The Best Down Booties of 2024-2025 | GearJunkie Tested

Nov 03, 2024

If you live somewhere cold, insulating your feet in the winter is essential. Sure, you could drop a few bucks on a pair of house slippers, but if you’re looking for truly reliable warmth in a light and portable package, down booties are the way to go.

Whether you’re taking your first ski hut trip, ski mountaineering, road-tripping to the slopes, need an indoor office shoe, or your house has wood floors, the best down booties are top-notch for protecting your feet when it matters most.

We cover products filled with natural down, such as duck and goose feathers, as well as options made with various forms of synthetic insulation. Both styles of insulation have their perks and varying price points. Some booties, like The North Face Thermoball Traction Booties, have synthetic fill, a more robust structure, and tread. Others are lighter weight and more packable but still very warm, like the Baffin CUSH Booty, which also has synthetic insulation.

We tested a bunch of booties to narrow down the best options. Since this article was first published in 2021, it’s been updated six times. To learn more about the details, scroll through our Buyer’s Guide tips or jump to the Price & Value summary. You can also consult the Comparison Chart to help steer your decision process. Otherwise, check out our recommendations listed below.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Down Booties buyer’s guide on October 16, 2024, with the Danner Jag Loft, LL Bean Women’s Mountain Classic Quilted Booties, Oboz All Gender Whakatā Puffy Mid, Rossignol Women’s Chalet Shoes. We also retested the overhauled Sierra Designs Down Booties and added information to our buyer’s guide that may be helpful when making a purchase decision.

If you’re looking for down booties with a little more structure and tread, look no further than The North Face Thermoball Traction Booties ($69). These street-style down booties are perfect for walking outside in a couple of inches of snow or bussing up to the ski resort on a chilly morning. There are women’s specific models, too. For all of those reasons and the design’s sustainability focus, these booties are the peak of our list.

Topped off with the brand’s ThermoBall Eco insulation — a 100% recycled down alternative — these booties are great for someone looking to get a lot of mileage without sacrificing warmth. The synthetic fill keeps your feet toasty, even after exposure to snow or water. Plus, the style is quick and easy to slip on.

The recycled rubber sole means less insulation for the soles of your feet, and with the tread, they aren’t ideal for wearing in a sleeping bag. The Thermoball Traction Booties are built for outdoor use, however, they’re super comfortable indoors too.

These booties only run in whole sizes, so we recommend sizing down if you’re in between. If you’re looking for a pair that’s more packable for backpacking or ski hut trips, check out the above-ankle Baffin CUSH Booty or ankle-height Rab Down Hut Slipper.

One top-notch midweight and ultra-cozy option is the Baffin CUSH Booty ($60). Perfect for hanging around the house or relaxing on those long chilly plane rides, these booties will keep your feet extra warm.

What do we love? The PolyWool footbed allows for breathable warmth so your feet don’t get swampy. Even after wearing these for a few hours indoors, our feet were still dry after taking them off. They are also treated with Baffin’s B-Tek Dry technology, making them water-resistant. The newly added HexFlex, a reinforced hexagonal nylon upper, also provides increased durability and longevity, making these down booties great for year-round use.

In terms of fit, they run true to size — simply refer to Baffin’s size chart. Due to the fluff of these booties, they look rather large on your feet and run slightly wide. However, once they are on, they don’t feel bulky or cumbersome.

The CUSH Booty is ideal for that person looking to maintain warmth in their feet without going to the upper price tier. They are great for getting chores done around the house or sitting by the campfire.

Sometimes, you just need a pair of warm shoes that are easy to throw on for a quick jaunt to the grocery store or around camp. After testing out the L.L. Bean Women’s Mountain Classic Quilted Booties ($70) all winter, we can safely say these became a staple in our closets for their comfort, price, and retro aesthetic. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, these booties utilize synthetic insulation called Coldshield, L.L. Bean’s in-house recycled-down alternative. We found this worked well in keeping our feet plenty warm on snowy walks in the desert to chilly dog walks around town.

Furthermore, the VertiGrip Rubber sole provided ample traction on dirt, concrete, and somewhat icy surfaces. Plus, it is made of 25% recycled material which gives these shoes some environmental bonus points. After wearing these over the course of four months in the chilly Colorado Rockies, we found that the True Comfort footbed molded to our feet, creating the perfect fit and a moisture-wicking space that didn’t sacrifice warmth.

And, while they aren’t completely waterproof, the Mountain Classic are still excellently insulating and affordable down booties that are easy to pull on and style for winter. We do wish that the ankles were cinchable to help prevent snow from falling in, but even after walking outside for a few hours, our feet stayed surprisingly warm and dry.

We recommend the Mountain Classic Quilted Booties to folks shopping on a budget and needing plenty of grip for outdoor and urban use. Plus, they can be thrown on in less than a second after you yank those stiff ski boots off.

Read Review: Retro Looks Meet All-Day Comfort: L.L.Bean Women’s Mountain Classic Quilted Booties Review

The warm slipper-style Rab Down Hut Slipper ($65) is super packable thanks in part to their recycled down filling along with the streamlined, malleable tread along the bottom.

