We’re only one month into winter in the Northeast, and we’ve already had a snowstorm, an ice storm, and temperatures in the single digits. We’ve got a long way to go before the weather warms up, and you may be reevaluating your boot situation right now. If you’re in the market for the best winter work boots or snow boots, it may seem like a daunting task to pick the right one. There are a ton of different brands and models to choose from. Have no fear – I love boots as much as I love sneakers! I’ll help you narrow it down to six great options:
Best Winter Work Boots
The Bean Boot
A winter staple for over 100 years! I love my Bean Boots and may never get rid of them. They are a classic rain boot built for raw, cold, wet Northeastern winters. They are completely waterproof, and I love how the leather upper has aged over time. The pair I own is unlined, so I typically don’t wear them once the temperature dips below freezing. Also, I have re-soled them once and, they could use another re-sole.
Beware: once that rubber heel wears down, they become very slippery and are actually not ideal for wet and icy conditions.
Red Wing Classic Moc
I’ve never had more fun breaking in a boot. The Moc Toe 875 is a beast to break in, with it’s super-stiff last and sole. However, I take it as a personal challenge. I see the results on Instagram of a well-worn Moc Toe, and I want mine to look like that as well. The plus, and minus, of the Moc Toe is that it is super-durable and rugged. It’s going to last you a lifetime if you treat them well.
Red Wing Iron Ranger
I’ve had so much fun breaking in the Red Wing Moc Toes, I was curious to see what the Iron Ranger was like. In my opinion, the Moc Toe and the Iron Ranger are Red Wing’s two most iconic boots. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the Iron Ranger lighter than the Moc Toe, it was also much easier on my feet. The sole is not nearly as thick, which is why the Iron Ranger is lighter and easier to break in.
Be prepared to size way down in both models if you are typically a sneaker wearer. I am a size 11 in most sneakers, yet I find a size 9 fit me very comfortably in the Iron Ranger and Moc Toe.
Air Jordan IX NRG
Probably the most enjoyable boot I own – the Air Jordan IX NRG boot features the classic AJ9 silhouette with a beefed up, grippy outsole. Most people don’t even realize I’m wearing the boot version of the Air Jordan IX, and they most often comment, “Are you wearing Jordans in the snow??” I sure am. And not only do these IXs have a more rugged sole, the upper is water resistant as well. Just don’t start jumping in big slushy snow puddles – I learned the hard way that they are most definitely NOT water PROOF.
TwoThousand Never Mason Boot
If you’re looking for an excellent engineer boot but don’t want to spend $800 or more, try the Mason Boot by TwoThousand Never. The leather is from Italy, and they are made in the USA. I think they look great dressed up with a black jean from Iron Heart. Plus they’re less work to put on since they just have a side zipper instead of laces. Engineer boots are super-cool right now, so you will definitely turn a lot of heads in these babies. Just make sure to size way down like a Red Wing boot. If you’re an 11, I’d recommend a 10.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex
My Air Jordan IX has been my default snow boot for years now, but it’s not waterproof or insulated very well, so I have been on the lookout for an upgrade. When we were up in Lake Placid a few months ago, I noticed a lot of people with Salomons on, so I was intrigued. After chatting with some Salomon experts on Instagram, I decided to try out this model.
I have only worn them in very light snow so far, and I’m pretty happy with them. My main concern is that the top of the forefoot presses down on my toes when I walk. Plus, the laces fall out at the top when you unlace them, which I’m not a big fan of. Otherwise, I can’t wait to take these into deeper snow drifts and really see what they’re made of.
