The Best Kids' Winter Boots of 2024

• Colors: 3 options
• Closure: Toggle, hook and loop
• Materials: Nylon, rubber
• Size range: Big Kid (1-7)
• Temp rating: - 40 F

Keen Snow Troll boots are built for brutal winter conditions. For starters, the boots are rated to - 40 degrees, among the most frigid-ready you can find. The superb soles have the flexibility and grip required to surmount any sledding hill and were the best of any we tested.

Our tests also confirmed that the Keen Snow Troll really is as waterproof as advertised, though any water that makes its way inside will take a while to work its way out—the Keen Snow Troll took the second-longest to dry in our testing.

At 475 grams each, the boots are on the heavy end, perhaps due to the insulation that contributes to its -40 F temperature rating. Luckily, the weight wasn't a dealbreaker for our kid tester: My son said the Keen Snow Troll boots were comfy for all-day wear at school.

• Colors: 4 options
• Closure: Toggle
• Materials: Nylon, EVA foam
• Size range: Little kid (11 - 13), big kid (1-7)
• Temp rating: - 35 F

My 7-year-old loved the magenta detailing on the Merrell Snow Quest Lite 3.0 boots, but wasn’t sold on the fit at first. After some grumbling, he broke in these light-as-a-feather boots and found them comfortable for all-day wear.

At just 311 grams each, the Merrel Snow Quest Lite 3.0 boots weigh 20% less than the next-lightest boots we tested and are nearly half the weight of the heaviest, making them easy enough to forget about while wearing.

The rest of the Merrell Snow Quest Lite 3.0 features are less remarkable. The seams leaked a bit in testing, and the boots’ dry time was middle of the pack—making them just ok with moisture.

The soles have chunky nubs for grip but are on the stiff side. The adjustable bungee laces work well enough, allowing for separate tightening on the calf and the snow collar.

Despite these ho-hum features, if boot weight is the most important factor for your child, the Merrell Snow Quest Lite 3.0 are the way to go.

• Colors: 7 choices
• Closure: Toggle, hook and loop
• Materials: Rubber, synthetic textile
• Size range: Little kids (8 - 13), big kids (1 - 7)
• Temp rating: -25 F

If you come to Minnesota and peep our feet, you’ll see lots of Sorel logos. The brand has a reputation for creating high-quality, practical winter footwear. The Sorel kids' boot we tested, the Sorel Youth Flurry, squares neatly with this image.

Equipped with a snow collar, adjustable toggle, and hook and loop ankle strap, the boots look like archetypal snow boots. The sole flexes just how you want it to and grips the ground well.

During testing, the injected rubber sole and synthetic sides kept out water. Its dry time, while not remarkable, was on par with its peers. So was the boots’ weight—at 463 grams each, it’s smack in the middle of the pack.

Fittingly, when I asked my son how he would rate the Sorel Youth Flurry, he replied, “medium.” When I pressed, his critiques didn’t reveal any universal deal-breakers. The color was fine, he said, but “a bit uninspiring.” He reported the boots felt fine for short walks but were “less comfortable than I wish” during all-day wear. Still, our testing indicates that for kids who like the fit and connect with the looks, the Sorel Youth Flurry is a reliable winter boot option.

• Colors: 5 choices
• Closure: Adjustable toggle
• Materials: Nylon, leather, rubber
• Size range: Little kids (10 - 13), big kids (1 - 7)
• Temp rating: -25 F

An alpenglow refers to the reddish cast of mountains at sunset and sunrise. It makes sense then that the North Face Youth Alpenglow V Waterproof Boots look like they’d be at home on a climbing expedition.

The boot height is reminiscent of a hiking boot more than a classic tall snow boot, which some kids may prefer but could let in kicked-up snow. The narrow fit and flexible sole reminded me of my kids' rock climbing shoes. This style may allow for adequate purchase but doesn’t easily accommodate thick wool socks. Plus, the soles tend toward too twisty, a no-no according to podiatrists.

The North Face Youth Alpenglow V Waterproof Boots really shine in wet conditions, like you’d find crossing a snow-fed mountain stream. When I saw this boot, I thought for sure its suede sides would leak, but I was surprised to find that they held fast during testing and dried quickly, too. Results indicate the North Face Youth Alpenglow V Waterproof Boots will be best for kids who want a waterproof winter boot with a low profile and narrow fit.

• Colors: 20+ colors and patterns
• Closure: Slip on
• Materials: Rubber, nylon
• Size range: Little kid (7 - 13), big kid (1 - 6)
• Temp rating: -35 F

Of course, as a reviewer, I keep an open mind, but I have to confess I went into testing thinking Bogs would come out tops. They have a cult following among nature-loving parents, and I was certain my kid would be swayed by the vast array of colors—he had way more to choose from than any other brand.

My second-grader did admit the looks were excellent. (Tip: The tie dye pattern is especially good for the gym game Ships Across The Ocean). But overall? “I give them a 4 out of 10, Mom.” He said the stiff nylon on the calf irritated his skin after a full day of wear.

In our objective tests, Bogs Neo-Classic didn’t fare so well either. To start with, they’re heavy. One boot weighs 507 grams, making them the second-heaviest boot we tested.

The lack of closures and wide calf, while easy to put on, means that any kicked-up snow is sure to find its way inside the boot. This is a big problem because the Bogs Neo Classic boots are relatively slow to dry—it took the second longest during controlled testing. Although the rubber bottoms are waterproof, it’s important to note that the nylon sides are not and will soak up water.

Finally, the narrow lines on the boots’ bottoms make for poor traction in the icy and wet conditions that abound in winter.

Bogs Neo-Classic nailed the style points, and for some kids, that’s reason enough to go for them. But when it comes to hardy winter gear, Bogs Neo-Classic boots have some serious shortcomings.

• Colors: 15 options
• Closure: Hook and loop
• Materials: Rubber, synthetic
• Size range: Toddler (5 - 10), little kid (1-13), big kid (2 - 6)
• Temp rating: Not rated

If price is your single most important factor, the Hobibear Kids High Snow Boots AW3707 will be the boot for you. They are offered at about half the price of most other winter boots out there. There are, for sure, some compromises (more on that later) but first I’ll highlight the good stuff.

To start, anyone who has looked for toddler snow boots knows that there just aren’t many options for the tiniest feet, but Hobibear offers this boot in toddler sizes, in addition to little kid and big kid ones.

The boot is lighter weight than most—the big kid boots we tested weighed a scant 380 grams each—and has a fuzzy lining that reminded me of a just-have-to-touch-it cozy throw blanket.

The most unique feature is the closure, a hook-and-loop number that goes all the way down the side (The boot has elastic on the front as well, but that’s just for show). The side opening makes the Hobibear large-calf- and leg-brace-friendly. Heads up, however, that the boot runs small, so if your kid needs extra space for any reason, it’s smart to size up.

The Hobibear Kids High Snow Boot is less practical in slushy conditions. It failed our water testing abysmally, soaking up liquid like a sponge. Adding insult to injury, the boot was also the slowest to dry.

The problem of moisture is especially relevant for this boot since its short, wide opening at the calf and lack of snow collar also lets in more snow than many of its competitors. These findings mean this boot is best in drier environments.

At the same time, Hobibear Kids High Snow Boot’s unique side opening and accessible price point are salient reasons to consider these boots for your kid.