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10 best kids’ snow boots to keep their toes warm all winter

Keep those little feet happy and dry with these tried and tested snow boots

Clare O'Reilly
Friday 02 February 2024 14:06 GMT
<p>Our team of testers assessed the waterproofing of each pair in puddles and on the beach too. </p>

Our team of testers assessed the waterproofing of each pair in puddles and on the beach too.

Our Top Picks

Predictions are that the winter will be a cold one. Meteorologists are cracking through the alphabetised list of storms that have caused widespread disruption. As wintry blasts continue to hit the UK, we may even see some snow in the coming weeks, so it’s important to make sure you’re prepared.

Whether you (or the kids) are hoping for snow in the UK, or you’re planning to head off to more wintry climes, snow boots will be needed for parks and pistes alike this winter, and the good news is we’ve got you covered.

When buying a pair for the kids, no matter what their age, it’s worth going a half or a full size up. This is because not only are they likely to be worn with thick, insulated socks but the likelihood is they’ll be running around in them and playing in the snow, and hot feet expand.

Secondly, think about the lacing system. If they’re going to be switched for snow boots on the slopes, you need easy on-and-off mechanisms and if they’re being used in the park make sure they’ll stay tight and cosy, and not come undone or get leaf litter in the Velcro. No matter what your winter plans are, make sure your little and big kids alike are prepared and ready.

How we tested the best kids’ snow boots

A selection of the snowboots we tested for this review

Our team of testers assessed the waterproofing of each pair in puddles and on the beach too. They looked at how easy they are to get on and off – both with and without adult help – and as well as assessing fit and heel rub, we also tested the warmth of the boot when they were taken off.

The best kids’ snow boots for 2024 are:

  • Best kids’ snow boots overall – Keen Kanibou snow boots: £59.53, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget snow boots –Mountain Warehouse Whistler kids adaptive snow boot: £26.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best snow boots for long walks and expeditions – Helly Hansen kids’ and juniors’ Varanger insulated boots: £42.42, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best snow boots for babies – Liewood Heather babies footies: £32.20, Scandiborn.co.uk
  • Best snow boots for grip – Merrell snowbank 4.0 waterproof boot: £60, Merrell.com

Keen Kanibou snow boots

Keen snow boots.jpg
  • Best: Kids’ snow boots overall
  • Lacing style: Bungee
  • Sizes : 7 to 6
  • Colours: Green, brown and black
  • Why we love it
    • Anti odour insoles
    • Fantastic grip
    • Environmentally friendly
  • Take note
    • Limited sizing

If you’re after an all-rounder, look no further. Stylish enough to be worn with jeans or leggings, these fleece lined snow boots are as much at home on the high street as they are high altitude peaks. Insulated to -32C, they’re made with environmentally preferred leather from tanneries that reduce water and energy use by recycling water to completely eliminate waste water. They’re also water repellent and have anti odour insoles so even if feet get sweaty making snowballs, they shouldn’t smell. The waterproof membrane means feet will stay dry and they’re lightweight with incredible traction too. The bungee lace locking means they’re easy to get on and off and more importantly adjust too.

  1. £59 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Mountain Warehouse whistler kids adaptive snow boot

Mountain Warehouse snowboots-indybest
  • Best: Budget kids’ snow boots
  • Lacing style: Bungee
  • Sizes : 11 to 5
  • Colours: Yellow, navy, dark purple, coral and black
  • Why we love it
    • Variety of sizes and colours
  • Take note
    • Price point means they might last justone winter

Available in sizes 11 to 5 these budget boots come in six colours; yellow, navy, dark purple, coral and black, so there’s a colour choice to suit even the pickiest fashionista. Getting this much tech for such a low price tag makes it the perfect purchase for any cash strapped parent who doesn’t want to sacrifice quality. The deep lugs give an enhanced grip, the water repellent treatment of the fabric means young feet will stay dry no matter how long they’re out in the weather, and the faux fur collar means they won’t let any heat out the top too. The bungee lace system can be easily tightened and undone too so in theory they should be able to put them on themselves.

