Rain boots
The Crocs Rain Boot is streamlined, easy to clean, and lightweight. It’s mostly positively reviewed on Amazon, but scattered throughout are complaints that the boots are constricting and difficult to put on and take off. My own kids said they rubbed uncomfortably against their ankles, but another one of our testers really liked them.
We liked the look of the Hunter Kids First Classic Rain Boot, but we wish it had better traction and handles for easier on/off.
The Hunter Big Kids Grace Waterproof Rain Boot is stylish and sturdy, but the outsole didn’t offer much traction, despite its chunky appearance. My seven year old daughter loves its cute look, but at around $60 plus shipping, we don’t think it’s a good deal for most kids.
Reima Ankle Rain Boots are a simple, stylish Chelsea-style rain boot, but their thin outsole feels flimsy, almost like a rubber sock. We preferred rain boots with chunkier soles.
Western Chief Kids Rain Boot is comparable to our budget pick, the Lone Cone Rain Boot, but it feels less durable and is slightly less favorably reviewed online.
The Xtratuf Tufs Ankle Deck Boot is a simple injected boot (read: one single piece) made from EVA foam, but it’s not as comfortable or slip-resistant as our top-pick Xtratuf Ankle Deck Boot.
Snow boots
The Baffin Young Snogoose Kid’s Youth Boot is an extremely rugged option, but the liner is so stiff my daughter could barely shove her foot into it. Baffin warns that they feel tight when first worn, but we couldn’t break through the initial discomfort.
The Baffin Ice Castle Kids Boot is a decent rain-to-snow option, but the sole isn’t that grippy and many kids may not be drawn to its grown up look.
The warm and waterproof Baby Bogs II boot represents a classic toddler style. We love that it’s machine washable, but its sole doesn’t offer as much critical traction as our pick, the Stonz West Waterproof Boot.
My older daughter loves the Bogs Arcata II Dash, but it comes in just one color (black), and around $110 is a lot to pay for a kids boot. Plus, within a month of use, its bungee fastening system was stretched out and missing hardware. We preferred the simplicity, and durability, of the Bogs Neo-Classic.
Amazon’s popular and inexpensive Gubarun Snow Boot feels poorly made and is difficult to tighten. Its decorative bungee laces are puzzling, and some reviews online say it’s not very waterproof.
The Kamik Snobuster 1 is good-quality, at a pretty low price. It was surprisingly warm during our testing, but because it looks more like a rain boot (and the colors are fairly austere), it didn’t rank high on our testers’ lists.
The Muck Big Kids’ Apex Tall Winter Boot is comfortable and superwarm. Some of our testers really liked it, but the way the shaft narrows at the ankle made it nearly impossible for other testers to get on and off. It’s also one of the heaviest boots we tested, and the drawstring closure is only helpful if your kid knows how to tie a shoelace.
The durable Muck Kids’ Rugged II Boot is well-made but only comes in a few mature colors and patterns. For $90, you’re better off with the kid-friendly aesthetics of Bogs.
The Sorel Snow Commander Boot is a cozy and sturdy option for toddlers and little kids, but our toddler tester did better in the streamlined slip-on style of our pick, the Stonz West Waterproof Boot.
Like the grown-up version, the Sorel Yoot Pac Nylon Children’s Waterproof Boot is warm, waterproof, and stylish. But we preferred the snow collar feature (and price point) of the Sorel Flurry.
The Stonz Trek Snow Boot is ultra-warm and well-made, but we prefer the simplicity and versatility of the Stonz West boot.
This guide was edited by Kalee Thompson and Amy Miller Kravetz.
