I’ve Lived in the Northeast My Whole Life, and These Are the Winter Boots That Have Kept Me Warm

Winter is one of my favorite seasons—crazy, I know. Part of it is because I love feeling cozy against chilly temperatures, and the other part is the fashion. I absolutely love wearing jackets, blazers, wool and cashmere sweaters, scarves, and, of course, boots. Ankle boots, rain boots, suede boots—I love them all.

As a Jersey girl who has spent her entire life in the Northeast, I’ve tried and tested my fair share of winter boots and own a bunch. I’ve got a snow-storm ready style that I can clear a foot of snow in without slipping or any wind chill in my toes, a casual yet chic pair I can walk thousands of steps in even in subzero temperatures, and an everyday boot that you probably won’t be surprised to see. Below, I’m sharing my favorite seven boots—and one of them I’ve had for over a decade. Plus, they’re all proven to be comfortable and warm.

Editor-Loved Winter Boots

• Blundstone Thermal #566, $240; zappos.com
• Sorel Winter Carnival Waterproof Boot, $180; zappos.com
• L.L.Bean Bean Boots, 8-Inch, $149; llbean.com
• Marc Fisher Matter Bootie, $113 (was $159); amazon.com
• Margaux Agnes Boot, $495; margaux.com
• Thursday Boot Company The Duchess, $160; thursdayboots.com
• Ugg Classic II Genuine Shearling Lined Short Boot, $190; nordstrom.com

Blundstone Thermal #566

These Blundstones are my newest addition, and I don’t know why I held out on trying boots from this brand because they are so good. I own a similar Chelsea boot style that I wear for casual outfits from fall through winter, so I opted to get these with the fleece insole for extra warmth. The boots are waterproof and offer Thinsulate insulation to prevent my feet from getting sweaty—a must for me. This pair has not only kept my toes nice and toasty through frigid temperatures, but the wide-toe box keeps my feet extra comfortable. I’ve worn these in the rain, snow, and on just cold, dry days, and they required zero break in too.

L.L.Bean Bean Boots, 8-Inch

Maybe this gives away my age, but I’ve had my Bean Boots since high school, so that’s over 15 years of wear and tear. If that isn’t a testament to quality, I don’t know what is. Pair these waterproof boots with some thick socks—doesn’t even have to be wool!—and you can walk through blizzards, rainstorms, and anything in between in any season without being cold. The rubber soles are very sturdy and not once have I slipped while outside, whether it be rain and mud or sleeting conditions. I personally also love that the company still sews all its boots by hand in Maine, triple-stitching through a durable leather material. It’s a classic New England must-have, but one I think everyone outside of the region could wear.

Sorel Winter Carnival Waterproof Boot

The original style of Sorels I own have been discontinued, but the Winter Carnival is pretty close. I first bought my Sorels on Zappos in 2016, and they definitely look the most worn compared to my veteran boots—but they’re still so warm. Where the Bean Boots I mention above are fully constructed with leather, these Sorel winter boots have a waterproof, nylon upper as well as a rubber sole. The shaft on the Winter Carnival is a bit higher than the design I have, but that only adds to its warmth and protective weather coverage. Like mine, this pair also has a faux fur detail at the top that really helps keep snow and wind out.

Marc Fisher Matter Bootie

When I want to dress up a bit or plan on going out, I go for these Marc Fisher booties. Again, the pair I own had a different style name, but these are identical to the ones I own and still wear from years ago. It’s your classic, black leather bootie, which has a 3.35-inch heel for extra height and a pointed toe for a chic look. I love to pair these with black bootcut jeans to really lengthen my frame, and if these are anything like the pair I own, I’ve walked all through New York City in them without any issue. The heel is also still in great condition—despite wearing them through the slushy winters of the Northeast.

Margaux Agnes Boot

I talked about a high-heeled black boot, and now I introduce to you my hands-down, all-time favorite low-heel black leather boot. I bought the Margaux Agnes Boot in 2023 and first wore them in Seoul—without breaking them in. I know, it was bold of me to dare don a brand new leather boot while traveling to a city that often demands over 20,000 steps each day. However, not once did my feet hurt in all my walking. Flat surfaces, cobble stone, uphill, downhill—no problem. The leather is sturdy but still soft, and the 2.5-inch heel is perfect for a little extra height without any discomfort. While I wouldn’t deem the boots waterproof, these shoes were fine in snow and frozen rain and kept my feet pretty dry. I usually wear thick socks with my boots, but even on days I wore cotton ankle socks, nothing rubbed against my skin. These are the priciest boots I own, but they’re my most worn and a pair I’ll forever be loyal to.

Thursday Boot Company The Duchess

These are my go-to boots for fall and winter, and they almost feel indestructible. They’re a classic, flat Chelsea style boot and made with the brand’s trademarked WeatherSafe Suede. If you know, suede is typically a big no-no for snow and rain. I’ve had my pair for over five years now, and they’re perfectly worn in but don’t look worn in at all despite my not-so-gentle wearing.   I own these in Dark Olive Suede, and the shade is dark enough that it feels like a neutral piece, making it easy to style with outfits. After having them a year and finding them comfy, warm, and just easy to wear, I wound up getting pairs for everyone in my family—and they all say it’s their favorite.

Ugg Classic II Genuine Shearling Lined Short Boot

In the early 2000s, everyone was wearing Uggs—including me. And there’s a reason this brand and this boot will never die out. While I may not opt to wear them out to a nice event or to work, the Ugg Classic Short Boot is great for casual days. Sometimes, if I’m really lazy, I just put these on without socks, and even in the dead winter my feet will still be warm. However, these are most definitely not a shoe you wear in the snow or rain, as the soles don’t offer a good grip like the other snow boot options designed to endure tough weather conditions. But for an easy shoe that will guarantee warmth for your toes, these are a great pick.