Good winter outfits for children can be costly. Especially when it comes to kid’s winter boots. A good, quality snow pant, with a little luck, can be worn a second winter, but you can bet for sure that the little ones have outgrown their boots come to the end of the winter season! We highly recommend No compromises on the quality of the winter boot. Cold or even wet feet spoil all the fun of being outdoors in the snow. And increase the risk of illness.

How can I tell if the winter boots are waterproof?

After school play, on the way to pre-school or maybe even a ski trip in the holidays, comfortable winter footwear keeps children’s feet warm and dry – and the most important factor here is whether they are waterproof. Winter boots are always waterproof if they are made completely of waterproof materials – such as rubber boots – or if they are equipped with a waterproof membrane liner such as Gore-Tex, Dri Defense or other inexpensive membranes. This means that styles with rubber goloshes are only completely waterproof if a waterproof membrane lining is also used on the cuff.
The alternatives are water-repellent materials, such as coatings at the shaft or water-repellent treatment on the outer material, which are adequate in “dry”, cold snow conditions. In addition, there is a very wide range of (waterproof) children’s winter boots, which we will explain in more detail below.

Winter boots with membrane liner: suitable for everyday wear and all-terrain use

Winter boots with a membrane liner: suitable for everyday wear and all-terrain use,
On the way to pre-school, after school play or even a ski holiday with the family, comfortable winter footwear keeps children’s feet warm and dry, however, they must fit well. Lined winter boots, which can be laced or closed with velcro fasteners, prevent unpleasant slipping when walking and ensure a good fit.
An outdoor winter boot suitable for everyday wear should also be sufficiently robust. Thanks to an integrated membrane lining, these type of boots are usually (or should be) waterproof yet still offers comparatively high breathability so that kid’s feet don’t sweat.
A sporty winter boot is also suitable for walks and winter hikes – or to master the one-hour ascent to the toboggan run itself. The soles should be non-slip, especially on longer distances, yet still flexible for children’s feet in order to make good progress in the snow. In order to avoid friction points, they should sit well on the foot and be optimally adaptable. For smaller children, a velcro fastener assists independence, and a lacing fastener facilitates optimal adjustment.

• Suitable for: Every day, after-school play, winter hiking, walks, tobogganing tours

Snow boots with separate inner boot liner: snug and really warm

When the toboggan hill calls, children want to get there quickly, and they also don’t want to leave so soon either. Reliable protection against cold and wetness is what children’s feet need. Winter boots with separate inner shoes, such as the Canadian classics from Sorel and Kamik, ensure permanently warm feet.
The removable inner boot liner that “Canadian Boots” feature provides thermal warmth retention and, should moisture penetrate the boots are dry again the following morning ready for action. Typical for these snow boots is the robust, waterproof gaiter section. In addition, many children’s winter boots currently on the market feature a waterproof membrane liner, which ensures dryness, including at the cuff section, in wet, slushy snow conditions.
An adjustable cuff that comes well over the ankle is important for such snow boots in order to fix the boots to the foot. This is the only way to avoid annoying slipping and the formation of blisters. High-quality winter boots offer a robust velcro strap as a fixation. An additional width adjustment at the shaft finish ensures that no snow can enter the boot from above.
A disadvantage of the robust snow boots is the comparatively hefty weight and the rather rigid construction of sole and gaiter, especially in the smaller sizes intended for young toddlers. In addition, the grip is always somewhat less than that of adjustable shoes and boots.

• Suitable for: deep winters, snowball fights, building snowmen and of course, that beloved toboggan slopes

Winter rubber boots: practical, sealed and ready for action

Compared to other winter boots for children, winter rubber boots are inexpensive and straightforward for children to slip on themselves. The boots usually have no inner lining and are made from a single piece. This makes the boots very light, yet warm and absolutely waterproof.
However, long trips to the toboggan run or extended hikes are not considered a typical rubber boot activity. After all, this type of footwear is not breathable and offers no possibility of being adjusted to the foot. However, for occasional messy weather and whenever a quick fit is required, they are ideally suited: slip in – ready to go. Ideal for outdoor pauses in kindergarten – or backyard play.
Ideal for: Sloshy weather and mild winters, these boots are always ready for when quick weather protection for the feet is needed.

What size is right for children’s winter boots?

Because every shoe manufacturer uses its own last, there is no general size for all. However, a good rule of thumb for measuring is: Measure the foot length to that of the inside length of the shoe or boot. For children’s winter boots, the inner length should be 1.5 centimetres larger than the foot length.

Summary

Winter boots for children also come in various designs and types that are made for different applications. Sporty winter boots are suitable for everyday use and all-terrain. They are ideal for walks, winter hikes and a day spent tobogganing – yet also for on the way to kindergarten or after-school play. Snow boots are “extra warm” and provide reliable warmth even in very low temperatures. Especially in wet winter conditions, an inner membrane liner ensures dryness and has the added advantage of being able to be removed for overnight drying. Rubber boots are often a favourite with children as they can be slipped on and off without a fuss. Insulated winter rubber boots are dense, usually inexpensive and ideal for muddy, slush conditions. When searching for the right shoe size, our size guide is there to help.