9 Best Down Booties

We tested the best down booties on the market today according to warmth, weight, comfort, and price. Read on to see how they performed, which is best for you, and get some valuable buying advice.

Best Down Booties 

The best down booties for backpacking are:

• Best Overall Down Booties for Warmth Weight, and Comfort: WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties
• Best Budget Down Booties: ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT Torrid Booties
• Best Ultralight Down Booties: ZPACKS Goose Socks
• Best Down Socks: GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks
• Best Down Booties for Outdoor Use: SIERRA DESIGNS Down Booties
• Most Durable Down Booties: THE NORTH FACE Thermoball Insulated Traction Booties
• Warmest Down Booties: FEATHERED FRIENDS Down Booties

The product comparison table below is sortable. Click the arrow in the heading cell to sort the models by preferred spec.

Best Overall Down Booties

WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties

Price: $80

See on MOOSEJAW See on AMAZON

Pros

✅ Warm

✅ Comfortable

✅ Lightweight

Cons

❌ Expensive

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 3 oz
• Fill: 850
• Shell Denier: 12 denier ripstop nylon

At 3 ounces, the Western Mountaineering Flash down booties are one of the lightest options on our list. They are also one of the warmest we tested with their generous amount of 850 fill down.

For us, what sets them apart from other minimalist down booties is their superior comfort. Not only is the down very soft, but the cinch cord also adds ankle adjustment to keep them secure on your feet. And the 1/4’’ foam insole adds comfort, support, and durability.

These down slippers are best for interior use only, but we do like that the insole does give them more durability than other down sock-style booties. For sizing, these booties can run a bit large, so be sure to test them. Our only complaint is the price, which runs a touch higher than average.

Thanks to their excellent balance of features and warmth, the Western Mountaineering Flash is our pick for the best overall down booties.

Note: Western Mountaineering also offers an “expedition model” bootie with 800 fill, a Toughtek non-slip sole, and a knee-high gaiter design with Gore Windstopper fabric for maximum weather protection. The bootie is $90 and weighs under 8oz.

Best Down Socks

GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks

Price: $69

See on GARAGE GROWN GEAR

Pros

✅ Warm

✅ Pack down small

✅ Lightweight

Cons

❌ Less durable

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 1.8-3 oz
• Fill: 850
• Shell Denier: 8D-20D

If you want high-quality, custom-made down socks that will keep your feet toasty through long, chilly nights in the mountains, look no further than GooseFeet Gear.

Made with lightweight, top-of-the-line fabrics, we found GooseFeet to be some of the lightest on our list. We love that these are highly customizable too. You can choose the fill level, internal and external fabric colors, and shell denier.

While we found these down slippers to be very comfortable to sleep in, the lack of a sole makes them less comfortable for wearing around inside. The lack of a sole and thinner denier fabric also makes these less durable than the more robust options on our list.

You definitely don’t want to walk around camp in these. For a sock-style down bootie, the Goosefeet Gear Down Socks is our top pick.

Best Ultralight Down Booties

ZPACKS Goose Socks

Price: $69.95

See on ZPACKS

Pros

✅ Ultralight

✅ Warm

✅ Packable

Cons

❌ Durability

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 1.8 oz (size Medium)
• Fill: 850
• Shell Denier: 7D .59 oz/sqyd Ventum Ripstop Nylon

Another sock-style pair of down slippers, the ZPacks Goose Socks are a simple and ultralight design. They are the lightest on our list. And also one of the warmest we tested, with a large amount of 850 goose down.

Our biggest gripe is durability. The 7D fabric is very thin. The lack of a sole means we only recommend these for sleeping in or inside a clean cabin.

Though the socks only come offered in two sizing options, they are made to fit a large range of shoe sizes. We like that the simple design keeps the price down too.

Each pair of Zpacks is unisex and comes with a stuff sack and a two-year limited warranty. The ZPacks Goose Socks are our top pick for an ultralight down booties.

