News flash: winter in Canada can get cold — like, extremely cold. Depending on where you live, your version of winter may include single-digit highs and loads of rain (hi, Vancouver), or you could reside in one of the country’s inland cities that, while sunny, reach -25°C and below (Calgary, Winnipeg and Regina, our thoughts are with you).
The only way to survive (and thrive!) in the extreme cold is to invest in proper outwear. Your winter jacket needs to be warm and your winter boots must be waterproof, insulated and hopefully tall enough that snow doesn’t make direct contact with your ankle.
As Canadian weather can fluctuate by the month, the week and the hour, it’s not a bad idea to own a wide range of winter footwear — we’re talking everything from heavy-duty snow boots to waterproof athletic shoes.
The shopping team at Yahoo Canada Style tested multiple pairs of women’s winter boots and found the styles that will keep your feet dry and warm, no matter the forecast. From a pair of Canada Goose hiking shoes to winter boots from The North Face, keep scrolling to shop for the best editor-tested winter boots for 2024-25.
Columbia
Not only are these slip-on boots incredibly warm, they feature wet-to-dry traction to take on winter terrain.
Editor review: Even though I’m someone who prefers to enjoy winter from afar, I often find myself outside chasing after a toddler and two dogs in frigid temperatures. The Keetley Shorty Boots are my go-to pair of boots for day-to-day winter activities. I can wear them to daycare drop-off and running errands without looking like I’m about to mine for gold in the Yukon. I like that I can wear them with jeans (no need to awkwardly tuck my pants into my boots) and that they feature Adapt Trap outsole for wet-or-dry traction. As someone chronically accident-prone, the hefty tread pattern comes in handy for slick weather. They’re incredibly warm, not heavy or clunky and waterproof!
Downsides: It’s hard to think of a downside to these boots. They’re everything I want and need for my day-to-day life. While they’re not as sleek or chic as some of the other boots on the list, they suit my needs and help keep me on my feet. If I was being super picky, I’d prefer if there wasn’t a fur detail at the tongue of the boots since it does look a bit awkward under jeans. That said, it’s not a dealbreaker. — Elizabeth Di Filippo, Senior Lifestyle & Features Editor
Globo Shoes & Kayla Kuefler
I have owned (and loved!) these boots for years.
Editor’s review: While there’s no shortage of women’s winter boots on the market, I have always found it challenging to find a pair that checks two boxes — warm and stylish. Given you often find one without the other, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered Cougar’s Shani waterproof boots a couple of years ago. The boots, which have become one of my most-worn pairs, keep my toes warm and my feet firmly planted on the ground, even in sketchy stretches of ice and deep freeze conditions. Plus, while they’re temperature rated at -24°C/-11°F, I have worn them in colder conditions and felt fine. They feature 200g of PrimaLoft Gold Insulation, come lined with polar plush, and are waterproof for maximum wear.
Downsides: While Cougar’s Shani Boots will be plenty high for city living or areas with little snowfall, they aren’t quite high enough for big dumpings of the white stuff. If you’re not spending a lot of time in six-inch snow, this won’t be a problem for you, but if you are, high socks and pant tucking are recommended. — Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor
The North Face
These are by far my favourite winter boots.
Editor’s review: These boots are definitely a favourite of mine. They’re different from your conventional lace-up boots, that’s for sure. I love how lightweight they are, and they keep my feet super warm and dry, thanks to the ThermoBall Eco insulation. The webbing pull loop at the heel makes it super easy to pull them on, too. In my opinion, they’re definitely comfortable for all-day winter excursions, long walks and hikes. And another plus is that they’re easy to clean! However, my all-time favourite thing about these winter boots has to be that they don’t ruin my outfits; in fact, they have a sporty vibe that makes casual ensembles look even better.
Downsides: Keep in mind that these are low-cut boots, meaning snow might touch your ankles if you’re not wearing proper socks (ick!). I do have another pair of winter boots for higher volumes of snow, so if there’s a lot of snow — or piercing cold winds — where you live, that’s something to consider. — Melina Brum, Shopping Editor
Canada Goose
Shop the Canada Goose Women’s Glacier Trail Sneaker in four colourways.
Editor’s review: If you want a break from winter boots, Canada Goose’s Glacier Sneakers are the next best thing. These trail sneakers are fully waterproof and worth their weight in gold in the snow, rain and slush. I am a big hiker, and these winter-friendly sneakers have been a tremendous addition to my cold-weather shoe collection. They’re comfortable right out of the box and will keep your toes warm (and dry!) on the trail.