In addition to recycled RDS-certified down, these down slippers also have a cushioned EVA foam footbed and a nonslip sole. They’re super lightweight, and they provide really good warmth — all for under 70 bucks.

If you need a lower-cuffed bootie, or you’re heading out on a ski hut trip or backpacking trip, don’t miss out on the Down Hut Slipper.

We were most blown away by the Line Bootie 1.0 ($90) when we saw a lift operator wearing them while working in the line. Smiling, perfectly at ease, and standing on her feet atop snow all day at 10,000 feet above sea level with these extremely stylish booties. This après bootie is also a worker’s bootie. While this is a robust tread for outdoor use, check out the Teva ReEMBER if you want a pair with support, tread, and grip that’s more suitable for indoor wood floors.

The layer of Intuition foam — which is a blended closed-cell design — in the footbed must be celebrated for its all-day comfort, custom-molded contours, and warmth. Inside, the layer of synthetic fur is soft and cozy. A 5-inch cuff protects the ankles and helps to retain body heat. The polyurethane upper is coated to keep out moisture.

Rather than lugs, the fairly level Michelin rubber outsole has hundreds of tiny nubs to help grip the snow. It’s not comfortable for couch cuddles, but it’ll keep you standing upright on the slick stuff. We love that there’s a heel loop and tongue loop, so you can easily slide in your fingers to pull on the booties over thick socks.

Hands down, the Line 1.0 is one of our favorite booties, especially for outdoor use. A second version is also available: The Line 2.0 ($120) has an even taller cuff.

Read Review: LINE Aprés Bootie 1.0 2023 Review: A Perfect Boot for To and Fro the Slopes

Known for their highly engineered skiing and snowboarding equipment, Rossignol also makes a solid pair of down booties — the Rossignol Chalet Shoes ($99) — in both women’s and men’s styles. These shoes have a highly tractioned, platform-style midsole that is great for outdoor use and keeping your feet elevated from most elements.

The Chalet Shoes are versatile and can be easily converted from a shoe for outdoor use to a slide-on slipper for casual wear around the house, making them ideal for an après evening spent around the fire. Furthermore, the inside linings are made with synthetic fur that adds to their overall coziness.

You likely noticed that the midsole sits quite high at an inch and a half which our 5’3” tester appreciated for its extra height. Additionally, the Sensor3 insoles molded well to our feet and provided plenty of support for longer walks around our local ski town. This insole can actually be removed and interchanged if needed, but because of this, each time we removed the shoes, the insoles would also come out, which was a bit frustrating.

Thanks to a PFC-free DWR coating, these shoes are mostly water-resistant. However, we did find that after standing in the snow for a few minutes, moisture did enter the toebox area. Because of this, we recommend these booties for indoor wear or outdoor use when it’s cold and/or relatively dry.

With a variety of colorways and ways to style, the Chalet Shoes are unique, synthetic down booties best worn for post-winter adventure hangouts or running quick errands around town. We really appreciated the elevated midsole and versatile conversion from shoe to slipper. If you live in a mild winter climate or just want something easy to throw on after hitting the groomers, be sure to check these out.

Read Review: Walking on Clouds: Rossignol Women’s Chalet Shoes Review

Ever noticed your feet getting cold when camping? Even with wool socks, liner socks, or multiple pairs on, the air temperatures sometimes win. Enter down socks, the solution to your eternal cold feet woes. Down socks are light, fluffy foot layers stuffed with insulation and designed to keep your toes and feet warm no matter the temps outside. The best ones we’ve tested are the GooseFeet Gear Down Socks ($69-97).

Even better, you can fully customize these puppies. If you’re only venturing down to 20-30 degrees F, we’d recommend going with the standard 850-fill. But if you’re going to be in more extreme temps — below 20 or even dipping below zero — you can add 25%, 50%, 75%, or even 100% more overfill to keep your feet and toes extra toasty.

You can also easily customize the shell fabric and liner fabric deniers (fabric thickness) and colors — the Down Socks even have the most color options we’ve seen, so there’s plenty of room for customized style.

Make sure to add on a pair of their Waterproof Over Booties ($49) for extra protection if you’re planning to wear them around camp or in the elements.

If you’re seeking a quintessential down booty that is budget-friendly with plenty of fluffy loftiness, be sure to give the affordable Sierra Designs Down Booties ($80) a try. These booties come to mid-calf and are ideal for use in a cozy cabin after a long day of snowshoeing or skiing. These unisex Down Booties were recently updated to be more size-inclusive and come in sizes ranging from XS to XL. We recommend using the sizing chart to find your correct size before ordering them. We found the fit to be mostly true to size and comfortable for folks with wider feet.

These booties are toasty warm thanks to their 550 DriDown fill, which has moisture-wicking properties. Often, it is easy for your feet to get sweaty from wearing down booties for several hours, but the breathability of these prevents that. Furthermore, if you’re wearing these in the snow, the down insulation stays warm and is quick-drying.

