La Canadienne is the answer for you if you want stylish and extremely warm : https://www.lacanadienneshoes.com/us

Pajar is high quality and very warm, same with Santana Canada; Santana Canada is a bit more stylish.

Can't go wrong with Sorel or LL Bean.

https://santanacanada.com

https://us.pajar.com/collections/mens-footwear/ice-gripper?gclid=CjwKCAjwwL6aBhBlEiwADycBIEqi-Wq7rvlxw_rlxN8_9NODgs0p3uVjJDWCk0S68SBuEWbp2OtkiBoC8lgQAvD_BwE

Edit added links

Kamik is also supposedly good, just not personally familiar with it.

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I turned 40 this year, live in Massachusetts and still wear the LL Bean boots with the liner that I got in high school. There's a reason they get backordered every holiday season

I've been using Kamik winter boots for nearly a decade. I have two pairs and they've kept me warm nearly that entire time. I have had Sorrels in the past but I found their pricing a little difficult on a university budget at the time.

FWIW sorrel has treated me well for 5 years.

Love Bean, but will never buy their boots again after slipping and sliding around in them for a winter. I now go with Sorel.

I live in Canada and likewise had finally had it with shitty boots that only lasted two seasons. I bought Bogs, the Arcata knit style and they are fantastic. Super warm and comfy, lots of traction, waterproof and solid.

I looked at La Canadienne and love them. Not quite sure they’re in the budget for this year but I will be watching for sales! Thanks for the helpful comment!

Nordstrom Rack and 6 pm have La Canadienne. Seems like Sierra Trading Post used to carry them, but that may have changed along with their name change.

I was looking at Bogs but I was confused by the handle design at the top… doesn’t snow get in your boot?

I found my bogs fit really close to my leg so there wasn't actually any space in between for the snow to get into. They are super warm, but I would definitely recommend changing out of them if you are going inside (they don't breathe well so my feet were extremely sweaty all day). I have found my best winter boots have been a leather pair - I've been able to get a shoe repair person to repair them which has extended their life multiple times.

How's the grip? I've heard they're pretty bad on ice or heavily packed snow

I have a similar sorel boot that i bought a few years back. My toes definitely get cold in the winter. Even with wool socks.

I haven't had issue - I'm not using them for hiking or acrobatics, but for shoveling snow, walking the dog etc, they've been fine - they also fit me perfectly, and feel like one smooth piece of material, in contract to other boots I've worn.

I also have the Sorel Joan of Arcadia, and I would encourage any one to try them on and walk around a bit, as I found them too heavy, and where the heavier bottom meets the shaft, tends to give me blisters right on the back of my ankle that no sock thickness can help. They are the warmest things I've ever put on though, so if I don't have to walk anywhere and am just sitting around a firepit, they are fantastic

If you get something made out of leather, and you want the boots to last, don't walk in them every day. Give them a day to dry out, and only use them every other day. Otherwise the leather and glue/stitching will wear out faster.

They don't have the same model any more but I really recommend Lands End winter boots. I've had the same pair for almost 10 years. They're toasty, have a light sole so it's not draining to walk around in, and good traction on all kinds of snow. Here's the current iteration: https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-squall-insulated-winter-snow-boots/id_349277?attributes=8063,43308,43330,43415,44256,44495

Nope, same as the commenter below it’s never been a problem for me. But I missed the part of your post about wearing them inside - they are veryyyyyyyy warm so I wouldn’t recommend them for indoors.

I have several pairs of Sorels and love them!

Had Bean boots, but gave them up bc they have such bad traction on ice

Same. I’ve had the same pair of kamiks since 2017 and they’ve made it through Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and now Wisconsin/Minnesota winters. I remember reading to order them a half size up or so because they’re designed to allow room for the heat of your foot to recirculate at the toe 🤔 also FWIW

Ive been using Baffin boots for snowblowing northeast storms for years and years but im not sure they’d offer an arctic type temp boot that was low. Mines rated for that but since they have a separate liner/bootie they are full calf boots. Are these for just snow or for actually hiking in?

Bean boots are not warm! I’d highly recommend the UGG Adirondack, and you can maybe find a second hand pair. Warmest boots I’ve ever owned for New England winters.

