Snow Boots Explained: Insulation, Waterproofing, and Traction

Shannon Prosser

Store Manager

A note from the author

We wrote this guide around the boots and accessories we sell at 162 Old Garden River Road, so every product named here is one you can buy from us. Prices are what our store showed the day this went up. If you have a question about fit or sizing, call us or come in and try a pair on.

Snow Boots Come Down to Three Jobs: Stay Warm, Stay Dry, and Keep You Upright

Most snow boots promise the same three things, and the label on the box rarely tells you which of the three the boot is actually good at. Insulation keeps heat in. Waterproofing keeps slush and meltwater out. Traction keeps you on your feet when the driveway turns to glass. A boot that does two of those well and one badly will let you down by January, so it helps to understand each job before you look at a single price tag.

We stock winter boots for men, women, and kids at our store in Sault Ste. Marie, and the questions we hear most are about those same three jobs. This guide explains them in plain terms, points to the sources we trust, and then walks through the boots on our shelves that handle each job best. Prices below are what our website shows today, and sizes move quickly in November, so call before you drive over if you need a particular size.

Why Warm, Dry Feet Are a Safety Question and Not Only a Comfort One

The Government of Canada's Extreme cold page is published by Health Canada as part of its "It's Your Health" series. It says your risk of windburn and frostbite goes up at wind chill values below -27, and that frostbite generally shows up in the parts of the body furthest from the heart, including the hands and feet.

The same page explains why feet are so exposed. When the temperature drops below 0°C, blood vessels close to the skin constrict to protect your core temperature, and long exposure can severely restrict blood flow to the feet. Its advice on clothing applies directly to boots: wear warm socks, and "if you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible," because you lose heat faster when you're wet.

That last point is why we treat waterproofing and insulation as a pair. A heavily insulated boot that lets in meltwater will lose most of its warmth, and a perfectly dry boot with thin insulation will still let the cold in through the sole. Good snow boots handle both.

Insulation Grams Measure the Layer, Not How Warm the Boot Is

Many boots, especially work and hunting styles, carry a number such as 200, 400, or 800 grams. Boot makers describe that number a little differently. Work Authority, a Canadian workwear retailer, says the amount of insulation "refers to the thickness of the insulation used, not the total weight of insulation in the boot." Rocky Boots, a boot maker, describes its numbers as the actual weight of the insulating material and notes that more insulation does not simply mean proportionally more warmth.

Either way, the useful point is the same: the number is a rough step on a ladder, and the right rung depends on how much you move. Here is how those two sources describe the common steps.

• 200 grams: Rocky Boots calls it great for cool weather at lower activity levels, and workable in colder weather if you are continuously active.
• 400 grams: Work Authority lists it for winter work down to about -40°C with moderate exertion.
• 800 grams: Work Authority lists it for severe cold with minimal movement.

Those temperatures come from one retailer's chart, not a standard, so treat them as a guide and not a promise. What matters more is the pattern both sources agree on: The more you stand still, the more insulation you need. Shovelling snow or walking the dog generates heat. Sitting on a bucket over a hole in the ice, waiting at a bus stop, or standing in a tree stand does not.

Why Many Snow Boots Use a Removable Liner Instead of a Gram Number

The heaviest cold-weather boots we carry do not list grams at all. Baffin builds its boots around a removable multi-layer inner boot. On the Baffin Women's Impact, for example, the product page lists a Comfort-Fit inner boot with Thermaplush lining, B-Tek foam, and Double B-Tek Heat insulation, plus a vapourized aluminum membrane and a double aluminum insole. The page describes the boot as made for extended time in extreme cold, snow, and ice where activity is low to moderate.

A removable liner has a practical benefit that gram ratings do not mention: You can pull it out at night to dry it. We'll come back to that in the care section.

Waterproof, Water-Resistant, and Seam-Sealed Are Not the Same Thing

WC Safety is an independent review site for protective footwear and gear. Its guide draws a clear line between two terms that boot labels often blur. A waterproof boot keeps water out even under sustained exposure, such as puddles, wet grass, or hours of rain, using a sealed membrane or rubber construction. A water-resistant boot relies on treated leather and a durable water-repellent finish that makes water bead and roll off.