  1. £26 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Keen Puffrider snow boots

KEEN Little Kids’ Puffrider Waterproof Winter Boot-indybest
  • Best: For deep snow
  • Lacing style: Velcro
  • Sizes: 7 to 6
  • Colours: Northern lights, blue, black and purple
  • Why we love it
    • As comfortable as a pair of slippers
    • Breathable membrane
  • Take note
    • Velcro fastening could benefit from bungee laces

Keen is a family owned shoemaker from Denmark and the quality and technology that goes into every shoe is evident. The puffrider boasts that it “feels like a sleeping bag” and our testers agreed saying they felt more like slippers than snow boots. In addition to being incredibly comfortable, they also boast insulation down to temperatures of -32C and, while they’re water repellent on the outside, they also have a waterproof, breathable membrane. The bungee lace system at the back is designed to mean little and big kids can get them on and off alone without any help and as well as having an anti odour insole, the traction is second to none and fared brilliantly in testing even in slippery conditions.

  1. £41 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Liewood Heather babies footies

Liewood Babies Footies-indybest
  • Best: For babies
  • Lacing style: Velcro
  • Sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months
  • Colours: Hunter green, navy and Tuscany rose
  • Why we love it
    • Stay on feet well
    • Adjustable
  • Take note
    • No grip so only useful for pre-walker

These fab booties are the only boots on the list that can go through the washing machine and they’re also made from 100 percent recycled polyester. The only ones specifically for babies, these come in four sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months. Available in rose, green and navy too, these are the only baby boots that stayed on in testing. The velcro strap can be adjusted and tightened to keep them in place but is secure enough that little hands can’t undo it, and the gathered elastic top meant debris didn’t work its way down into the boot to annoy little feet. Cosy, cute and seemingly very comfortable, if you’re taking your tot to the slopes or the park in the snow, these are a great option and are roomy too.

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Wheat thy thermo pac boot

Wheat Thy Thermo Pac Boot-indybest
  • Best: For little kids
  • Lacing style: Velcro
  • Sizes: 7 to 2.5
  • Colours: Cognac brown, dusty rouge, rose dawn
  • Why we love it
    • Kids can easily take them off and put them on
    • Wool lining is cosy
  • Take note
    • Could do with more reflection

The wool lining makes these boots exceptionally cosy and the two Velcro straps are designed for the sizes they come in – little kids will be able to get them on and off by themselves with very little bother. They’re water repellent and the only ones on the list with a reflective logo on the back so they’re great for winter walks in the dark too. The insole is made of latex giving them a bouncier feel underfoot, and they felt breathable and kept feet sweat free even after a couple of hours of testing.

  1. £61 from Wheat.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Merrell snowbank 4.0 waterproof boot

Snow Bank 4.0 Waterproof Boot-indybest
  • Best: For grip
  • Lacing style: Bungee
  • Sizes: 10 to 6
  • Colours: Black/purple/turquoise, grey/black/red, navy/berry and wheat/black
  • Why we love it
    • Plenty of colour choices
    • Warm at low temperatures
  • Take note
    • Won’t suit narrow feet

Whether it’s snow or ice, the deep grip on these boots would even have Bambi treading like a mountain goat. They’re also waterproof, insulated down to -25C and possibly -32C, and the bungee lace system means they won’t come undone even when they’re wet. They’re available in four colours; black/purple/turquoise, grey/black/red, navy/berry and wheat/black. They’re also one of the widest on the list so perfect for the less narrow footed young ones, and they’re available in ten sizes from a junior 10 to an adult 6.

