9 Best Winter Boots for Men That Actually Look Good

I’m a guy who loves a pair of stylish boots. But here in New York City the winters can get seriously snowy, slushy, and icy, prompting even lovers of well-built boots to retire them until Spring for fear that they’ll slip, spring a leak, or leave your toes cold. But the best winter boot for you doesn’t need to be a puffy, rubbery, expedition-looking boot. There are some winter boots for men that are stylish, water resistant, resoleable, made with full grain leather, will last for decades, and age beautifully. 

The boots on this list are all made with full-grain leather and Goodyear welts, so they can be resoled, they’re water resistant, and they’ll age well. But they’ve also got extra features to make them well suited to winter wear, be it a grippy sole, insulation, heightened water resistance, and more.

This list is arranged from cheapest to most expensive, so let’s start off with the best-value winter boot for men. 

1. Thursday Boot Company: Legend ($199)

Let’s start with Thursday Boot Company, who might make the best value boots on the market. They’re Goodyear welted, hard wearing, and come in at under $200.

Thursday Boot Company Legend Highlights

Thursday winterized their popular Duke Chelsea with the beefed up StormKing lug sole, which they engineered themselves to provide superior grip in slippery conditions. Dubbed the Legend Chelsea, not only is it grippier than most Thursdays, but the thick layer of rubber helps give you more clearance from slush and salt, and more distance from the freezing ground. (When the ground is like a giant ice cube, the more rubber between your feet and the surface, the better.)

Atop the chunky sole, these Legends are made with Thursday’s “Rugged & Resilient” leather: full grain leather that’s been imbued with extra oils to maximize the weather resistance. (Remember how oil floats in your pho? Oil and water repel each other, and that holds true when the oil’s jammed into leather.) Plus, it’s got shock absorbing poron in the insole and a steel shank to improve arch support, stability, and longevity.

The chunky new lug is probably too aggressive for a pair of slacks, but it looks great with flannel-lined jeans or a pair of chinos — in fact, my Legend in the Black Matte leather is the brand’s most popular Chelsea.

Who Should Buy Thursday Boots Company Legend

• Anyone who wants a high-quality boot for under $200.
• Guys who don’t like fumbling with laces in the cold.
• A buyer who wants a resoleable Goodyear welt.
• Someone who needs good grip and solid base like the StormKing Lug.
• You don’t have time to break-in a new pair of boots. 
• Someone who prefers the arch support and stability of a steel shank. 
• You want a boot to wear all year instead of a super warm, winter-only boot.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Thursday Boots Company Legend

• A person who wants a properly insulated boot.
• A professional who needs something less rugged for the office.
• Traditionalists who don’t like modern touches like shock absorbing EVA foam. 

[SHOP THE THURSDAY LEGEND IN 3 LEATHERS HERE]

2. Best Lined Dress Boot: Meermin’s Shearling-Lined Cap-Toes (~$275)

Meermin is a Spanish shoe company that makes extraordinarily high quality boots for the price: they’re Goodyear welted and made with leathers from the world’s top tanneries, and usually cost under $300. They have tons of experience making quality and attractive footwear (we wear their loafers a lot) but what we really like for this article is their shearling lined offerings. The 114787 Softcalf is a good balance of winter-ready and stylish.

Meermin 114787 Softcalf E Highlights

They’re fully lined with shearling wool, which is wool that’s still on the skin — it’s both leather and wool, in other words. That’s a famously warm material that’s well known as the basis for the world’s warmest leather jackets, worn by old timey fighter pilots in uninsulated cockpits. With both the shaft and the footbed covered in shearling, you certainly won’t need to double up on your socks.

Using shearling instead of wool helps to increase the waterproofness, but there’s also the construction to talk about: Meermin used a Goodyear Welt made with what they call the sky welt, which curls up onto the upper to add more water resistance. 

These snappy boots also have double rubber soles, a good compromise between not-super-professional lug soles and possibly-too-thin-for-January single rubber sole. The sole is also studded, which helps maintain a slimmer look than a thick lug while providing grip.

Finally, the Dark Brown Softcalf uppers are from France’s Tannerie d’Annonay, which specializes in calfskin. Calfskin is the go-to leather for dressy footwear and it’s a very nice touch for the pricepoint. 

