Valentine’s Day Gifts with a Winter Twist
Buying Guides | February 2, 2025
SAIL
November 14, 2024
Are you looking for the best men’s winter boots to embrace the Canadian winter? With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose a pair that meets your requirements and budget. Thankfully, the SAIL team has extensively tested numerous models from leading outdoor brands. Here are our top recommendations for winter boots.
In this article, you will learn about the best men’s winter boots for this year’s cold season:
Kamik is no stranger to harsh Canadian winters. With over 120 years of history, this Montréal-based brand knows how to craft boots that withstand the cold seasons above the 45th parallel. Through time, changes and significant growth, Kamik has maintained its long-standing commitment to local production. To this day, most of its products are still manufactured in Canada and the US, and all designs stem from a desire to create high-performance, durable and comfortable footwear for both outdoor lovers and city dwellers.
These low-cut boots from Kamik are perfect for casual winter walks, commuting, and urban outings. It doesn’t matter if you get caught in snow or rain, or walk through drifts, slush, and puddles; their durable leather upper and waterproof membrane effectively keep moisture out. Feet feel stable and supported thanks to a sturdy, grippy Vibram® outsole built to tackle slippery surfaces. The Spencer boots also provide comfort and warmth down to -30 °C with their cozy fleece lining and Heat-MX™ sustainable thermal insulation. The Ortholite® Hybrid™ eco-friendly footbed adds cushioning and support, allowing you to go about your day or walk for kilometres without worrying about your feet.
Kamik’s Inception winter boots are another great pair for city life and casual strolls on the trails. They have a clean, versatile style that goes with everything, packed in a durable leather and suede upper that will keep them looking fresh even after years of use. And they will stay fresh, too, thanks to a non-toxic Cleansport NXT™ treatment that keeps odours at bay. On the technical front, the Inception boots are made waterproof with tapes and sealants applied to all materials and seams. HEAT-MX™ sustainable thermal insulation ensures that feet stay warm down to -30 °C, and a moisture-wicking fleece lining helps keep them dry while adding extra softness and warmth. The supportive yet flexible rubber outsole features a multi-directional tread design to provide effective traction on snow and rocky terrain. With a lightweight construction, soft cushioning and a direct inject PU bottom, these boots provide excellent comfort for long walks and all-day wear.
More than a century ago, before becoming the globally recognized footwear brand it is today, Lowa started out as a small shop making handmade traditional Bavarian shoes. The German company has since evolved and chosen boots as its one and only specialty, but it has never abandoned its handmade philosophy. Lowa boots are still handcrafted in Europe using European-made materials, with an emphasis on consistency and high standards of quality. The brand’s position is clear: it cannot settle for being second best. That’s why, backed by numerous decades of expertise and skill, it never stops striving to deliver quality, optimal comfort and functionality in every pair of boots.
Lowa’s Renegade Warm boots are a true multifunctional model that can be worn for any outdoor activity, from the brisk days of fall to the depths of winter. With their sleek look, cozy Bavarian-inspired cuff trim and reliable Gore-Tex lining, these sturdy winter boots are the perfect mix of style, comfort and function. Lowa’s exclusive Gore-Tex Panda lining with synthetic insulation keeps feet dry and at an optimal temperature during casual and active cold-weather outings. The wrap-web construction and Vibram® Evo Icetrek® outsole ensure excellent support and stability, and a special rubber blend on the sole enhances traction and slip resistance. Perfect for long winter hikes and tricky terrain, these boots feature two independently adjustable lacing zones so you can customize the lacing tension and do special foothold lacing techniques.
This model is tailor-made for winter weather. Featuring a tall, robust leather shaft and a durable Gore-Tex lining, the Renegade Evo Ice boots are built to keep feet warm, comfortable and protected during snowy outings. An innovative DynaPU midsole delivers exceptional cushioning that stands up to time and hours of wear in the great outdoors. The Gore-Tex Partelana lining ensures optimal weather protection and breathability while keeping feet warm thanks to its synthetic and wool blend insulation. The Vibram® Arctic Grip Trac outsole is made of a special rubber mixture designed specifically for low-temperature winter conditions. It offers outstanding traction and slip resistance on cold, icy or snow-covered surfaces. Large studs on the bottom also ensure reliable traction for flat, uphill or downhill movement.
Baffin boots were “born in the North” and created to rise to the challenges of northern climates. The brand designs every pair at its Stoney Creek, Ontario, headquarters and also manufactures a significant proportion of its winter boots locally. Concerned with achieving high performance and constantly challenging and refining its products, Baffin tests them in real-world situations – more often than not, in extreme conditions. It is renowned, among other things, for its signature “Inner Boot System,” which allows protection in temperatures as low as -70 °C.
The Snow Monster are a heavy-duty, technical pair of cold-weather boots that offer high levels of performance and protection for winter activities. Their tall, water- and wind-resistant upper is seam-sealed for maximum defence against the elements, and it features a nylon locking snow collar for further protection. Inside, Baffin’s famous multi-layer inner boot system ensures optimal moisture control, energy return and thermal regulation. The lightweight and flexible Arctic™ Rubber shell at the base adds cold resistance and shields against snow, melting ice, and water, while the Polar Rubber® outsole maximizes grip in cold temperatures. Waterproof-breathable B-Tek™ Dry technology also ensures that feet stay dry and warm without overheating.
Baffin’s Icebreaker boots are built for winter adventures in extremely cold temperatures. Tested in the Arctic, they provide enduring protection and comfort when the thermometer dips well below 0. Their Polar Rubber® outsole and Icepaw™ design pads ensure excellent grip on ice and packed snow. The tall, highly resistant upper is seam-sealed and equipped with a nylon collar to prevent snow, ice and water from getting in. Insulation, temperature regulation and moisture control are provided by Baffin’s multi-layer inner boot system, which features reliable, highly effective materials that are both protective and breathable. A soft moisture-wicking lining also adds warmth while helping to keep feet dry and well regulated.
