13 Best Winter Walking Shoes for Women

On frigid winter afternoons, you’ll encounter everything from slush, wet, black, and chunky ice and fluffy and packed snow to wet and dry pavement and a slick cocktail of grit and oil. When walking in winter, the last thing you want is cold feet and wet socks. Enter cold-weather walking shoes with grippy soles, thick waterproof uppers, and thick rubber soles. The best winter walking shoes for women keep your feet warm and stable on icy and uneven snowy surfaces. Do you not have a clear image when you think of winter walking shoes? That’s because it’s difficult to find durable, warm, comfortable ones, and they don’t look horrendous. Just like the best golf shoes for winter and the best winter hunting boots, you must choose walking boots for the cold too carefully. To that end, here are the 13 best winter walking shoes for women.

ON Running Cloudventure Waterproof Trail Run Shoe

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The ON Running Cloudventure Waterproof Trail Run Shoe is one of the best winter walking shoes for women. While these are officially trail running shoes, they have many features that make them a great choice for hiking. Firstly, the lugs are well cushioned, thus absorbing the impact of and providing comfort on the rough terrain. What’s more, there’s also a reinforced core that supports the foot, which makes these much stiffer than many running shoes. So, they will also go a long way in helping stop your feet from getting tired quickly on longer hikes. It’s also why they’re considered one of the best shoes for a mud run.

Thanks to the combination of finer and chunky tread, the shoes ensure an excellent grip, even on slick surfaces. Meanwhile, the ON waterproof membrane keeps your feet dry and nice when it’s damp underfoot. Pro tip: These shoes size up slightly a little small, so go up a half size for the perfect fit. Here’s a detailed review of these shoes by Trail and Kale.

Merrell Moab Speed GTX

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Best value for money. The Merrell Moab Speed GTX might not be all out there as a hiking shoe, but it’s a great all-around shoe for walking in the cold. Firstly, the shoes, and the brand, boast strong environmental credentials thanks to the use of recycled materials. So, everything from the laces and mesh lining to the eco step is made from recycled materials, with the Vibram Ecostep being made from 30% recycled rubber.

Secondly, the shoe combines a breathable, waterproof, and lightweight Gore-Tex lining on the outside. So it’s comfortable and breathable at the same time. What’s more, it boasts plenty of outsole grip, thanks to the chunky lug design and the rubber and build. Finally, the fit keeps your feet feeling fresh on rough terrains and long walks. With sporty aesthetics and a fully vegan construction, these shoes are great for those who love spending time outdoors.

KEEN Women’s Targhee 2 Mid-Height Waterproof Hiking Boots

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Best waterproof. The KEEN Women’s Targhee 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots happens to be not just one of the best winter walking shoes for women but also one of the best men’s waterproof hiking shoes. There’s a lot to love about the Targhee II, such as the wide and deep fit. Thus, it makes for an excellent choice for women who either have broad feet or those who use orthotics or insoles.

Next up is the speed hook lacing, which allows you to secure the uppers nicely around the midsection of your feet. Meanwhile, the wide toe box gives your toes a nice amount of wiggle room, ensuring that they don’t bang painfully against the front of the shoes. Finally, the rubber outsole features a decent tread and good grip in wet conditions, while the dual-density EVA foam wards off fatigue during those long walks.

Merrell Choprock Shandals

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Best for warm winter walking. Have you ever heard of “shandals”? They combine the best bits of shoes and sandals, thus taking on the portmanteau. And the Merrell Choprock Shandals take performance cues from all the best trail running shoes, dishing out impressive grip thanks to the Vibram Megagrip sole. It not only ensures breathability but also allows for high levels of support. Plus, they make for perfect walking shoes for those days on the trail where you need to move lightly and quickly, even with moss and rainwater on the ground.

What makes these sandals so versatile is that you can sling them on and even customize the fit a little, thanks to Merrell’s integrated webbing loops. But don’t fret about your toes, for they’re also protected via the well-designed rubber toe bumper. Basically, they’re perfect for milder winters in places where it doesn’t get so cold that you’d want to strap on a complete shoe. At the same time, the channels direct water out of the shoe quickly if you do wet walking. It also makes them one of the best shoes for cruises.

