The 8 Best Boots for Snowshoeing of 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products and services; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

The Rundown

Best Overall: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots at Zappos

"These get the job done incredibly well."

Best Lightweight: Keen Revel III Cold Weather Hiking Boot at Backcountry

"They’re just two pounds, which makes lifting snowshoes more of a breeze."

Best for Durability: Baffin Snosport Hiking Boot at Amazon

"For mild-to-cold winter temperatures, these will be great."

Best for Extreme Cold: Baffin Insulated Boot at Amazon

"Rated all the way down to -148 degrees Fahrenheit."

Best Value: Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni Cold-Weather Boot at Amazon

"Delivers optimal performance at a budget-friendly price point."

Best Waterproof: Vasque Coldspark Ultradry Snow Boot at Backcountry

"Its proprietary waterproofing system keeps feet dry and comfortable."

Best for Men: Merrell Moab Polar Waterproof Winter Boots at Amazon

"These heavy-duty boots are ready to go for winter adventures."

Best for Women: Sorel Women’s Glacy Explorer Snow Boot at Amazon

"One of the most stylish winter boots in the market."

Our Top Picks

01 of 08

Best Overall: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots

Solomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Hiking Boot — Amazon

Although the name implies these are more hiking boot than snowshoeing boot, these get the job done incredibly well — after all, Salomon is known for making great ski and snowboarding boots, too. This aggressive shoe comes with heel straps for easy binding, and miles of snowfields won’t bother your feet in these boots, which have layered, dynamic cushioning on the interior and Gore-Tex lining the interior to take care of any moisture issues. The boot’s great insulation comes courtesy of a molded EVA footbed that you can remove and replace after a few seasons of use. Although there are some exposed seams, there are protective caps and a mudguard that keeps feet protected. The Contagrip sole gives you plenty of grip and traction as well. The downside is that the upper has a bit more flexibility than it should for the stiff, rigid boots you usually want for the sport, but it’s still supportive and stable enough for hours on the trail. The snowshoe boots are available for women here.

02 of 08

Best Lightweight: Keen Revel III Cold Weather Hiking Boot

The Keen Revel III is an upgraded version of the popular Revel II's, and each stands out from the pack when it comes to superior cushioning (something the brand is famous for) — as well as for two other well-engineered attributes: weight and warmth. They have 200g KEEN.WARM insulation, which goes a long way. Bonus warmth comes from the EVA foam insulates; Keen Trapolator insulation, which uses bamboo charcoal material to give full-circle warm around feet on the move; and the midsole has three different extra-warm layers to round it off. All this results in feet that feel almost room temperature — not too hot, not too cold. Laces are secured by speed-hook eyelets, which makes getting these on (and off) quick and easy. The outsole is made of Climate Rubber, which means traction with these boots is absolutely spot-on. Best of all? They’re just two pounds, which makes lifting snowshoes again and again less of a chore and more of a breeze. (Women say they’re great for wide feet as well.) The snowshoe boots are also available for men here.

03 of 08

Best for Durability: Baffin Snosport Hiking Boot

If you treat snowshoeing as a sport rather than, say, a relaxing afternoon activity on a crisp winter day, then you’re going to want to go for these aggressive performance boots from Baffin. Rated down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit, they’re not going to keep you warm in the most arctic of conditions, but for mild-to-cold winter temperatures, these will be great. They’re designed specifically for snowshoes, with a molded tendon guard and raised ankle ledge. The rest of the boot ticks all the other boxes as well, from the EVA midsole to a stabilizing ankle shaft, to a multi-density insole that you can take out and replace as needed. Getting these on is quick and easy, too, thanks to the single-pull lace system, with a lock that keeps it from coming loose at a critical time. Another plus? Baffin’s B-Tek hollow fiber insulation warms the feet while keeping the boot extremely lightweight at 1.3 pounds. The snowshoe boots are also available for women here.

