Finding The Best Men’s Winter Boots On ZapposRafael Dominguez2022-01-30T22:09:36-05:00
The winter season brings with it not only frigid temperatures but also treacherous territory. Normal shoes can get the job done when walking outside, however, nothing makes you feel more secure than a solid pair of boots.
Yet, not all boots are made the same; more specifically, not all are crafted to stand up to the elements to be faced during winter. For this reason, we’ve put together the following list of the best winter boots for men on Zappos. We’ve chosen Zappos as the purveyor because of their extensive inventory, competitive prices, and flexible after-sales policies and support.
Below, you’ll find links to the different types of winter boots we’ve qualified and the individual pick for each category
- Duck Boot: LL Bean Duck Boots
- Dress Boot: Allen Edmonds Dalton Wingtips
- Snow Boot: Baffin Control Max
- Work Boot: Wolverine Legend Boots
- Hiking Boots: Irish Setter Elk Tracker
In This Guide
- How To Find Winter Boots On Zappos
- Our Top Winter Boot Picks
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Shopping For Winter Boots On Zappos
Zappos’ online shoe store contains countless styles, so if the goal is to be effective in our search of an exceptional pair of winter boots on the platform, we’re going to have to use some of the filters available to narrow our search.
Fortunately, Zappos offers a couple of filters that are almost custom-made for our specific search. After visiting the “All Shoes” section under the “Men” submenu, we can easily apply a “Boots” filter that will land us at a good starting point. Nevertheless, there are still more than 2000 results so let’s keep going.
At this point, we’re at a bit of a fork in the road. One can either apply a subcategory filter such as “Winter and Snow Boots” or a better option is to select a Features subfilter. This is because the “Winter and Snow Boots” filter narrows the search significantly; on the other hand, with the Features filter we can select the specific features we want in a pair of winter boots while also keeping our options open.
Ideal Features For Winter Boots
While there is a large number of options to choose from, there are some critical features to focus on.
Waterproof
We’ve selected waterproofness as one of the first features to filter for and this should not come as a surprise. The winter months experience not only snow but also rain. If the pair you choose doesn’t keep the moisture out, you might as well be wearing sneakers as any kind of insulation will be useless if your feet or socks are wet. Speaking of which…
Insulation
After some sort of protective layer that keeps water out of your winter boots, the second most critical feature is insulation that keeps the warmth in.
While boots are generally crafted from more material than regular shoes, this does not make them a more efficient insulator. You’re going to want a specific layer of an insulant and, while different boot manufacturers may use different brand names of insulation (Gore-Tex is a popular one) you want to ensure that it’s there in some capacity.
Slip-Resistance
Improved traction or resistance to slip is also another feature that is often attributed to boots but, yet again, not all pairs of boots are made the same. Additionally, a high price point doesn’t indicate that your pair of boots will have a good grip. In fact, many premium boots have leather soles that will turn your shoes into skates over even a small amount of ice.
Rubber is generally the best type of sole though, once more, different boot brands may have different technologies and patterns on the underside of the shoe that make it ideal for snow versus ice, for example, so keep an eye out for this characteristic.
Allen Edmonds Dalton Boots with Dainite Rubber Soles
Comfort
There are a number of options available in this Features list that can help you filter down for a comfortable pair of boots, for instance, Arch Support, Wide Toe Box, Odor Control, Orthotic Friendly, and more. We’ll leave it up to you to apply the ones you think best fit your needs.
Zappos’ Top Winter Boots Options
If you’re overwhelmed by the large number of winter boots for sale on Zappos, we’ve listed the top choices below. We’ve categorized them into Duck, Dress, Snow, Work, and Hiking categories, however, just because a pair is in one category does not mean that they are not appropriate for another.
1. Bean Boot 8″ Tumbled Leather Primaloft Shearling Lined
- Style: Duck Boot
- Formality: Casual
- Pricing: $229 [Buy Now On Zappos]
It is the light and flexible nature of LL Bean’s famous duck boots that makes them more versatile than other types of winter boots. Indeed, these can be worn in rainy, snowy, or even icy weather conditions.
Despite some trendsetting attempts over the past decades, duck boots aren’t the most fashionable boots due to their purely utilitarian nature. Still, they may be styled in a variety of ways. The only thing to make sure of is that you’re sporting the proper winter clothing when the temperature drops significantly.
