11 women's winter boots that are snow- and ice-ready

Beyond a warm coat, footwear that can brave the elements is a must-have for cold Canadian winters. The perfect pair of winter boots should be well-made, comfortable to walk in, water-resistant (to minimize damage from snow and slush), insulated or lined, and feature a sole with some grip for icy surfaces. Bonus if they are easy to put on and take off, and have a finish that repels salt stains, too. A tall order!

But, who better to design great winter footwear than your fellow Canadians? Here are 11 stylish pairs from homegrown brands that are sure to keep your toes toasty this season. 

Trail mix

In recent years, stylish hiking-style boots have been trending both on, and off, the runway. The low-cut, lace-up style's rising popularity is unsurprising — they're designed to be comfortable for long stretches, are more lightweight than taller styles, and can be worn almost year-round (depending on if they're lined or not). These ones all feature a cozy lining and skid-resistant lug sole, and the boots from Call It Spring are even made from recycled plastic bottles and plant-based algae foam!

Faux Fur Ankle Boot, $99.95, Le Chateau

Erasa, $89.99, Call It Spring

Carerra Anthracite, $645, Ron White

Zip code

Designed without laces and minimally-adorned, these zip-up boots are as sleek and simple as it gets. The leather and suede materials are sturdy and either water-resistant or completely waterproof, and each pair is lined in a cozy shearling material that is sure to keep you warm — in fact, they're all rated for -24°C or colder.

Rachel Combo, $360, Maguire

Caline, $230, Pajar

Vera Suede Shearling Boot, $275, Cougar

Sole mates

Lug soles are ubiquitous this season, spotted on everything from military-style footwear to fashion-forward Doc Martens to hiking shoes. On a classic pair of black, leather Chelsea boots, they add a bit of edge and offer improved performance on slippery, snowy surfaces. Consider these your new-season commute shoes. 

Want Les Essentiels Valdez Leather High Block Heel Chelsea Boot, $415, Want Apothecary

Tobermory Chelsea Boot, $218, Roots

Heavy duty

When you're spending time outdoors, or for those days when you're more focused on getting through the snowstorm than zipping across town, there's nothing better to put on than a pair of high, heavy-duty winter boots. These are the heavier, well-insulated styles to have on hand for facing mid-winter snowdrifts and below-freezing temps. 

Kalessi, $130, Aldo Shoes

Marcia Artic Grip Winter Boot, $230, Kodiak

Arnaq, $189.99, Baffin

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.