Ugg Adirondack XXV Winter Boot (Women's) Review
The Ugg Adirondack XXV ($250) is the rare winter boot that earns its place for both casual and performance use. The thick insulation, Vibram outsole, and DryTech waterproof membrane give it genuine cold-weather credentials, while the high-pile fleece cuff and sleek leather upper set it apart from the utilitarian winter boots that dominate this category. Our tester wore it throughout a winter of mixed conditions in Leavenworth, Washington, and found it capable and comfortable for everything from slushy backroads and icy parking lots to nights on the town. The lacing system demands more commitment than a slip-on design, and it's not quite as waterproof as a taller rubber boot. But for someone who wants a winter boot that can go from the trail to the dinner table without missing a beat, the Adirondack XXV is a compelling option.
Warmth
Walking Comfort
Traction
Waterproofing
Durability
Sustainability
Upper
Leather
Insulation
Wool & 3M Xerogel
Boot Height
7.5 in.
Weight
2 lb. 13 oz.
Waterproofing
DryTech membrane
Pros
Cons
Ugg Adirondack XXV
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Women's Winter Boots.
The Ugg Adirondack XXV is seriously warm for a boot that looks this refined. The thick (17mm, or ⅔ of an inch) wool-and-lyocell lining and insole wrap the foot in thick, plush insulation that heats up quickly and holds its warmth well. Paired with a mid-height shaft (7.5 in.) and a thick leather upper, the boot buffers wind effectively and seals in warmth. I walked along snowy backroads and stood on icy terrain for extended periods during my testing, and with warm wool socks, my toes stayed toasty throughout. With the right layering, I'd trust this boot down to the teens Fahrenheit, and possibly even to zero if I was moving around.
That warmth does come with a ceiling, though. Any kind of vigorous activity that gets the heart pounding would quickly tip into too warm. As such, this is a walkabout boot more than a hiking boot, great for neighborhood strolls, errands around town, and standing around in the cold. It's not quite rated for a Himalayan expedition, but for cold winters in northern mountain towns, the Ugg Adirondack XXV more than delivers.
The Ugg Adirondack XXV is an exceptionally comfortable boot, both at rest and while walking. In fact, it’s one of the most comfortable winter boots we tested—the only boot that matches it is the sneaker-like Thermoball Zip Up from The North Face.
The Adirondack's thick blended wool-lyocell lining is the first reason for its comfort. Slipping your foot in feels like sinking into a cloud, and the plush insulation packs down just enough to accommodate a range of sock thicknesses without feeling sloppy. I would even slip these boots on over bare feet if the situation called for it—running outside to the mailbox, for example. The lyocell content helps temper wool's itchiness and makes the whole package feel great against the skin.
In terms of walking, the Adirondack XXV moves surprisingly well for a warm winter boot. It's sturdy without being excessively heavy, and the relatively narrow base—more comparable to a shoe than to a wide-footed winter boot like the Fubuki—gives it a precision underfoot that I appreciated on trails and on sloppy back roads. Its flexibility is also more in line with that of a trail running shoe than a heavy winter boot, making me feel like I could walk in it for miles and imparting confidence in mixed conditions without making me feel like I’m stomping around in snow boots.
The Vibram outsole on the Ugg Adirondack XXV is one of its standout features. Deep lugs perform confidently across mud, ice, snow, and slushy sidewalks, and the rubber compound is specifically tuned for grip on ice. Walking across the Snow Creek parking lot in Leavenworth—which had turned into a solid sheet of ice after a mid-winter rain—my friend faceplanted in her insulated Blundstones while I walked breezily alongside her, perhaps a little arrogant in my wide, sturdy Vibram soles. While the Adirondack's aesthetic leans toward town strolls, the traction has dark-horse capabilities and could easily pass for a short, mellow hike for someone without more trail-suited footwear.
The Ugg Adirondack XXV is impressively weatherproof for a leather boot. The thick leather upper and sealed seams do a solid job protecting the interior from moisture, and a DryTech waterproof membrane adds an extra layer of insurance underneath. The gusseted tongue attaches about 6 inches up the side of the boot, which means I could step into a puddle nearly 7 inches deep—accounting for the sole—without getting wet. Of course this can’t match the kind of protection you get with a 12-inch-tall rubber boot, but for its design, the Adirondack is impressively waterproof. During rainy and snowy walks, the interior of my boots stayed absolutely dry throughout.
One small shortcoming is that the Adirondack’s liner is not removable, meaning that if moisture does find its way in, drying the boot out takes more patience than with a removable design. And keep in mind that moisture doesn’t always come in just from the outside—sweat can be an issue with the UGG. Breathability is limited, as you'd expect from a leather boot with a waterproof membrane, and I’ve learned over time that I can’t do too rigorous of activity in this boot.
