Extreme Cold Weather Winter Boots
Antarctic Boots

The correct footwear is vital for an extreme cold environment.
The warmest winter boots for Antarctica or any cold conditions.

This is the USA page | Australia / NZ | UK


Antarctic Winter Boots
Extreme cold and dry conditions


Warmest Winter Boots
Very low temperature cold weather boots
manufacturer rated down to -148 F / -100 C
Men's   Women's


Ordinary leather or synthetic hiking boots aren't warm enough for very cold conditions, even with an extra pair of socks.

Boots for extreme cold weather conditions have a different construction, they have soft uppers, thick rubber or synthetic soles, insulation that is often removable and thick insoles to prevent heat loss downwards to the snow and ice. The flexible uppers and a lacing system or adjustable buckles allow you to get them on while already wearing one or more pairs of thick socks (and gloves), and allow for flexibility of fit. It is important not to squash socks down too much as trapped air is the real insulator.

These kind of boots are great at keeping you warm and are suitable for most activities at low temperatures, though you'll need something more specialist for exceptionally rugged terrain or climbing. If you intend to walk or stand around on flat-ish ground in incredibly cold conditions, they will fulfill their function admirably.

Boots for cold weather are going to be bulky and heavier than those for warmer temperatures, all that insulation leads to wide uppers and a hefty sole to keep the cold away. In the coldest temperatures, there is no getting away from this. There is no super thin or ultra light insulating or heat reflective material that can avoid this, whatever the advertising material says.


Cold Weather Winter Boots
for Less Extreme Conditions


Cold Weather Winter Boots
Mens | Women's


Boots for your Antarctic Trip

If you're planning on a trip to Antarctica you'll need some suitable substantial footwear. These notes are specific to those going to Antarctica, but are applicable to any hiking boots that you may need for cold climates and rugged terrain.

Antarctica is rugged
. There aren't any footpaths and walking will be at best on sandy or pebble beaches. The landscape that is not snow and ice is rocky, pretty rough and rarely flat. So a good solid substantial sole to any footwear is needed so that you don't feel all of those rugged Antarctic rocks too directly.

Summer temperatures in coastal regions where most visitors go will be at about temperate Northern hemisphere winter levels
. It may well get below freezing point, so the boots should be warm enough and roomy enough to take a pair of under socks and also thicker warmer hiking socks.

Your footwear needs to be warm, water-resistant, supportive (at least ankle height) and with a good sole. Comfortable also helps of course and fortunately modern boots are much, much better than they used to be not so many years ago. Gone are the days of breaking in boots long before you needed to use them in earnest from a stiff incompliant starting point.

Also gone are the days when it was necessary as my grandfather advised me to my great horror as a fastidious teenager, to wee in them and leave them over-night (that's what they used to do in the army apparently - India, Northwest Frontier circa 1922).

It is sensible to get used to your boots and wear them around town or at least the house for a while before you set off for the airport to go south. It's not a good idea to put them on for the very first time in your cabin to go ashore and see your first penguin colony close-up.  They arrive pretty much ready-to-go, but as with all footwear it also depends on how standard your feet are!

Socks - "Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth o' tar"*. Get some nice comfy warm socks too. A good quality light-weight pair for next to your skin and then some "hiking" socks to go over these. These are usually made so as not to have seams in uncomfortable positions and may be specially cushioned on the areas where the weight is taken.
Hiking Socks: Midweight  |  Heavyweight

*Ha'porth = half penny worth. Tar was used to ensure watertight seals between the planks of sailing ships.


Antarctic Summer Boots
Cold and wet conditions


Waterproof cold weather winter boots
Waterproof cold weather boots
manufacturers rating down to - 40 F / - 40 C
Men's | Women's


As you will be on a ship and making boat landings ashore, waterproof boots are very useful! While you won't be deliberately wading through water, a missed footing into just a couple of inches of water could result in an uncomfortably soggy foot for quite a while afterwards.

For use in and around boats in the Antarctic summer, the modern take on rubber wellington style boots are ideal with a close fitting and insulated neoprene upper.

They are much better for walking in than traditional wellington boots and are widely used in Antarctica by scientists, guides and tourists alike . They are waterproof up to the top so you don't have to worry when getting in or out of the zodiac in shallow water and you can be comfortable walking around in them all day long.

Clothing for cold conditions - layering is the key

Women's Winter Boots
Men's down the page

Recommended for Cold Weather

Baffin Snogoose - women's winter bootBaffin Snogoose - Women's
Rated -40F / -40C, 100% synthetic, rubber sole, inner boot
Baffin Women's Ice Field Baffin Ice Field - Women's
Rated: -100C /-148F, 7 layer inner boot, rubber sole

Bogs Classic High No Handle - Women's
Waterproof Insulated Rain and Winter Snow Boot, Rated -40F / -40C - Men's
kamik women snowvalley 5Kamik Snowvalley 5 - Women's
Rated: -40F /-40C, waterproofed suede upper, faux fur collar, 4 colors!

columbia women ice maiden Columbia Ice Maiden II - Women's
Rated -25F /-32C, textile and suede upper, waterproofed, 200g insulation
Kamik Momentum - women's winter bootKamik Momentum 3 Boot - Women's
Rated -40F / -40C Waterproof boot with lace closure, grippy tread, 9 colors!

Sorel Joan of Arctic Boot - Women's
Rated -25F / -32C, waterproof, leather upper, rubber sole, faux fur collar
sorel wommen's caribouSorel Caribou - Women's
Waterproof, rated -40F / -40C, removable 9mm felt inner boot, extra insulated sole Men's Caribou

Budget Choice

dream pairs Women's winter bootDREAM PAIRS Mid-Calf Waterproof Snow Boots - Women's
Warm, water resistant and durable
Budget Choice

ALEADER Women's Mid-Calf Waterproof Winter Snow BootsAleader Winter Snow Boots - Women's
Waterproof Shell, Duck Boots


Men's Winter Boots

Recommended for Cold Weather

Baffin Snow Monster - Men's Insulated BootBaffin Snow Monster - Men's
Rated -94F / -70C, Tall leather and nylon boot quick-lace, grippy lugged outsole
Baffin Impact - Men's winter snow bootBaffin Impact - Men's
Rated -148F / -100C, buckle closure, nylon upper, snow collar
Women's

Kamik Nationplus - men's winter bootKamik Men's Nationplus
Rated -40F / -40C, leather upper, 200g thinsulate insulation, traditional laces
Kamik Men's Greenbay 4 Cold-Weather BootKamik Greenbay 4 - Men's
Rated -40F / -40C, waterproof nylon uppers | women's

bogs men classicBOGS Men's Classic High-m Snow Boot
Waterproof and Insulated, Rated -40F / -40C - Women's
columbia men bugabootColumbia Bugaboot III - Men's Waterproofed upper, rated -25F / -32C, 200g insulation, tough sole Women's

sorel men caribouSorel Caribou - Men's
Waterproof, rated -40F / -40C, removable 9mm felt inner boot, extra insulated sole Women's Caribou
Sorel 1964 Pac nylon - Men's
Waterproof outer, felt inner boot, rubber sole

Baffin Control Max - men'sBaffin Control Max - Men's
Stay out all day in extreme cold weather, rated -70C / -94F
Baffin Apex - Men's
Rated -148F / -100C, 100% leather quick lace system, 8 layer inner boot

Budget Choice


NORTIV 8 - Men's

Insulated Waterproof, Construction, Hiking, Snow Boots, Rated -25F
Budget Choice

Baffin Trapper - men's
ALEADER Waterproof Snow Boots - Men's

Durable, textile and rubber cold weather boot, -25F rating