For even more insulation, the cuffs are easily cinched down thanks to the adjustable toggles on each booty. We love that this keeps any potential moisture out and plenty of warmth in. However, we wouldn’t recommend these booties for full-on outdoor use due to the slippery sole. They are plenty grippy for indoor use around a hut or while doing chores in the house, but not the best for icy spots. One of our testers very gracefully (not) slipped while walking between cabins on a chilly day in Colorado while wearing these, so you may want to opt for something else if you need the extra traction.

If you need a pair of down booties that can be easily tossed into a backpack for a weekend hut trip or for that much-needed hot springs staycation, the lightweight, lofty, and cushy Down Booties are worth a try.

Read Review: Cold Feet No More: Sierra Designs Down Booties Review

For outdoorsy folks needing a down booty with plenty of tread and durability, consider the Danner Jag Loft ($75) for its waffle-style sole and suede trim. Available in both men’s and women’s styles, the Jag Lofts are more of a shoe than a bootie but still boast just as much warmth and coziness as you would want for the winter.

Insulated with 200 g of PrimaLoft Insulation, a down alternative made with tightly woven polyester fibers, the Danner Jag Lofts are suitably warm for use around camp on those chillier nights and for frigid walks to the local coffee house. This insulation is designed to withstand constant changes in shape and compression, meaning it can retain warmth throughout wear.

That super grippy sole on the Loft booties is designed with Danner’s waffle-style technology with FrostTrekker — a super sticky rubber compound that acts almost like an approach or hiking shoe — without having the extra laces or straps. And while we wouldn’t necessarily hike miles and miles in these shoes due to some heel slippage during testing, they are great for recreational strolls and shorter jaunts in the wilderness.

Where these booties fell short was with their fit. While it is great that they are available in half sizes — a rare find in the down booty market — these shoes are not well-suited for users with high arches, like our lead tester. She found that because of her foot shape, these shoes pinched the top of her foot, and her heel constantly slipped out of them despite being the right size. So, if you’ve got a flatter foot these should fit you fine, but you may want to pass if not.

The Danner Jag Lofts are durable down booties ideal for heavy outdoor use on dirt, ice and more. They are available in an array of sizes and colorways while offering a unique style compared to the typical booties you often find in the market.

At less than $100 bucks, the Jag Lofts are affordable but should last you many seasons of wear. Just keep in mind that they are not waterproof and will do best in mild winter climates that see less moisture. The Jag looks really similar to the Teva ReEMBER, but the Jag is loaded with PrimaLoft Insulation while the Teva is stacked with recycled materials, a DWR topical treatment, as well as an anti-odor treatment.

The Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Sock ($75) is an above-the-ankle slip-on bootie that will surely retain its warmth when you step outside onto the deck to look at the stars or pull them on in the ski area parking lot, thanks to that synthetic fill.

Surprisingly, there aren’t that many down bootie options on the market, which is why we decided to include several down alternatives. This is a proper bootie, built for cold-weather travel and camping.

And while it’s not insulated with down, a few people on our staff gave this warm bootie a standing ovation — it delivers warmth, a cozy but not-too-snug fit, and durability on the soles.

It was also our top choice for durability. If you want a bootie with a sole that can handle some wear, the Tundra Aerogel Sock should make your list.

Perfect for warming up at camp or tossing on while doing some chores, the Montane Icarus Hut Boot Style Slippers ($90) are some of the coziest booties in the bunch. With their non-slip sole and ThermoPlume insulation, these unisex booties were made to be worn at the hut on any deep winter expedition.

At just 200 g, these slippers are lightweight enough to throw in your backpack without worrying they’ll take up too much space or weigh you down. Furthermore, they are made of 100% recycled materials, so you can feel good knowing these booties were designed with our planet in mind.

With a thin, flexible sole, the Icarus has a barefoot feel, which makes it more suitable for indoor use, especially on the chilly hardwood floors of a cabin. However, we wouldn’t want to wear these extensively outside due to the lack of arch support.

If you are looking for down booties to rock in the home office, the Icarus Hut Boot Style Slippers are a suitable choice. While these have synthetic fill, another lower-calf reaching pair with down fill and a softer tread is the Sierra Designs Down Booties.

Cushy, fluffy, and toasty warm, the Big Agnes Full Moon Camp Booties ($70) kept our feet comfortable both indoors and out. With a drawstring for an adjustable fit and a padded footbed for extra insulation from the cold ground, these booties are perfect for camping or chilling in your apartment.

These are Big Agnes’ first edition of a down bootie, and we think the brand crushed it. These booties felt like little sleeping bags on our feet and were easily packed into a backpack alongside a tent, sleeping bag, and other camping necessities. Big Agnes’ FireLine Eco recycled synthetic insulation kept our tester’s feet comfortably warm while sitting on a patio in 30-degree temps.

We also appreciate that the design of these booties is considerate of accessibility. With both the adjustable drawstring and heel pull-tab, the Full Moons can be put on with one hand.

While we wouldn’t want to wear these in the rain or snow, the Full Moon Camp Booties are a great option for those looking to bring down booties on a backpacking or car camping adventure in any season.

Not only are they comfortable and versatile, but the Teva ReEMBER ($80) quilted slip-ons are among our favorite picks for year-round use. There is a lot to love about these slippers, but our favorite aspect is the collapsible heel that converts them into slide-on shoes.

