Is there really a trick to choosing winter boots? Don’t you just try them on and buy them if they fit?

While sizing is certainly important when picking out a pair of winter boots, there are other factors, including style, comfort, price, and function. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision.

Evaluating function

Determine what the boots will be used for. While price will depend on your budget and how often you plan to wear the boots, and comfort and style is subjective, function will be one of your guiding principles when it comes to choosing winter boots.

You’ll want to consider the following:

• Warmth and water resistance: If you work outdoors, warmth will be a huge factor in choosing winter boots. It’s vital that you talk to a knowledgeable salesperson and read the usage notes on the boots to fully understand if they’ll keep your feet warm on even the coldest of days if you’re ankle-deep in snow or slush.

• Traction: Walking on icy sidewalks every day to get to work? Hiking on snowy mountain paths? Do your due diligence in evaluating the traction or you could end up flat on the ground in the name of fashion.

• Convenience: You’ll need to ask yourself if you want slip-on boots that make it easy to get in and out of but rank pretty low on the style scale, or lace-up boots that might look good but include lots of eyelets. Pac boots fall somewhere in between the two on the spectrum. They are relatively easy to pull on, but don’t necessarily provide a tight fit near the ankle like hiking boots.
• Weight: While you won’t find ANY winter boots that are as light as running shoes, you will still find some significant differences (as much as 3 pounds per pair). If you’re heading out to shovel the sidewalk for 30 minutes a few times a month, the weight won’t matter as much. But if you plan to spend the entire day in your winter boots, you’ll probably want to lean toward something lighter.

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