Best Budget Down Booties

ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT Torrid Booties

Price: $64.99

See on ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT See on GARAGE GROWN GEAR

Pros

✅ Great budget option

✅ Lightweight

✅ Packable

Cons

❌ Less durable

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 2.4 oz
• Fill: 135 g/m² (4oz/yd²) CLIMASHIELD™ APEX insulation
• Shell Denier: 10D nylon fabric

Fit for a range of weather conditions, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Booties are made with specially engineered Climashield APEX synthetic fill. This insulation offers top performance and quick-drying capabilities in wet conditions.

We like the minimalistic and compressible design which makes them one of the most packable sets of booties. These are the third lightest option we tested, and they weigh in at a very light 2.4 ounces.

For extra protection against weather and to give more warmth, these booties have non-sewn-through seams to stop cold spots and an ultralight DWR-treated nylon shell.

The 10D fabric and lack of sole make these less durable than other options we looked at. But the price of just $65, the least expensive on our list, makes the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Booties our pick for the best budget down booties.

Best Down Booties for Outdoor Use

SIERRA DESIGNS Down Booties

Price: $69.95

See on BACKCOUNTRY

Pros

✅ Inexpensive

✅ Warm

✅ Durable

Cons

❌ Heavy

❌ Less packable

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 9.5 oz
• Fill: 800
• Shell Denier: 100% Recycled Polyester Taffeta with PFC-Free C0 DWR

Another down boot style design, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are our top pick for outdoor use. We love the tricot lining and a recycled DWR-treated polyester taffeta shell making these durable and weather-resistant.

We also found these to be warm, filled with 800 weight down, and a mid-calf height. The down is also Sierra’s special DriDown, which helps it stay dry and repel water in wet conditions. We like the anti-slip silicone soles making these extra study and the weatherproof foam cushioning foot sole that allows you to mosey around camp without worries.

The downside is that all this protection comes with a weight penalty. At 9.5 ounces, these are the heaviest down boots on our list. But if you need booties made for tough conditions, these down shoes are soft, warm, durable, and incredibly comfortable.

Most Durable Down Booties

THE NORTH FACE Thermoball Insulated Traction Booties

Price: $69

SHOP MEN'S SHOP WOMEN'S

Pros

✅ Durable

✅ Inexpensive

✅ Comfy

Cons

❌ Heavy

❌ Less warm

❌ Less packable

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 8.5 oz
• Fill: PrimaLoft® Thermoball® synthetic insulation
• Shell Denier: 20D

If you want a durable option to wear around camp, the North Face Thermoball Insulated Traction Bootie is our pick for the most durable down bootie. These booties look more like a pair of cozy slippers you’d wear at home than backpacking gear.

We found the high traction design makes these easy to walk around camp in. The outsole is made from well-constructed 40% recycled slip-resistant high-traction rubber, and the outer shell’s quilted design is water-resistant and created from 100% ripstop recycled materials.

The downside to these robust slippers is they are heavier and less packable than other options we tested. The slipper design is also a low cut that is open around the ankle, making them less warm than other models on our list.

Warmest Down Booties

FEATHERED FRIENDS Down Booties

Price: $119

See on FEATHERED FRIENDS

Pros

✅ Warmest option

✅ Comfy

✅ Durable

Cons

❌ Heavy

❌ Expensive

❌ Bulky

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 9.3 oz (size Medium)
• Fill: 800
• Shell Denier: Pertex® Endurance® UL

The Feathered Friends down booties are more like down boots than down booties. We love that their versatility makes them both a comfortable pair of down socks you can wear to bed and a pair of durable down shoes for walking around camp.

Unique to these boots is their two-part system. The first layer is a soft internal liner for sleeping in, with an ankle drawcord and multiple calf snaps to easily adjust fit. The second part of the boot is an easily detachable foam sole and an outer shell that’s made from weather-resistant Pertex Endurance fabric.

On the outer shell, there are drawcords at the calf and ankle to keep the boot secure when walking. These are some of the most durable down booties we tested.

These booties run to mid-calf, making them the warmest on our list. You’ll pay for these though they are the most expensive option on our list. We also don't like how heavy they are and that they don’t pack down as small as other options.

But if you want the super warm down booties that you can wear around camp, the Feather Friends down booties are our top pick.