Designed with vegan quilted upper insulation, the Teva ReEMBER will keep your feet warm while doing chores around the house or hanging out by the bonfire at camp. Their treaded soles are sturdy, allowing for extended outdoor use and mileage. While we wouldn’t want to hike in the snow with these on, they are perfect for that morning stroll to the local coffee house. On the other hand, the Line Bootie 1.0 has much more aggressive tread and a taller collar, making it a great fit for walking atop snow.

In terms of sustainability, Teva really hit the mark on these. Made with a 100% recycled upper, collar, and liner, plus a 50% recycled polyester heel. Teva also adds a regrind midsole and outsole, which are a blend of recycled and new materials. The webbing is also made from recycled plastic. And we really dig that they topped off the bundle with an anti-odor treatment — plus, it’s peppermint-based.

Because they are lightweight enough to throw into a bag or suitcase, the versatile ReEMBER would make for an ideal travel companion. With a wide array of styles and colors, they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion too. If you’re in between sizes on these, we recommend going the next size up for a slightly roomier fit that can be worn with or without socks.

Hailing from Montana, the Oboz All Gender Whakatā Puffy Mid ($110) is perfect for the après at the hut after a long day of ski-touring or for catching up on a novel fireside. Your post-ski-boot toes will seriously thank you after popping these well-insulated and easy-to-wear puppies on.

Whakatā, which is pronounced fah-cah-TAAH, quite literally means “to catch breath, rest, have a break” in the indigenous Māori language from New Zealand. These booties certainly live up to their etymology as they are easy to slip on and are plenty comfortable for hanging around the house or cruising across town. While at first glance, they don’t seem to boast a ton of warmth, we found that the Whakatā Puffy Mid kept our feet insulated despite their lightweight design.

Even while walking in 6+ inches of snow on a frigid Colorado morning, the elastic cuff performed well by sealing our ankles away from any encroaching snow and moisture. We also found that the DWR-treated upper quilt material did well in repelling water

Where the Whakatā Puffy Mid truly impressed us was with its sustainable aspects. Oboz is a certified B Corp, which means they meet strict environmental standards to reduce waste, standardize social accountability and create ethical work environments. They also plant a tree for every pair of shoes sold (which is over 6 million) and utilize recycled materials in product design and development. The Whakatā specifically uses a 100% recycled knit elastic band and a 50% recycled polyester upper textile material.

After months of testing these booties all winter long, we found that the supportive footbeds were ideal for folks with wide toe boxes and higher arches. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly, mid-priced down booty, definitely give the Whakatā Puffy Mid a shot.

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Down, Fill, Weight.

The GearJunkie squad uses down and synthetic-fill booties and socks on outdoor adventures year-round. We use them camping and backpacking, on ski hut trips, ski resort commutes, and for everyday use in our chilly — sometimes freezing — mountain-based offices and homes.

Leading the testing squad for down booties is GearJunkie contributor Meghan LaHatte. On average, LaHatte wore each pair of down booties for at least 20 hours, including 1.5-mile daily outdoor walks to examine the tread. During testing, temperatures ranged from 15 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. While she mostly walked on pavement, she also tested the more rugged designs on snow, ice, and the occasional patch of mud to check their waterproofness. For example, in the L.L. Bean Women’s Mountain Classic Quilted Booties, LaHatte walked nearly two miles in powdery snow. She found herself in a mixed bag of snow, wind, rain, and sleet — you name it!

Other testers include Senior Editor Morgan Tilton and contributor Mary Murphy.

Having lived in one of the coldest regions of Colorado for the past 5 years, LaHatte is no stranger to cold feet. After suffering from a chronic foot injury due to a nasty case of frostnip, she understands the importance of keeping her feet well-insulated both indoors and out. LaHatte tested these down booties on frigid dog walks, working in her home office, camping in the desert, and transitioning into her ski boots before and after deep powder days.

Our team tested down and down-alternative booties and socks from the early fall to late winter in temps from -10 to 40 degrees. We also used them for fall and winter camping, après skiing, around the house, and more.

Throughout our field tests and personal experience, we determined the best down booties and down socks based on a variety of metrics including insulation, value, warmth, durability, comfort, overall fit, cuff height, cuff closure, adjustability, traction, tread and outsole, midsole support, anti-odor treatment, heel tab, style, and quality.

Beyond our tests, we also considered the most popular, award-worthy, innovative, sustainable, and legacy designs. These down booties serve a range of feet, applications, and budgets.

There are only a few slight differences between down booties and down socks. Down booties are a type of shoe, with an insulated body, insulated sole, and some sort of closure at the top to seal in warmth. They can be ankle-height to mid-calf-height in order to insulate your whole foot.

Down socks are also fully insulated but may or may not have a sole and usually don’t have snaps, closures, or other features. They’re purely for providing warmth. Down socks also tend to be made of lighter, lower-denier fabrics, as they’re used more inside sleeping bags rather than walking around a house or cabin.

Down booties are the most common way of insulating your feet in winter and are usually more versatile and durable, though we did include a few down socks on this list as well. If you plan on wearing your down booties outside and adding some mileage to them, we suggest buying a pair with a thicker sole and grippy tread for traction.

