36 Pairs of Winter-Ready Ankle Boots We’re Quite Psyched About

Winter boots are one of those things that are really hard to shop for — especially when you’re a woman. After all, you want a pair of boots that are both warm and cute. Besides, you shouldn’t have to choose between fashion and comfort.

In the process of writing this buying guide, we researched winter boots from all the top brands and several lesser-known names to find pairs in a variety of styles that were highly rated. We tested dozens of winter boots to find the best ones for different women’s needs.

After all, we know that not every woman needs heavy-duty boots that can take on sub-zero temperatures and six-foot snowbanks, but we also know that most women who are looking for a great pair of snow boots won’t be satisfied with a cute pair of water-resistant boots that can’t handle more than a light flurry. As such, we’ve included a fair mix of different options here so there will be something for everyone.

To test these boots, we dunked them in a tub filled with icy water and tried to make them slip on patches of ice. We wore them on cold days to see how warm they were and stepped into deep puddles on rainy days to test water resistance. We walked for miles on snowy stretches of sidewalk in New York City and waded through snow banks in Central Park to vet these boots.

Our opinions are also backed up by expert reviewers and actual buyers, so rest assured — these winter boots are guaranteed to keep your feet warm, dry, and happy all winter long and for many winters to come.

“Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing.”

Why you’ll love them: The UGG Adirondack III Boots are super cute winter boots that can handle extreme cold and deep snow without any problems.

UGG makes super stylish boots, and the Adirondack III boots are made for intense cold and tons of snow. With these boots on your feet, you’ll be ready to brave anything winter throws at you.

The boots are made of waterproof leather and they have a super cozy insulating wool lining that’s as fuzzy as it is warm. You can roll the tops down to expose the wool for style, or flip them back up to keep more of your ankle and lower calf warm.

The Vibram outsole is strong and provides great traction on icy surfaces, plus, these boots can handle extremely cold temperatures as low as -20°C, which is -4°F. You can buy the Adirondack boots in a few different colors, including white, black, and brown.

When I first put an older version of these boots on, I was impressed by how light, warm, and cute they were. By all rights, they should be clunky, but they’re not. UGG’s boots look cute enough to pair with skinny jeans or leggings and a dress all winter long in even the snobbiest of cities.

These boots are tough enough to handle rural areas with tons of snow, too, so you really can’t go wrong with them. In my mind, they’re the perfect boots for just about every woman. The only downside is the high price, but they’ll last you for years. After a full winter of use, mine are still going strong.

Pros: Waterproof, pure wool lining, made for very cold temperatures, good traction, cute style.

When the winter winds blow up a crazy snow storm and you have six feet of snow to contend with in sub-zero temperature, you need some serious winter boots that will keep more than just your feet warm. Sorel’s Joan of Arctic Boots are just the ticket.

These boots are nearly a foot tall, so they’ll keep your entire calf warm and dry even in deep snow. The suede leather shaft is fully waterproof and a faux fur cuff finishes the boots off in style. They lace up from a sturdy vulcanized rubber section that covers your toes and keeps them dry.

Sorel says these boots can handle temperatures as low as -25°F or -32°C. The tread on the bottom is grippy and good for ice and snow. You can even get them in a number of different colors and styles if faux fur isn’t your thing or you don’t want leather.

When I first took them out of the box, I thought these boots would be super clunky and bulky, but looks are deceiving. Once they were on my feet, they looked great. I can easily see these boots being perfect for both the city and the country because they are super stylish yet rugged enough to take on serious snow.

Pros: Tall boots, extra warm, rated for cold temperatures, good grip, comfortable, cute, many colors

Cons: Expensive

When you think about tough gear that’ll last you through an epic snowstorm, chances are, Columbia comes to mind. The company’s coats, boots, shoes, and other gear are known for being of the highest quality. Columbia’s Bugaboot IV Winter Boots are no exception.

I tested an older version of these popular and very highly rated winter boots and came away impressed by how light and toasty warm they were. By the look of them, I expected these boots to be as heavy and awkward to wear as the old winter boots I used to wear to survive the brutal winters in upstate New York (right across from the Canadian border, so we’re talking six feet of snow and -30 windchills here). Imagine my surprise when they turned out to be light and nimble like a good pair of hiking boots.

The secret is in their design: Columbia used a mix of waterproof leather and textiles on the uppers to keep out all the snow, slush, and wet of winter without adding any unnecessary weight. The 200 grams of insulation inside keep your feet piping hot, too. These boots are so cozy that Columbia says they can handle temperatures as low as -25F or -32C.

Of course, it’s not just the uppers that keep these boots light, it’s also the special Techlite midsole and the Omni-Grip outsole that keep the weight down. Both are lightweight and specially designed for great comfort, stability, and traction on slippery surfaces.

These are the kind of boots I’d want on my feet during the cold nasty winters snowy climates. They’re perfect for walks through the snowy woods, shoveling out your driveway, and heading out to the grocery store. They obviously will not win any beauty contests and those who have more mild winters or live in cities where style is more important than strength won’t need tough boots like these.

However, for anyone who needs a super warm, waterproof, stable, and lightweight pair of winter boots that are ready for action, these are the ones I’d recommend.

Pros: Lightweight, very warm, rated for low temperatures, relatively affordable