When it comes to the doldrums of winter, we assume your first thought is outerwear. Dramatic topcoats and puffed-up down jackets—that sort of thing. But the best winter boots for men will happily remind you that you’d get nowhere in the cold weather without some heavy duty footwear.
Yes, you won’t have to worry about mosquitos bites, but you will have to protect yourself from frostbite. That requires a pair of boots that can stand up to winter’s wrath while keeping your precious little piggies nice and warm. We’re talking monster-truck snow boots to plow powder, big honkin’ hikers to trek through frigid trails, insulated leather boots to brave the icy winds.
If you’ve learned anything from us, you know it’s just as much about form as it is function. Because what good is a pair of winterproof boots if they won’t jive with your outfit? Over the years, we’ve trudged through all kinds of mess to test the best winter stompers for every style and budget—below, you’ll find our selects for the season.
The Best Men’s Winter Boots, According to GQ
In This Shopping Guide
Best Overall Winter Boots: Danner Mountain Light
Thanks to its classic style and bombproof quality, Danner has held its seat in the pantheon of hiking boots for decades thanks to its iconic Mountain Light boots It may not be gorp’d up with all the modern-day bells and whistles like lightweight mesh, or Thinsulate, but what it lacks in 21st-century amenities, it makes up for in sheer durability. The Mountain Light has a full-grain leather upper that’s constructed in a single piece, which prevents debris and water from entering, matched with chunky Vibram lug soles, and resoleable Goodyear welt construction (i.e., you and your offspring are gonna love these).
If you’re a fan of more relaxed silhouettes, the Danner Mountain Lights will look incredible with any pair of pants you have in your wardrobe, from jeans to corduroys and even wool trousers. They take some time to break in, but have been far and away the most stylish and durable pair of boots I’ve ever owned. While they don’t have any insulation, the leather uppers are plenty thick and keep warm enough for below-freezing temperatures when you pair them with a good thick wool sock.
Best Budget Winter Boots: Baffin Yukon Boots
Duck boots are divisive. When done right, they can win over even the biggest haters. Enter the Baffin Yukon Boots. Unless you’re blissfully ignorant to the mega-machine that is fashion, you probably haven’t heard of Baffin. That’s because the brand is best-known for its real-deal winter gear that’s proven its chops in Canada’s iciest climates. You won’t see its products on the runway (at least, not yet), but you can certainly find some boots that are as stylish as they are bombproof. We picked the Baffin boot for that exact reason. They come with the traditional duck boot rubber uppers which make them completely waterproof, attached to a good quality leather shaft that’ll keep debris and snow out easily.
Thanks to the multi-layer boot system, the removable inner boot provides excellent insulation in the extreme cold while maintaining breathability and moisture wicking capabilities. That makes them well-suited for arctic temps, so unless you’re spending most of your day doing research at the south pole, you’ll be fine. Whether you’re shoveling deep snow, mucking it through post-blizzard slush, or stomping your way up Fifth Avenue, we can’t imagine many situations these boots can’t handle. I love the removable liner because, more times than not, rocking the boot in Megatron mode is overkill, especially since you spend most of your time indoors during deep winter anyway. Plus, the blacked-out colorway is undeniably sick.
Best Snow Boots: Sorel Caribou Waterproof Boot
If you’ve searched “best winter boots” (clearly, you have), you’ve no doubt seen these puppies around. There’s a reason they get so much love. The Sorel Caribou Boots take after traditional duck boots with its chunky rubber uppers and tall suede leather shaft, but where they separate is the toasty shearling and felt lining, plus easy lacing system, which take the duck to new heights. These are among the comfiest winter boots not only because of the plush insole, but also because of the recycled felt inner boot. There’s something a little more refined, a little more chiseled about these boots compared to L.L.Bean’s eponymous winter boot, which is a plus.
Best Winter Work Boots: Red Wing Moc Toe
Red Wing’s Moc Toe boot is instantly recognizable, but not immediately cited as a winter boot. In our eyes, the workwear staple deserves a spot on this list for several reasons. The first is its chunky, squishy platform Vibram outsole which is slip-resistant and built for long days on your feet. The second is the damn-near impenetrable full-grain leather uppers.