When you’re shopping for down footwear, think about where you’ll be wearing the booties and how much durability you might want. Do you want an insulating slipper with a sturdy sole? Or do you want something with fewer shoe features, maybe to wear inside your sleeping bag?

Do you want a taller-height bootie or more of a slipper style? This last one is preference. Down booties can be worn with or without socks, but we suggest a thinner and breathable sock if you choose to go that route. The booties themselves are typically warm enough that there is no need to pull on a thick or 100% wool sock.

Our comprehensive guide includes a wide variety of down bootie styles, ranging from various types of soles, insulation, fits, and materials. With so many different types of booties on the market, it can be hard to differentiate between what styles are meant to be worn inside, out, in a sleeping bag, as socks, etc. It really all boils down to what kind of materials the down booties are made of and their intended use.

We’ve outlined the various materials and their purposes below to help guide your search for the perfect bootie type.

The exterior fabric of down booties is an important component to consider when shopping for a pair. The exterior fabric is what protects the overall shoe from various elements and can help improve the insulation abilities of the interior as well.

Most down booties are constructed with a nylon exterior. Nylon is a synthetic material made to be tear and water-resistant. It is typically lightweight and breathable, depending on the stitching. Nylon is used because it is versatile and can help the down booties maintain their best insulation abilities, thus keeping your feet toasty warm. The Baffin CUSH Booty utilizes reinforced nylon, making it both durable and water resistant.

You will also see down booties designed with a quilted upper, like the Teva ReEMBER and Oboz All Gender Whakatā Puffy Mid. Quilted exteriors keep the insulation from shifting around too much, thus allowing the insulation to retain heat even better than before. Think about how warm your childhood quilt was as a kid — basically the same science!

Most fabric exteriors of down booties have hydrophobic properties making them waterproof or water-resistant. If you want to garner more knowledge about those applications, keep scrolling.

If you’ve scrolled through our list of down bootie options, you likely noticed that some of these products have outsole tread while others have little to none. Tread sets the bar on how much mileage you can get out of a pair of down booties.

Booties with softer soles that lack tread should be worn indoors, like in a cabin or hut. You can treat these shoes like your standard house slippers. Yes, you could probably run out in the driveway to fetch the paper in them, but you wouldn’t want to hit the trails since they lack the arch support or durability to support your feet on varying terrain. Our choice for the best tread-less option? The Montane Icarus Hut Boot Style Slippers perform super well for indoor use.

Some down booties are built for exploring, like the North Face Thermoball Traction Booties and Danner Jag Loft. These puppies have a thick rubber sole with added texture so you can keep your feet warm while stepping over snow, rocks, and in and out of your ski boots. While the extra amount of tread is ideal for outdoor use, they aren’t great for sticking in your sleeping bag or kicking back in your apartment due to the bulkiness.

Overall, when thinking about tread, it is important to consider how and where you’ll be rocking your down booties. Are you someone looking for a house slipper? Or are you going to hit the town in them for some après fun?

Similar to down jackets, the level of warmth of a down bootie largely depends on its insulation. A down bootie with 800-fill is going to be much warmer than a down bootie with 600-fill. The most common type of fill we see used in down booties is either goose down or a synthetic alternative.

Made from goose or duck feathers, natural down insulates by the loft of the feathers creating pockets of hot air. It is highly effective in keeping the user’s feet warm and insulated while still being lightweight and packable.

However, natural down tends to be more pricey and may not be as ethically sourced as one would like. We can assure you that all the down booties listed in this guide come from companies aiming to end abuse in the down supply chain.

Down also tends to lose its insulation abilities when wet and takes longer to dry. Because it is made with feathers, it can also be a bit harder to wash due to exposure to water, which causes it to lose some loftiness. Be sure to check your down booties’ care tag before washing them to ensure their longevity.

Made with a natural goose down, the Rab Down Hut Slipper was one of our favorites in this category. Because of the natural down, they are more packable and tend to have a better warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic options.

Tending to be more accessible in price and availability, synthetic-stuffed booties are also a great option for someone wanting to keep their toes warm without breaking the bank or worrying about animal byproducts. Often, the word “down” is associated with an insulation material, but don’t let that confuse you.

Typically made with polyester or nylon materials, synthetic booties can provide just enough insulation and durability so you can stay comfortable out in the cold. They also tend to be lightweight, making them easily packable for any excursion.

When synthetic insulation is exposed to moisture, the warmth factor still performs well and dries faster than natural down. However, synthetic fill is inherently less warm than natural down, so it is important to keep that in mind when choosing your down booties and where you’ll wear them.

Our favorite synthetic-fill options include the Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Sock. Made with 100% polyester Primaloft, they kept our feet just as warm as some of the other natural down bootie options, and because they are made with synthetic insulation, they are reasonably priced for their durability.

The type and thickness of the bootie lining, as well as the material and height of the bootie, will also factor into its warmth and insulation abilities.

The warmth of a down bootie is influenced by the type, quality, and quantity of the fill. Other variables play a role, including the height, depth of the outsole, water resistance, liner, and exterior material.

