Finding the Best Snow Boots for Your Toddler On the Market

Best Overall: Sorel Snow Commander Snow Boot Review

Great Versatility: GUBARUN Waterproof Slip Resistant Cold Weather Snow Boots Review

Insulation Rated to -25F: DREAM PAIRS Winter Snow Boots Review

Easy to Put: Kamik Snobuster1 Insulated Snow Boot Review

Top for Girls: Apakowa Insulated Fur Winter Warm Snow Boots Review

For Harsh Winter: Kamik Waterbug5 Snow Boot Review

Great Brand: LONDON FOG Girls Toddler Tottenham Snow Boot Review

Great for Boys: Northside Toddler Insulated Winter Snow Boot Review

Good Price: EQUICK Waterproof Lightweight Snow Boots with FurReview

Features for Additional Comfort: Columbia Unisex-Child Snow Boot Review

You must be wondering why are toddlers’ snow shoes called snow boots and not just winter wellingtons, right? That’s because snow footwear performs a bit more advanced function than your, let’s say, toddler girl winter boots! And also your toddler boy winter boots won’t be able to protect against the sheets of snow that cover your neighborhood during harsh winters. For that, you need shoes with sealed seams and protective shields. Snow wellingtons are a pair of water-resistant boots with rubber soles and high sides to keep the snow out and your feet cozy. Since they’re waterproof you can use them on wet, muddy ground or even streams. Those toddler snow boots will be of great service if your kid will tread on snow or splash around in puddles. Maybe you already have one or multiple pairs of warm winter boots for toddlers so you are thinking what is the point of buying snow footwear? They are both just warm shoes for toddlers –what’s the difference? Well, there are a few pretty significant differences. Both will keep your feet warm but snow boots provide ankle support, extra lacing, and padding, superior grip, and traction on snow. Plus they’re warmer. Even the outsoles of snow boots for 1 year old are lined with grooved treads that endows it with greater stability and less slippage. So when the hard snow melts and turns mushy and wet, your child is still safe. But on the other hand snow footwear is heavy and unsuitable for daily wear. Your toddler’s winter boots are better for a casual walk or a shopping trip. Fashion-wise, they’re also better. However, when it’s freezing outside the safety of your precious darling should take priority over fashion. Winter gumboots are not made for playing in the snow because they’re not waterproof. So you must get your child the best toddler snow boots for when they want to build a snowman or make a snow angel. Now that you know toddler’ snow shoes are essential for outside playtime in winter you have to pick one for your kiddo. And with the variety of available choices, it can be quite challenging. But fear not with the help of some toddler snow boots reviews we bring you a collection of several things you need to keep in mind while picking a snow boot.

Main elements of snow boots explained

Uppers

The uppers part of snow gumboots can be made of quilted or padded nylon, leather, textile, suede, etc. Note that leather wellingtons are generally a little expensive. And if you go for leather boots don’t forget to treat them with beeswax to preserve elasticity and shine. Uppers protect your child’s feet from the snow and manufacturers double down on the protection against moisture by adding sealed seams. The inner is lined with soft synthetic far or fleece. Also, a cozy fit cuff at the top portion of the boot offers extra warmth.

Midsoles and insoles

Padded insoles and midsoles provide better shock absorption and extra cushioning. They’re made of lightweight compression foam called EVA or Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate copolymer. Note that expensive gumboots have more supportive midsoles. Toddler cold weather boots with a molded footbed, better for foot arch support. You will find wellingtons with footbed covered with fabric or faux sheepskin. Great thing is that these boots are suitable for everyday use.

Inner linings

Even the models of cheap toddler snow boots are insulated with materials like PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, fleece, Polartec, or synthetic fur. Among these, synthetic fur is the most common insulator because it is breathable and reduces chafing against the skin. Furthermore, any trace of moisture will quickly evaporate from synthetic fur. Hence you can be assured that your child doesn’t have to walk around with damp feet. High levels of insulation (200-400 grams) are appropriate for your toddler’s first ski trip. Some gumboots have one layer of thick fleece while others come with many layers of insulation. Generally, the best winter boots for toddlers are lined with an extra faux fur layer to make it more comfortable. The anti-microbial inner lining prevents the accumulation of bacteria and removable linings are washable.

Outsoles

The best snow boots for toddlers have flexible soles with deep treads that help maintain a solid grip on uneven, icy surfaces. Outsoles are generally made of flexible rubber. A great fit and allow for circulation of warmth. Plus they’re waterproof, thus great for snowy and wet surfaces. Rubber soles are also resistant to skidding and abrasion, so your little one won’t slip on the snow. And to top it all off they’re long-lasting, so the only reason you would have to buy new boots is when your kid outgrows them.

Outers

The waterproof outer sides of the boots can be made of suede, full-grain or brushed leather, or even nubuck. Sometimes PU leather is also used.

Other things to consider

Lower and upper limits of temperature

Temperature range is one of the first things you should consider before buying winter boots for 1-year-old. A temperature rating will tell you the minimum temperature at which your kiddo should be wearing that particular boot. Winter gumboots come in five main temperature ratings:

• 0°C to -20°C
• -20°C to -40°C
• 5°C to -10°C
• -10°C to -25°C
• -25°C and beyond.

0°C to -20°C rating means -20 degrees is the minimum temperature that a gumboot can withstand.

Waterproofing and weatherproofing features

The seams of the gumboot are sealed to make them waterproof and weatherproof. Some wellingtons are made water repellent by adding DWR or TPU lining.

