The Best Winter Hikers of 2018
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Walk on—no matter the weather.
Oboz Bridger 10″ Insulated Waterproof ($199)
Best For: Lasting forever.
Consider this boot if (a) you love to snowshoe and need 400-gram insulation for warmth and a heelpiece to keep straps in place, or (b) you work outside shoveling snow all winter. We challenge you to wear through its waterproof nubuck leather.
The North Face Ballard Duck Boot ($145)
Best For: Owning après.
With the Ballard, the North Face put its unique spin on the classic duck boot. And it performs, with a waterproof build that fought off slushy puddles at a ski race and 200-gram insulation that kept us warm while clearing snow off our car in below-freezing temps but didn’t make us overheat in a coffee shop.
Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX ($190)
Best For: Early-winter hiking.
A mesh upper helps this kick breathe on still-warm fall days, while a Gore-Tex liner keeps things dry if you run into a storm. We loved the speed-lacing setup, which was a breeze to cinch and take off, as well as the rubber heel rand, which totally eliminated blisters.
Salomon Snowcross 2 CSWP ($200)
Best For: The committed runner.
If you hate the treadmill, look here. The Snowcross 2 is a waterproof running shoe welded to a zip-up waterproof gaiter, so there’s no chance of snow leaking in even if you’re breaking trail through a foot of fluff. Underneath, gnarly lugs gave us traction even at a full sprint.
Hanwag Anvik GTX ($260)
Best For: Winter commuting.
Hanwag took a great Gore-Tex boot, then upgraded it for the city, with soft leather and zero insulation, which enabled us to wear them all day—inside and out—when paired with a midweight merino sock. Bonus points for the military-esque styling.
Muck Boot Arctic Ice ($180)
Best For: Stupidly cold days.
There’s no better waterproof boot for those who like to ice fish, hunt, gelande quaff—you get the idea. Most of the warmth comes from a fleece-lined upper made of five-millimeter neoprene. Down in the midsole, sleeping-pad-like thermal foam keeps cold from creeping up. We also loved the Vibram Arctic Grip outsole, which clings to wet ice.