If you live in a specific environment and you watch your weather daily, you might assume you can trust the weather report. If the meteorologist is not saying rain or snow, most people trust what they are told. However, you are getting dressed, and they are calling for a good chance of snow or rain. You grab your moon boots to put on your feet. You want to know and trust that you will be able to safely and securely walk in these shoes.

Now is not the time to worry about the traction and grip that the boots will afford you when wearing them on ominous terrains and in hazardous weather conditions. That is why we have evaluated the shoes on this list before they were ranked. If the boots did not perform well on the traction rating, they were eliminated. This is not to say that any pair of shoes will give you 100% stability on ice, snow, etc. However, we think the grip these ten snow Moon Boots provide will assuage any fears you might have of walking on a slick surface.

The boots on our list are all excellent choice for a range of terrains. You can face snow, concrete, sand, gravel, dirt, carpet, and more while safely stepping around. This is good to know for events such as hiking or simply walking around a sandy area.

So what exactly makes a shoe considered to have good grip and traction? For starters, the type of sole is the main characteristic. Typically, categories of shoes would have rubber lugs on one type and a thick tread on the other, etc. For this category, since we are only ranking Moon Boots, we will talk about the sole of the boot. A Moon Boot has a sole that is made from rubber. The bottom of the sole on close inspection consists of different heights. The actual sole has round rubberized “pegs” that help elevate the foot above whatever terrain you are on, such as dirt. The pegs dig down into the surface and help your foot to grip as you are stepping.

Aside from the round rubber pegs, you can see the next elevation of the boot has a layer that holds the rubber pegs. It is a cutout pattern that adds more depth off of the actual solid boot-sized sole. Again, that will help to push debris or dirt out more flat so you can grip easily when walking. Finally, the portion of the sole that is the whole boot bottom. It is a durable rubber that will withstand many steps. The sole is strong and will support your foot and balance out your weight with each step.

You may not think about the weight of a shoe as you are used to wearing sneakers or flip-flops, etc. However, when you examine a Moon Boot, you will see that there is some added weight involved in manufacturing a heavy boot such as this one. While technological advances in recent years have allowed designers to build much more efficient shoes at a lighter weight, there is only so much weight you can shave off without interfering with the integrity of these snow Moon Boots. Most consumers are willing to adjust to a few ounces when it comes to heavy-duty protection but no one wants to feel as if they are dragging cinder blocks around on their foot at the end of the wearing time of shoes; whether that is one hour or nine hours. There comes a tipping point where buyers will not purchase a shoe, regardless of the protection and advantages it offers if it is too heavy. That bulk can create other problems such as leg and foot fatigue. This will overall lower the happiness quotient that consumers search for.

One area that has allowed for a weight reduction is the sole. Previous shoes only had the option of using a dense and heavy rubber. New advancements, however, incorporate a blown rubber which is not as dense. Another alternative designers have turned to in recent years is EVA composure of the sole. EVA stands for Ethylene-vinyl acetate. This adds to the overall quality of the shoe in two ways. It is lighter weight and more durable material which adds to the life of the shoe.

Since snow Moon Boots have the same design as their predecessors, there is not much deviation in the material for this particular category. When we discuss other shoe categories, there are other ways in which manufacturers can cut the weight, but this particular style of boots have to have this material for the warmth they supply. If you spread the material thinner, you sacrifice the heat retention, which again in other shoes you do not want; however, this type of shoe is made for it. Also, if you change the material, you risk the heat retention capability also.

When consumers begin to research Moon Boots, they are typically looking to buy a boot that can be worn for fashion. However, more often than not, they are looking for a boot that offers a specific type of protection. Protecting their feet from the elements is the number one reason buyers look towards these boots. Usually, they are residing in a climate that has a lot of snow, ice, rain, and/or cold. These boots built a reputation for keeping feet warm in even the harshest of conditions.

In this manner, snow Moon Boots are built with layers and materials that are conducive to protection. For example, the sole of the boot it fairly thick when compared to other types of boots. Not only does this help with traction and grip, but a thick sole cushions the foot. The sole is the last layer that prevents negative energy transfer from the ground to your joints in the legs and foot. By making the boot with a thick sole, it prevents a good amount of shock from being absorbed by your body. That also allows a comfortable step when you strike the ground. Finally, the think sole also protects against sharp objects stabbing through the sole and injuring your foot. For instance, walking on a snow covered trail you might not see the twigs and sticks you are stepping around. The sole can divert a stick from jabbing through the bottom and maiming the skin.