The Other Noteworthy Models

Exped Down Socks

Price: $79.95

See on MOOSEJAW

Pros

✅ Packable

Cons

❌ Less warm

❌ Less comfortable

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 4.2 oz (size Medium)
• Fill: 700
• Shell Denier: 30 D nylon Oeko-Tex® 100 certified PFC free

Exped’s down socks run in the middle of the pack compared to other models we tested. They look like extra fluffy socks. We like the design with five separated down-filled baffles and a toe box that keeps the down from moving around and prevents cold spots.

To secure the sock in place, there’s a thick external ankle band and an internal rubber heel band. They are made from a durable 30D environmentally-friendly nylon, but they lack soles which decrease the durability and makes them less usable outdoors.

Fortunately, though, Exped also carries a Bivy Booty that can pair with socks for outdoor use. Each pair comes with a 5-year warranty.

Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel

Price: $89

See on OUTDOOR RESEARCH See on REI

Pros

✅ Warm

✅ Durable

Cons

❌ Expensive

❌ Heavy

KEY SPECS

• Weight (Pair): 9.3 oz
• Fill: VerticalX™ ECO 100% Polyester (85% Recycled) Insulation 200 G/M², Primaloft® Aerogel 1.5Mm Insert, 60% Polyurethane
• Shell Denier: 100% Polyester Shell

With a modest micro-suede anti-slip sole that allows indoor or outdoor wear, we found these booties to be compressible while remaining durable. The shell is wind and water-resistant polyester, and inside there’s an ultra-soft tricot lining.

The insulation throughout the boot is OR’s specially designed Vertical X polyester for breathability, moisture management, and trusted warmth performance—even in wet conditions.

We like that, for added measure, the sole is made with an ultralight, water-resistant Primaloft Aerogel insert, which offers continuous insulation even if compressed. The booties close around the ankle with a cinched drawstring and run to mid-calf, making them a warm option.

They’re available in men’s or women’s and fit-wise, we found they run snug. The biggest drawbacks for us are the weight and price. They are the second heaviest and second most expensive on our list.

Key Factors To Consider When Choosing

PRICE

Down booties range widely in price. Inexpensive booties often are a simple design and fewer features. More expensive premium down booties have extras like robust soles for walking outside, more down, and a higher cut.

Down booties that provide the greatest value:

• WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties
• GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks
• ZPACKS Goose Socks
• ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT Torrid Booties

Affordable down booties:

• ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT Torrid Booties
• GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks
• THE NORTH FACE Thermoball Insulated Traction Booties

Premium down booties (most expensive):

• FEATHERED FRIENDS Down Booties
• OUTDOOR RESEARCH Tundra Aerogel Booties
• WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties

WEIGHT

As with most ultralight gear, the lighter it is, the fewer extra features it has. If you’re after a soleless, minimalistic pair of booties for wearing to bed or while relaxing in your tent, look for something under a few ounces. More full-featured booties have rubber traction soles, drawstring ankle enclosures, and additional down for warmth.

The Lightest down booties:

• ZPACKS Goose Socks
• GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks
• ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT Torrid Booties

WARMTH

Warmth comes down to fill and design. Fill will either be down or a synthetic material.

Down is the warmest and lightest, but it comes at a premium price and doesn’t do well in wet conditions. Synthetic is less expensive and works well even when wet. Down is rated by fill power. The higher the fill power, the greater the down will loft, creating more warmth per weight.

For design, the warmest down booties cover not just your feet but also will cover your shins. Look for down booties that are designed to give you max coverage when shopping for warm booties.

The warmest down booties:

• FEATHERED FRIENDS Down Booties
• WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties
• GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Socks
• ZPACKS Goose Socks

COMFORT

After a long day of hiking, you’ll want to slip your feet into something comfy. Comfort is largely a matter of personal preference.

Look for a good-fitting bootie that doesn’t slip but is also large enough to not constrict your feet. More robust soles will add comfort if you plan on walking around camp in your booties.

The most comfortable down booties:

• WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flash Down Booties
• FEATHERED FRIENDS Down Booties
• SIERRA DESIGNS Down Booties
• THE NORTH FACE Thermoball Insulated Traction Booties

Other Things to Consider

Water-resistance

Down booties aren’t necessarily waterproof, although many pairs come already treated with a water repellent coating that makes them ‘water-resistant.’ As with many down products, you’ll have to re-apply this treatment every so often to maintain it.