  1. £60 from Merrell.com
Prices may vary
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Roarsome winter snow boots

Roarsome Winter Snow Boots-indybest
  • Best: For green parents
  • Lacing style: Velcro
  • Sizes: 7.5 to 2.5
  • Colours: Single colour choice of black and white
  • Why we love it
    • Made from recycled plastic bottles
  • Take note
    • Could do with mor colour options

Since conquering Dragons’ Den in 2018, Roarsome has gone from strength to strength and boasts future King Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis among their fan base. The upper is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles so they’re the perfect purchase for parents with the environment in mind, but in addition to their green credentials, there’s so much more to these boots. They’re thermal lined, waterproof, cope comfortably with sub-zero temperatures and with the finger loop and Velcro close they’re easy for little ones to put on themselves and they’re available in sizes 7.5 to 2.5.

  1. £65 from Roarsome.com
Prices may vary
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Liewood Zoey snowboot

Liewood zoey boots-indybest.png
  • Best: For everyday wear
  • Lacing style: Bungee
  • Sizes: 7.5 to 2.5
  • Colours: Army brown, black, dark rosetta and taupe
  • Why we love it
    • Great for everyday wear

With a pair of jeans over the top or leggings underneath, these boots make for a great everyday wear option. Not only are they incredibly stylish but they’re also made with recycled materials, so are a great option for kids who care about the environment. They’re pretty roomy but the advice on the website is to go up 1.5cm when ordering a size to allow for cosy socks. Available in sizes 7.5 to 2.5 they also come in three very on trend colours: army brown, black, dark rosetta and taupe.

  1. £69 from Schuh.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Helly Hansen varanger insulated boots

Helly Hansen Kids’ and Juniors’ Varanger Insulated Boots-indybest
  • Best: For long walks and expeditions
  • Lacing style: Bungee grip
  • Sizes: 9.5 to 2
  • Colours: Black, cobolt, sunset pink
  • Why we love it
    • Helly Hansen technology
    • Warm even at -30C
  • Take note
    • Could do with more colour choices

If it’s day-long activity boots you’re after, the varanger’s are perfect. The name comes from a peninsula in Norway where temperatures can get as low as -30C. They’re waterproof and the rip stop technology in the upper fabric means they’ll last way past the time young feet outgrow them. The wool and felt insulated sock inner keeps the entire foot and ankle warm and while they look a little like a welly, these are snow boots all the way. The two bungee cords – one on the ankle and one at the top of the boot – mean they can be tightened into place like a regular snow boot but keep snow and debris out of the top, and the heat in with the bungee at the top. The lower is also enhanced with Helly Hansen’s ‘FreezeBlock’ shield technology to keep the cold out and the warmth in. The boots are available in a 9.5 to a size 2.

  1. £65 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Mountain Warehouse Caribou toddler adaptive printed snow boots

Caribou boots-indybest.png
  • Best: For toddlers
  • Lacing style: Bungee
  • Size: 6 to 10
  • Colours: Bright blue, dark red, jet black printed, light purple, pale pink printed and light pink
  • Why we love it
    • Kids will love the colour schemes
  • Take note
    • Single tightening point at the top means feet could drag.

Not only are these the cheapest on the list but they’re also the easiest to put on. The single bungee cord at the top to tighten them means little ones should be able to stay still for the couple of seconds it’ll take to get them on. Available for little feet in sizes 6 to 10 these are snowproof and water-repellent, and the deep lugs gave great traction in testing.

  1. £19 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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The verdict: Kids’ snow boots

When it comes to what you get for your money, the Whistler Kids adaptive snow boot is a bargain and a brilliant snow boot too. The six different colours means even the fussiest of young ones will find a colour they like that matches their salopettes.

Special mention goes to Helly Hansen Kids’ and Juniors’ Varanger Insulated Boots too. Synonymous with not only the outdoors but wintery cold landscapes, it’s impossible to ignore the tech that’s gone into these snow boots. They’re incredibly comfortable, tested fantastically for hours and look like they mean business too.

As the days get colder, kit out your child with one of the best pairs of waterproof trousers for kids

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