I Love These Affordable Winter Boots: Bogs Arcata Faded Are Warm, Waterproof, and Stylish

In my search for reliable, convenient, and casual women’s winter boots, the Bogs Arcata Faded stood out for a big reason: They don’t feel like a budget pick. But they’re one of the lowest-priced boots I’ve tested and loved.

This waterproof, pull-on winter boot blends a utility design with the slide-in ease of a rain boot and the cozy function of a modern snow boot. From insulation to traction, the Arcata Faded nails the basics and throws in several unique elements that set the boot apart.

Despite being comfort-oriented, I’ve had countless women tap my shoulder or approach me in the gym’s foyer to compliment this boot and ask what it is.

In short: The Bogs Arcata Faded ($160) women’s winter boots are warm, waterproof, and easy to pull on and off. They deliver deep tread, grippy traction, squishy support, and solid insulation at an excellent price. As a function-first boot, they look stylish for everyday use, too. For $20 more, the same stellar technology is packed into the more utilitarian, taller 12-inch model: the Bogs Whiteout Faded, to which I also give a gold star. 

See how these pull-on women’s cold-weather boots compare to our other favorite picks in the Best Winter Boots for Women buyer’s guide.

Bogs Arcata Faded Winter Boots Review: Real-World Testing in a Mountain Town

I’ve lived at an elevation of 8,907 feet in Crested Butte, Colo., for nearly 7 years, and grew up in Telluride at 8,754 feet, so I’ve worn my fair share of winter boots over the past 35 years in high-altitude mountains. As GearJunkie Senior Editor and former footwear beat reporter for the Outdoor Retailer trade shows, I’ve evaluated winter boots since 2012. I’m the primary field tester for GearJunkie’s Winter Boots Buyer’s Guide. 

I tested the Bogs Arcata Faded women’s winter boots for a whole year — from spring 2024 to spring 2025 — in all snow conditions: deep snow, freeze, melt, muck, repeat. I have long, narrow feet with medium-high arches, a narrow heel, and a second long toe. I’ve also suffered from ingrown toenails (twice surgically removed) and artificial frostbite on both feet. For me, a solid pair of winter boots is a healthcare investment. 

My truck battery usually plummets throughout winter because I walk and ride my bike most days. I also have enormous shoveling responsibilities: a front patio and walkway under multiple roof sheds, a large deck, a lengthy truck, and a tall double-wide trailer with a BearCat clamshell. 

The shoulder seasons are also excellent grounds for testing in messy conditions. The town doesn’t plow the alley I live on, and the walkway becomes a tunnel of snow, making durable, waterproof footwear a non-negotiable.

What I Loved: Two Grab Handles, Streamlined

Right out of the box, the Arcata Faded boots impressed me with comfort and ease of use. Integrated handles on either side of the cuff make them simple to slip on, even over thicker socks or coupled with pants. 

Each handle is oblong, nearly 2 inches wide, and 3/4 inches tall, enough to fit four fingers from my average-sized hands. My index finger has been crammed in enough narrow heel loops and welcomes the change. 

I typically wear these boots during long walks, errands, and commutes. But I most often grab them when running out the door — to catch a hot yoga or weight training class — because they are much faster to put on. I can also depend on the insulation and traction to protect my feet, even if my socks are sweaty post-workout. 

The Arcata is also the pair I usually carry from the lower patio to the upper deck when I need to shovel. They’re efficient and easy to carry. For layers, I could easily wear these boots with my jeans tucked in or a pair of gaitered snow pants pulled over them. 

With the blend of durability and plushness, the Bogs Arcata punches well above its price point. 

Bogs fully sealed the waterproof upper, including around the soft-knit tongue — so snow and slush don’t seep in. What’s unique: Many women’s winter boots with laces and tongues are not fully sealed like rain boots. Not here. Three inches below the collar, the tongue is connected to the upper. The laces on the front — for looks rather than function — blanket nearly 6.5 inches of the tongue gusset. 

A faux fur lining wraps around the entire interior, including beneath the footbed, above the dorsum, and around the neck and ankle. Most boots have faux fur on the upper collar, and some extend to above the foot, but I haven’t tested any other with a 360-degree fuzzy insulation layer. The same synthetic fur lines the collar to capture snow and cold air, which I appreciated. 

The footbed and midsole are more supportive than I typically see in women’s winter boots, let alone at this price. Often, stock footbeds fall flat under my medium-high arches. This footbed has an algae-based EVA, which feels supportive yet squishy underfoot and has a sustainability bonus. I wore these for hours around town without discomfort.