I see some people like their Sorel boots. My wife has some, and absolutely hates them. She finds them both uncomfortable and cold.

I (M) have Bean boots - different model than the one you're looking at - and they are fantastic, both warm and well designed for traction.

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muck boots. several options rated to -20F and several more rated to -40F

Just get some size small N1B welco military extreme cold weather mukluks with an extra wool felt insole and a good wool liner. They’re cheap … even after buying liners and doubling up on insoles… and they’re warmer and lighter than any expensive commercial cold weather boot I’ve ever owned even in -20…. as long as they aren’t soaking wet they will insulate… but tbh if it’s warm enough for any liquid water around then you are fine with a size too large rubber boot and 2 pairs wool socks…. Honest to god all I do is work outside at home whenever I’m not at work in upper peninsula type weather… and those kamiks, although stylish, will probably be colder than my oversized rubber boot solution (which I use rubber logging boots for when the weather is between 40f and 25f, or anytime slush mud etc)

The trick is to insulate the bottom of your foot from the cold ground and then keep them dry enough for the air inside/ wool to do it’s job insulating… below 20 or whenever the stuff outside you actually want the boot to perform in is going to stay frozen then you want the entire boot to breathe somewhat because then the only enemy is moisture in the lining which usually only comes from perspiration

Not,trying to be pushy bc I know this isn’t really answering your recommendation question but I figured a set of criteria or reasons for why something could be good is better than a simple recommendation … and I’ve just been over this myself for a few winters in the past and disappointed so much trying different expensive supposedly bifl (as recommended by various ppl or internet) boots and most turn out to be a joke when it comes to real world performance, so it basically comes down to having a set of muck/mud boots for the wet cold, and mukluks for the extreme frozen cold… and honestly the military mukluks are actually (imo) kind of stylish in their own odd way…. I’m a dude tho. But none of my exes have regretted getting a pair. Plus it’s hilarious when people say something about them and youre laughing all the way to the perfectly warm dry feet bank and they have the white cold prune toes. At a certain point… function over form.

Grip is just okay on cold packed snow or ice, but I don’t know of many shoes that would be effective on that kind of difficult surface.

I love the boots because of the warmth with the Sherpa lining, overall quality construction and waterproof build.

Manitobah! I cannot personally attest to how long they last because I've only had mine a year, but I bought them used on Poshmark and they seem brand new. I also don't wear them every single day in winter. They have waterproof and non-waterproof options so shop carefully!

People love the memory of Sorel. They made amazing boots when I was a kid and everyone had them. Super warm and long lasting. They are not what they used to be. Unfortunately it's a long list that fall in this category.

My wife loves her Ugg Adirondack boots. They are very well made and she says super warm. Yose are a little less but I'm not sure if the quality is as good though.

my last pair of sorels lasted 15+ winters in chicago. idk if the quality is the same now, but they lasted for me and i am not gentle on my things

I had the same blisters from Sorel's! I also have a pair of bean boots my mom bought me in 1994. I find they are just fine when it's slippery out. It will be a sad day when they finally kick the bucket.

My Sorels literally fell apart after a few winters.

Yep. Live in New England and have had my Bean Boots for ~12 years. I was always cautious when walking on ice / dense pack snow because of the slippage. I got me a pair of sorels with those incredibly tractioned soles a few years ago and I feel like I could sprint on ice now. They also keep my feet much warmer; I had to wear thick socks with my Beans but any socks will do with my Sorels. Beans are now strictly my rain / slush boots.

Edit: It seems I got both pairs of boots before some recently reported dips in quality for both brands, so unfortunately I can’t attest to how well any new versions perform

I bought these Oboz boots last year, and wow! They have vibram arctic ice-grip for superb grip on ice and general winter weather (I live in Saskatchewan, Canada and they still hold up). Expensive, but so, so worth it.

Only issue I've had is the metal lace loops can catch on the other boot if you have your legs too close together and can create a tripping hazard.

not to beat a dead horse with the the LL Bean boots, but I do know people who just put the ice spike/cleat caps over their winter boots when they really need traction - I've never needed it, but always possible

Those are all good choices for warmth and durability. Buy the ones that fit you best.

