Just because it is winter does not mean you have to put all your winter activities on hold; the same goes for walking and outdoor activities.
Investing in the best walking shoes for snow and winter conditions lets you enjoy your daily walk comfortably, protected from slips and falls.
Proper Walking Shoes for Snow and Why You Need Them
It is an easy concept when snow on the concrete or the ground is cold outside. You’ll need to dress for the occasion, which mostly counts for your shoes.
The right winter shoes help keep your feet warm to protect them against frostbite. They keep your feet dry from the wetness of snow and give you enough traction to not slip on wet and icy surfaces.
Winter walking shoes are necessary to protect your feet and allow a comfortable and safe walking experience.
Many people think they can still use the following shoes in the snow, which is not so;
- UGG Boots – Although they technically are winter boots, they are meant to be worn indoors or in dry conditions to keep your feet warm, similar to slippers. They are not waterproof or durable enough for wearing in snow and do not offer good traction.1.
- Stilettos – This should come as a given, but surprisingly, many ladies still want to look stylish in their stilettos or stiletto boots in winter snow. This is not a good idea at all.
- Rain Boots – You may think your rain boots or hunting boots are ideal for wearing in snow, but not so. They need more insulation and a proper grip for these conditions. However, similar designs are adapted for ice and snow.3.
- Suede Shoes – Suede is a material that should not get wet at all, and that does not last in cold weather or wet weather conditions
- White Shoes – White shoes are not a good idea in the snow because they will get stained and dirty.
So What Should You Wear for Walking in Snow
Well, I have narrowed it down to the basic options for Walking shoes to wear in the snow;
- Leather and Faux Leather is a Good Choice – Leather shoes, especially those with a waterproof lining, faux or genuine leather, are great for wearing in snow. Some leather is treated to be waterproof and water-resistant. Leather is comfortable, durable, flexible, and keeps your feet warm.
- There Needs to Be a Warm Lining – Because of the extreme cold weather, you will need more than one layer of uppers. Insulation such as Thinsulate or fleece is ideal for keeping your feet warm.
- The Shoes Need to be Slip Resistant – The shoes are very important to be slip-resistant. The sole needs to be lugged enough for traction yet should hold snow and debris in the grooves and tread of the sole.
- Make Sure They are Waterproof – Make sure that your snow walking shoes are waterproof. You do not want wet feet in these cold conditions. Gore-Tex is one of the best technologies to look for in waterproofing, as it breathes well and provides complete waterproofing.
- Get the Right Size – Balancing on snow is tricky, so your shoes must fit well and provide good ankle support. Could you ensure the fit is snug with no heel slippage, yet not too tight to squeeze your feet?
Features of a Good Walking Shoe for Snow
- Water Resistance – Walking shoes for snow need to be completely waterproof or at least water-resistant; snow is wet, and you will be walking through wet conditions that can quickly cause your feet to become very cold. You will need shoes with a Gore-Tex breathable waterproof lining, neoprene, leather or PVC, and rubber uppers for waterproofing.
- Insulation – Because your feet will be quite cold walking through snow, you need some insulation for your shoes. An insulating lining or Thinsulate insulation can provide different levels of warmth as needed.
- Comfort – Walking requires that your shoes offer a comfortable fit, support, and cushioning technology. Look for shoes with cushioning or shock-absorbing materials in the insole and midsole. Arch support and a more contoured footbed help balance your feet.
- Ankle Support – If you are hiking or walking in the snow, you will need shoes that support your ankles, especially on trails with elevation gain. The uneven surface of snow and trails requires proper ankle support from your shoes.
- Outsole – One of the most important features of shoes for walking in snow and ice is a slip-resistant high grip outsole. The outsole must be lug and grippy to offer stability and prevent slipping. It must also be a thick, durable rubber that protects against cold and shock absorbency.
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX | Trail/hiking | – | – | – |
| 2 | Icebug Pace 3 / Metro 2 (women's) | Trail/hiking | – | – | – |
| 3 | Merrell Coldpack | Walking | – | – | – |
| 4 | Aleader Insulated | Walking | – | – | – |
| 5 | Sorel Premium / Caribou (women's) | Shoe | – | – | – |
| 6 | Timberland White Ledge | Trail/hiking | Lace-up | Medium, Wide | EVA |
| 7 | Columbia Bugaboot 2 | Walking | – | Medium, Wide | – |
| 8 | Salomon X Ultra 3 | Trail/hiking | – | – | – |
| 9 | Merrell Thermo Chill | Walking | Lace-up | – | EVA |
| 10 | Keen Revel 4 | Walking | – | – | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Reviews: The Best Walking Shoes for Snow
Our top choices are the best walking shoes ideal for walking in snow conditions.
We hope you love the snowshoes we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
Walking Shoes for Snow
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX - Men
Currently unavailable
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Salomon Quest 4D is a Hiking and walking ankle boot ideal for snow and cold weather conditions.
- It has synthetic leather uppers with a waterproof lining.
- Inside is comfortable underfoot cushioning or comfort and support,
- It is lightweight and durable, with a high-traction rubber outsole to prevent slips.
