Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots | Sub Zero — Acoustic Nature (2024)

Whether you’re bagging peaks in the heart of winter, stalking game from a tree stand, or working in an industrial freezer, you’ll need the best pair of extreme cold weather boots to keep your feet warm in sub zero temperatures.

As an avid backpacker and freezer warehouse worker, I’ve done the research to find the best boots for extreme cold.

In this post, you’ll learn about what features are most important, and which ones are nice to have, so you can make the best purchasing decision for yourself and your budget.

Table of Contents:

1. Best Hiking Boots
2. Best Hunting Boots
3. Best Freezer Boots
4. Why You Should Trust Us
5. Features to Consider
6. Temperature Rating
7. Weatherproof
8. Fit
9. Lacing System
10. Traction
11. Weight

Below you’ll find my recommendations for the best boots for extreme cold weather below zero degrees on almost any budget.

The recommendations are sorted by use and price from low to high.

Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots for Hiking:

1. Budget: Kamik Nation Plus

2. Value: Bogs Classic High

3. Best: Baffin Impact Boots

Best Extreme Cold Weather Boots for Hunting:

1. Budget: Kamik Greenbay 4

2. Value: Bogs Bozeman Tall

3. Best: Baffin Impact Boots

Best Freezer Boots:

1. Budget: Bogs Workman

2. Value: Refrigiwear Extreme Freezer

3. Best: Baffin Derrick Boots

Standard hiking boots are not suitable for extreme cold weather.

Proper footwear for these extreme environments have thick rubber soles, plenty of insulation, soft and comfortable uppers, and thick, insulated insoles to prevent heat loss from the snow and ice under your feet.

They should also have a reliable and quick lacing system, with flexible uppers that allow you to take the boots off and on while wearing gloves or mittens.

Make sure to go at least a half-size up from your normal shoe size. You don’t want your boots to be too tight, as it’s the trapped air between layers that actually creates warmth.

Below you’ll find my top recommendations for sub zero hiking boots ranked by price.

The Kamik Nation Plus is the best extreme cold weather boot for those on a budget.

For less than $100, you get a rugged, leather upper boot built for comfort down to -40°F.

At 3 lbs 10.3 oz, the Kamik Nation Plus boots are significantly lighter than most offering this level of cold protection, making them a great choice for hiking.

They’re able to remain lightweight while still offering protection against extreme cold temperatures because the inner liner retains its loft, while competitors sew the insulation behind the liner, causing it to become compressed and lose some of its insulative capability.

The inner liner is removable, allowing for fast drying and efficient airing out, should it become wet or stinky.

The only downside to the Nation Plus boot is its waterproofing. Though the exterior rubber and leather layers are waterproof, as is the gusseted tongue, the seam that attaches the tongue to the boot is not.

The tiny holes at this seam allow water to seep into the boot, where it is quickly absorbed by the insulation.

Bottom Line: The Kamik Nation Plus boots have a lot to like for being so cheap. They’re lightweight and very warm. However, they’re only waterproof up to the base of the tongue, so if you expect to encounter water deeper than 4”, look elsewhere.

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The Bogs Classic High are the best value extreme cold weather hiking boots.

These boots really are a classic, and are the ones that started the entire Bogs brand back in 2002.

Since then, Bogs have been one of the top recommended winter boots for extreme cold conditions including Arctic Expeditions.

Though boasting an impressive temperature rating of -40°F, they are not ideal for people with wide feet.

Since the Classic Highs only come in one width, users with wide feet report that the tight fit of the boot restricts blood flow to the toes, causing them to feel cold.

The pull-on system makes putting on the boots easy and fast, though I wish they had handhold cutouts or tabs to get a better grip.

Bottom Line: The Bogs Classic High boots are a trusted staple among extreme cold weather hikers. Though not the lightest boots, they’re 100% waterproof all the way up to the cuff and the high quality rubber is worth its weight. Stay away if you have wide feet.

The Baffin Impact boot is the premier option for hiking in extreme cold weather, with temperatures well below 0°F.

Boasting a jaw-dropping temperature rating of -148°F, the Baffin Impact is the warmest boot in the world.

Tested at both the North and South Poles, the Impact is built to keep you warm under the most demanding conditions.

Features:

• Arctic Rubber Shell - lightweight flexibility, cold-resistance and resilience.

• Vaporized Aluminum - energy reflection and heat regulation.

• Thermaplush Liner - soft, removable, moisture wicking liner.

• Diamond Net Insulation - windproof protection and lightweight.

• Double Buckle - fast, secure fit with gloves or mittens.

Bottom Line: The Baffin Impact boots are the absolute best choice for hiking in extreme cold. They’re designed to keep you warm in the most brutal environments on Earth, are extremely comfortable, and built to last. Their only downsides are their weight and only waterproof to 3” deep, due to the seam between the outsole and upper.