[Related: The 10 Best Dress Boots]

 

 

Who Should Buy Meermin 114787 Softcalf E

• Professionals who need winter boots that can pair with a tie. 
• People in stormy climes who need even more water resistant than a Goodyear welt.
• Folks in very cold environments who can benefit from the shearling lining and double rubber sole. 
• Aficionado who appreciate quality leather; everyone respects the famed Tannerie d’Annonay

Who Shouldn’t Buy Meermin 114787 Softcalf E

• Anyone who wants a three-season boot; this can not be worn when it’s warm.
• People who prefer not to buy Chinese-made boots.
• Guys who need something more versatile or casual than this sleek, office-ready boot.

3. Best Pull-On Winter Boot: Duckfeet’s Arhus Boots ($338)

When you’re bundled up against a storm, don’t want to futz with laces, and you need something seriously warm — so an unlined Chelsea like the Legend won’t do — Duckfeet has your answer.

Duckfeet’s Arhus Boot Highlights

Think of this as a grown-up Ugg boot. (But don’t, because Duckfeet probably wouldn’t want us comparing them with a competitor.) Seriously, though, these are the mature, masculine, and minimalist boots  your frosty feet have been waiting for. Hailing from the Scandinavian brand Duckfeet — so named because they handle water well and have a nice wide toe box — the Arhus has a natural crepe rubber sole, all natural 100% wool lining, and a high quality leather upper that has its own story to tell. 

Crafted in Germany by the folks at “Terracare,” the leather is made to be extra waterproof, tearproof, breathable, antibacterial, and eco-friendly. Relative to conventional leather, the unusual tanning process produces 30% fewer carbon emissions, zero chromium III, and uses 40% less water consumption.

Who Should Buy Duckfeet’s Arhus Boot

• People who get so cold they need thick wool lining swaddling their toes all the way to the top of a 10-inch shaft.
• Eco-friendly folks: the leather’s as sustainable as it gets, the ingredients are all natural, plus it can be resoled.
• Guys who want a softer sole than you get from hard, all-weather lugs.
• The fashion conscious who like having seven colors to choose from. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Duckfeet’s Arhus Boot

• People need a fully waterproof boot; like all the boots on this list it’s water resistant enough for any storm, but you can’t stand still in a puddle.
• Guys after a boot that’s as office friendly as it is street friendly. 
• Anyone who needs something high performance; the laceless design means it won’t be secure enough on the feet for, say, hiking.

4. Coolest Winter Boot: Rancourt Freeman Boot ($450)

Bringing things back to America, Rancourt & Co. footwear is made in Lewiston, Maine. Combine over 50 years of boot-making experience, and you get a pretty amazing winter boot that I personally think is the best-looking boot on the list.

Rancourt Freeman Boot Highlights

The Rancourt Freeman Boot is built specifically with winter in mind. They use a highly water-resistant leather combining Horween’s Chromexcel with a durable Tucson Bison. The real highlight is the merino wool shearling lining. Just like wool socks, a wool lining is the perfect antimicrobial thermal layer to keep your feet warm, dry, and not stinky. 

They provide excellent grip with the Vibram 148 Kletterlift outsole. For extra water resistance, they have a storm welt, and for comfort, they added a supportive foam midsole wedge. The “jaguar” alum leather laces are a nice heritage touch for the winter season.

Overall, this is a great boot for staying warm and dry. It’s a rounder toe, and lugged sole is more geared toward an outdoorsy look than the office, but it’s crazy versatile for a boot that can combat sub-zero temps or barely freezing slush.

All of the extra material adds up, and this boot is more expensive than some of the lighter, less winter-specific boots.  But these are engineered to keep your feet warm in all conditions, and they’re perfect for that late-season football game or snow-blowing the driveway. Just make sure you can wait 3 or 4 weeks for them to be made.

[Related: My list of The Best Leather Briefcases for Men]

Who Should Buy Rancourt Freeman

• You appreciate high-quality leather like Horween’s Chromexcel.
• Anyone who wants a water-resistant storm welt.
• Guys who want extra, odor-free warmth from a Merino wool lining.
• You need extra grip and traction from the Vibram Kletterlift outsole. These are excellent winter hiking boots.
• You want a winter boot that you can pull off with a nice pair of wool slacks. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Rancourt Freeman

• A person with hot feet who doesn’t want a lined boot.
• You prefer the versatility of a three-season, unlined boot.
• Someone who spends a lot of time in slush or cold rain who needs a waterproof boot — technically, this is just very water. resistant.
• You’re on a budget.
• You don’t want to wait 3 or 4 weeks for your order to arrive.