My Sorels fell apart after about 3 years. Split at the sides. I'd recommend something made by Red Wing.

Sorel, like many other brands, has reduced in quality as they got more "trendy" much like Timberland did in the late 90s.

Kamik, Baffin and Pajar are still high quality and very warm. Kamik and Baffin I believe are still all Canadian made.

I have a pair of Kamik lined hunting wellies that I bought about 15 years ago at Canadian Tire for about $40 that are the warmest and driest boots I have. They certainly don't make much of a fashion statement, but nothing is better for walking the dog or shoveling the drive and walkway.
Not suggesting that you go that route, but it's a testament to their warmth and quality.

Steiger mukluks. Warmest comfiest shoes ever. Worn by majority of dog mushers in AK

Stay away from doc martens, quality has gotten really bad. This coming from someone who has been buying docs for forty plus years. Any recent ones, last three or four years have split with sole coming away from uppers. Mine and also my kids (young adults)are really disappointed. I swore by them for decades.

Look at Baffin, we Canadians know warm! And they have several styles that will fit your waterproof, weather rating, and height requirements. I personally found it was a lot easier to swap shoes at the office though because these things are seriously warm and have a good tread.

I’ve had LL Bean hiking boots since 2005.

I have the short version of these and almost never wear them because they run too hot (in NYC). Still keep them for those days when I’m going to be out in the snow for 1+ hours.

It's awful. They're rain boots, not snow boots.

I have Sorel’s Joan of Arcadia boots (I am not sure if they are still made) and they are literally too warm! Even in the coldest temps!

This is what I did when we lived in the north east and in Chicago. Bean boots lasted me 20+ yrs. The stretch on ice grippers were perfect for icy days.

Not specific recs because I actually just bought my own first pair and am awaiting delivery. If you like bargain hunting you can get a pair of pre-quality-drop Made in Canada Sorels on Poshmark and probably ebay although it may take some patience to find your size. If you want to save money you can also find deals like this https://poshmark.com/listing/Kamik-snow-boots-Taupe-Only-issued-once-61e78371ff7c5af129386f80 where the person probably bought them to wear on a vacation or something and then never put them on again.

I also found some Kamik styles on various sites for very good sale prices if you search specific styles by name on google, although there's usually only one size available for that price. I went with this one which was $49 the other day. https://www.sportsmans.com/footwear-outdoor-casual-men-women-youth/womens/womens-winter-boots/kamik-womens-snovalley-low-cut-waterproof-winter-boots/p/1527622

Another example https://www.6pm.com/p/kamik-sugarloaf-2/product/9404451

I have a pair of these Sorel boots https://www.sorel.com/p/womens-joan-of-arctic-boot-1855131.html?dwvar_1855131_color=010 from 2018 and they've been heavily used every winter and still look brand new. Grip on ice and packed snow is great.

Baffin

Yes. I live in Wisconsin. I have tried a few things and love my Baffin Escalades. They are the BEST. They are warm and the tread is amazing. They are also not as clunky as many of the boots I've had over the years.

I found Pajar to be narrow in the toe box and also have variable quality and fit between the styles. Kamik seems cheap, ugly, and not durable (some friends have had their boots but I never have).

A shout out to Xero for their Alpine boot, in case you like barefoot style shoes. I wear these until the temps reach 0* and then switch to my Baffins for the negative temps.

I have these sorel boots and love them! Great tread, warm, holding up nicely.

> Only issue I've had is the metal lace loops can catch on the other boot if you have your legs too close together and can create a tripping hazard.

I also have a pair of insulated Oboz (discontinued Juniper style) and have the same issue with mine. The metal loops stick out too far and can catch on my pants or laces from the other boot. They're nice and warm though and have really good grip for winter hikes so I've kept them but not sure I'd ever repurchase.

If you're okay with used check eBay. Just bought a nice pair of made in Canada Sorels that are like new and there were plenty others available

I have Doc Martens that I've consistently been wearing for over a decade and still look great. I do wear them in New England winter BUT I would not consider them my 'winter boots'. They're fine for running errands or commuting to work but the sole is not insulated enough to actually walk on snow. Also, the quality has been steadily decreasing over the years so, at this point, I'd look to get Solovair's instead of new Docs (which is the brand that used to make them).