With most hunters spending a lot of time sitting in a tree stand or moving slowly and silently through the forest, their heart rates will be lower than hikers and will need a much warmer boot than the temperatures they plan to face.

Cold weather boots are temperature rated based on high levels of activity, when the user’s heart rate will be elevated.

The best extreme cold weather boots for hunting have extremely low temperature ratings, and are soft and comfortable to wear for long periods.

Below you’ll find my top recommendations for sub zero hunting boots ranked by price.

The Kamik Greenbay 4 is an affordable winter boot built to withstand extremely cold environments.

Though rated for temperatures down -40°F, stationary hunters will find them warm down to -10°F.

With a flexible upper, velcro lacing system, and cinching collar to prevent snow from entering the boot, the Greenbay 4s are fast and easy to take off and on with gloved hands. Mittens can be more challenging since there are no handhold cutouts or tabs at the top of the boot, and the dexterity required to operate the cinching collar.

While the rubber outsole and 600 denier upper are both waterproof, the seam between them is not. Feel free to stand in water 3” deep for as long as you need to, but deeper than that, and after about 30 seconds, your feet will get wet.

These boots have a roomy fit, so you can go with your normal shoe size and still have room to accommodate multiple sock layers.

The inner liner is removable, moisture wicking, and dries very quickly.

Bottom Line: The Kamik Greenbay 4 boots are roomy, decently lightweight, and easy to use with gloved hands. Though not ideal for temperatures well below 0°F, they’ll get the job done for hunters in most winter environments.

The Bogs Bozeman Tall winter boot is a great value pick for hunters in the extreme cold.

Comfort rated at -72°F, stationary hunters will find them warm down to -10°F. This dramatic difference is due to the neoprene insulation, the same material used in wetsuits. Though providing warmth even when wet, neoprene isn’t as warm as other insulations and really relies on movement to help heat your feet.

Perhaps the best feature of the Bozeman Tall is that it’s 100% waterproof. This makes them an ideal choice for hunting wetlands, where stepping through ice and into frigid water is likely.

With a wide toe box, large handhold cutouts, and pull-on design, the Bozeman Tall is very easy to take off and on with gloves or mittens.

Bottom Line: The Bogs Bozeman Tall winter boots are a great and affordable option for hunters around frozen water. 100% waterproof up to 11.5”, they’ll keep you dry and warm should you step through the ice. Without a cinching cuff, they are not for deep snow.

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The Baffin Impact boot is the premier option for hunting in extreme cold weather, even when sitting in a tree stand with temperatures well below 0°F.

Boasting a temperature rating of -148°F, the Baffin Impact is the warmest boot in the world, and will keep stationary hunters anywhere.

Tested at both the North and South Poles, the Impact is built to keep you warm under the most demanding conditions.

Features:

• Arctic Rubber Shell - lightweight flexibility, cold-resistance and resilience.

• Vaporized Aluminum - energy reflection and heat regulation.

• Thermaplush Liner - soft, removable, moisture wicking liner.

• Diamond Net Insulation - windproof protection and lightweight.

• Double Buckle - fast, secure fit with gloves or mittens.

Bottom Line: The Baffin Impact boots are the absolute best choice for hunting in extreme cold. They’re designed to keep you warm in the most brutal environments on Earth, are extremely comfortable, and built to last. Their only downsides are their weight and only waterproof to 3” deep, due to the seam between the outsole and upper.

The best freezer boots have similar requirements to extreme cold hiking boots.

They need to have thick rubber soles, plenty of insulation, soft and comfortable uppers, and thick, insulated insoles to help prevent heat loss.

However, unlike hiking boots, a fast lacing system is less important, as you can put your boots on before arriving at work, or in a warm space before entering the freezer.

Unique to freezer boots is the requirement of a composite toe, as is mandated in all warehouse environments. It’s important to note that you do not want a steel toe. In frigid environments, the metal plate will sap warmth from your feet, causing you to feel cold.

The Bogs Workman composite toe winter boot is a good option for freezer workers on a budget.

Comfort rated down to -72°F, with all the walking you do on the job, you can trust that temperature rating.

Their seamless construction means they are 100% waterproof, though you’re unlikely to encounter any liquids while on the job. However, this type of construction does help make the boots lighter.

The outsoles are made of high quality rubber and are slip resistant with aggressive lugs for grip. An important feature for the sometimes icy floors inside a freezer warehouse.

The liner is moisture wicking and fights against odors, but is non-removable.

Nice-to-have features include a modular insole design which makes the boots comfortable for most foot shapes, and a heel-locking collar to prevent your foot from sliding around while walking.

Bottom Line: The Bogs Workman are a great choice for freezer warehouse use. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and most importantly, warm.

