Winter boots that actually grip

January 12, 2016 11:37 AM

With our first real snowfall here in Toronto I've learned that my new winter boots while fitting, being warm and generally nice looking are, in fact, garbage at walking without slipping. I've fallen down twice today and I've not even been outside very long. Can you recommend a women's winter boot that doesn't slip in the snow?

My feet are wide so I can't do super narrow shoes or boots but otherwise my priority is grippiness - warmth and style come after that at this point.

posted by machine to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

One way to keep your current boots is to add Stabilicers (lite, probably) or Yaktrax to the boot.
posted by anastasiav at 11:41 AM on January 12, 2016 [9 favorites]

You need Icebug boots.

I watched these being demo'd this last weekend and I couldn't believe the traction. I'm not affiliated in any way with them and I just thought it was cool how the people testing them could walk/jump/run on super slick ice with no problem.
posted by Marinara at 12:00 PM on January 12, 2016 [2 favorites]

My sister (a runner) and mom (a walker) both swear by these particular ice dealybobs for adding to your boots: Due North All Purpose Traction Aid.
posted by purple_bird at 12:01 PM on January 12, 2016

Seconding an add-on like Yaktrax. Then you can keep your fitting, warm, nice-looking current boots.
posted by joan_holloway at 12:20 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yeah, those traction things are fantastic. In the UK we don't plough the snow or clear the pavements so a snowfall ends up as a slick of ice. I have a set of Yaktrax-type things that are absolutely brilliant. Get the ones that are a blend of studs and chains/coils for best grip.
posted by essexjan at 12:23 PM on January 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I am on my tenth winter with a pair of North Face winter boots. They have by far the best traction of any boot I have ever owned.
posted by futureisunwritten at 12:26 PM on January 12, 2016

Those Icebug boots look pretty awesome. I was coming in to recommend the Vasque boots that I bought last winter, but I think if I were buying now, I'd try the Icebugs. Though the Vasques are maybe $50 cheaper if that's a factor.

I got the Vasques to replace my old North Face boots that I'd also had for about ten years. I tried a new pair of North Face boots first, and they weren't the same at all. Although the soles were pretty luggy, they were made of a plastic that seemed hard and slick. They also did not look as well made. Try to make your old North Face boots last, futureisunwritten!
posted by Kriesa at 12:29 PM on January 12, 2016

I love my Icebug boots. They're very warm, they're very grippy, but they are quite unpleasant to wear indoors so if you're doing a lot of subway or such, they aren't great boots.
posted by jeather at 12:38 PM on January 12, 2016

I've been very happy with my Cougar boots over the last 3-4 winters in Toronto.
posted by dotparker at 12:41 PM on January 12, 2016

I slipped on the ice while carrying my infant a couple of winters ago, did a lot of research, bought the icebugs and haven't looked back. I like the removable grips. They're also really light weight and warm.
posted by cestmoi15 at 12:41 PM on January 12, 2016

I use Yaktrax here in michigan.. Love them, and they fit whatever boot/shoe I choose to wear.
posted by HuronBob at 12:54 PM on January 12, 2016

I have the Avila lceBugs they are great, but really only super slip resistant with the BugWeb traction added. I also have the IceBug Accelritas running shoe, which is weirdly awesome at slip resistance, but is very narrow.

Baffins are actually my choice for super slip resistance AND being very warm and waterproof. I have the Eska in red and last year's Impact, both excellent.
posted by stormygrey at 1:12 PM on January 12, 2016

My favourite comparison/recommendation website The Wirecutter just did a big comparison of the best women's and men's winter boots.

Their pick for women was the Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Titanium Omni-Heat Boots. Very extensive testing notes in the Wirecutter link above.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:23 PM on January 12, 2016

FYI, Vasque boots run notoriously narrow, at least among their hiking models. If you have an REI nearby, I'd go there and ask their shoe department--if you buy a pair of boots that doesn't have sufficient traction, they'll happily take them back for a refund, even after you've worn them.
posted by serelliya at 3:00 PM on January 12, 2016

I live in Toronto and these from Blondo are my boots, only I have them in black. They have good traction and are waterproof enough to handle that slushy crap we had the other week.
posted by TORunner at 6:11 PM on January 12, 2016

Best answer: I live in Montreal and have wide feet, and was having trouble finding winter boots that were warm enough, grippy enough, and wide enough all at the same time. Last year I bought a pair of Keen winter hiking boots (similar to these) and I have been super happy with them. The grip is super, they're stable on my feet, they keep my toes warm right down to -20C, and they're comfy enough to happily wear all day if necessary.
posted by snorkmaiden at 8:08 PM on January 12, 2016

I could not live without my Saute mouton . They're designed for Canadian winters. Waterproof, great grip, warm.
posted by Milau at 4:37 AM on January 13, 2016