For a Northern Ontario winter, that difference decides the boot. Wet snow, slush on a parking lot, and spring thaw will get past a water-resistant finish quickly. The same guide makes a second point worth remembering: "A membrane is only as waterproof as its seams." Every stitch line is a possible leak path, which is why waterproof boots seal or tape the seams where panels join.

When you read a product page, look for those exact words. Several boots in our range spell them out:

• The Baffin Men's Titan lists B-Tek Dry waterproofing and a fully moulded Polar Rubber upper with a nylon snow collar.
• The Baffin Women's Jasper has a waterproof base under a full-grain leather upper.
• The Sorel Men's Caribou Gore-Tex combines a rubber shell with waterproof construction.

Notice that a leather upper on a waterproof base is not the same as a fully waterproof boot. If you plan to stand in deep slush, choose a moulded or fully sealed boot. If you mostly walk on cleared paths, a waterproof base with a leather upper is plenty.

Traction Depends on the Outsole Compound as Much as the Tread Pattern

Most people judge traction by the lugs. Cold weather makes the outsole material matter too. Baffin names its answer on the product pages: the Ice Castle youth boot page describes a Polar Rubber outsole "for grip at cold temperatures," the Impact and Dana list Polar Rubber outsole or contact points, and the Escalate X has a Polar Rubber heel and forefoot plus what the page calls some of Baffin's most comprehensive proprietary anti-slip technology.

Sorel's pages mention an aero-trac non-loading outsole on some styles. Whichever brand you choose, pick a boot where the maker says something specific about grip in the cold, and not just about how the sole looks.

Add-On Traction for the Days a Boot Alone Is Not Enough

Even a good outsole cannot beat clear ice. For driveways, parking lots, and icy sidewalks, a slip-on traction device covers the gap, and these cost far less than a fall:

• The YakTrax Quicktrax ($9.95) stretch over the toe of a shoe with short tungsten carbide spikes. One size fits most, from a women's size 6 to a men's size 12. It's the budget option for a short walk to the mailbox.
• The YakTrax Chains ($39.95) use case-hardened steel chains in a ladder pattern for traction from heel to toe, with a low-profile fit and four sizes from small to extra large.
• The YakTrax Diamond Go ($54.95) uses case-hardened alloy Diamond beads that bite into ice without large spikes. The page describes it as suited to quick trips like walking the dog, grocery runs, or a day hike, and it comes with a carrying case.

Browse everything we carry in the traction section, and remember that spikes are for ice and not for the inside of the house or the store floor, so take them off at the door.

The Boots We'd Look at First, Sorted by What You Will Do in Them

Here is our take on a short list from the shelves. Every price is from the product page today, and none of this replaces trying a boot on with your own winter socks.

For Standing in the Cold: Baffin Women's Impact

The Baffin Women's Impact ($269.95) is the one to look at first for deep cold. Baffin says it has been tested at both the North and South Poles and has the most comprehensive inner boot system in its range. It has a double buckle closure, a nylon locking snow collar, an Arctic Rubber shell, and a Polar Rubber outsole. It comes in black, women's sizes 6 to 11. We'd pick it for ice fishing, outdoor rinks, and anyone whose feet get cold first. It is bulky, so it is not our pick for a long walk.

For Work, Hunting, and Long Days Outside: Baffin Men's Titan

The Baffin Men's Titan ($219.95) is a lightweight, fully moulded winter boot with a built-in gaiter at the top, a removable Comfort-Fit multi-layer inner boot, and a waffle-comb footbed with a double aluminum insole. It is made in Canada and comes in black and forest/black, sizes 5 to 14. It's a straightforward choice for the man who wants something warm and waterproof.

For Walking and Town: Baffin Women's Dana

The Baffin Women's Dana ($299.95) is the boot for people who want to look like they are not wearing a snow boot. It has a waterproof suede upper with a sweater-knit collar and a heat-mouldable, removable liner. Baffin lists a temperature rating from 5°C down to -50°C, and the outsole has Polar Rubber contact points. It comes in black and charcoal, sizes 6 to 11.