After two months of testing—mostly around town in Leavenworth and on some slushy gravel backroads—the Ugg Adirondack XXV shows no signs of wear. The sole shows no separation, the seam stitching isn't fraying, and the leather upper looks largely as it did out of the box. A full verdict on long-term durability will take years rather than months, but for one season of regular use, these boots have held up well and show every sign of being a long-lasting addition to my winter quiver.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
PFAS-Free Waterproofing
The waterproofing materials used in winter boots, such as membranes and durable water-repellent finishes, can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses PFAS-free materials, while a red X means some of the materials contain PFAS.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Leather
Responsible leather is typically sourced from suppliers certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), a third-party nonprofit that evaluates tanneries on factors such as water and energy use, chemical and waste management, emissions, traceability, and worker safety, and assigns ratings ranging from Bronze to Gold. A green check mark indicates a product uses responsibly sourced leather, a yellow check mark indicates the brand sources responsible leather for the majority of its products but does not specify it at the product level, and a red X indicates the product does not use responsibly sourced leather.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one of the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
The Adirondack XXV's lacing system is well-designed, with closely spaced grommets that allow for precise, even tension across the foot. On longer walks, I noticed the laces loosening over time—likely from the articulation of my foot and shin moving the tongue with each step—and had to stop to retighten them. It's a minor inconvenience, but worth noting.
Pull tabs on both the tongue and heel make the boot easy to pull on, though you do need to unlace the Adirondack first and use both hands to get them on. This can feel cumbersome when you're going in and out of friends' homes, or when you have your hands full and need to slip your boot on for a quick errand. Coming from the Muck Boot Arctic Sport II, which I could just slip my foot into hands-free, the Adirondack took a clear convenience hit.
A final feature worth calling out is the high-pile fleece cuff, which can be worn up for more coverage and a sleeker look, or rolled down for a fur-lined collar effect. It's a small touch of versatility that almost makes it feel like two boots for the price of one.
I typically wear a women's 7.5 and tested that size, which fit perfectly. Unlike many winter boots, the Adirondack XXV comes in half sizes, which is a nod to how sleekly and precisely it's designed to fit—no clomping around here. I have normal to wide feet and found it comfortable, if perhaps a hair on the narrow side, but the thick, compressible fleece lining gives the boot some forgiveness and makes it fairly accommodating across a range of foot shapes. If you have wider feet, it might be worth trying a half size up.
The North Face Shellista VI ($175): Savings at a Cost
The Shellista VI and the Adirondack XXV are both waterproof leather boots designed for cold-weather town use, and the Shellista is a compelling alternative. It's capable and warm in the 20- to 40-degree range, has surprisingly good traction, and comes in at a price that's much easier to justify. The Adirondack, though, is the more refined and comfortable boot in almost every way, with a plush wool-and-lyocell lining, half-size availability, and a fit that feels more like a shoe than a winter boot. For someone who wants a functional winter boot without the premium price tag, the Shellista is a solid pick, but many will still find the Adirondack worth every penny. To learn more, check out our The North Face Shellista VI review.
Sorel Caribou ($250): A Legacy Boot with More Bulk
The Caribou and the Adirondack XXV are both premium cold-weather boots, but they represent different philosophies. The Caribou leans into warmth and durability above all else—its removable felt-and-fleece liner, robust rubber base, and suede upper have proven themselves over decades of hard use. It doesn't offer the sneaker-like comfort or precise fit of the Adirondack, though, which limits its versatility for hiking or heading out on the town. For all-out warmth and durability in a leather boot, the Caribou makes a strong case, but the Adirondack is more refined and comfortable. For more, read our review of the Sorel Caribou.
The Adirondack XXV is the rare winter boot that does it all—it has genuine cold- and wet-weather credentials and a grippy Vibram outsole, is comfortable enough for logging miles, and looks good out on the town. It's not cheap, and it’s not as easy to get on as we’d like, but for someone who refuses to choose between style and function, it's hard to beat.
Warmth
Walking Comfort
Traction
Waterproofing
Durability
Sustainability
The North Face Shellista VI is a casual yet surprisingly capable everyday winter boot that keeps feet dry and warm in the 20- to 40-degree range. Its narrow fit, lace-up entry, and dated style won't suit everyone, but it's a comfortable and versatile option at a great price.
Warmth
Walking Comfort
Traction
Waterproofing
Durability
Sustainability
The Sorel Caribou is a legacy winter boot that delivers lots of warmth, waterproofing, and decades-worthy durability in a classic rubber-and-suede package. Its bulk and stiffness are limiting factors, but if you want the look and are willing to work around its drawbacks, it’s iconic for good reason.
Warmth
Walking Comfort
Traction
Waterproofing
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Adirondack XXV for You?
The UGG Adirondack XXV is for someone who wants a boot that holds its own in cold, wet conditions while still being polished enough for a dinner out or a day at the office. The refined leather upper, optional fleece cuff, and sleek fit keep things classy. It also feels more like an extension of the foot than most winter boots, making it better suited to long walking commutes than clunky, brick-like designs. It lacks the convenience of a slip-on design—you'll need to unlace it and use both hands to put it on—so it's not ideal for quick errands where hands-free entry matters. But for cold-weather town use where style and performance need to coexist, the Adirondack XXV is one of the strongest options we've tested.
Go for it if you want a warm, waterproof, and stylish everyday winter boot with serious traction and a refined fit.
Pass on it if you need a slip-on design or the maximum waterproofing of a taller rubber boot.
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