Winter can be a magical time of the year for children and parents alike; watching your baby or toddler take those all-important first steps and discovering the magic of snow for the first time.
Whether you’re planning on hitting the slopes with your little one, or we’re lucky enough to have snow in the UK this Christmas this year, be sure to keep tiny toes warm and well insulated in the very best snow boots on the market.
How to keep your little ones warm this winter
According to British shoe brand Clarks, if you’re planning on taking your child out in the snow “make sure they have a snug base layer, an insulating middle layer and a protective and waterproof outer layer to keep them nice and cosy.”
Small humans are more susceptible to the cold since their bodies lose heat more rapidly. “Kids’ winter shoes should be warm, waterproof, and fit properly - and since the ankles can also get a little chilly, winter boots are a great choice.”
What to look for in a good pair of snow boots
First things first: they must be waterproof. It’s important to keep tiny toes warm and protected from the cold and ice so look for boots that are fully waterproof and insulated, preferably with fleece or thermal lining and a sturdy and strong sole as they take those first steps in the snow and ice.
We asked Iain Moore, owner of BGreater Shoes, a website aimed at helping improve foot health for children, what else parents should look for. “Good snow boots should be warm with a natural foot shape and correctly fitted. If boots are too tight it can restrict blood flow and the feet will get colder. Using thermal or Merino wool socks can add extra warmth to your children’s feet so try and add those too,” he told us.
“A natural foot shape is important as this will encourage the healthy development of children’s feet. Boots which have a more natural foot shape and are flexible will keep feet warmer as they will have room to wiggle and be able to move unrestricted as they walk. This will increase blood flow to the area thereby keeping their feet warmer.”
Any tips on how to keep children’s feet healthy as they grow?
“Children should be barefoot as much as possible,” Iain added. “When they are in shoes try to buy barefoot ones, like ours, if you can but if you can’t do this then try to buy ones with a wide toe-box so their toes aren’t squashed as they grow.”
See our edit of the best snowboots for kids below
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JoJo Maman Bebe Alpine Snow Boots
Designed to keep feet dry and warm in snow and shallow standing water, these fleece lined boots ensure feet are kept super snug from a brand that excels in children’s clothes and shoes. JoJo Maman Bebe consistently gets it right when it comes to function, practicality and design. We like these because they come with a wide range of features from durable water-resistant uppers to cosy fleece lining. They also have moulded soles with deep treads for extra grip in the snow which is important for little feet as they find their balance and take their first steps. Velcro closures also make these quick and easy to pop on and off.
Buy now £16.00, JoJo Maman Bebe
Sorel Children’s Snow Commander Boot
Beat the blizzard with these Sorel Children’s Snow Commander Boots which Sorel tell us are suitable for heavy snow and come with extra insulation, an enhanced traction sole and fleece lining. Not the cheapest of the bunch but a highly rated brand in both adult and children’s snow boots. Our tester’s little one said these were comfortable and warm and easy to get on and off. When you have a wriggling three-year-old a boot that slips on fast-moving feet with ease is important, our tester also noted that their child has larger than average soles and these boots come with adjustable Velcro which made life a lot easier.
Buy now £65.00, Amazon
Merrell Big Kid’s Snow Storm Waterproof Boot
These boots are not the cheapest but they do come highly rated online with many mums giving them a full five stars and mentioning they kept tiny toes warm and cosy while looking stylish on the slopes (or just the local park).
There’s a host of features too, with something called ‘waterproof M Select® DRY upper and 200g insulation on the footbed’. We’re not sure what 200g insulation on the footbed actually means but our tester said they ‘did the job and looked great while keeping her feet warm while she splashed in puddles.’ We looked for boots that included extra grips on the soles for this review as it’s so important that children have some stability on their feet when they’re running around in icy weather, and these have a special grip which Merrell assure us ‘provides traction on even the iciest on surfaces.’
Buy now £60.00, Merrell
Muddy Puddles Snow Boots
Made to keep even the littlest feet wonderfully warm and completely dry during freezing conditions, these bright grenadine boots aren’t just eye-catching but highly durable and practical too. Manufactured from premium-quality vegan suede, these colourful snow boots are made to ethical standards and are perfect for all kinds of outdoor wear, whether young adventurers are taking part in skiing or other winter sports, or just going out to the swings.
