Strolling round (or doing something) in damp socks is really terrible—which is why working errands on a drizzly day is a no-go, until you will have correct rain boots. However what makes one pair that a lot better than the remainder?
One of the best rain boots we’ve discovered are all utterly waterproof (not simply water resistant) and cozy to clomp round in, whether or not you’re taking your canine for a fast stroll or logging miles round a metropolis. Forward, you’ll discover a number of top-notch pairs that the SELF group has examined and cherished. We additionally requested outside attire specialists for his or her tips about how to buy sturdy, sturdy rain boots that match appropriately (as a result of who desires extra returns to make?).
Our favorites are prepared for something—downpours and dirt puddles have lastly met their match.
Our prime picks
- Finest General: L.L. Bean Bean Boots 6”
- Finest for Vast Ft: Uggs Drizlita
- Finest for Strolling: Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Mid Zip Waterproof Boot
- Finest for Commuting: Hunter Authentic Tall Rain Boot
- Finest for Climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
- Finest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
What to contemplate whereas purchasing for rain boots
Shopping for boots on-line could be difficult, however our specialists have some tricks to make the method simpler.
Most rain boots are made out of rubber as a result of it’s nice at retaining water out, Mike Kreis, an REI Co-op product and gross sales specialist, tells SELF. Nonetheless, waterproof snow and climbing boots are sometimes made largely with leather-based, he says—and so they can double as rain boots, if you would like.
For fast journeys in a metropolis or suburb, you may most likely get away with brief rain boots that hit proper round your ankle. “I’ve at all times considered shorter boots as extra informal and taller boots [as being] for extra particular wants,” Kreis says. “I dwell within the Seattle space the place we see plenty of rain, although I don’t discover myself figuring out in deep snow or in rivers—that’s why I might be extra comfy in a lower-cut boot.” For strolling by way of tall grass or deep puddles, a taller pair that comes as much as your mid-shin or knee is your finest wager.
For a boot to have good traction, the only must have grooves or treads that add texture and grip, Ann Williams, a footwear design skilled based mostly in Massachusetts, tells SELF. “If it’s utterly clean, you’re going to aquaplane”—identical to a automotive does on a moist, slick highway—“and that’s an issue,” she says. She additionally recommends boots with rubber soles (versus foam or artificial ones) as a result of they’re naturally much less slippery.
FAQs about discovering the fitting rain boot for you
Must you measurement up in rain boots?
It relies upon—on one hand, carrying tight sneakers can result in pinched toes and blistered heels (the stuff of nightmares). Nonetheless, since most rain boots aren’t adjustable (as a result of they don’t have laces) and solely are available full sizes, many will really feel looser than a sneaker would, Kreis says.
The best match: “You wish to have slightly little bit of room to wiggle your ft, so I usually say a couple of thumb’s width on the entrance of the shoe,” Williams says. Emphasis on a little room, although. “You additionally don’t need them to be too massive as a result of you find yourself together with your toes having to grip to hold on to them,” she provides. To assist take up area inside a bigger boot, she suggests carrying a thick sock or including an insole.
Are rain boots good for strolling?
Sure! The best rain boots must be nice for retaining your ft dry on stormy strolls, even when they don’t appear like your typical strolling sneakers. To verify they’re cozy, Williams suggests on the lookout for a pair that’s versatile on the forefoot. “You don’t need them to be actually inflexible since you need it to have the ability to transfer together with your foot,” she says. “Then, should you’re capable of spend slightly bit extra money, I might undoubtedly work on looking for one thing that provides you extra consolation beneath the foot—one thing with a little bit of an arch [to support your foot] or a pleasant, padded insole.”
Finest General: L.L. Bean Bean Boots 6”
Professionals
- Wearable in all seasons
- Good traction
- Very sturdy
Cons
- Can chafe should you’re carrying low or skinny socks
“I can’t not shout out my Bean Boots when the topic of rain boots comes up,” SELF commerce author Sara Coughlin says. “I’ve had my pair for over 10 years and so they’re nonetheless watertight—I’m speaking walk-directly-through-puddles-with-dry-feet watertight.”
They’re made with sturdy leather-based that softens properly over time, and so they have a rubber backside with a grippy tread sample. And since they’re not insulated, you may put on all of them 12 months spherical with out your ft overheating. (Our editor recommends pairing them with some beefier socks in winter, although.)
Materials: Leather-based, rubber | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium, vast
Finest for Vast Ft: Uggs Drizlita
Professionals
- Brief peak is straightforward to type
- Designed for heavy rain
- Has a shearling insole for heat
Cons
- Too brief for deep puddles
These boots have the identical fluffy lining as the long-lasting suede Uggs, however their waterproof exterior and rubber sole are a lot better for traipsing by way of thunderstorms. The Drizlita is the right pair to put on beneath straight- or wide-leg pants, and so they’re on the slimmer facet, in order that they gained’t really feel too cumbersome or heavy.
“I largely love these as a result of they’re shorter and extra handy—I discover it laborious to stroll in taller rain boots,” SELF way of life author Jenna Ryu says. “These hold my ft dry even on the rainiest days. And it’s a perk that they arrive in enjoyable colours, since rain boots are typically ugly!” Be aware: These run slightly massive, so Ryu recommends them for anybody with vast ft (and when you have slim ft, she suggests sizing down).