Useful design elements

You will find many commercially available toddler snow boots in different shapes and sizes. Mid Rise or lower gumboot varieties reach the ankle while the high-rise gumboots come up to the calf. Make sure the upper part of the shoe covers the hem of the kids’ pants, to provide optimum protection against the cold. If you can find wellingtons with cuffs, fleece collars, or drawstrings at the top, go for them as they do a better job of keeping the moisture, snow, and cold out. Since your toddler just learned how to walk, you can buy them gumboots with a strap that tightens around the shin allows space and freedom around the ankle joint. So your kiddo can walk properly instead of walking around unnaturally and flat-footed. Encouraging proper walking will also help develop strong muscles. Moreover, they will not feel pain after just a few minutes of running and walking around outside in the snow. Most snow gumboots come with lace or Velcro fastenings. Laced boots are more supportive but Velcro ones are easier for children to wear. The perfect option are laced gumboots that are easy to fasten. Another popular design element is that some wellingtons come with toe bumpers that protect their toes from obstacles hidden in the show. And remember, there is no limit to colors or designs in the market. So you don’t need to worry about not finding a cute little Instagram-worthy pair that will make your friends jealous. You will easily find beautiful toddler girl snow boots or toddler boy snow boots that will make your young one squeal with joy.

How can you choose snow boots that will fit your kid to the T?

It is not enough to know the materials and features of a snow boot, you need to make sure the pair fits your toddler’s tiny feet.

Should you be concerned about choosing the right size?

All toddler snow boot reviews will agree about choosing the correct size for your little one can be a tiring process. Boots are typically slipped on for ease of wear with uppers and soles made of flexible and hardened rubber. Apart from that, they could have leather, textile, or neoprene collars. Great at protecting your child’s feet from cold, moisture, and debris. Slip-on snow gumboots are slightly larger than regular toddler winter boots of the same size. Your kids can easily put it on or take it off due to its bigger size. To pick the right for your toddler you need to measure the length of their ankle to their longest toe. Ask your child to stand with their heel against the wall, place a marker such as a book by the longest toe, then measure the distance between the book and the wall. Some parents tend to buy one size larger to accommodate thick socks but that is not recommended.

Is boot size the same as shoe size?

The answer depends on what kind of toddler shoes you have in mind. Snow gumboots are generally bigger to accommodate socks, linings, and insulation. So don’t get a bigger size because an ill-fitted shoe can cause blisters on your precious child’s feet. They might fall and hurt themselves because of toddler snow shoes that are too big on their feet.

Tips you can follow to get the correct fit

• Heel: After slipping the shoe on ask your child to push their foot forward. Doing so would leave enough space to fit one finger comfortably at the back. If it doesn’t fit, we suggest that you go for a bigger size.

What if you can fit more than one finger in the boot? Then you have to get a smaller one. Their feet should also stay in the same place because if there is too much movement it can cause blisters at the back of their ankles.

• Toes: Once the shoe is tied your child should be able to freely wiggle their toes. Their toes must have room to move. If it’s too tight then consider buying wider fitting warm boots for toddlers.
• Kick Test: Once they put on the shoe and lace-up ask them to gently kick the wall. If their toes rub with the end part of the gumboot it is likely it would happen during walking. Buy a different pair in that case.

How can I quickly dry my child’s boots?

A good snow gumboot will protect your child’s feet from moisture. However, the boots themselves are bound to get wet. Dry them off quickly so your toddler can wear their gumboots as soon as possible. To dry the footwear you can use a:

• Boot dryer. They are made specifically to dry gumboots. They speed up the drying process of shoes.
• Hairdryer, but be careful while using one. Sticking a hairdryer and leaving it in the gumboot may damage the device. Fully open the snow boot and gently blow in it but keep the mouth and barrel of the gun-shaped hairdryer out of it.
• If a lot of water gets into the boot, then you can stuff them with absorbent newspapers, dish towels or paper towels. Leave them overnight to absorb much of the water.

Don’t put boots on your toddler’s feet unless they’re completely dry, or your child might get sick, get frostbite or hypothermia. Hence, always ensure that the boots are devoid of any moisture before the tiny tots put them on their feet.

Can my toddler wear rain boots in the snow?

We don’t recommend it. Snow boots are not only waterproof they provide better grip on icy surfaces so your child can stay safe. If snowy winters are common for your region then your child should have a pair of snow boots. They should also have a pair of some of the best winter shoes for toddlers for everyday use as snow boots can be quite heavy.

How long can I let my toddler play outdoors in the snow?

Your toddler, properly dressed, can play for about 20 to 30 minutes before taking a much-needed break to warm-up. You decide whether it’s safe to play outside by wind chill. Wind chill is defined only for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph. If the wind chill temperature is 32° and above, it’s completely safe for your toddler to play outside. When the temperature is between 13° to 31°, they should take a break every 20-30 minutes. When the wind chill temperature is 13° and below, your child might get frostbite. In such conditions, you should not let them play outside and keep them engaged indoors. After thoroughly reading through the article you must know that your little girl’s toddler winter boots or your little boy’s toddler winter boots are not enough. They need a sturdy pair of snow boots to play in the snow. This article should have given you a pretty good idea about what to expect and what to look for while buying a boot. But in case you need a quick recap to keep in mind that your toddler’s boot should be:

• Weatherproof, waterproof, and warm.
• Equipped with cuffs and collars so water or snow can’t seep in through the mouth of the boot.
• Be a good fit and flexible. And you should check the fit after putting a thick sock on.
• Have deep treads to provide great traction for walking on snow.
• Easy to wear. Putting on and taking off boots should not be a hassle.

Since you’re buying the boot for a toddler especially keep the last point in mind. Your little bundle of energy will not stay in one place for too long. But what will you do if your toddler refuses to wear boots altogether? Well, get them a pair of rain boots. They are lighter and easier to get used to. And once they learn how much fun it is to jump in puddles they won’t be able to resist the call of snow. We hope these tips will come in handy when you go buy the best toddler snow boots 2020. We would love to know about your shopping experience in the comments!