The best winter hiking boots reviewed (2023)

Having the right winter hiking boots is just as important as having an ice axe and crampons. Here’s our latest pick of the best B2-rated boots for your mountain adventures.

Two hikers walking up a snow-covered hill

by Matt Jones |
Posted on

The best winter hiking boots offer unique qualities: reassurance and security. These traits give you an air of confidence in your next step. Get these in addition to some other key ingredients, and you have the perfect all-round winter boot for the mountains.

Winter hillwalking and mountaineering is more challenging than your average hiking or backpacking trip. This therefore makes it even more important that your kit is fit for purpose. So, when it comes to boots, you need more technical capability in addition to the non-negotiables of fit and comfort.

The best winter hiking boots

La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX

La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX standing on a rock with Best in Test award logo
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best in Test

Description

The ideal mountain boot should strike a balance between walking comfort, technical performance,

Pros

  • Ideal traits for winter hillwalking

Cons

  • Less precise fit with crampons than others

Salewa Crow GTX

Salewa Crow GTX climbing a rock, with Best Value award logo
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best Value

Description

The Crow GTX is the least expensive of Salewa’s mountain boots, but it’s just as capable as its

Pros

  • Good value
  • Lightweight
  • Very nimble compared to other winter boots

Cons

  • Less cushioning and protective than others

Meindl Antelao Pro GTX

Meindl Antelao Pro GTX on test, standing on a rock
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best winter hiking boots for comfort

Description

With tough suede uppers, a Gore-Tex lining and a full rubber rand, the Antelao Pro offers both

Pros

  • Superb comfort
  • Protective
  • Supportive
  • Warm

Cons

  • Not the best for technical terrain
  • Lugs aren’t especially aggressive

Lowa Tibet GTX

Lowa Tibet GTX on test, climbing a rock
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best 'classic' leather winter hiking boot

Description

This is an honest and unpretentious B1 boot with an all leather upper and a high cut that

Pros

  • Great all-rounder
  • Very durable
  • Excellent comfort

Cons

  • Heaviest on test
  • Others better for technical terrain 

Arc’teryx Acrux LT GTX

Arc’teryx Acrux LT GTX on test, user standing on a rock
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best winter hiking boots on steep ground

Arc’teryx Acrux LT GTX 
Price: £300.00

arcteryx.com

Description

A sleek and stylish boot with striking looks, the Acrux LT certainly grabs attention. But then,

Pros

  • Relatively lightweight
  • Best on test on steep ground

Cons

  • Quite niche design won’t suit all

Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX

Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX on test, standing on a rock
©Live For The Outdoors/Ellie Clewlow

Best lightweight winter hiking boots

Description

Mammut bills these as the lightest crampon-compatible mountaineering boots on the market. When it

Pros

  • Very light
  • Great for technical terrain

Cons

  • Too specialist for some

What to look for in winter hiking boots

Ankle cuff: The ankle cuff helps prevent mud and grit from entering the boot. It also protects the ankle. Stiffness in the ankle cuff reduces strain on the ankle on slopes and scrambling by adding support. This makes the boot less tiring to wear on rockier ground or snow.

Crampon compatibility: Not all boots are designed to be used with crampons, due to their stiffness. Flexible crampons rated as C1 can be fitted to B1 boots, while stiffer crampons rated as C2 can be fitted to B2 and B3 boots. Hikers' 3-season walking boots aren't normally crampon compatible.

Durability: Look for uppers with minimal stitching. For maximum durability, also look for a rubber rand that encloses the whole boot. Durable designs are most important for those regularly heading out onto rockier ground and ice-covered mountains.

Fit: The upper should be snug and comfortable across the foot, and the inside of the boot should be around 13-15mm longer than your foot. Put the boot on without the laces tightened and place your forefinger down the inside of the boot at the heel to check.

Midsole stiffness: Winter boots must be stiff enough to take a crampon, so that you can safely negotiate ice and hard-packed snow. The best options are either a B1 boot for use with strap-on crampons, or a B2 boot to take a semi-automatic crampon. The stiffer the midsole, the better the boot will perform on snow and ice and be compatible with crampons.

Outsole lugs: Deep, widely-spaced lugs bite into soft mud and snow without clogging, while also providing many years of wear before they are too shallow to give a good grip on soft ground. A heel breast between the forefoot lugs and heel of the sole adds valuable braking power on descents.

Winter hiking boot care and maintenance

It's important to remember boot care and cleaning. This is vital to boot performance and longevity. We recommend footwear cleaning products from Grangers and Nikwax. These products are both effective and environmentally friendly.

For cleaning any fabric, including leather and suede, use Grangers Footwear Car Kit or Nikwax Hiking Care Kit. If you want a proper wax for leather, use Grangers Waterproofing Wax or Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather.

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