Materials: PVC plastic, rubber, lyocell, EVA foam | Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium
Finest for Strolling: Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Mid Zip Waterproof Boot
Professionals
- Aspect zipper
- Insulated
- Rugged sole gives traction for icy streets or trails
Cons
- Too heat to put on in the summertime
SELF’s commerce director Abbey Stone loves these cozy boots from Merrell (a perennial SELF fave model) for moist, frigid days. They’re totally insulated to maintain your tootsies toasty when temps drop within the fall, and their outsole is designed to offer sufficient grip to maintain you in your ft when the streets ice over. The froth and gel insole additionally makes these boots cozy sufficient to put on whenever you’re racking up your steps—a function that’s lacking with the traditional, streamlined design of many galoshes (sorry, Hunter, nevertheless it’s true).
“These are really easy to slide on and off, due to the zipper on the facet,” Stone says. “And the knit element on the higher provides these a comfortable look that makes them cute sufficient to put on all day, should you don’t wish to lug an additional pair of sneakers with you to brunch or work.”
Materials: Leather-based, rubber, recycled fleece, foam insole | Sizes: 5 to 11.5 | Widths: Medium
Finest for Commuting: Hunter Authentic Tall Rain Boot
Professionals
- Fashionable
- Very sturdy
- Tall shaft protects in opposition to splashing
Cons
- Heavy
- Traction might be higher
Puddles completely hate to see these OG rain boots coming: “I really feel like Hunters are classically cute and by no means exit of favor,” SELF senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin says. They’re hefty (learn: slightly heavy) and can final for years, based mostly on her expertise. “They’re tremendous sturdy, and I do know they’ll deal with just about something when it comes to rain, mud, and snow,” she says. She recommends throwing them on in your commute and turning into one thing comfier later, since they’re bulkier than a lot of our different prime picks.
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium
Finest for Climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
Professionals
- Nice traction
- Very supportive
- Good for all seasons
Cons
Somewhat drizzle gained’t screw up your climbing plans when you have a pair of waterproof boots that may shield your ft and tackle slippery terrain. Our testers stayed cozy in these 2023 Sneaker Award–successful boots by way of hours of climbing, with one saying they felt like “an extension of [her] foot.” Even when testers hit some water crossings on a path, the Targhee III managed to maintain their ft dry.
Materials: Leather-based, mesh, EVA foam | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium, vast
Finest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
Professionals
- Funds-friendly
- Light-weight
- Lace up for a greater match
Cons
One SELF editor says these are the lightest rain boots she’s ever worn, which additionally makes them an awesome pair to convey with you in your subsequent journey. They lace as much as hug your foot and hold water from seeping in: “I can stomp by way of mud and puddles and never fear about my socks getting moist,” our editor says, including that she typically throws these on to stroll her canine. “I additionally assume they’re fairly cute!” Be aware: They don’t have superb traction, so keep on with carrying them whereas sightseeing (versus climbing the Alps).
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium
Extra nice rain boots
Though we haven’t examined these pairs for ourselves, we nonetheless assume they’re value trying out—and all have rave opinions.
Bogs Neo-Basic Tall
Professionals
- Cushioned midsole
- Handles make them simpler to placed on
Cons
- Will be laborious to take off, in line with Amazon reviewers
Rain boots aren’t precisely recognized for being comfortable; the few pairs I’ve tried had zero arch help and no padding. However Kreis recommends these Bogs boots (which one Amazon reviewer says really feel like “strolling on pillows”) for his or her contoured foam footbed with pockets of gel cushioning.
You is perhaps considering, in order that they’re comfy, however most likely don’t hold water out. Incorrect—in line with buyers, you may slosh round in puddles and nonetheless have dry ft: “What waterproof actually means! A novel idea,” one wrote.
Materials: Rubber, EVA foam | Sizes: 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium
Xtratuf 6 Inch Ankle Deck Boot
Professionals
- Slip-resistant
- Wearable in all seasons
- Are available in a bunch of colorways
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say the boots crack after months of frequent put on
Kreis additionally recommends these deck boots, that are all about retaining you from slipping and sliding, since they’re actually designed to be worn on boats. (We gained’t inform should you simply put on them to expire and seize a candy deal with, although.)
“I put on them nearly on a regular basis, with my job taking me to unpredictable terrains,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “They do not make your ft tremendous scorching in the summertime, however you additionally do not freeze within the winter. They’re completely value each penny.” We love that they arrive in enjoyable colours and prints too—plus, they hit proper on the ankle, in order that they’ll peek out from beneath flared pants.
Materials: Rubber, mesh, neoprene | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium
Kamik Heidi Boot
Professionals
- Funds-friendly
- Smooth, shiny end
- Protects shins from splashes
Cons
- Amazon reviewers say they run small
If Hunter or Bogs are a bit out of your finances, take a look at these cheaper boots from Kamik. They’ve an 11-inch shaft that’ll cowl most of your shins, which is able to come in useful whenever you’re attempting to thoughts your corporation and a automotive splashes you (impolite). On a design observe, their shiny end additionally provides them a cooler vibe.
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium
Merry Folks Bobbi Ankle Boot
Professionals
- Cute colour combos
- Detachable insoles
Cons
- Some Merry Folks reviewers had hassle discovering match
Felbin is hoping to get her arms on a pair of those cheery rain boots: “Once I first noticed them, I did a literal double take,” she says. “It’s so laborious to search out waterproof boots which are additionally cute, however these undoubtedly match the invoice! I’m obsessive about the intense colour combos—I’d put on any of them on a dreary day.”
The Chelsea boot type provides to their cuteness, whereas a neoprene lining retains your ft at a comfortable temperature. Even higher: They’ve detachable insoles, to offer your arches some good help.
Materials: Rubber, neoprene | Sizes: 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium
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