If you’re looking to wear your booties beyond just the inside of your tent, like in the snow, for example, then it’s best to purchase a waterproof shell to wear as a protective external layer.

Bonus tip: You can also make a pair of knock-off shells with some produce bags, rubber bands, and a little creativity.

Sizing

Booties come offered in a size range from XS-XXL, and each brand will have a chart based on shoe size to help steer buyers towards picking the right fit. However, all sizes are not created equal, and depending on the brand, the booties may run big or small.

Because of this, it’s helpful to take a quick read through the product reviews to see what people are saying fit-wise.

Sole Grip

• FOAM: If you want a little more structure to your down booties, then look for a pair with a foam sole. Although the foam won’t do much in the way of ground protection, it will make the booties sturdier.
• RUBBER: If durability is your major concern, and you want to wear your booties more like camp shoes, then go for a pair with a waterproof rubber outsole for an added protective barrier.

Note: You can also buy booties with non-slip soles for better traction—a nice feature if you plan to do some walking around in the snow or icy conditions.

Foam sole (Feathered Friends)

Durability

Down bootie shells are made from lightweight, breathable nylon or polyester that’s been treated with a DWR agent to protect the insulation from moisture exposure. The higher the denier, the more wind, and tear-resistant it is. Down booties should still always be handled delicately. They’re not designed to be worn through long periods of snow, rugged terrain, or in rough conditions.

Packability

Like weight, packability is going to depend on the type of booties you buy. If they don’t have a foam or rubber sole (or if they do, but the soles are removable), then they can compress down to about the size of a fist.

Many brands pass out a free stuff sack with their booties. Using it is a preference thing. Although the sack is not a necessity, it can help compact the booties and keep them protected from light moisture or dirt when not in use.

Most down booties come with a stuff sack and are extremely packable.

Down Source

When shopping down items, you may notice certain products have a blue RDS Logo on them. This stands for “Responsible Down Standard,” which is a global certification meaning the down came from a farm and supplier that’s been audited and complies with RDS standards for sourcing the down humanely and ethically.

Cinch Cuff

The booties won’t be much for warmth if there’s no way to trap in the heat they're producing. Therefore, many pairs come with enclosures around the ankles, like elastic cuffs or cinch draw-strings. Either works and deciding which feels or fits best is the user's call. Just ensure the cuffs fit comfortably yet securely to keep warm air in and stop cold air from getting in.

Cinch cuffs trap the heat and increase comfort (Goosefeet Gear)

Can You Wash Down Booties?

Washing your booties is no problem if the proper precautions are taken. Here are 10 steps to wash and dry your booties with ease:

1. If there’s an area that’s stained or especially dirty, dab at it with a touch of mild soap and a sponge before washing.
2. If the stain is fairly large, use a special down cleaning agent or a non-detergent soap and soak the item for around an hour.
3. Make sure all enclosures are fastened or tucked prior to washing.
4. Read through the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any surprises.
5. Use a front-load washer and a specially made downwash or non-detergent soap. You can also hand wash your booties in a bathtub or sink.
6. Turn the booties inside out and use a delicate, cool/warm water cycle.
7. Make sure all the soap is out when switching the booties to the dryer. If not, run them through a second wash cycle without soap.
8. Use a front-load dryer in a low-heat setting.
9. Throw some tennis balls in to protect the loft.
10. Check the booties every 10 minutes until dry.

TIPS:

• Only store down products when they’re completely dry.
• Don’t dry a down item in the sun as it can harm the fabric.
• Air drying is possible, though not always the best method because it can take quite a while, and it’s hard to prevent the down from clumping.
• Don’t “wring out” your item, as this can be damaging.
• Don’t store your booties in a compression bag when kept at home. Give them room to breathe to help retain loft.
• Don’t dry-clean them unless it’s through a specialized down-cleaning service. Dry cleaning voids the warranty and can strip the product of its natural oils.

Read more on washing down gear items here.