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The Refrigiwear Extreme Freezer boots offer a lot to like for the price.

Though not as warm as the Bogs Workman, the Extreme Freezer is comfort rated down to -45°F.

In comparison to the Workman, the Extreme Freezer is substantially lighter, ultimately allowing you to be more efficient in the freezer.

Designed like a sneaker, the Extreme Freezer boots are extremely comfortable and feature the BOA lacing system for a secure fit and micro adjustments with gloved hands.

The boots are waterproof, puncture resistant, and feature a composite safety toe.

The VitaComfort® insole absorbs the shock from your step, cushioning your foot as it makes contact with the floor, rebounding more so you have comfort and energy throughout your shift.

Bottom Line: The Refrigiwear Extreme Freezer boots are purpose-built for freezer warehouse workers. They’re exceptionally lightweight and comfortable for long shifts. Long johns are recommended to keep your legs warm since the boots are only 8” high.

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The Baffin Derrick boots are absolute tanks.

Comfort rated down to -148°F, they’re best for freezer forklift operators who don’t take many steps during their shift.

Due to their bulky size and weight, they’re not recommended for freezer warehouse selectors, however that’s my job and these are the boots I use (for reference, I work 10 hour shifts in a -20°F warehouse and average 30,000 steps).

I find them extremely comfortable and am well-accustomed to the weight of work boots, so I don’t find their weight tiring.

Helping to offset their weight is a GelFlex midsole for shock absorption and rebounding.

With extremely aggressive lugs, I’ve never slipped wearing these.

The 7-layer, removable liner is exceptionally soft and comfortable and airs and dries quickly.

The uppers and rubber base are both oil and acid resistant, as well as waterproof.

The only thing I don’t like about the Derrick is the lacing system. Though a tight fit is possible, it takes some effort. It’s a good thing the eyelets are reinforced with leather and metal.

Bottom Line: The Baffin Derrick boots are absolute work horses with incredible built quality. Though their weight makes them best suited for freezer forklift operators, they’re still an option for selectors, especially those who struggle with the cold.

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*The Baffin Derrick boot is only available in men’s sizes. To convert your women’s shoe size to men’s, subtract 1.5 from your shoe size. A women’s size 8 is a men’s size 6.5. Widths are the same, hopefully shoe sizes will be standardized soon.

If you want a comparable boot in women’s sizes, check out the Baffin Oil Rig. It also features a composite toe and the same build quality, but is rated for -76°F.

My name is Jared Blake. I’m a nature sound recording artist who often backpacks deep into remote wilderness regions to capture pure nature sounds, void of noise pollution.

When I’m not recording, I work in a freezer warehouse where the temperature is -20°F.

I’ve been recording sounds since 2019 and backpacking since 2015 and have learned a lot about hiking gear for all the seasons.

As a consumer, I don’t like to waste money on inferior products and am usually willing to splurge for “the best”. Having said that, I weigh cost against features and am always looking for products that outperform their price tag.

In this post, you’ll find my top picks for extreme cold weather boots.

Whether you need boots that will keep your feet warm in frigid temperatures outdoors, or in a freezer warehouse environment, some boot features are of equal importance.

Before purchasing your pair of boots, it’s important that you understand the following features so you can select and purchase the best one for your unique needs with confidence:

1. Temperature Rating

2. Weatherproof

3. Fit

4. Lacing System

5. Traction

6. Weight

Without further ado, let’s start learning!

Temperature rating is the most important factor to consider when shopping for a pair of extreme cold weather boots.

If your boots aren’t rated for at least the temperatures you plan to face, you will get cold!

The temperature rating can be found in the “specifications” or “technical details” for any high quality winter boot.

*If you cannot find the temperature rating, there’s a good chance that those boots aren’t built to withstand sub zero temperatures.

It’s important to note that most temperature ratings for winter boots are based on moderate to high levels of activity.

This means that, in order to be comfortably warm while wearing them, you must be active with your heart rate between 60-80% of your max heart rate.

To calculate your max heart rate, subtract your age from 220 beats per minute.

So, for a 35-year-old, their max heart rate would be 185 beats per minute (bpm). If their heart rate averages between 110-150 bpm while wearing their boots, they can trust the boot’s temperature rating.

For hikers and industrial freezer workers, you’ll have no problem meeting this criteria and can select a boot with the temperature rating you need.

However, for hunters, you’ll want to select a boot with a higher temperature rating than you “need” because you’ll likely be spending a lot of time stationary or moving slowly, and your heart rate will be substantially lower than your max.

No matter what you use your extreme cold weather boots for, they need to be weatherproof.

Boots for this purpose need to withstand wind, snow, ice, and possibly rain on rare occurrences.

Even in sub zero temperatures, ice and snow can melt when close to your body, and you don’t want your boots (and feet) to be vulnerable.