Next, Moon Boots offer reinforcements around the sides of the foot, the toe and the heel. This particular reinforcement design helps to strengthen the foot because it prevents the foot from splaying too much. Splaying is another way to describe the way in which the foot spreads out when standing. Oversplaying can cause injury to the foot. Reinforced sides also encourage the foot to land properly; thereby preventing injuries such as ankle rolls or twisted knees. As for the toe reinforcement, this keeps you from stubbing your toe and possibly breaking your toe. The toe of these boots is made in the same manner that the toes of work boots are made in, just not to the degree of work boots.

Finally, the shaft of the boot can be described as the portion of the boot above your ankle. This can be of varying heights depending on the boot. The shaft protects the shin and strengthens the boot protection overall. The shaft of a Moon Boot is comparable to bubble wrap. This boot surrounds your leg like bubble wrap surrounds your valuables when packing or mailing important items. Additionally, it adds a comfort level to the boot; it is not too rigid whereby you cannot easily move and bend. However, it does provide adequate support and warmth.

Seekers of the Moon Boot are looking for a boot that can be worn in all weather elements. This would absolutely have to include protection from water, rain, and snow. Nothing is more miserable than getting all of your items on to journey out into the rain or snow, only to discover after a few minutes your shoes are not waterproof. If you happen to be in the snow, not only are your feet wet, they are now freezing. The boot is trapping the cold and wet against your skin. This can cause a plethora of skin problems from a rash to frostbite. It is paramount to find a pair of boots that offer complete waterproof capabilities if you are going to be wearing the boots in the elements.

Completely waterproofing boots comes down to an outer layer of protection and an inner layer of protection. Let’s start with the outer layer and its role in keeping your feet dry. The outer portion of the shoe is the first defense of water blocking. Some designers prefer one piece of material to be used as this lessens the chance for water to get in. Most materials that are used will be leather, synthetic, nylon, etc. It would be rare to find a boot upper that is made from mesh. Mesh is made to be breathable, hence openness. Using a more durable material such as leather is ideal for a lot of shoe companies because leather has been used for hundreds of years for warmth and protection. Advances in production allow leather to be completely waterproof. However, Moon Boots generally use nylon. Nylon is a great defense against water and wetness. It is one of the highest rated on the scale of waterproof capabilities.

From here, you have the inner layer of protection. This is the second line of defense in keeping your feet and legs dry while wearing boots. In other shoes and boots, there is a chance that the water will make it past the first layer and infiltrate the boot. This is where the second layer of protection comes in handy. Most shoes when you put them on your foot you don’t realize they even have a second layer as it is built into the lining of the boot. The Moon Boot has an added layer that is sewn into the shoe lining that acts as a lining also. The lining not only prevents water from entering the boot, but it also serves as a soft material against the leg.

When you are looking for a boot that will keep you warm in the elements, you want a shoe or boot that is rated high for heat retention. That is the exact opposite that most people look for in a shoe. Most consumers search for shoes that are highly-breathable or promote good airflow. However, when searching for a boot that you will be wearing in harsh conditions such as the cold, wind, rain, and snow, you will want a boot that will keep your foot warm.

What exactly should you look for in a boot rated for high heat retention? To begin with, you should examine the closure system of the boot. In other words, what closes the boot off from the cold and rain after you slide your foot into it? Do you have velcro, snaps, buckles, or laces? None are superior to the others just so long as you can fully seal the opening of the boot. Any gap in the closure or the sealing will allow water to penetrate and wet the feet.

Another caveat to the sealing system is not only preventing what gets in but restricting what escapes from inside the shoe. In terms of heat retention, you want a boot that seals properly to hold the heat inside the boot. If the heat is escaping, you risk having cold feet which can, in turn, make your whole body cold. It is a widely known fact that most body heat is lost through the feet and head. In extreme weather conditions, it is vitally important to keep your body heat as you lower your chance of frostbite, hypothermia, numbness in the extremities, appendage loss, etc. Moon Boots are highly respected for their ability to keep body heat exactly where it should be, inside the body.