For people growing up in New England, this article may not apply. New Englanders practically pop out of the womb with a parka and a set of Sorel Caribous on their little toes. For people that just moved to a region where the cold and snow piles deep, we’ve got some serious news — without good winter boots, it’s going to be a long, hard winter.
Pair of Winter Boots
On the flip side, there are plenty of places to shop online for warm, waterproof, or super-heavy winter gear. Use this coupon from famous footwear to save on boots. These boots are not only made for walking, they’re made for plowing warmly through the arctic tundra while also possibly looking super stylish.
What Makes a Good Pair of Winter Boots
While most of the time snowbirds flock to Florida or Arizona in the winter, in some cases a move may place an extremely tan desert rat beyond the snowy borders of Northern Minnesota. When that happens, take our advice on finding a great pair of boots.
Here’s what to look for:
- First, warmth. When it’s 10 degrees, warmth is always top-of-mind. Keeping toes warm and dry while keeping out ice and slush is a crucial measurement of a good winter boot. Waterproofing adds to the warming factor; walking around with wet feet can make a person very uncomfortable and possibly even cranky.
- Second, comfort. Look for boots that support the foot and ankle to prevent injuries and support the arch. If walking is a thing, having a supportive snow boot with good lacing that travels up the boot to make for a better fit.
- Third, is traction. Look for boots with some serious tread that are also fairly lightweight.
- In our opinion, style is the least of the worries a snow-slogger might have when trudging on the ice-slick sidewalks of Green Bay or Chicago. Yet style did make the list, albeit at the end. Today, there are a plethora of boots to choose from that combine a good look with the utility of a good snow-worthy product. It’s not either/or — a good winter boot can now look good as well as be high functioning.
So now, where to find these magical foot warmers we like to call “snow boots?”
Where to Find a Good Pair of Winter Boots
NY Mag featured a review of some of the best boots currently on amazon.com. There is simply no better place to shop online right now for a wide selection of winter boots. The reviews of these products are also particularly helpful when searching for your first pair of winter boots. From the Kingshow Women’s Globalwin Waterproof Winter Boots at an almost-perfect 4.5 stars to the Columbia Women’s Ice Maiden II Snow Boot, women will never have to have cold feet again in the winter. But men have the same great options on Amazon. There’s the Muck Lace Up Short Nylon Winter Snow Rain Lace Up Casual Duck Boots and the Kamik Men’s Greenbay 4 Cold-Weather Boot. All are ranked highly for warmth and weather-proofing, making Amazon a go-to choice for boot wearers everywhere.
Charlotte Russe blows everyone else out of the water when it comes to style. Their thigh highs are guaranteed to keep a woman’s legs warmer while ultimately drawing attention to those sweet and shapely — boots.
Yet the Faux Shearing Lace-Up Boot scores high marks for solid tread and warmth, and the Bamboo Buckled Riding Boots would take anyone straight through the nearest snowdrift. Interestingly, Charlotte Russe is kind of the opposite of Land’s End. Think high, yet functional fashion for women (Charlotte Russe), versus practical yet stylish New England for men and women (Land’s End). But unlike Land’s End, you can pick up a 20% off Charlotte Russe coupon for online shopping.
Now let’s be serious. If we’re talking about winter boots, we have to discuss the Canadians. Canadian boot retailer Cougar is top-of-the-line for some of the most hardcore yet stylish winter boots on the market today. These boots come with a temperature rating for cold, colder, coldest, and they are guaranteed to rock Santa’s sleigh this year. From lower cut lightweight trail boots to the always waterproof Chateau Sleek Snow Boot, this is the place to shop for winter footsie warmers. Cougar even has boots rated to -30 degrees that are totally animal-friendly and vegan.
Express is another high-end fashion house featuring both brick and mortar locations in addition to online shopping. While many people shop at Express for the fashion, they have a decent line of boots for men and women that will get customers where they need to go — even in a blizzard. Check out the Rugged Work Boot that looks equally at home in the Alaska forest or the icy urban street. Or the Side Zip Work Boot for a comfortable fit that’s easy to take on and off. Speaking of “off” — here’s a promo code for another 15% off at Express.
Land’s End has a wide variety of winter gear, and their boot selection is excellent. Land’s End also has a very liberal unconditional return policy that states, “If you’re not satisfied with any item, simply return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price.”
Another Land’s End benefit is that they still have brick and mortar locations. A customer can drop in and try clothes or gear on, and then take advantage of the 50% off promo code on Dealspotr to shop online. Score!
For a company that has “urban” in its name, Urban Outfitters has some pretty heavy-duty winter gear. Their boot line-up is solid, with crossover boots that will get the walker over crusty sidewalks, while also still looking fairly hot. But the Sorel Whitney Short Lace boot gets high marks for its winter-savviness. Their Dr. Martens line also looks like it could kick some serious winter-butt. Finally, check out the Rothco Jungle Boot for its military-style and heavy tread for slick streets. There are plenty of Urban outfitters promo codes out there as well – Brad’s Deals has a few, and Dealspotr has a promo code for 40% off an online purchase.
Let It Snow
Warmth or comfort? Sometimes a northerner can have it all. These great sites offer a variety of choices for both the casual consumer of winter boots and the hardcore arctic trekker. No matter the choice, stay safe, warm, and dry this winter. See you in the spring!