The fill type (down or synthetic) and its amount are typically the most influential factors on a pair of down booties’ warming abilities. Natural down fill is typically more warming than a synthetic alternative, but it can lose its loftiness when wet. A synthetic fill will be less warming but does better if exposed to moisture. However, with major innovations in synthetic insulation, alternative down fills are becoming better.

Another aspect of warmth in a down bootie we want to highlight is its cuff height and sole thickness. We found that the down booties with higher cuffs with added closures were much better at keeping our feet warm than those without. However, if closed too tight or with too much of a slim fit, circulation can be cut off, leading to a loss in insulation. Furthermore, down booties with higher, thicker soles helped keep our toes warmer since they were more elevated above and well insulated from the floor. For example, the Rossignol Women’s Chalet Shoes’ thick rubber soles helped keep our feet plenty protected from the snow-covered ground.

Typically, brands assign their products a warmth level or temperature rating, especially for winter wear. Some of these booties have been given these ratings, whereas others we determined ourselves.

To help you navigate the complexities of warming abilities in down booties, we’ve categorically sorted them into three levels of warmth in order of least warming to greatest warming.

Level I. These down booties are best suited for mild winter climates where you don’t see significantly low temperatures. These are best for daily wear and can be worn seasonally, weather permitting.

Level II. These down booties are suitable for winter use in colder climates with consistently low temperatures, but not totally extreme. These can be worn while winter camping alongside a fire or in a backcountry hut.

Level III. Down booties with significant insulation amounts and durability and are designed for enduring more extreme, sub-freezing temperatures. These are best used in the dead of winter or while in a sleeping bag on a chilly camping night.

And while there is a standardized temperature rating scale for products like sleeping bags and down jackets, there has yet to be one created for down footwear. However, Goosefeet Gear has undergone testing to find these numbers out, and their down socks are rated from 15 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the insulation amount the buyer chooses.

It’s important to remember that warmth is also subjective and unique to each individual, depending on their circulation, the weather, their health, and the given environment. But these lists can help point you in the right direction.

If you’re planning on wearing your down booties in snow, rain, or sleet, you’ll definitely want to consider purchasing a pair that’s waterproof or water-resistant. Many of the options listed in this guide have varying degrees of water protection, some more than others.

Waterproof booties are made with materials and coatings that prevent any water or moisture from penetrating the fabric’s surface. Think materials like GORE-TEX or eVent that are treated with coatings that are hydrophobic and cause water to bead right off. While we don’t have any waterproof down booties specifically listed in this guide, we would recommend the GooseFeet Gear Down Socks combined with their Waterproof Over Booties if you’ll be in more wet environments while camping.

On the other hand, many down bootie options listed in this guide are water resistant, meaning they can repel water or snow off their surfaces to a certain degree. Materials that are water resistant are not completely impervious to water exposure but should do the trick if you’re walking in light rain or snow. Water-resistant fabrics are typically made with synthetic fibers like nylon and then treated with a liquid-repellent finish, like DWR (durable water-repellent). The Sierra Designs Down Booties are our favorite water-resistant down booties coated with DWR.

Here are our choice down booties that have been treated for water resistance:

A down bootie’s cuff height refers to the height or length of the upper portion of the booties that cover the ankle and lower leg. Different cuff heights in down booties offer varying levels of coverage and functionality. The options listed in this guide have lower ankle and mid-leg coverage options, but there are a few down bootie options on the market that provide protection all the way to the knee.

We particularly liked the above-ankle cuffs on the L.L. Bean Women’s Mountain Classic Quilted Booties for their coverage without adding any extra bulk. Not to mention, the heels of these booties also have an easy pull tap for quick on and off, so they are perfect tossing on after a long day on the skin track.

Down booties with a low or ankle cuff provide minimal coverage, typically ending just above the ankle bone. These booties tend to be lightweight and offer a greater range of motion. They are suitable for activities where maximum mobility and breathability are desired, such as inside or in warmer climates. However, their exposure provides less warmth and protection to the ankle area. Our choice for an ankle cuff down bootie is the Rab Down Hut Slipper, which is rather lightweight, or the Danner Jag Loft for its shoe-like aesthetic.

Mid-Calf Cuff

Down booties with a mid-calf cuff extend higher up the leg, reaching well above the ankle. This cuff height provides additional coverage and insulation compared to ankle-length booties. Mid-calf booties are a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor use, as they strike a balance between insulation, mobility, and versatility. They offer some protection against drafts and are suitable for colder temperatures without being too cumbersome. Most of the booties we’ve listed are mid-calf, but among our favorites were the Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Sock and and Sierra Designs Down Booties.

Overall, when considering cuff length in a pair of down booties, think about how and where you’ll be using the shoes the most. If you’re buying down booties for use in milder climates or just to use around the house, a shorter cuff length would suit you just fine. If you live in a place that sees colder, wet winters, you’ll probably want to snag a pair that has more coverage if you’ll be out in the elements more frequently.

Along with cuff lengths, down booties use various mechanisms to provide your feet and ankles with protection from debris, cold breezes, snow, and other intrusive elements. These cuff closures tend to be elastic bands or adjustable drawstrings.