Downsides: My only critique of the Glacier Sneakers is that they’re quite heavy. Their weight makes them perfect for winter, but I wouldn’t wear them during warm-weather hikes and adventures. Also, they fit big: if you are in between sizes, I would choose the smaller size. — Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor
L.L. Bean
A classic duck boot that’s great for wet, slushy conditions.
Editor’s review: Duck boots are back — but if you’re as into emulating Julie O’Rourke as I am, they never actually went away. While of course there’s high-fashion takes (like the Proenza Schouler x Sorel collab), you really can’t go wrong with the OG L.L. Bean Bean Boots. They feature a waterproof rubber sole and base and sturdy leather upper, so they’re great for slushy or rainy days, and only look better with age.
Downsides: One thing to keep in mind: these boots aren’t insulated, and they’re short — which means they’re not equipped to keep your feet warm and dry if you’re trekking through a foot of snow. I bought a pair of sheepskin insoles on Amazon for colder days in Toronto, but I wouldn’t advise wearing these if you live in a really snowy environment. If you like the style, you can snap up a pair of taller Bean Boots (I’ve had these for years and love them) — including this sherpa-lined pair. — Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle Managing Editor
DSW
These leather booties have a -24°C cold rating.
Editor’s review: If you haven’t noticed, I am a big fan of Cougar boots come wintertime. These “Vow” booties have been a longtime staple in my cold-weather wardrobe, especially during the many weeks I’m back home in Alberta. They’re crafted from durable and waterproof leather and feature a cozy sherpa collar for added warmth and comfort. The boots have a -24°C cold rating, and I swear they live up to it. I am a big, big fan.
Downsides: The only thing I don’t love about these booties is that the zipper on the front can be finicky. The zipper tends to go down if you wear a thick sock, which can be annoying when you’re walking. However, if you aren’t wearing tremendously plush socks, you should be fine. — Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor
Maguire
A chic Chelsea boot that’s surprisingly cozy.
Editor’s review: I splurged on these boots in the winter of 2021, and they still look brand new — which IMO is a testament to Canadian brand Maguire’s quality. These boots are made of stunning tumbled leather and feature an elastic side panel, which means they’re great for various foot widths. They also feature a shearling insole, which makes them some of the coziest boots I own. I love that these can be worn with leggings, tights or pants, and can easily be dressed up or down.
Downsides: These sell fast — they’re consistently one of Maguire’s styles to sell out every winter, so if you want ’em, sign up for a notification when this year’s batch drops (which according to their site, looks like December!). The only other downside is that the shearling insole (at least on my black pair) is dark, which meant it stained my socks the first few wears — so just stick to dark socks. Also, while I leather treated my boots and do occasionally get stuck in gross conditions with them, I’d suggest keeping these to (relatively) dry conditions. While they’re ultra-cozy, I can see salt damaging the gorgeous leather. — Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle Managing Editor
Penningtons, Sarah Rohoman
A sturdy boot that means business.
Editor’s review: Finding wide-width shoes that also accommodate wider calves is truly a pain, but these Blondo’s tick all of my needs. They’re light enough that I can wear them for hours but heavy duty-enough to handle gross Ontario snow, slush and anything else that gets thrown at us. I like that they have both a zipper at the side as well as laces that allow you to cinch them extra tight. I’m lazy, so I generally just use the zipper, but when it’s snowing it’s nice to be able to tighten the laces to prevent snow from getting in.
Downsides: The sizing of Blondo’s is a bit different than other shoes, which they do state on the website. I normally wear a 9.5, which is what I ordered, but had I listened to the size guidelines, I would have ordered a 9 — entirely my own fault! — Sarah Rohoman, Shopping Editor
Little Burgundy Shoes
No matter the weather, these durable (and cute!) Blundstones will keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Editor’s review: I love these Blundstone boots so much that I wrote 720 words about them! What’s to love? For starters, they’re crafted using premium leather and are engineered with impact-protection technology, which provides its wearers with shock protection and support in the heel. I have worn them for multiple hours hiking on muddy trails, rock-strewn paths and uneven terrain, and they’ve always felt supportive and comfortable. These shoes are made for all-season endurance and will see you through almost every weather change. Plus, they go with everything!
Downsides: My Blundstone boots required next to no break-in period, but I will say, the socks you wear are important. As they’re ankle-length, you might want to wear a higher sock (at least at the beginning) so that the leather doesn’t rub on your skin. Additionally, they’re not super easy to slip on, especially with chunky socks. If you live in a shoe horn household, this would be a good time to use it. — Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor
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