Insulation: Solid Midsole

One way winter boots keep our feet warm is by elevating them off the ground, like a sleeping pad for camping and backpacking. These boots set a benchmark in that regard. 

With chunky, aggressive tread, the rubber outsole pushes you nearly an inch off the ground. The EVA footbed and faux fur inside the boot rest on a 7mm-thick layer of Neo-Tech insulation. Beyond warmth, the layers provide a supportive, cushioned feel. These boots are softly lined and offer squish similar to the L.L.Bean Women’s Bean Boots. In comparison, I find the Blundstone Women’s All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots to be very comfortable, though, with firmer support beneath the midsole and footbed, which is why they’re a great hybrid boot for working or recreating in variable terrain. 

While strolling through slush, my feet stayed cozy — never too cold, hot, or sweaty. Inside, Max-Wick is Bogs’ proprietary moisture-wicking lining, which actively pulls sweat away from the body and evaporates it, helping to keep feet feeling dry.

The socks I wear, how much cardio I’m doing, the ambient temperature, and what I ate that day affect circulation and how much my feet sweat. But I’ve also noticed that my feet can sweat even when it’s cold out, so it’s reassuring to know the technology is there to help. 

Aesthetically, the boots transitioned from casual town walks to grabbing a bite to eat, handling both with warmth and casual style. However, sitting or standing for a while indoors would make my feet sweaty. I wouldn’t want to wear these boots to an indoor concert. 

Solid Traction

I’ll start with the disclaimer that I avoid a heel strike on my town’s streets all winter. With that out of the way, I found that the Arcata Faded has one of the most confidence-boosting outsoles among the winter boots I’ve tested.

Bogs made this outsole with the GlacialGrip rubber compound and engineered it to be slip-resistant on snow, ice, or wet surfaces. As a winter-specific rubber, Bogs also manufactured it to stay flexible in freezing temperatures and maintain grip even in sub-freezing conditions.

This tread has chunky and deep lugs. The shapes are aggressive, with sharp-edged triangles and trapezoids. Bogs tapered these lugs on all four sides to provide even more bite. The heel counter reduces excessive heel movement and helps maintain footing. I’m hard-pressed to find another snow boot with a more lively design underfoot.

Bogs designed this compound in-house and had it third-party tested and approved by SATRA Technology, a leading research and testing organization for footwear. In the SATRA TM144:2011 standardized test, which measures the slip resistance of footwear on icy surfaces (down to 19.4 degrees Fahrenheit), testers evaluated how well the outsole grips ice. They tested it on a metal surface covered in ice and measured the coefficient of friction during both heel strikes (yes, the one I avoid at all costs) and flat-foot steps.

Passing this test shows that the Arcata provides reliable traction on icy ground in most scenarios. I’ll add that in Crested Butte, it’s characteristic to walk at -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Did I mention that I avoid a heel strike?

Drawbacks for Some

The Arcata Faded lacks odor-fighting technology like its taller cousin, the Bogs Whiteout. While I didn’t notice major funk, I’d still appreciate that added protection after longer wear. 

Also, this isn’t the boot for sub-zero backcountry missions or winter farming — it shines most in moderately cold and wet urban conditions. Need a boot for agriculture? Check out the Muck Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boots. 

The design ends above the ankle and below the calf. If you’re typically trudging through deep snow, check out a taller pair like the Sorel Women’s Joan of Arctic Boots. 

If you’re fully on the function train, you might not like the laces — they don’t serve a purpose other than looking cute. But they are durable, and once I tied them, they stayed out of the way and never came undone. 

Conclusion: Staying in My Closet

The Bogs Arcata Faded women’s winter boots deliver surprising value in a warm, waterproof pair for casual everyday use. While they aren’t as articulated and fashion-forward as pairs like Sorel’s Joan of Arctic or the Stio Women’s Colter Waterproof Tall Boot, they’re cute. 

As a conventional winter-meets-rain boot, the silhouette is curvy. The design has feminine elements, goes with winter outerwear or casual clothes, and has earned high compliments over the past year. 

I opt for a taller pair when the snowstorm is in full force or when digging out the trenches. But with a comfortable midsole, footbed, great insulation package, reliable grip and traction, and easy pull-on design, I grab this winter boot for daily commutes, deep puddles, muck, slushy sidewalks, and winter strolls. 

This pair is a smart pick if you want style and comfort without blowing your budget.