Several of the down booties listed in this guide utilize a drawstring and toggle closure. Essentially, an elastic cord is threaded through the cuff and can be tightened or loosened by adjusting the toggle lock. Drawstring closures are adjustable, allowing the user to customize their fit according to preference. Most commonly this drawstring closure is found in mid-calf styles like the Baffin CUSH Booties, but the above-the-ankle Big Agnes Full Moon Camp Booties utilize this engineering as well.

Some down booties are designed with an elastic cuff closure that fits snugly around the ankle or lower leg. The elasticity stretches and conforms to the wearer’s leg, thus providing a secure closure without any added bulk from toggles or strings. Elastic cuffs are simple and can be comfortable if the fit is just right. However, if they are too loose or tight, you are limited in adjustability. Our choice for a down bootie with an elastic closure? The Montane Icarus Hut Boot Style Slippers.

If you can’t decide between an elastic or drawstring closure, consider how you’ll use your down booties and how much added security you prefer. If you are looking for something to wear casually or just around camp, you’d probably be satisfied with an elastic band closure. But if you’re going to be using your down booties while trudging through snow or exclusively outside, the added adjustability from a drawstring closure will be your best bet.

Because so many down booties are designed to be thrown on in a jiff — especially after ripping off a pair of ski boots or switching out of some hiking shoes — some designs come in convertible fashions that offer a 2-in-1 style. These pairs can switch from a shoe to a slipper by folding the soft heel piece down. This functionality is perfect for folks needing some versatility or needing to quickly enter and exit their shoes.

We’ve tried a few slipper-down bootie hybrids, and we were fans of the Teva ReEMBER for its easy conversion. The Danner Jag Lofts also offer the same feature, making them adaptable.

If you are planning on taking your down booties on excursions, road trips, or in your suitcase across the world, you will definitely want to consider the shoe’s packability. A down bootie’s ability to compress in a backpack or duffel depends mostly on its materials and insulation type.

Down booties made with a natural down instead of synthetic tend to be more compressible than the latter. However, synthetic insulation can be just as lightweight and packable if done correctly. Consider grabbing a stuff sack for your down booties so you can optimize the space in your luggage for other gear and clothing. This will also help protect your other items from any dirt or moisture that may be on the soles of your booties from all the adventuring.

When traveling with down booties, make sure to think about how its sole and traction affect the shoe’s ability to fit inconspicuously in your bag. Down booties with a thicker sole and added traction will be harder to compress than those without.

If you are looking for down booties that are packable and ready for any adventure, several of these pairs are efficiently compressible and lightweight, including the Rab Down Hut Slipper.

Along with packability, weight should be taken into consideration before purchasing a pair of down booties. Most down booties are naturally agile, as they are constructed with materials that tend to be almost weightless. Our options in this guide range from as little as 57 grams up to 539 grams.

Ultimately, the deciding factor of a down bootie’s weight is its materials. Down insulation, both synthetic and natural, tends to be pretty lightweight when it’s dry. In terms of exterior fabrics, the nylon and polyester materials these down booties are constructed from are also conveniently lightweight.

What we found added weight to these various down booties was the use of tractioned soles. For example, the North Face Thermoball Traction Booties have a thick rubber sole with added tread, causing them to weigh in at 17 ounces. They still aren’t any heavier than a regular pair of boots, but would still be pretty noticeable in your backpack on the skin track to the hut. However, with this added weight comes an added element of durability and mileage.

The down booties without added or thick soles are the lightest on our list. If you are looking for the lightest down booty option that will be hardly noticeable in your pack, the GooseFeet Gear Down Socks are the way to go.

Most of the down booties on this list are around the same weight and should feel light in your pack, so don’t let this aspect concern you too much in your buying process.

Here are the weights of all of our choice down booties broken down into lighter, moderate, and heavier weight categories:

Lightweight (Less than 7 oz.)

Mid-weight (7-12 oz.)

Heavyweight (Over 12 oz.)

Overall, when choosing a down bootie relative to its weight, consider the tread, materials, and packability. Down socks without added tread will always be significantly lighter, whereas down booties with larger soles and greater durability will be heavier.

If you care about the planet and where your products come from, then it is important to know how sustainably sourced your down booties are.

When thinking about sustainability in down booties, it is important to consider their down sourcing, manufacturing processes, and use of environmentally friendly materials.

Many down booties in this guide incorporate recycled materials in their construction. This can include using recycled fabrics for the outer shell or utilizing recycled down insulation. Choosing booties made from recycled materials helps reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Additionally, you can opt for booties that use eco-friendly dyes and coatings in their production to prevent any harm to the environment.

One choice for sustainably made down booties is the Montane Icarus Hut Boot Style Slippers, which are manufactured with 100% recycled materials. Montane has also recently rolled out a “know what you’re buying” initiative where you can get a detailed look into all of their products’ materials, recycled textiles, country of origin, and sustainability efforts. The Icarus Booties even scored a perfect score of 100.

While natural down made from bird feathers is a powerful insulation material, it is easy for abuse to occur in the supply chain. Many outdoor companies are making efforts to source down ethically and provide transparency to consumers.

If you are interested in learning where and how the down in your booties is sourced, you can! With the Allied Feather & Down’s TrackMyDown program, it is easy to see where the down in your booties came from.

