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Choosing the best winter boots for kids is a crucial task to ensure your little one’s comfort, warmth, and safety during the colder months. And while their needs are the top priority, it’s also key that shoes for kids are easy for parents to get on and off. If you’ve ever tried to fit a kid’s foot into a shoe or boot, you know that it can be harder than securing tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.
As parents navigate the growing options in the kid’s footwear market, factors such as insulation, waterproofing, durability, and proper fit become paramount. And if boots aren’t comfortable, kids will let you know. So better to avoid that song and dance by getting winter boots for kids that fit well, and are comfortable and functional.
Popular adult brands known for their durable winter boots for men and women, like Hoka and Merrell, have been expanding their style ranges and categories to offer kids sizes. This gives parents access to the same high-quality footwear brands for their kids, allowing them to find the perfect pair of shoes or boots for their child’s needs.
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The best winter boots for girls and the best winter boots for boys strike a balance between functionality and style, providing protection against the elements while allowing little ones to express their personalities. When it comes to selecting winter boots for kids less is more. Footwear and boots that are more minimalist are good for kids as they pack the right amount of function and features that are necessary for a growing kid’s foot.
In this guide, we’ll explore key considerations and offer insights from our expert, Dr. Salil Desai, DPM, an Associate Physician at Total Foot and Ankle of Tampa Bay, to help you make informed decisions when selecting winter shoes for toddlers. We compared reviews from top brands, like Sorel, Kamik, and North Face, to find the best winter boots for kids for this winter season. These top boots ensure that young adventurers are ready to conquer the chilly season with confidence and coziness.
Colorways: 20+ Colors and patterns
Materials: Rubber, Nylon
Closure: Slip-on
Temperature rating: -35°F
What testers say: “These are comfortable and versatile. I love that I don’t need to buy a separate winter/rain boot and these are rated to -35F. Easy to put on with no laces and good length for playing in the snow. I won’t buy another winter boot for my daughter again.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $89.99
Colorways: Chrome Gray/Black; Available in Five colorways
Materials: Rubber, synthetic textile
Closure: Toggle and velcro
Temperature rating: -25°F
What testers say: “Ok, is it me or is it super hard to find snow boots for kids? I searched high and low at so many places for boots and ended up finding these. I definitely didn’t want to spend $65 but these are worth every penny! They are warm, functional, and super cute! My daughter loves them! They run TTS. They have a removal layer on the inside. Don’t hesitate to buy them. You’ll feel really good knowing your child’s feet are warm and dry!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $70
Colorways: Chestnut and Black
Materials: Sheepskin
Closure: Dual zipper
Special features: Cushioned footbed lined with fur for added warmth and comfort.
Pull tab in the back for additional leverage
What testers say: “It was exciting to see the double zippers. My daughter is disabled and it is hard to get the regular uggs on her feet. It was a great help.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $97.50
Colorways: Available in two colorways
Materials: Leather and mesh upper
Closure: Slip-on, Velcro
Temperature rating: (if available)
Special features: Ant-stink lining
What testers say: “I bought this last year for my 2-year-old boy and he loves it. He walked to the Brookfield Zoo lights and didn’t complain about keeping his feet warm and comfortable. Good price too! Will buy again!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $55.00
Colorways: 13 Colorways
Materials: Synthetic
Closure: Toggle and velcro
Temperature rating: -40F
What testers say: “Really well-made boots for the kiddos. Keeps the warm and dry during the snowiest of days. I particularly like that the kids can get these on and off themselves. The strap around the boot is easy to grab and adjust for little hands. In addition, the tightening cord at the top adjusts towards the front of the boot instead of the back, making it easier for the wearer to adjust. My son has wide feet and found the regular size a little snug. He could likely have managed, but luckily Kamik comes in wide too. These are definitely our go-to brand for snow boots!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $49.05
Colorways: Five colorways
Materials: Ballistic nylon upper with waterproof-leather overlays
Closure: Toggle pull
Temperature rating: -25°F
What testers say: “It’s one of the most stylish girls’ winter boots I’ve ever seen for kids and comfortable for my 4-year-old she’s very picky so these suits her well I highly recommend these winter boots.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $85.00
Colorways: 18+ Colors
Materials: Rubber and leather
Closure: Slip on and tie
What testers say: “We went through a couple of pairs of shoes and boots before [finding these boots]. These things are bulletproof. Our son always wears stuff out and puts holes in the front of his shoes and in the knees of his pants but he can’t wear these out. These things are made to last. He will outgrow them before he wears them out.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $49.95
Colorways: Silver and Black
Materials: soft suede and shimmery metallic nylon
Closure: drawstring-tie closure
Special features: Diamond texture on the outsole for traction and flexibility and a padded insole for comfort
What testers say: “My niece has the boots and she loves how lightweight and soft they feel on her feet. The adjustable closure on the top allows her to easily get them on and off herself. She even went as far as to say they felt like she was “walking on clouds,” that’s how lightweight they are.
Price upon publish date of this article: $34.99
What to Look for in the Best Winter Boots for Kids
When creating this guide on the best winter boots for kids, several essential factors were considered to ensure footwear meets the specific needs of young wearers. According to Dr. Desai, winter boots are specifically designed to provide better insulation and protect against cold, icy, and wet conditions. When considering winter boots for kids, he recommends looking for the following features.
- Material: Making sure winter boots protect against the elements is key and that’s where materials come into play. Everything from thermal linings, waterproof exteriors, and secure closures, like bungees and velcro, is important when it comes to selecting winter boots for kids. These materials help protect little feet against snow and slush.
- Use: The activity which a child needs winter boots for is important to consider when shopping for boots. If they’re going to use them in the snow or wet areas, you’ll want to consider waterproof boots and a tight closure at the top.
- Style: Considering a child’s preference for style and color can make the shopping and wearing experience more enjoyable for both parents and little ones. After their favorite colors and designs are considered, look for winter boots that feature colors and reflective elements for visibility in low light. It gets darker earlier during the colder months, so these features are essential to ensure kids can be seen and stay safe.
- Fit: A proper fit is paramount for little growing feet. Always opt for a bigger size if kids are between sizes. The comfort and fit of the shoe can make a difference and prevent issues like blisters or cold toes. Features such as adjustable closures, and easy on-and-off designs can enhance functionality and safety.
- Traction: Traction plays a huge role in balance, promoting confidence in kid’s movements. A rubber sole with deep treads is often effective as children navigate various surfaces, including slippery sidewalks, icy paths, or wet playgrounds. This is particularly important for younger children who are still developing coordination and motor skills.
How We Selected the Best Winter Boots for Kids
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
It’s imperative to find winter boots that are warm, protective, and comfortable to safeguard kid’s feet in the winter. And if boots pinch or let water in, kids will not be happy. To get ahead of complaints, we scoured the market to find the best winter boots for kids. We read through countless customer reviews, spoke to friends and family, and interviewed experts to find the best winter boots for kids. We took the information from our expert, Dr. Desai and made sure that each winter boot selected aligned with the key features that were important when selecting winter boots for kids. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Salil Desai is an associate physician at Total Foot and Ankle of Tampa Bay. Dr. Desai’s specialties include bunion surgery, foot reconstruction, ankle replacement, arthroscopic surgery, post-traumatic management, sports injuries, fractures, tendon injuries, wound care, as well as new advances such as minimally invasive surgery.
Meet the Author
Zoë Roscoe is a New York-based fashion and lifestyle writer. Roscoe’s work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, Living Cozy, The Spruce, and more. Roscoe has years of experience covering topics related to footwear, and she used her expertise in the industry to pen this article on the best winter boots for kids.
