Strolling round (or doing something) in damp socks is actually terrible—which is why operating errands on a drizzly day is a no-go, except you may have correct rain boots. However what makes one pair that significantly better than the remaining?
The most effective rain boots we’ve discovered are all utterly waterproof (not simply water resistant) and comfy 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 crew has examined and liked. We additionally requested outside attire consultants for his or her tips about how to buy sturdy, sturdy rain boots that match accurately (as a result of who needs extra returns to make?).
Our favorites are prepared for something—downpours and dust puddles have lastly met their match.
Our prime picks
- Greatest General: L.L. Bean Bean Boots 6”
- Greatest for Large Toes: Uggs Drizlita
- Greatest for Strolling: Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Mid Zip Waterproof Boot
- Greatest for Commuting: Hunter Unique Tall Rain Boot
- Greatest for Climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
- Greatest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
What to think about whereas searching for rain boots
Shopping for boots on-line might be difficult, however our consultants have some tricks to make the method simpler.
Most rain boots are constructed from 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 principally 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 in all probability 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 stay within the Seattle space the place we see quite a lot of rain, although I don’t discover myself figuring out in deep snow or in rivers—that’s why I’d 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 greatest 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 primarily based in Massachusetts, tells SELF. “If it’s utterly clean, you’re going to aquaplane”—similar to a automobile does on a moist, slick street—“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 correct rain boot for you
Do you have to dimension 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 in full sizes, many will really feel looser than a sneaker would, Kreis says.
The best match: “You wish to have just a little little bit of room to wiggle your toes, so I usually say a few 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 along with your toes having to grip to hold on to them,” she provides. To assist take up house inside a bigger boot, she suggests carrying a thick sock or including an insole.
Are rain boots good for strolling?
Sure! The precise rain boots ought to be nice for retaining your toes dry on stormy strolls, even when they don’t appear like your typical strolling sneakers. To ensure they’re comfortable, 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 along with your foot,” she says. “Then, should you’re capable of spend just a little bit more cash, I’d positively work on looking for one thing that offers you extra consolation beneath the foot—one thing with a little bit of an arch [to support your foot] or a pleasant, padded insole.”
Greatest General: L.L. Bean Bean Boots 6”
Execs
- 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 yr spherical with out your toes overheating. (Our editor recommends pairing them with some beefier socks in winter, although.)
Materials: Leather-based, rubber | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium, large
Greatest for Large Toes: Uggs Drizlita
Execs
- Quick top is simple to model
- 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 enduring suede Uggs, however their waterproof exterior and rubber sole are significantly 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 received’t really feel too cumbersome or heavy.
“I principally love these as a result of they’re shorter and extra handy—I discover it exhausting to stroll in taller rain boots,” SELF life-style author Jenna Ryu says. “These hold my toes dry even on the rainiest days. And it’s a perk that they arrive in enjoyable colours, since rain boots are typically ugly!” Notice: These run just a little massive, so Ryu recommends them for anybody with large toes (and if in case you have slender toes, she suggests sizing down).
Materials: PVC plastic, rubber, lyocell, EVA foam | Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium
Greatest for Strolling: Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Mid Zip Waterproof Boot
Execs
- Aspect zipper
- Insulated
- Rugged sole supplies 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 present sufficient grip to maintain you in your toes when the streets ice over. The froth and gel insole additionally makes these boots comfortable sufficient to put on if you’re racking up your steps—a characteristic that’s lacking with the basic, 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
Greatest for Commuting: Hunter Unique Tall Rain Boot
Execs
- 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: just a little heavy) and can final for years, primarily based on her expertise. “They’re tremendous sturdy, and I do know they will deal with just about something by way of rain, mud, and snow,” she says. She recommends throwing them on on your commute and turning into one thing comfier later, since they’re bulkier than lots of our different prime picks.
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium
Greatest for Climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
Execs
- Nice traction
- Very supportive
- Good for all seasons
Cons
A little bit drizzle received’t screw up your climbing plans if in case you have a pair of waterproof boots that may shield your toes and tackle slippery terrain. Our testers stayed comfortable in these 2023 Sneaker Award–profitable 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 toes dry.
Materials: Leather-based, mesh, EVA foam | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium, large
Greatest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
Execs
- Price range-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 a terrific pair to deliver 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 suppose they’re fairly cute!” Notice: They don’t have wonderful traction, so persist 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 suppose they’re value trying out—and all have rave critiques.
Bogs Neo-Basic Tall
Execs
- Cushioned midsole
- Handles make them simpler to placed on
Cons
- Will be exhausting to take off, in response to Amazon reviewers
Rain boots aren’t precisely identified 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 may be pondering, in order that they’re comfy, however in all probability don’t hold water out. Unsuitable—in response to consumers, you may slosh round in puddles and nonetheless have dry toes: “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
Execs
- 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 received’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 toes tremendous sizzling 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
Execs
- Price range-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 funds, take a look at these inexpensive boots from Kamik. They’ve an 11-inch shaft that’ll cowl most of your shins, which is able to come in useful if you’re making an attempt to thoughts your enterprise and a automobile splashes you (impolite). On a design notice, their shiny end additionally provides them a cooler vibe.
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium
Merry Folks Bobbi Ankle Boot
Execs
- Cute shade mixtures
- 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 exhausting to search out waterproof boots which are additionally cute, however these positively match the invoice! I’m obsessive about the intense shade mixtures—I’d put on any of them on a dreary day.”
The Chelsea boot model provides to their cuteness, whereas a neoprene lining retains your toes at a comfortable temperature. Even higher: They’ve detachable insoles, to present your arches some good help.
Materials: Rubber, neoprene | Sizes: 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium
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