The specific version we’ve chosen for this list possesses what LL Bean refers to as tumbled leather. Moreover, they have a Primaloft Shearling lining that ensures your feet are cozy when they’re being protected by the trademark rubber waterproof bottom. The last element ensuring comfort is a foam insole which can be removed if you chose to use a preferred pair or perhaps if need a bit of extra room (often occurs when wearing winter socks.)
2. Allen Edmonds Dalton Boot (Black)
- Style: Wingtip Boot
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $475 [Buy On Zappos]
Allen Edmonds is known far and wide as the manufacturer of premium dress shoes, particularly styles that are Made in the USA (MiUSA). Yet, premium dress shoes aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of winter shoes.
However, there is certainly a need for dressy winter boots and we believe the Daltons fill it categorically. At a glance, it’s easy to notice that this is a refined pair of boots. The broguing helps elevate the casual nature of the boot while the Dainite rubber sole ensures grip on icy conditions. Lastly, the Goodyear welt construction makes the boots waterproof.
While this is not the ideal pair of boots to trod heavy snow in, it is perfect for a night out on the town during the winter months. The moderate ice or snow you’re likely to encounter on such endeavors will pose a small obstacle for the Daltons.
3. Baffin Control Max Snow Boots
- Style: Snow Boots
- Formality: Casual
- Pricing: $269.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
The Baffin Control Max boots are indubitably an option to consider if you’re facing extreme winter conditions.
The 9.5 in. shaft will provide complete support for the ankle, the 8-layer inner system with Thermaplush keeps your feet warm down to -70C/-94F, the Artic flex rubber bottom ensures waterproofness, the leather upper is contoured for comfort, and lastly, its “icepaw” technology provides excellent traction.
If you’re not a fan of this “Worn Brown” color scheme, Baffin does have other types of snow boots, including the Snow Monster and the Summit boots, which offer black-on-black styles.
4. Wolverine Legend DuraShocks CarbonMAX
- Style: Work & Construction Boots
- Formality: Casual
- Pricing:
$185169.95 [Buy On Zappos]
For workers who need to wear their work boots throughout the year, it is important that they have a tough and durable pair. Some thin-leather options can’t withstand winter conditions like snow or extreme cold; this means you might end up with pain and discomfort if your job requires wearing them in lower temperatures.
Not only should winter work boots resist the cold, it’s also critical that they stand up to some tough conditions. That’s why we think the Wolverine Legends are the perfect solution. Not only are these boots lined with a waterproof yet breathable membrane, they’re also ASTM standard thanks to the CarbonMAX Composite safety toe.
The dark brown accents on the upper help this useful pair of boots turn into a good-looking one, too. And if dark brown isn’t your cup of tea, black and tan are also available.
5. Irish Setter Elk Tracker Waterproof Boots w/ GORE-TEX
- Style: Hiking Boots
- Formality: Casual
- Pricing:
$279.99249.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
The Elk Trackers by Irish Setter are more than just a hiking boot. With their waterproof Gore-Tex and Thinsulate lining, these rugged kicks can stand up against whatever Mother Nature throws your way this winter. They come in both black or brown so you’ll have no trouble integrating them into any outfit, not that you’re thinking about style when hiking.
Indeed, you’re thinking about form fitting function and these Elk Trackers fit the bill. While they’re 12 in. tall, they’re lightweight thanks to the Gore-Tex lining, all-leather uppers, cork footbed, and aggressive rubber sole. There’s also a 600 gram Thinsulate insulation system, a steel shank for support, and a memory foam with ScentBan odor inhibitor that guarantees not only comfort on long hikes, but that the boots don’t end up smelling like you hiked with them for hours (which you will.)
What Next?
Let us know below what you think of our boot picks. Can you find different boot options on Zappos that you think are more appropriate than those we’ve featured on this page? If you’d like to continue browsing our shoe content, check out some of the links below:
- Best Men’s Shoes On Zappos
- Best Slip-On Men’s Shoes On Zappos
- Top 10 Men’s Summer Shoes
- Men’s Business Casual Shoes
- BespokeUnit Shoes Homepage
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