Don’t be caught short when you wake up to snow this winter - no child wants cold, wet feet when they’re playing for hours (which they will) in the white stuff. With these junior snow boots, you can be prepared and they can enjoy the great outdoors for as long as they please – and the good news is they can wear them on other winter days too, ensuring that you really get your money’s worth.
Make sure any snow boots you buy for your children have a genuinely good grip on the sole and that they’re as waterproof as possible. Consider how quick they are to take on and off, particularly if you’ve got tiny tots. Also make sure they’re well insulated and there’s enough room to tuck in salopettes, if they’re likely to be wearing them on winter holidays.
1. Sorel Youth Caribou Boot: £84.99, Zalando
Sorel does lots of great winter boots for kids, but many are only suitable for light snow. But its signature boot withstands even the heaviest snowstorm, thanks to the removable inner boot, great grip on the sole and robust, well-designed shoe, among other things. There are cheaper imitations out there, but they don’t come close to these.
2. Olang BMX Snow Boot in Militare Camo: £40, The Ski Shop
Popular with toddlers and older kids alike, these look cool and have practicality right at the forefront of their design - a front zip makes it much easier to tuck those salopettes in. The non-slip sole is second-to-none and the wool lining and aluminium film innersole does a grand job at keeping the cold at bay. Available in plenty of colours, including this military-look.
3. Kamik Snobuster Waterproof Winter Boots: £44.95, Little Adventure Shop
The Canadians know a thing or two about snow, so while these Canadian-made boots might look like mere wellies, they’re actually remarkably warm thanks to the 6mm thick thermal liner, which you can remove on milder days. They also have deep treads on the rubber sole – great for trudging through deep snow and sleet. Plus, they’re nice and light, so easy to pack in a suitcase for winter holidays.
4. Ecco Girls Boots: From £67, Ecco Shoes UK
If you have a child in the family who won’t wear anything but trainers, these will be just the ticket for snowy days. Available in black or pink, they seem to stay looking great, even after a day out in the slush, and the Velcro straps makes them easy to get on and off, while the comfort value is faultless.
5. JoJo Maman Bébé Children’s Alpine Snow Boots: £20, JoJo Maman Bébé
These fleece-lined boots tick every box for tiny tots – water resistant, snug fleece lining, extra deep treads on the sole, easy-to-use Velcro fastening and they last really well too. No wonder they have such a loyal fan base, with some parents buying them year in, year out for all their offspring. They come in four colours too.
6. Startrite Spider Snow Navy Blue Boys Boots: £29, Startrite
This brand has a longstanding reputation for designing well-made and true-to-size shoes for little feet, and it has come up trumps with these lightweight, malleable and super-snug boots, with fleece lining. And the riptape fastening is so much quicker than a zip or laces, meaning kids don’t have to waste any time getting out there in the snow.
7. Manbi Kids Snow Boot: £34.99, Manbi
Relive your own youth with these retro-looking snow boots that will bring back many a memory to those who grew up in the 1970s and 80s. They’re nowhere near as heavy and cumbersome as they look and they’ve got a great grip, as well as being available in white, black or pink too.
8. Next Black Snow Boots: From £24, Next
These minimalist-looking boots are less clunky and more lightweight than most, which our older mini testers said makes them look a bit more cool and grown-up. And they don’t lose out in the practical stakes because of it, keeping feet warm in the chilliest of weather.
9. Ecco Urban Snowboarder: From £75, Ecco Shoes UK
These are the business for sporty kids as they combine great looks with high functionality that withstands even the most demanding of snow sports. The toggle lace means you won’t get freezing fingers trying to do them up either and they’re lined with GORE-TEX for great insulation and weatherproofing,. They also have comfy but robust soles.
10. Vertbaudet Girls Lace-up Snow Boots: £25, Vertbaudet
Our little female tester gave a thumbs up for the pink star design but there’s also a blue version if you’d prefer. Kids also like the fact that they’re toasty warm and completely waterproof, with a really good grip on the soles. Parents appreciate the speed at which they can be put on and off and although the fur lining can get grubby, they’re pretty easy to clean.
11. Mountain Warehouse Ohio Youth Snow Boots: £29.99, Mountain Warehouse
“No way” we hear you cry when you see the colour. But come on, they bring a bit of glamour to a snowy day, while the IsoDry membrane does its job at keeping feet dry while also letting them breathe. They’re surprisingly lightweight, given how warm they keep young feet and the stability factor is good too. They’re also available in other colours if you really can’t get on board with white.
12. Keen Elsa Boot WP: £59.99, Keen Footwear
Available in three vibrant colours – all with contrasting laces - these funky-looking boots have been available for women for some time, but this is the first year they’ve been made in junior sizes. The fleece lining is particularly cosy and we found the leather and textile outer made them last really well, justifying the rather steep price tag.
13. Trespass Kids Kukun Waterproof Winter Lined Snow Boots: From £13.65, Outdoor Look
For under £15, these reliable unisex boots are great value. Available in both navy and red, they’re nice and supple, making them great for kids who like playing hard in the snow. The opening is wide, so they’re easy to get on, then they can be pulled tight with the toggle. Although, they are more suited to light snow.
14. Karrimor St Anton Junior Snow Boots: £26, Sports Direct
So comfy are these generously tall snow boots that our tester did not want to remove them, even when she got home. There’s nothing they’ve left out on the practical front either, so you get a decent pair of waterproof, breathable, well-insulated and good-grip lace-ups for a good price.
15. Crocs AllCast II Boot: £49.99, Crocs
You might need some patience with these as they’re not the quickest to get on and off. But it’s worth the wait as they keep feet beautifully dry and warm, as well as being really comfy, with a good grip. They look so cool that our tester insisted on wearing them to school daily, regardless of the weather. They’re built to last too, so make good hand-me-downs.
The Verdict: Kids’ snow boots
For tiny tots, JoJo Maman Bébé and Vertbaudet are our favourites, and for older children, Ecco are hard to fault, with both its Snowrider and Urban Snowrider options. Manbi and Keen are probably the most fun looking out of all 15 boots, while Sorel is our overall winner.
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