These Slip-On Snow Boots Actually Have Me Excited for Freezing Temperatures

If you’ve been anywhere near East Coast weather forecasts lately, you’ve heard the ominous chatter: “Polar Vortex!”, “Arctic Plunge!”, “The Coldest Winter in a Decade!” Typically, that would send me into a panic spiral involving a lot of online shopping and contemplating why I don’t just pick up my family and move to San Diego where my sister lives. 

But this year? I feel more prepared — and it’s mainly because of one pair of boots.

I first slipped into Kizik’s new Juno 2 High Boot on a brand press trip to Reykjavík, Iceland. Our itinerary was stacked: waterfall hikes, geyser fields and long wandering strolls through old harbor streets that racked up thousands of steps. Usually, my feet would be plotting revenge by lunchtime. Instead, they felt… great. Supported. Warm. 

I’ve been a long-time fan of Kizik and its signature hands-free tech — the Flex Arc™ heel piece that lets you step in and out without bending down or wrestling with your shoe. The brand originally built its mission around accessibility, designing shoes that make life easier for everyone: people with limited mobility, pregnancy, post-surgery recovery, sports injuries, or simply anyone who hates crouching to tie laces at 6 a.m. in the dark (hi, hello, it’s me).

The brand’s sneakers have been my number-one travel shoe for a few years (Kizik’s Monaco sneaker is my latest fave!), so when I learned the brand was launching a full winter boot — with thermal insulation, rugged traction and that same step-in convenience — I knew it could be a game-changer. 

What impressed me first was the build: They are lightweight with a foam midsole that feels cushioned and built for walking. Inside, 400 grams of thermal insulation keep feet incredibly warm and the comfort collar hugs your ankle without rubbing while the insole slowly molds to feet. Plus, the spring-lock laces meant I could fine-tune the fit before stepping into them hands-free for the rest of the trip.

Then came the traction test: wet rocks, icy paths, slushy sidewalks. The high-abrasion rubber lugged outsole handled all of it without a single slip. I’ve owned plenty of snow boots that could keep me warm but felt like clown shoes on uneven terrain. The Juno 2 is the rare boot that manages to be rugged, functional and genuinely sleek.

And the best part? After a week of testing them in Iceland, I brought them home — and they’ve turned me into a full-blown winter optimist. I’m the person checking the forecast and rooting for snow. I am, shamefully, wearing my pajamas inside out, and I already busted them out for school drop off (and yes, the other moms took notice!). 

Kizik’s Juno 2 was also just named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025, and after living in them, the hype makes perfect sense. They’re the rare winter boot that offers real innovation, not just insulation. If this polar vortex really delivers, I’ll be stepping into the cold confidently — and without bending over once.