Strolling round (or doing something) in damp socks is actually terrible—which is why working errands on a drizzly day is a no-go, until you’ve correct rain boots. However what makes one pair that a lot better than the remaining?
One of the best rain boots we’ve discovered are all fully waterproof (not simply waterproof) 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 workforce has examined and liked. We additionally requested out of doors attire specialists for his or her tips about how to buy sturdy, sturdy rain boots that match accurately (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 high picks
- Greatest Total: L.L.Bean Bean Boots 6″
- Greatest for Extensive Ft: Uggs Drizlita
- Greatest for Strolling: Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Mid Zip Waterproof Boot
- Greatest for Commuting: Hunter Unique Tall Rain Boot
- Greatest for Mountain climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
- Greatest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
What to think about whereas purchasing for rain boots
Shopping for boots on-line will be tough, however our specialists have some tricks to make the method simpler.
Most rain boots are produced from rubber as a result of it’s nice at protecting water out, Mike Kreis, an REI Co-op product and gross sales specialist, tells SELF. Nevertheless, waterproof snow and mountain climbing boots are sometimes made largely with leather-based, he says—they usually can double as rain boots, if you need.
For fast journeys in a metropolis or suburb, you may in all probability get away with quick rain boots that hit proper round your ankle. “I’ve all the time 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 snug in a lower-cut boot.” For strolling via tall grass or deep puddles, a taller pair that comes as much as your mid-shin or knee is your greatest guess.
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 fully easy, you’re going to aquaplane”—identical 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 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). Nevertheless, 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 perfect match: “You need 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 needs to be nice for protecting your ft dry on stormy strolls, even when they don’t seem like your typical strolling sneakers. To ensure they’re comfortable, Williams suggests searching 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, if you happen to’re in a position to spend slightly bit more cash, I might positively work on looking for one thing that provides you extra consolation underneath the foot—one thing with a little bit of an arch [to support your foot] or a pleasant, padded insole.”
Greatest Total: L.L.Bean Bean Boots 6″
Professionals
- Wearable in all seasons
- Good traction
- Very sturdy
Cons
- Can chafe if you happen to’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, they usually’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, they usually 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, broad
Greatest for Extensive Ft: Uggs Drizlita
Professionals
- Quick peak is straightforward to fashion
- Designed for heavy rain
- Has a shearling insole for heat
Cons
- Too quick 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 via thunderstorms. The Drizlita is the proper pair to put on underneath straight- or wide-leg pants, they usually’re on the slimmer aspect, so 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 arduous to stroll in taller rain boots,” SELF life-style 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 usually ugly!” Be aware: These run slightly massive, so Ryu recommends them for anybody with broad ft (and when you’ve got slender ft, 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
Professionals
- Facet 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 present sufficient grip to maintain you in your ft 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, but it surely’s true).
“These are really easy to slide on and off, because of the zipper on the aspect,” Stone says. “And the knit element on the higher provides these a comfy look that makes them cute sufficient to put on all day, if you happen to don’t need 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
Professionals
- Trendy
- Very sturdy
- Tall shaft protects in opposition to splashing
Cons
- Heavy
- Traction could possibly 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, primarily based on her expertise. “They’re tremendous sturdy, and I do know they will deal with just about something when it comes to rain, mud, and snow,” she says. She recommends throwing them on to your commute and becoming one thing comfier later, since they’re bulkier than lots of our different high picks.
Materials: Rubber | Sizes: 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium
Greatest for Mountain climbing: Eager Targhee III Waterproof Mid
Professionals
- Nice traction
- Very supportive
- Good for all seasons
Cons
A bit of drizzle gained’t screw up your mountain climbing plans when you’ve got a pair of waterproof boots that may defend your ft and tackle slippery terrain. Our testers stayed comfortable in these 2023 Sneaker Award–successful boots via hours of mountain 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, broad
Greatest for Touring: Rocket Canine Wet Bootie
Professionals
- 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 fantastic 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 via 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!” Be aware: They don’t have superb traction, so persist with carrying them whereas sightseeing (versus mountain 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 price trying out—and all have rave critiques.
Bogs Neo-Traditional Tall
Professionals
- Cushioned midsole
- Handles make them simpler to placed on
Cons
- Will be arduous to take off, in line with Amazon reviewers
Rain boots aren’t precisely identified for being soft; the few pairs I’ve tried had zero arch assist 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, So that they’re snug, however in all probability don’t hold water out. Flawed—in line with customers, 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 protecting you from slipping and sliding, since they’re actually designed to be worn on boats. (We gained’t inform if you happen to simply put on them to expire and seize a candy deal with, although.)
“I put on them virtually on a regular basis, with my job taking me to unpredictable terrains,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “They don’t make your ft tremendous sizzling in the summertime, however you additionally don’t freeze within the winter. They’re completely price each penny.” We love that they arrive in enjoyable colours and prints too—plus, they hit proper on the ankle, so that they’ll peek out from underneath flared pants.
Materials: Rubber, mesh, neoprene | Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium
Kamik Heidi Boot
Professionals
- 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 finances, try these cheaper boots from Kamik. They’ve an 11-inch shaft that’ll cowl most of your shins, which can come in useful if you’re making an attempt to thoughts your online business and a automobile 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 mixtures
- Detachable insoles
Cons
- Some Merry Folks reviewers had bother discovering a very good match
Felbin is hoping to get her fingers on a pair of those cheery rain boots: “Once I first noticed them, I did a literal double take,” she says. “It’s so arduous to seek out waterproof boots which might be additionally cute, however these positively match the invoice! I’m obsessive about the intense colour mixtures—I’d put on any of them on a dreary day.”
The Chelsea boot fashion provides to their cuteness, whereas a neoprene lining retains your ft at a comfortable temperature. Even higher: They’ve detachable insoles to present your arches some good assist.
Materials: Rubber, neoprene | Sizes: 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium
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