We really liked the fact that the cosy and soft inner lining can be fully removed to make them easier to get on and off. Durability is also important when selecting winter boots for young feet and Muddy Puddles told us that the ‘Snowdrift snow boots are strong enough for all types of cold weather thanks to a non-slip, durable outer sole that guards against water and that features ultra-grippy protection against falls and slips on snowy, wet surfaces.’ Thanks to the recent wet UK weather we were able to verify that these boots hold up very well in wet conditions and our tester confirmed their baby’s feet were still toasty dry when they got home from a particularly rainy trip to the park.
Buy now £45.00, Muddy Puddles
Deichmann Cortina Ankle Snow Boots
Deichmann are a 100-year-old German brand and have 120 stores in the UK but when researching this review, we realised they’re not as widely known in the UK as they deserve to be as they offer great affordable shoes and boots without breaking the bank. These children’s snow boots come equipped with dei-tex technology, which Deichmann tell us is a durable fabric that will keep children’s feet dry and comfortable. They also have a warm lining and inside zip for ease of foot entry. We wouldn’t choose these boots if you’re heading to the Alps this year for baby’s first snow lessons but for everyday muddy puddles, they are a cheap and cheerful option from a brand that you should definitely have on your radar.
Buy now £22.99, Deichmann
Helly Hanson Kids’ and Juniors’ Varanger Insulated Boots
Helly Hanson is a well-known and trusted brand and if you’re looking for a strong and sturdy boot for your kids’ this ski season and you don’t mind splashing the cash then these are a good option. Our tester said these were ‘lightweight, durable, waterproof and looked great.’
These also have wool felt insulation and while they do have laces rather than Velcro, the quick lace system makes them super easy to put on and off wriggling feet. It’s worth mentioning these also have vulcanised rubber outsoles for grip and temperature resistance and are lined with comfy faux shearling to keep tiny toes toasty.
Buy now £60.00, Helly Hanson
Trespass Kids’ Printed Snow Boots Vause
These are bright and sturdy and a great price point for a toddler’s first snow boot. Trespass is good at combining functionality and practicality and this pull-on design makes these waterproof boots easy to wear as well as comfortable while keeping the water out. Complete with a faux fur trimming, the boots come in either navy or pink, are insulated and fleece lined with adjustable fastening. For £18.99 you can’t go wrong.
Highly recommend for a budget option that does the job well while looking lovely on your kid’ feet.
Buy now £18.99, Trespass
Crocs Kids’ Winter Puff Boot
Crocs tell us that these boots are like ‘walking in a winter comfortland’ and while we wouldn’t go quite that far, we did find that these lightweight and warm. The reason they are so light and comfortable on little feet is down to a material base made of something called ‘Croslite’. It’s worth mentioning that the tester also said these were easy to wipe down and clean. Our tester’s little one said they liked wearing these because ‘they looked nice and felt soft on their feet’ which is about as much as a thumbs up as you’ll get from a two-year-old. These also have rubber outsole pods to help that all important traction and durability and come in a selection of gorgeously bright colours, our favourite being the navy and the red.
Buy now £44.99, Crocs
Clarks Jumper Jump Kid Berry
These are Clarks latest snow boot for the season, the catchily named Jumper Jump are waterproof thanks to the C-Shell membrane and they are ‘warmlined’, Clarks tell us. They are also lightweight and warm, everything you would want in children’s’ snow boots.
This berry ankle boot fastens with double riptape straps and the padded collar adds support at the ankle if this is something that’s important to you when looking at boots for your child’s needs when it comes to fitting. Inside there is an ‘eco-foam’ footbed that feels soft and comfortable. Overall, these are a solid choice for snow days from a beloved British brand, we just wish they came in more colours!
Buy now £40.00, Clarks
Hunter Kids Intrepid Insulated Nebula Snow Boots
We’ll say straight away that these metallic, crinkle fabric snow boots are designed perfectly for little snow explorers and our tester raved about how cute they looked on their baby’s feet. They are fleece lined and crafted to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C and are easy to remove with a zip opening. They are waterproof, vegan, handcrafted with 100 per cent recycled polyester insulating fleece lining and have reflective patches for increased visibility.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
Verdict
These Alpine Snow Boots have been bestsellers for parent favourites JoJo Maman Bebe for years, and with good reason. JoJo Maman Bebe consistently produces high-quality designs for children that not only look beautiful but are functional and reliable. Parents love these Alpine Snow Boots with some buying a pair every few years as their children’s feet grow. They come in a range of lovely colours and are cosy and warm.
We wouldn’t necessarily choose these for an extremely cold ski season (see our picks from Sorel and Merrell for that) but for a great price point, bright design, comfort and warmth, these get our vote for snowy days in the UK.