04 of 08

Best for Extreme Cold: Baffin Insulated Boot

When the weather is particularly freezing, you'll want boots that are rated to equally extreme temperatures, perform well in deep snow — and are as comfortable as they can be in these conditions. Baffin is almost legendary for boots like this, and these insulated shoes are among the most heavy-duty in their line. They’ve been rated all the way down to -148 degrees Fahrenheit, so these boots will keep toes cold in almost any imaginable conditions. The key? The Termaplush insulation, which hugs feet and makes sure they stay comfortable in almost any weather. Boots are also outfitted with Arctic Flex rubber, an underfoot air bubble and a reflective waffle footbed, which helps keep feet ventilated as well as warm — and despite all these features, they still weigh about two pounds a boot. The deep traction on the boots’ soles is great too, able to grip anything but glare ice. Plus, the boots’ liners are easily removable and replaceable, so you can wear these boots for treks to come — just replace the liners when they start to wear out. (The boot runs very small, so order at least a whole size up.) The snowshoe boots are also available for men here.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.

05 of 08

Best Value: Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni Cold-Weather Boot

Like many of Columbia's products, the Bugaboot Plus III Cold-Weather Boots deliver optimal performance at a budget-friendly price point. The snowshoe boots boast a 100 percent leather and textile construction, rubber sole, Omni-Grip traction rubber, and Techlite lightweight midsole for comfort. Better yet, the seam-sealed Columbia boots are coated with its proprietary Omni-Heat reflective lining for warm, 200g insulation. They're even rated at -25 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures, so you can spend all day in the deep snow with these rugged boots. They're also available for women here.

06 of 08

Best Waterproof: Vasque Coldspark Ultradry Snow Boot

Handle any outdoor adventure this winter with the Vasque Coldspark Ultradry Snow Boot. Its proprietary UltraDry Waterproofing System and 200g 3M Thinsulate Insulation keeps feet dry and comfortable through slush, ice, and other wet conditions. The winter hiking boots also feature the Vasque Monolith rubber outsole with ColdHold Compound technology, a blended-material midsole that offers stability and traction. With a molded EVA midsole and a fleece collar lining, these waterproof boots are perfect for any winter trail. They're are also available for women here.

07 of 08

Best for Men: Merrell Moab Polar Waterproof Winter Boots

These heavy-duty boots are ready to go for winter adventures, beginning with 6.5-inch shaft from cow suede and mesh that will keep all but super-deep snow from falling into your boots. These also boast M-Select DRY treatment for premium waterproofing. They’re also really lightweight, at about 1.5 pounds each, which makes them great for a day of ‘shoeing around in the snow — and 400g will keep feet dry while tromping around, too. We especially love the nylon shank ankle support: snowshoe boots this study should keep ankles from wobbling around with each step, even in slippery conditions. Keep in mind these won’t do as well in extreme weather and intense terrain — flat backcountry is where these really shine. One of the nice perks? Treatment on the interior of the boot helps to control odor after a long day of adventures. Keep in mind that these run a bit narrow, so size up for some wiggle room.

08 of 08

Best for Women: Sorel Women’s Glacy Explorer Snow Boot

Who said snowshoeing boots all had to look like you were about to head out on a survival expedition? Sorel’s Glacy Explorers are one of the most stylish winter boots in the market, but if you think they’re all looks — think again. They’re actually really great for snowshoeing, hitting full marks when it comes to the attributes a good pair of boots for the sport should have. The knee-height rise means that snow won’t fall into the uppers, and they’re completely waterproof, down to the seams. We also love the removable EVA foam footbeds, which offer warmth that’s easy to replace after a few seasons. Plus, this means you won’t have to spend time looking for two different pairs of boots to take you from the office to restaurants to the backcountry, and that’s something we can all get behind. That being said, these likely won’t do the job for expedition-style snowshoeing, but for use in light or mild conditions, these will do the job nicely.