Salomon is rooted in the snowy French Alps and driven by a deep love of winter sports. Its winter boots reflect over 70 years of expertise in dealing with snow and ice and designing high-performance products for active pursuits. To make them, the brand brings together innovation, thoughtful design and high functionality, all while maintaining that classic Salomon style. Since launching its very first pair, Salomon has continuously worked to develop technologies that maximize comfort, fit, stability, and overall quality.
Lightweight, comfortable and very warm, the versatile Crosstrack Powder boots are equally fit for city life, winter hikes and snowy adventures. The lugs on their Winter Contagrip® outsole were designed specifically to provide a tough grip on snow, deep or packed, so you can walk with confidence wherever you are and whatever the forecast. Feet stay dry and toasty thanks to Salomon’s own adv.DRY waterproof membrane and adv.WARM insulation made from 70% recycled materials. Plus, thanks to the Quicklace™ lacing system, you can put these boots on, slip out of them or tighten the laces with just one pull – no need to slow down or pause to take your gloves off.
This very cold-proof model from Salomon keeps feet warm down to -40 °C, thanks to Aerotherm™ Aerogel insulation, a technology famously used by NASA for its remarkable temperature-regulating properties. No winter adventure is out of bounds for the Toundra Pro winter boots. They are equipped with ClimaSalomon™ waterproof booties to keep moisture out, and a wide gusseted tongue to prevent snow, water and debris from getting in and impairing comfort. The Winter Contagrip® outsole, with its aggressive treads and special lug pattern, is designed to provide excellent traction on ice and snow. Even the coldest temperatures can’t affect the grip on these winter boots, thanks to a unique rubber compound that’s truly built for the cold.
For Merrell, the power of being outside is a constant source of inspiration. The company aims to create durable, versatile footwear that offers outstanding performance in real-life outdoor situations. Merrell winter boots feature proprietary technologies and trusted materials to provide grip, protection and comfort as you move from trails to sidewalks and everything in between. Along with applying high standards in design and product testing, the brand is also committed to sustainability, aiming to include recycled, organic or renewable materials in most of its products. Guided by a vision of making the outdoors accessible to all, it also makes justice, equality, diversity and inclusion a key part of its activities.
The Moab line is a true Merrell classic, renowned for its great fit and remarkable comfort right out of the box. Along with these features shared by all Moab footwear, the Moab Adventure 3 Chelsea Polar boots offer effective protection from the elements and a sleek, versatile style, making them ideal for just about any winter activity. Their waterproof full-grain leather upper is paired with a waterproof membrane that seals out water while allowing moisture to escape. Lightweight insulation and a soft fleece lining work together to keep feet warm without adding bulk. At the bottom, the Vibram® TC5+ rubber sole provides superior durability and traction on various surfaces, while the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and enhances stability, ensuring complete comfort throughout the day.
As their name suggests, the Chameleon boots from Merrell are extremely adaptable. They can be worn for winter sports, outdoor pursuits and snowy strolls, and they are built to handle any weather and conditions. With their tall profile and sturdy construction, these boots offer flexible support and great stability without compromising comfort. The Vibram® TC5+ outsole is equipped with deep lugs and ensures reliable grip on all kinds of surfaces – dry, wet, or icy. For insulation, the lightweight M Select™ Warm material brings warmth without adding extra bulk, allowing for unrestricted movement. In addition to their waterproof upper, the Chameleon Thermo 8 incorporate Merrell’s M Select™ Dry Barrier impermeable membrane, which seals out water and lets moisture escape. A bonus for snowshoeing enthusiasts: they feature a ridge for attaching snowshoe straps and enhancing stability as you move through snowy landscapes.
The North Face‘s name is a nod to the most challenging side of every mountain, reflecting the brand’s exploration spirit and commitment to making high-performance gear that can handle the world’s harshest conditions. With a history of equipping mountaineers and hardcore explorers, the brand excels at creating winter boots that withstand freezing temperatures, slippery surfaces, and water in all its forms. Its many proprietary technologies, developed through decades of research, testing and refinement, are a great example of this expertise. Aiming to create nothing short of “the best products on earth,” The North Face is dedicated to encouraging exploration – and that includes designing winter boots that are comfortable, protective and effective.
The latest version of the Chilkat winter boots is designed to deliver more comfort and performance than ever, at an even lighter weight. Equipped with SURFACE CTRL™, a rubber outsole developed specifically for winter conditions, these boots provide grip without compromising agility and ease of movement. Their upper is made of waterproof full-grain leather and suede, with all seams sealed to enhance protection against water, snow and humidity. And if moisture does get in (though it’s unlikely), The North Face’s lightweight Heatseeker™ Eco insulation remains effective even when wet. Ideal for winter sports, these boots also feature a heel clip for snowshoes and a D-ring at the bottom of the tongue for attaching gaiters.
Snow, rain or mud are never a problem with the Storm Strike III. Rugged and protective, these insulated boots are well suited for all kinds of winter pursuits, whether you’re walking through snowy trails or navigating icy sidewalks. Designed with a lower profile, they have a cushioned collar that supports and hugs the ankles for lasting comfort. With their synthetic insulation, supportive EVA midsole and grippy rubber outsole, they remain comfortable even after hours of walking or being on your feet. Their waterproof upper effectively shields against the elements, and the waterproof DryVent™ membrane keeps water out while allowing moisture to escape from the inside, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable in any weather conditions.