Adidas Women’s Terrex Skychaser XT Mid Gore-TEX Hiking Shoe

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Best all-day comfort. The Adidas Women’s Terrex Skychaser XT Mid Gore-TEX Hiking Shoe is one of the best winter walking shoes for women. These shoes combine waterproofing, an excellent grip, and all-day comfort to make for the perfect adventure companion in all kinds of weather. For one, the Gore-Tex lining keeps the wetness out, whether you’re taking a shortcut through the stream or walking through damp grass. At the same time, it keeps your feet breathable enough to cool them when it’s drier and warmer.

Thanks to the continental rubber sole with directional and chunky chevron lugs, these shoes offer tons of traction on a variety of surfaces, from wet grass to mud. Hence, they inspire confidence as well. Plus, they have a whole lot of user-friendly features, such as a quick-lace system and a wide opening tongue that make putting the shoes on and taking them off all nice and easy. Finally, there’s even a little strap that prevents the laces from flapping about and getting caught. Check out this detailed YouTube review by EnWild.

Arc’teryx Aerios FL Mid GTX Women’s Boots

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If you’re looking for a slightly higher-cut shoe, then the Arc’teryx Aerios FL Mid GTX Women’s Boots is your best friend. The in-between cut these shoes possess delivers additional ankle support and protection while offering excellent freedom of movement. At the same time, the sole is responsive and flexible, with the laces ensuring customization of fit. You’ll love the fact that it offers a snug fit, thus inspiring confidence on tricky terrain such as scramble hikes.

For a ‘light and fast’ option (hence, the FL in the name), they feel pretty rugged, thanks to the tough and durable nylon upper, the reinforced heel, and the toe bumper. Finally, the 5mm lugs delivered a good grip on the boggier, softer ground as well as a hard one. The best bit? The GTX effectively keeps water out of the shoes.

ARIAT Women’s WMS Skyline Low Hiking Shoe

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The ARIAT Women’s WMS Skyline Low Hiking Shoe is one of the best winter walking shoes for women. These are the perfect pair of shoes for work as well as walking trips. These low walking shoes work as versatile all-rounders with fantastic leather looks and reliable waterproofing. Secondly, their waterproof membrane repels light rainfall, which means that you can use them for light wet walking. So, these shoes are ideal for country paths and trails.

Moreover, they’re surprisingly lightweight, considering their beautiful leather construction. In fact, the leather upper is waterproof full-grain leather. Finally, the ATS lightweight forked shank ensures enhanced support, while the lightweight EVA midsole means that the shoes absorb shock nicely. So, no matter the kind of terrain you’re on, these shoes won’t wear your feet out.

Columbia Women’s Trailstorm Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe

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The Columbia Women’s Trailstorm Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe is the perfect waterproof walking shoe in transitional seasons. There’s a lot to love about these shoes, such as the Techlite midsole, which offers an impressive blend of comfort, stability, and cushioning. Secondly, the seamless mesh upper is supportive without adding pressure hotspots while providing exceptional fit. Thirdly, the ghillie-style laces and the brand’s Navic-Fit system keep your feet snugly in place. With the feet and the shoes moving together, it avoids any kind of blister-causing friction. Finally, the shoes are a little too well-padded, ensuring total and complete comfort while walking and hiking long distances. 

Inov-8 Womens Roclite 315 GTX Waterproof Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes

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The Inov-8 Womens Roclite 315 GTX Waterproof Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes are one of the best winter walking shoes for women. Its predecessor was already a flexible and impressive shoe, but the latest version goes a step ahead. The lightweight and grippy shoes add a Gore-Tex membrane that effectively stops the water from getting in and making your feet wet. What’s more, the shoes’ inner incorporates a Powerflow midsole, which is designed to deliver 10% more shock absorption than standard midsole units. Hence, it ensures a smoother overall walking experience. In fact, cushions and padding hold the heel in place and help the shoes move with the feet, thus reducing the chances of chafing.

Thanks to the seriously chunky tread, these shoes have superior traction for nervous walkers over trickier terrain. Finally, the large-toothed lugs are spaced out enough so that the outsole doesn’t get choked up with mud.

Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Mid GTX W Hiking Shoes

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The Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Mid GTX W Hiking Shoes are supremely comfortable to wear, thanks to a softer heel and ankle cuff. But there’s a lot more to these shoes than just comfort. For one, they’re waterproof, which means that you can wear them for wet walking. Secondly, despite their lightweight build, they’re impressively rugged, thanks to the all-terrain grip equipped with a new firm rubber chassis. So, you can walk on just about any surface. But there’s more! The mesh layer means that you won’t find any stones or other debris making their way in, making you stop every few minutes to remove them.