Winner of a 2019 ISPO Gold Award, the TrackMyDown program provides detailed information on the source of your bootie’s down feathers, including the country of origin, the supplier, and the farms where the birds were raised. Customers can also view information on the quality of their down, including the fill power and the cleanliness of the material. Simply type in your lot number (found on your down bootie’s hang tag) and press enter.

Without providing such tools for transparency, abuse can become part of the supply chain.

Unlike shoes, down bootie sizes tend to fall on a scale, usually between XS and XL. A letter size will then coordinate with certain U.S./U.K. men’s shoe sizes. Most booties are measured in unisex or men’s sizes, but some will also have women’s shoe sizes listed. The sizing and fit will also vary between brands, so we recommend always double-checking before making a purchase.

The price of down booties will vary, but the cost is mainly determined by the type of insulation, level of down fill, and materials used. You can expect to pay somewhere between $60 and $100 for a high-quality, warm pair of booties.

In this buyer’s guide, we have several different options for pricing. Our most budget-friendly options are the Rab Down Hut Slipper ($65) and the Baffin CUSH Booty ($60). These are very basic, packable, lightweight, and toasty slip-ons. These are made for indoor use and don’t offer foot protection against uneven terrain.

For our next price tier which includes down booties ranging from $70 to $90, we recommend Sierra Designs Down Booties ($80), Big Agnes Full Moon Camp Booties ($70), and Teva ReEMBER ($80), to name a few. These booties have supportive midsoles, outsoles, traction underfoot, and mindful ankle closure systems or additions like anti-odor treatment.

Our higher price tier includes options that are around $100, and we’ve seen some booties reach up to $400. Some premium down booties are highly customizable and have a sliding scale of price depending on how you design your pair. For example, GooseFeet Gear Down Socks start at $69 and can go up to $97. Of course, this all rides upon your preferences for down, fill, colors, materials, and other add-ons. You’ll also find the Rossignol Chalet Shoes ($99) and the Oboz All Gender Whakatā Puffy Mid ($110) in this price range.

Whether you are ready to spend a lot or a little on a pair of down booties, just know that all of the booties listed here are high quality and toasty warm.

Down booties are a type of footwear. To put it simply, their whole job is to provide insulating warmth during the winter months. Just like a down jacket would keep your core warm or puffy pants would keep your legs warm, booties keep your feet warm.

You’ll commonly see them worn in places like winter huts, inside four-season tents, or on trips for ski mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and touring, winter camping, and more.

After a lot of wear, your down booties may need to be washed. You can do so by spot cleaning, soaking, or machine washing on a gentle setting. Make sure to use a down-friendly or delicate detergent to keep your booties in their best shape.

To dry, you’ll want to make sure you use a low-heat or no-heat setting and add wool balls to the dryer basin in order to help break up clumps of wet down. We also like to set them out in a sunny place for a few hours to ensure they are fully dry before packing them back up into a stuff sack or storage.

After they are dry, give them a few shakes to fluff them back to their original loftiness. Properly washing and caring for your down booties will help increase their longevity and keep your feet warm on all your upcoming adventures.

Many down booties are designed with a certain degree of water-resistance and soles made for use in harsher elements like snow, ice and puddles. However, some are made to be worn strictly inside or just lightly outdoors. Check to see if your down booties are made with hydrophobic fabrics or finishes before you make snow angels on those wet winter days.

Before you wear your down booties out in the snow, make sure they have tractioned soles that are thick enough to keep your feet insulated while you are walking. It is also important to pay attention to the cuff closures on your down booties. If they fit snugly around your legs and ankles to prevent any moisture or snow from entering your shoes, you should be good to go!

Wearing socks with your down booties is totally up to personal preference. Due to their insulation and moisture wicking properties, down booties typically don’t need to be paired with socks. However, if you think it would be more comfortable, we recommend wearing a thinner sock made of wool or breathable synthetic fabrics.

As always, avoid wearing cotton socks with your down booties. They will absorb any sweat or moisture without the ability to dry.

Yes! Many of the down booties listed in this guide were designed to be worn in a sleeping bag. If you tend to get chilly feet while camping, down booties are a comfy solution without taking up too much space or stopping you from getting a good night’s rest in your tent, car, or cabin.Down booties that are easily paired with a sleeping bag are typically called down “socks.” They typically have no stiff sole or rubber tread so that your feet can move freely without feeling too cumbersome in your sleeping bag. Our pick for these down socks include the GooseFeet Gear Down Socks.

Because of their lightweight materials and typical construction of down insulation, down booties are highly packable. This makes them ideal for stashing in your backpack before you hit the trail, skin track, or hop on a plane. Since they are smaller in size, we recommend just sliding them into an open spot in your luggage. However, if you really want to optimize the space in your bag, try putting them in a stuff sack and then compressing out all of the air. This will keep your booties protected and make them easier to find when you’re ready to transition out of the ski boots.

Keep in mind that down booties with added soles or tread will be harder to pack. So, if you’re planning on strictly using your down booties in the hut or tent, we recommend purchasing a pair that does not have these weighted construction elements.

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