Wet feet can spell disaster under extreme cold conditions, whether it just ruins your trip or causes frostbite.

Nowadays, most winter boots are water and wind resistant, but always double check.

GoreTex, rubberized coatings, and leather are all good options.

Getting the right fit is critical for your boots to perform properly.

Although this varies by brand, you’ll want to go a half-size or a full-size up from your normal shoe size.

You want a slightly larger boot size for two reasons:

1. Accommodate multiple sock layers/thick socks

2. Create trapped air layers

Socks

For extreme cold temperatures, wearing two layers of socks is recommended.

The first pair should be thin and moisture wicking.

Over the first pair, pull on a pair of thick thermal socks.

To accommodate both these sock layers, go up at least one half-size from your normal shoe size.

Trapped Air

Winter boots work by trapping air between the layers of the boot. These air layers are then warmed by the heat of your feet and the insulative layers of the boot’s construction keeps the warmth locked in.

If your boots are too tight, you’ll lose this layer of trapped air and your feet will get cold.

To get the perfect fit, wear the socks that you plan to wear with the boots, push your toes all the way forward into the toebox, and try to fit your index finger behind your heel. If your finger fits, that’s the perfect fit to maximize warmth!

Boots designed for extreme cold weather have various lacing systems:

• Traditional Shoelaces - standard shoe strings.

• Pull-On - holds foot in place with snug boot construction.

• Buckles - buckles with cinching straps.

• BOA lacing system - twist knob with stainless steel wires

All options are serviceable for sub zero boots, and each has pros and cons. After understanding each option, you can choose which one is best for your purposes.

Traditional laces have the advantage of being familiar. We all know how to lace them up and can do so blindfolded.

However, they’re not the most durable and may not be the best choice for extreme cold.

If you’ve ever tried to lace up a pair of boots outside in winter, you know how difficult it can be.

The thin laces require ungloved hands to manipulate, and your fingers quickly become frigid and stiff. I’ve been in situations where I had to partially lace my boots and stuff my hands in my pockets to warm up before finishing the job.

Besides that, laces are subject to fraying and breaking, which can really cause problems if you’re far away from a warm place and without an extra set to replace them.

However, some laces are more durable than others, and if you’re a daytrip hunter or freezer worker, you can simply put your boots on before leaving the comforts of home.

On the other hand, for overnight backpackers or multiday hunting trips, putting on and taking off your boots in extreme cold before entering your tent can be a real drag. Totally doable, but not enjoyable for most.

Pull-On:

Pull-on boots are extremely straightforward.

Instead of laces or other mechanical method of securing your foot in the boot, a secure fit is provided by the snug construction of the boot itself.

Pull-on boots usually have handholds or cutouts at the top of the boot, which give you a leverage point to help pull the boots on.

With no way to loosen them, pull-on boots can be difficult to get on and frustrating to take off, as any sweat or moisture will make the boots even tighter.

Buckles:

Buckle lacing systems are easy to operate and tighten with gloves or mittens on.

They use a plastic buckle and cinching straps to secure your foot in the boot.

For optimal use, keep the buckles connected at all times and tighten or loosen the straps by pulling on the end of the buckle or the strap itself. This is most efficient since it can be difficult to depress the release tabs on the buckle with gloved hands.

Because your foot is only secured where the strap is, some users feel like their foot isn’t fully secured in the boot. However, though the fit may feel strange at first, give them a solid try and I’m optimistic that you’ll change your mind.

BOA System:

The BOA lacing system was originally designed for snowboard bindings. It is an innovation that uses a twist knob to tighten down a web of stainless steel wires, locking your foot in place with evenly dispersed pressure.

The knob allows for easy, micro-adjustments in tightness so you can get the perfect amount of hold.

The knob is easy to turn with gloves on but can be difficult with mittens.

When you need to take the boots off, simply press the button and the pressure will be released.

One of the only downsides to the BOA system is the amount of time it takes to tighten.

Although easy to spin, it can take 10-12 twists of the knob to tighten a pair of size 10 boots.

Depending on your use, your sub zero boots will have to provide sufficient traction on ice, snow, and rock.

For freezer warehouse workers, be sure to select a pair of boots with oil and acid resistant soles.

The best soles for the job have a high rubber count with deep lugs for superior grip and traction.

The weight of your boots is also an important factor to consider before purchasing.

With every step you take, your body will be carrying the weight of your boots and heavy ones will slowly drain your energy during prolonged use.

For hikers and freezer warehouse employees, weight is very important since you’ll be taking thousands of steps every day while wearing your boots.

For hunters, weight is less of a concern, as you will spend most of your time observing the landscape and wildlife.

In any case, all users of extreme cold boots will benefit from a lighter pair, and I recommend you purchase the lightest pair that meets your temperature requirements.

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