Since the quick lace system is well-designed, it offers a customized fit as well as for easily slipping the shoes on and off. If you’re looking for a comfortable and reliable shoe that’ll see you through all-season walks, it’s hard to beat this one.

Lowa Innox Pro GTX Mid Boots

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The Lowa Innox Pro GTX Mid Boots are the best winter walking shoes for women. If comfort is your top priority for winter walking shoes, these shoes are. For one, these lightweight walking shoes are super-comfortable right out of the box. So you don’t have to spend time breaking them in. Secondly, they have deep and cushioned inner soles that instantly mold onto your foot as soon as you put them on. Add to the fact that they also have breathable Gore-Tex waterproofing, and you can happily wear these shoes all day long, even if the weather keeps changing.

All in all, these shoes are great all-rounders and are better suited to established trails. So, if you’ve decided to spend time on groomed trails from summer to autumn, you can’t go wrong with these.

Sorel Women’s Whitney II Short Lace Shoes

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The Sorel Women’s Whitney II Short Lace Shoes offer the best walking winter protection in a sport and compact pair. Firstly, these boots were made for walking on ice and feature a waterproof nylon exterior with a winter-ready build that’s designed built to fight the frost. Secondly, they’re packed with warm insulation and a comfortable EVA footbed, which means that your feet won’t be fatigued at the end of the day. Thanks to the brand’s typical PU-coated synthetic overlays and faux-fur cuffs, these shoes also add a fair bit of style to your winter wardrobe. Wrapping up things is the microfleece lining, which ensures that your feet are warm and protected from the harsh temperatures outside.

DREAM PAIRS Women’s Mid-Calf Waterproof Winter Snow Boots

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Best color options. The DREAM PAIRS Women’s Mid Calf Waterproof Winter Snow Boots are the absolute best winter walking shoes for women. Their popularity comes from the fact that they have the most color options on this list – khaki, brown, black, grey, white, and beige. Secondly, these shoes were made for walking on ice and snow and also have their own unique outdoorsy look. They feature a comfy insole and an advanced traction rubber sole for grippy walking on slippery surfaces. Moreover, the ultra faux fur lining lends it a sense of style that few winter walking shoes have. Equal parts bulky, fuzzy, and sleek, these ice-walking shoes are just perfect.

Our Verdict!

While all winter walking shoes on this list are great, some serve a more specific purpose than others. That’s why we’ve curated a specialized list as well.

• Best value for money: Merrell Moab Speed GTX
• Best for warm winter walking: Merrell Choprock Shandals
• Best all-day comfort: Adidas Women’s Terrex Skychaser XT Mid Gore-TEX Hiking Shoe
• Best waterproof: KEEN Women’s Targhee 2 Mid-Height Waterproof Hiking Boots

How To Choose The Best Winter Walking Shoes For Women?

Materials

Firstly, look for shoes made from waterproof and insulating materials. While water-resistant does mean snow-resistant, we all know what happens when the snow melts – the shoes get wet. While some shoes have a Gore-Tex lining that’s basically a waterproof membrane, you also need a fair bit of lining or insulation for warmth.

Fit

You need to make sure that the shoes are neither too tight nor too loose. If the winter shoes are loose, then it doesn’t make for comfortable walking, and you’ll be cold anyway. And if the shoes fit too tightly, your feet are exposed to the elements, as the cold air, and the snow is right on them. Thus, the fit needs to be midway, allowing the space to retain the warmth of your feet inside the shoes.

Traction

Finally, it would be best if you looked at the traction offered by the shoes. Look for shoes with a chunky and lugged outsole, which make for the best slip resistance. This is especially important when icy conditions can emerge out of nowhere.

Do I need special shoes for winter?

Yes, as you want your feet to stay dry and warm. You also want to stay stable on your feet at the same time, and regular shoes won’t work for that.

Can we walk in normal shoes in the snow?

Yes, but you’ll have to learn how to do it and be very careful. Plus, your feet might get cold. The best thing to do is invest in a pair of winter walking or waterproof shoes.

Can I wear rubber shoes during winter?

Yes, rubber boots will prevent you from slipping and falling in the snow.