For Milder Days and a Lower Price: Baffin Women's Jasper

The Baffin Women's Jasper ($179.95) is a mid-height tartan boot with a faux fur collar and a waterproof base. Baffin rates its Tundra inner boot for roughly -10°C to -30°C in moderate to high activity, and it is made in Canada. We'd choose it for a commute and errands, not for sitting on the ice.

For Fast, Active Winter Days: Baffin Women's Escalate X

The Baffin Women's Escalate X ($199.95) is a featherlight boot recommended for high levels of activity. It has a tall breathable nylon shell, a locking toggle lace, and a hex-designed LiteGrip Blend outsole. Sizes on the page are limited to 6 and 7 right now, so call to ask about size availability before you plan around it.

For a Premium Waterproof Lace-Up: Sorel Men's Caribou Gore-Tex

The Sorel Men's Caribou Gore-Tex ($399.95) is a modernized version of the original Caribou, described as lightweight, flexible, and warm. It has 200 g of insulation, a waterproof rubber shell, and a Vibram outsole. It is a lace-up, over-the-ankle boot, and the page lists sizes 9.5 to 11 at the moment.

Kids' boots follow the same rules in smaller sizes. Our youth winter boot section has Baffin and Sorel styles, and the same advice holds: removable liners dry faster, and a snow collar keeps snow out of the top.

You can also browse the whole range by fit: women's winter boots and men's winter boots.

Gaiters and Dryers: The Two Accessories That Make a Boot Work Harder

Deep snow finds the top of a boot. A gaiter closes that gap by covering the boot and the lower leg. Outdoor Research makes Gore-Tex gaiters that are waterproof and windproof, and our gaiters section lists the current models and prices. We suggest checking fit with your boots in hand, since a slim gaiter and a bulky pac boot do not always match.

The other accessory is a dryer. The DryGuy Force Dry ($74.95) uses gently heated forced air to dry wet footwear and gloves in about an hour. The DryGuy Simple Dry ($69.95) does the same job for boots, shoes, and gloves. Both are listed in our treatments section. Wet insulation loses warmth, so a boot that is dry by morning is a boot that is warm by morning.

Questions

Snow boots or hiking boots in winter?

For snow, slush, and sub-zero days, snow boots. They add insulation, a higher waterproof shaft, and a snow collar that hiking boots usually lack. A waterproof hiking boot with warm socks can work on packed trails in mild weather. Once you stop moving, or the temperature drops below freezing, feet cool fast, and a snow boot gives you a margin a hiking boot does not.

What is the difference between insulation grams?

Grams are a rough step on a warmth ladder. Retailers and makers describe them differently, either as insulation thickness or as weight, and the numbers are not a standard rating. Higher numbers like 400 or 800 suit colder weather and lower activity, while 200 suits cool days or constant movement. Match the number to how much you move, not to the temperature alone.

How do I care for waterproof boots?

Dry them fully after each wear, using a boot dryer or by pulling out removable liners. Brush off dirt and salt, and reapply a waterproofing treatment when water stops beading on the surface. WC Safety notes that re-treating restores the outer leather's repellency but cannot fix a failed internal membrane. If a boot leaks at the seams, bring it in and we can talk it through.

Try Snow Boots on at Our Store in Sault Ste. Marie

The best way to choose snow boots is to try them on with the socks you will wear in January. Visit Great Lakes Outfitters at 162 Old Garden River Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 5A6, or call us at (705) 253-2361, and tell us what you will be doing in them so we can match the boot to the job.

Talk to us about it

• 162 Old Garden River Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 5A6
• (705) 253-2361
• Open today 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Send us a message

References

• Health Canada, Extreme cold (Canada.ca)
• Work Authority, Winter boot insulation guide
• Rocky Boots, Insulation guide
• WC Safety, Waterproof vs water-resistant work boots

About the author

Shannon Prosser

Store Manager

I have been here three years. Before that, I worked for Moore's Clothing and Charm Diamond. I manage the store. Come to me for clothing and footwear: Outdoor Research, The North Face, Columbia, Kuhl, and all of our footwear.

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