[SHOP THE RANCOURT FREEMAN BOOT IN 5 LEATHERS HERE]

5. Best Side Zip Winter Boot: Allen Edmonds Himalaya Shearling Boot ($495)

I tend to be skeptical of any added complexity with my shoes, like fancy lacing mechanisms, air pumps, and side zips: if they stick, you’re stuck. But dealing with iced laces in freezing temps is frustrating, and this is one of the reasons they are so commonly found on winter boots.

Allen Edmonds Himalaya Highlights

This is an interesting option for a street to business-casual boot. 

Let’s look at the positives. They have water-resistant Chromexcel leather uppers with a shearling lining,  side zippers, and no laces. So, if, like me, you hate dealing with laces in winter (especially when they freeze), these are a good option. 

They use Allen Edmond’s 360º Bench Welt construction, which helps with durability and water resistance. They have a Dainite rubber sole that’s flat when viewed from the side but provides decent traction.  

So what are the downsides? First, they are fairly expensive at $495. Secondly, there have been several complaints of the pull tab ripping off, which, to be honest, puts me off a bit at this price point. 

Still, a shear-lined, warm boot with a Dainite sole that can be dressed up is a rare thing. So, that pull tab may not be a deal killer.

Who Should Buy Allen Edmonds Himalaya

• Anyone who wants a classy winter boot that’s suitable for the office
• A buyer who wants a resoleable Goodyear welt with 360º Bench Welt construction — this is basically a storm welt as well.
• You like side zips.
• You have cold feet and want a shearling lining.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Allen Edmonds Himalaya

• Guys who don’t like sacrificing a bit of grip for style. 
• You don’t want to pay $495 for a pair of winter boots. (Though at the time of writing, they’re on sale for $345.) 
• Anyone who prefers a black dress boot over brown.

[SHOP THE ALLEN EDMONDS HIMALAYA HERE]

6. Best Winter Moc Toe: Russell Double Vamp Birdshooter ($450-$650)

Wow. That was my first reaction to the Russell Double Vamp Birdshooter. They are just nice looking boots! Russell pays close attention to the details and provides impeccable fit and finish. 

These are some great boots made in Wisconsin, so you know they’re going to hold up well against some pretty brutal winter conditions. Russell has used much of the same techniques for the last 114 years. 

Russell Double Vamp Birdshooter Highlights

These boots are kitted out with just about every feature you could want for a winter boot. They come in a 6’’ or 9’’ height, four different weights of Thinsulate insulation so you can upgrade these into extreme cold boots. You can customize a ton: optional lacing studs, optional heel stack, optional pull tab, and three soles (Silvato, 2060 Vibram Sole, or the Aspen Gumlite, which is the best for slippery conditions). They stand out from Russell’s other mocs with the unique double vamp: two layers of leather for superior water resistance.

The only downside is that delivery time can vary between 12-20 weeks depending on the time of the year you placed your order and how much backlog they have. So if you order now, you may not get a pair before the end of winter!

The price depends on how which features you choose and how much insulation is in the boot. The base price is $450, but with every feature and 400 grams of Thinsulate, they’re $652.

Who Should Buy the Russell Double Vamp Birdshooter  

• You care about durable and long-lasting boots. (There are reports of these boots lasting 20+ years)
• You like rocking a traditional moc construction.
• You want the water resistance of a double vamp.
• You like having tons of options for customization.
• You want warm winter boots.
• They are great for trudging through deep snow.
• You need good grip for slippery conditions.
• You want to buy American.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Russell Double Vamp Birdshooter 

• You’re on a budget.
• You need winter boots now (they can take months for delivery.)
• You don’t want to look too “outdoorsy”, as these are more suitable for the hunting lodge than the office.

7. Best Custom Winter Boot: Wesco (varies; ~$650 for winter boots)

Wesco is very expensive but very high quality and fully customizable. According to the Wesco website, a single pair of Wesco boots has 309,586,821,120 different configurations. So that’s… very customizable.

Wesco Hendrik Highlights

You can customize these however you want. But, for the best boots for snow and winter boots, I’d personally go with a 7-inch tall Hendrik that’s lined with Thinsulate and built with a Vibram Raptor sole, which is specifically designed for ice and snow. (I know, a lot of Vibram soles are designed for that. Arctic Grip is best, but Raptor soles are fantastic.)