- They are also available in two color options.
2
Waterproof Walking Shoes for Snow
Icebug Pace 3 - Men
Currently unavailable
Icebug Metro 2 - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Icebug for men and women are snow ankle boots that can be used for walking.
- They have a rubber BUgrip outsole with 16 carbide tip studs for walking on snow and slippery surfaces.
- Inside is a warm fleece lining for insulation, and their uppers are suede or nubuck with zip closure.
- There is also an abrasion-resistant baseline trim for durability.
- More colors are available in the Icebug model.
3
Walking Shoes for Snow
Merrell Coldpack - Men
Currently unavailable
Merrell Coldpack - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Merrell Cold Pack is a lightweight slip-on shoe model for light snow conditions.
- It has full-grain leather uppers and a comfortable fleece lining for insulation.
- The uppers are waterproof, and there is an EVA midsole with M Select Dry technology to seal water and breathe well.
- The outsole is a Vibram Arctic GRP for traction on ice and snow.
4
Walking Shoes for Snow
Aleader Insulated - Men
Currently unavailable
Aleader Insulated - Women
Currently unavailable
- From Aleader, we also have an insulated snow walking boot for men and women.
- It has durable water and wind-resistant PU-coated synthetic textile uppers with a drawstring and barrel lock closure design.
- The rugged rubber sole offers excellent slip resistance in wet and snow conditions.
- The footbed is cushioned for comfort and very supportive.
- The entire construction is seam-sealed to keep water out.
5
Walking
Sorel Premium - Men
Currently unavailable
Sorel Caribou - Women
Currently unavailable
- Sorel offers you their premium snow boot for walking.
- It has waterproof full-grain leather and suede uppers that are seal-seamed to keep moisture out and warmth.
- They are movable and washable, insulating felt inner.
- There is an aero-track, non-loading, durable rubber outsole.
- The boot is available in more color options.
6
Walking and Hiking Shoes for Snow
Timberland White Ledge - Men
Currently unavailable
Timberland White Ledge - Women
Currently unavailable
- We have the ideal ankle boot model for walking in the snow from Timberland.
- It is available in more colors and size options.
- The boot has genuine waterproof leather uppers, seam-sealed construction, and rustproof speed laces.
- The sole is a lug and durable rubber for traction on ice and snow.
- The boot is rugged and durable, providing a comfortable, cushioned platform for walking.
7
Shoes for Walking in Snow
Columbia Bugaboot 2 - Men
Currently unavailable
Columbia Bugaboot 2 - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Columbia Bugaboot is a warm and durable boot for walking in the snow.
- It has an Omni-Heat reflective thermal lining and great insulation.
- The longer length of the protects your legs.
- The outsole is a high traction, durable rubber.
8
Shoes for Walking in Snow
Salomon X Ultra 3 - Men
Currently unavailable
Salomon - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Salomon X Ultra 3 is a boot-like running shoe for walking in the snow.
- It has synthetic waterproof uppers with a Gore-Tex Lining.
- The longer ankle length provides great stability.
- The rubber outsole us a lug grip design for walking on snow.
9
Shoes for Walking in Snow
Merrell Thermo Chill - Men
Currently unavailable
Merrell Thermo Chill - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Merrell Thermo Chill us a waterproof boot for walking in the snow.
- It has an ankle-length with leather and synthetic uppers.
- The boot has an M Select DRY impermeable membrane that seals cod and moisture.
- There are 200 grams of M Select insulation.
- The outsole is a durable rubber.
10
Shoes for Walking in Snow
Keen Revel 4 - Men
Currently unavailable
Keen Revel 4 - Women
Currently unavailable
- The Keen revel 4 is a Polar snow boot ideal for walking in the snow.
- It has a boot length with Keen Dry waterproof uppers.
- The boot has leather uppers and good odor protection.
- The outsole is grippy on snow and ice.
Index Table: Top Rated Walking Shoes for Snow
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salomon® - Walking Shoes for Snow |  |  |
| Salomon |
| 2 | Icebug® - Waterproof Walking Shoes for Snow |  |  |
| Icebug |
| 3 | Merrell® - Walking Shoes for Snow |  |  |
| Merrell |
| 4 | Aleader® - Walking Shoes for Snow |  |  |
| Aleader |
| 5 | Sorel® - Walking |  |  |
| Sorel |
| 6 | Timberland® - Walking and Hiking Shoes for Snow |  |  |
| Timberland |
| 7 | Columbia® - Shoes for Walking in Snow |  |  |
| Columbia |
| 8 | Salomon® - Shoes for Walking in Snow |  |  |
| Salomon |
| 9 | Merrell® - Shoes for Walking in Snow |  |  |
| Merrell |
| 10 | Keen® - Shoes for Walking in Snow |  |  |
| Keen |
Sources
- NHS: Walking for health
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Sweat
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo): Sprained Ankle
Update History
- Oct 2026: Removed Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX, Icebug Pace 3, Aleader Insulated, Sorel Premium, Timberland White Ledge, Columbia Bugaboot 2, Salomon X Ultra 3 and Merrell Thermo Chill (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Nov 2021: Published
