Best Cold Weather Boots for Kids in 2023 – Waterproof, Insulated, and Great Traction!

Do you live in an area with a cold and snowy climate and want to make sure that your child’s feet stay warm and healthy with a pair of waterproof and insulated boots? Most children won’t speak up when their feet are cold or wet, so fitting them in a good pair of boots will give you the peace of mind that you are keeping your child’s feet warm and healthy. I will show you a list of the best cold weather boots for kids based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.

If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of the best cold weather boots for kids in 2023.

Main Reason Why Your Kids’ Boots Must Be Waterproof and Insulated

When families bring their children to be fitted for shoes, my first step is to remove their shoes to measure their feet. More often than not, the child’s socks are wet and their feet are cold, and parents are shocked that their children didn’t speak up. Having cold feet can make the rest of your child’s body cold, too.

Winter boots that really keep your child’s feet warm in all weather conditions are a worthwhile investment. You will notice that the selection of cold weather boots that I recommend ranges in price, from higher-end, heavy-duty options to more casual, budget-friendly ones.

A good rule of thumb is to consider the cost-per-use. If you expect your child to wear the boots daily for a season, investing in a sturdier pair will be worth it, but that isn’t possible or necessary for most children.

What Makes the Boots that I Recommend the Best Choice for the Winter Season?

1️⃣ Waterproof

All of the boots that I recommend are waterproof instead of water-resistant. Even though some parents use these two terms interchangeably, the main difference between water resistant and waterproof material is that with a waterproof boot, you won’t have to worry about your kids’ feet ever getting wet.

The waterproof boots that I recommend are made of inherently impermeable materials, meaning that your child’s feet can be completely submerged inside the snow or a puddle without water getting inside. A water-resistant pair of boots will hold up under light rainfall, but it won’t cut it in the snow or if your child decides to jump in puddles.

2️⃣ Insulated

Cold feet aren’t just going to make your child uncomfortable, they will impact the rest of your child’s body. Insulated boots create a barrier against cold and dampness, preventing both from penetrating your child’s boots even as you walk through snow and ice.

Most of the boots that I recommend below come with a temperature rating of -32°C. The colder the rating, the more cold the boot can supposedly withstand.

3️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible

It can be hard to find a winter boot that fits the criteria for being both lightweight/flexible and waterproof/insulated enough for winter.

Most of the boots that I recommend are lightweight and flexible at the same time. It’s important to avoid heavy boots that make walking hard, as they might also make your child’s feet and legs tire easily.

4️⃣ Easy On and Off

Most parents complain about their kids’ winter boots being difficult for their little ones to put on and take off. All of the winter boots that I recommend come with oversized openings and big handles for easy on and off.

5️⃣ Good Traction

It’s important that your kids’ boots provide good traction to avoid slips and falls, especially when walking around wet and slippery surfaces.

How Important is the Fit of the Boots?

You have no idea how many times I have heard parents say that they don’t care about the fit of the boots, as their children will be wearing them once in a while. Well, let me tell you that it only takes a couple of wears in the wrong shoe size to develop foot problems such as blisters, calluses, and corns.

In addition, did you know that if your child’s boots are too tight they can inhibit circulation and therefore warmth? Some children have wide or extra wide feet, so it’s important that the boots are wide enough for their feet. If this is the case with your child, I got you covered, as some of the styles I recommend can fit children with wide or extra wide feet.

Do You Know Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape?

If you don’t have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area and are unsure about your child’s exact foot length and shape, I suggest that you use this free resource I created.

Now that you know your child’s exact foot length and shape and the features that your kids’ winter boots should provide, let’s take a look at the best cold weather boots for kids.

Remember that if you live in an area with a heavy winter climate and the boots will essentially replace your child’s everyday tennis shoes, it might be wise to invest in a pair that’s warm and comfortable even at a higher cost. If there’s just occasional snowfall (like we have been getting in Washington DC), it might be worth going for a more budget-friendly pair.

Best Cold Weather Boots for Kids – Waterproof, Insulated, and with Great Traction!

Take a look at the description below each of the winter boots that I recommend to find out whether it can accommodate your child’s foot shape, the type of closure, the features that it provides (temperature rating), and the size that you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room. All of the boots that I recommend above go up high enough so the snow doesn’t get in.

Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world. 

Looking for Other Boot Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion

If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to help you find a different pair of boots for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Winter Boots with Removable Liners – They Can Be Worn as Rain Boots!

You will notice that some of the boots I recommended above come with removable liners. This is an awesome feature as when the winter season is over, you will be able to pull out the liner and use the boots as rain boots.

Do Socks Matter? – Breathable and Warm!

Pairing your child’s winter boots with quality socks helps to maximize warmth and comfort. However, most parents tend to provide their children with bulky socks that tend to bunch up and actually inhibit circulation to feet, which is key to keeping them warm. You don’t have to invest in the most expensive pair of socks if your child will wear his or her winter boots occasionally. However, if your child will wear the boots for longer periods of time then getting a pair of quality socks might be worth it.

Check if your local shoe store sells socks made out of merino wool, as it provides a high level of warmth, breathability, and stink prevention. Synthetics are a viable alternative and will save you some money, but they’re usually not as warm and will retain smells more than wool. Please don’t provide your child with socks made out of cotton, as they won’t wick away moisture or insulate when wet.

If you don’t know where to get your child’s winter socks, below are a couple of examples of children’s socks made from merino wool.

Whether your child needs a pair of winter boots to walk to school or spend the day building a snowman, the boots that I recommended will keep your child’s feet dry and warm, and they’ll stand up to anything your child puts them through!

Let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions or are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your child.