If you keep everything else relatively basic like brown leather, brass eyelets, nylon laces, it’ll cost you $678, which isn’t cheap, plus it takes 12 weeks for them to be ready. For an extra 125 bucks, it’s six weeks. Still, they’re very cool. You can pick from 8 types of leather, whatever color lining, and threads you want, all this stuff.

It’s definitely worth considering — I’ve never heard of anyone being unhappy with the final product.

Who Should Buy the Wesco Hendrik

• Guys who want sturdy, fully customized winter boot.
• Anyone who wants a guaranteed high level of grip provided by the Vibram Raptor’s claw tread design.
• You want a lot of insulation, you can pick from 200 to 400 grams of Thinsulate.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Wesco Hendrik

• You need a boot quickly and don’t want to wait 12 weeks.
• You’re not comfortable dropping nearly $700 on a 1 season boot.

[SHOP THE HENDRIK IN 11(!) LEATHERS HERE]

8. Best Winter Hiking Boots: Viberg Hiker Fog Waxed Veldt

Viberg is the stuff of legend among aficionados of very nice boots and this is the shoe they personally recommended for winter. The  Hiker is a luxury weekend boot perfect for casual dining and brewpubs. 

Viberg Hiker Highlights

The Hiker starts with  6” single piece CF Stead Fog Waxed Veldt (UK) leather upper, which is a great design for winter boots, as you want as few pieces of fabric and stitching as possible to keep out slush. So, a single piece of leather is technically warmer and more water resistant because holes and stitches can let water in and hot air out. The waxed veldt also adds extra water resistance.

For additional warmth, Viberg took their full leather lining and added a 200g Thinsulate Liner. They added a gusseted tongue that helps keep out cold air and water as well as a padded collar for comfort. 

They also have a natural split welt, which functions like a storm welt, for added water-resistance. If you want the added benefit of wicking and even more warmth the hiking boot last provides a bit more width and volume to fit heavy socks or liners.

The two downsides of this boot are the price and white Vibram Morflex soles, which look cool but aren’t the absolute grippiest on this list.

Who Should Buy Viberg Hiker 

• A leather connoisseur who’ll appreciate the CF Stead Fog Waxed Veldt.
• You’re a winter walker who wants a gusseted tongue and padded collar for warmth and water resistance.
• You get cold feet and want a warm 200g Thinsulate liner.
• You want to break out those thick wool socks without feeling like you’re cramped. 
• You want a channeled insole with a water resistant natural split welt.
• You like single-cut leather boots.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Viberg Hiker

• You’re not one to drop $700+ on an insulated urban hiker.
• You want more grip from the outsole.
• You’re a purist who doesn’t love D-ring eyelets

[SHOP THE VIBERG HIKER IN FOG WAXED VELDT HERE]

9. Best British Winter Boot: Crockett & Jones Ross ($725)

The last and most expensive and fancy winter boot comes from the esteemed British brand Crockett & Jones. This company makes the shoes for James Bond himself.

Crockett & Jones Ross Highlights

The Ross is a plain front derby boot with a classy padded suede collar that provides much-needed contrast to a lot of otherwise brutally practical winter boots. They used a new colorway of their waterproof wax-hide upper leather and added an oversized, cleated rubber sole from Vibram for a terrific grip.

In order to achieve a very classy look, there are some winter-friendly tradeoffs. This boot isn’t going to be as warm as some of the insulated boots on the list, and the Vibram Commando outsole offers better traction than your typical crepe, leather, or studded sole but not nearly as much as the Arctic Grip or Raptor soles previously mentioned. Personally, I think it’s a great statement sole with a more aggressive look that isn’t comically outdoorsy.

Who Should Buy the Crockett & Jones Ross

• Guys who want a waterproof wax-hide upper.
• You want a resoleable storm welt.
• Anyone who wants moderate grip and traction from a Vibram commando outsole/
• You like the idea of buying from James Bond’s shoemakers.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Crockett & Jones Ross

• You don’t want to pay $725 for a pair of boots.
• Anyone who wants additional warmth — these are not Insulated.
• You need more than the intermediate grip provided by this lug.

[SHOP THE CROCKETT & JONES ROSS HERE]

Wrapping Up

That’s it. That’s my list. Very cool boots here. I want to leave you with one boot care tip: while slush and snow are primary concerns, salt can stain leather boots, and you’re likely to walk through some, so it’s worth keeping a rag and a little container of pre-mixed water and vinegar by your door so you can wipe down your boots when you get home. That’s it!