11 winter boots that might keep your toddler outside longer than five minutes

Parents rave about the ease of the Kamik Snowbug, and for good reason. These boots feature an extra-wide shaft and open a few inches wider on top than most of the other boots we tried, meaning you’re in for a lot less crying during the “I do it myself!” phase—because they’ll actually be able to do it themselves!

The Snowbug also works well for toddlers with wider feet who may have trouble fitting into some of the other styles. These boots have a warm, soft lining, great treads, and are an adorable way to keep tiny feet dry all winter long.

If simply jamming their feet into a pair of snow boots triggers a meltdown (theirs or yours), the best-selling Ten Little Snow Boots might be a total game-changer. Designed with a velcro opening that runs down the entire shaft, they’re not only easy to get on, they’re easy for them to get on by themselves. Genius. They also feature a wide toe box that’s ideal for developing feet, a cinch top to keep out snow, and a super waterproof exterior to keep tootsies warm and dry.

If you’re looking for a lightweight (but still very warm!) boot with options for new walkers and older toddlers, Bogs get our top spot.

For the young toddler set, we love Baby Bogs—they’re light but not flimsy, completely waterproof, and aren’t bulky, so they’re perfect for new walkers who might get tripped up by a heavier boot. (They’re technically labeled as rain boots, but we found they were great in the snow, too, since younger toddlers aren’t spending nearly as much time playing in the snow as older kiddos.)

As your little one grows, we love Bogs Kids Neo-Classics. A sturdier, warmer version of the Baby Bogs, the Classics are completely waterproof, wicking, and comfort rated from temperate to -30°F. They’re simple to pull on and off and available in lots of kid-friendly designs. They’re not cheap, but we found them well worth the price–especially since we’ve kept the same pair for three kids before handing down once again.

Prices start at $55

Don’t let the wish-these-came-in-our-size look of these beauties fool you—these boots mean business. They’re perfect for keeping tiny feet toasty warm, even in deep snow.

The leather upper and rubber outsole keep out snow and water but don’t weigh things down; despite how they look, these boots are fairly lightweight. And although they look like a lace-up style, they’re actually tightened with a bungee drawstring, so they’re simple for toddlers to get on and off by themselves once they get the hang of it. They even have a removable felt innerboot that’s machine washable.

We’re huge fans of Target’s Cat & Jack line for trendy, affordable kids’ clothing, so it’s no surprise that we love their winter boots just as much. These boots deliver on all the snow-fighting must-haves of our other picks, but at a fraction of the cost.

They’re warm, grippy, easy on/easy off, and come in lots of different styles. (We especially love the velcro style for keeping out the snow, and the look—and water resistant capabilities—of the puffer style.)

Pro-tip: Don’t forget to keep your receipt! If your kiddo decides three weeks from now that they’re “too squeezy”, you don’t have to eat the 35 bucks. All Cat & Jack products can be returned within one year with a receipt for an exchange or a refund–even if they’ve already been worn!

Not every winter day calls for bulky, sledding-sanctioned snow boots. After all, most little ones spend more time getting dressed for the elements than they spend out in them. On the days they need warmth but not a full on winter boot, opt for the sneaker/ boot hybrids from Ten Little.

Not only do they keep their tootsies super toasty, the flexible, flat sole is ideal for developing feet as well. (Though that snow boot Frankenstein walk is very cute, it’s not ideal day in and day out.) And thanks to adorable insoles that help get them on the right feet, they’re also incredibly easy for little ones to put on themselves!

For a similar use case, we also love this style from Jan & Jul. The soles are super flexible which makes them easy to wear all day long while the insulated fleece lining is rated for -10 degrees. The wide velcro opening means putting them on is struggle-free, with a pull tab on the back to make it even easier. They come in a bunch of great colors and patterns, too!

Similarly, the lightweight and water-resistant Kensington Chelsea from Native are as comfortable for slushy puddle walks as they are for all day preschool comfort. The pull on chelsea style goes with everything and just like everything else from Native, our kids find them super comfy from the first wear. They come in a ton of color combos too!

When it comes to winter gear, the North Face did not come to mess around. Their toddler snow boots are made with their Heatseeker Eco Insulation to keep little feet warm for hours on end with a rugged sole that keeps traction even when it’s icy. A single velcro strap keeps them comfortably in place, but more importantly, it makes them super easy to get on whether it’s you cramming their foot inside or they’re taking care of business themselves. Of course they’re also waterproof and durable enough to be handed down multiple times!

Columbia has been making quality outdoor gear for over 80 years, so it’s no surprise to find them on our list of best toddler boots. Clearly they know what they’re doing! We’re big fans of this popular style for the warmth factor, but the bonus is that easy-pull drawstring to keep snow from getting in. (Nothing cuts a sledding adventure short faster than snow-filled boots!) In the event they do need some drying out, just pop out the removable liners.

There’s no denying the comfort and ease of Crocs but the classic style isn’t exactly winter appropriate. Enter the Neo Puff Boot–a snow-ready style that checks all the same boxes. The base is a version of their fuzzy lined clog topped with a puffy shaft that’s wide enough to tuck in their pants. (Don’t forget to add some Jibbitz to customize the look!)

They’re not the warmest on our list, but the trade off is that they’re incredibly lightweight and our kids never whine about putting them on. Isn’t that all you can really ask for?