. This is bolstered by heavy padding throughout the boot and a durable nubuck leather outer that shrugs off scuffs and scrapes and helps to keep the cold out.