These Are the 14 Best Rain Boots for Taking on Any Puddle (2024)

From our perspective, the best rain boots don’t need to look like rain boots. Especially if you’re shopping for travel, you want boots that will be able to do more than just splash through puddles (though that’s also important). Sorel’s Out N About III are waterproof while also feeling like your favorite sneakers.

A slight platform and thick traction-enhanced sole keep you out of the elements while a molded EVA footbed keeps things padded. Choose between a leather or suede upper to pair with the rubber duck boot lower half and a slew of color options from black to beige to bright orange. There are half sizes available, which isn’t always the case for rain boots, though they are a little bulky so they may be challenging to dress up. The laces mean they’ll be easier to get on and off more comfortably than with a pull-on pair. If you prefer a sleeker look, the Emelie III Zip Booties are also waterproof and have a go-anywhere silhouette, or you can get a little funky and add a chunky heel and some color with the Brex.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Leather/suede, textile, rubber

Salter’s Hemp Wellies aren’t just sustainable; they also feel supportive and run true to size. They do require a break-in period, but they offer support for both the ankles and arches, and their tighter calf helps prevent any moisture from sneaking into the top of the boot. They’re also a little heavy, but they have good traction, with no slippage occurring, and can easily be worn out and about for the day. The construction feels sturdy and long-lasting, and while they only come in one color, it’s an attractive neutral that will look good with whatever you pair it with.

The Details: 35 to 46 | Hemp plastic

Merry People’s Bobbi boots are comfortable and versatile enough to wear even if the forecast doesn’t necessarily call for rain. We experienced some slight pinching on wider feet at first during our testing, but they loosened up after a few hours of breaking-in and felt like a hug on our feet from there. There was no soreness or discomfort even after four straight hours of wear.

They’re easy to slip on thanks to the neoprene lining, and the cushioned sole provides a good amount of arch support. The length hits right above the ankle so you’re protected from puddles, and they are still comfortable even with thick socks (though your calves will still be exposed). They’re a little heavy but have lots of traction so there’s no need to worry about slipping. The insoles did slide out whenever we took them off which was a minor nuisance, but not enough that we won’t still consider wearing them even if it’s dry outside. There are also 19 different color combinations to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Rubber and neoprene

If you’ve walked around any city in the rain, you’ve probably encountered a pair of Hunters. We wore them multiple times a day, sometimes even without socks and over pajama pants for quick walks, and stayed comfortable all the while thanks to the cushioned liner. There isn’t a lot of arch support and they do get a bit sweaty during prolonged wear, but they feel high-quality and well-balanced weight-wise.

The traction holds up against wet grass and pavement and despite being “short,” they’re still high enough to block out any puddle splashes. They’re also easy to get on and off, and the adjustable buckle gives them a little more customizability. Plus, their color selection numbers in the double digits, though they don’t come in half sizes.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber

Everlane’s rain boots are impressively comfortable. They’re supportive in the arch and ankle thanks to slightly squishy insoles, and the shorter height and elastic sides make them easy to walk in and a little more breathable than traditional rain boots.

They are a little tight across the top of the foot for wider feet, though, and were uncomfortable with thick socks. However, the cushioned insole and thick tread make them feel high-quality, and though they’re a little bit on the heavy side, they aren’t uncomfortably so. The grippy soles held up to rainy streets in NYC and in the U.K., and the rubber lining behind the elastic helped keep feet extra dry. We also appreciate Everlane’s interesting color palette, with four different hues available.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber

For a straightforward, easy rain boot, go for the Bogs Sweetpea. These held up against Vermont’s intense summer 2023 flooding without any slipping, and they held solid on gravel, pavement, wood, and stone.

They don’t come in half sizes, and we found ours to be just a bit on the large side but believe the size down would have been too small. That said, they didn’t rub anywhere or create any hot spots, and they didn’t require any breaking in. The thick material feels long-lasting without being heavy and they have excellent traction. And of course, no moisture snuck in at any point while wearing them.

The Details: 6 to 11 | Nylon and rubber

Maybe you don’t want to drop too much cash on a piece of footwear you don’t expect to wear very often. In that case, Asgard’s Chelsea boots are your best bet. We found them to run true to size when wearing regular socks, though they did get a bit warm when we were indoors. The insides are fairly basic in terms of comfort, without very much padding or support, but are still comfortable enough and ready to wear out of the box.

They felt sturdy but not heavy and had a good amount of traction even in a muddy field and when tramping through flowing gutters, and kept our feet dry the whole time thanks to the thick rubber. The pull tabs to get them on were especially helpful, as were the elastic sides. Bonus: they come in 15 different colors, so you could even pick up two to match your favorite umbrellas.

The Details: 4 to 12 | Rubber

Muck Boots are mainly known for their popularity among outdoor workers, so you know they’ll be able to hold up to your everyday use. The outsole is self-cleaning so you can wade through whatever you may encounter, and a mesh lining helps wick moisture away from your feet so you won’t get too sweaty in the process.

They’re also insulated with neoprene so you’ll stay dry and comfortable, and a flexible footbed provides bounce and adjusts to the contours of your feet. They come in a few different colors and patterns, including some fun prints, though their thicker outdoorsy build may be harder to work into a city wardrobe.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Neoprene, rubber

If you only want to pack one pair of boots, make it these. The versatile silhouette of Camper’s Brutus line makes them easy to wear with a variety of outfits and across scenarios, whether you’re on the trail or out to dinner.

Gore-Tex technology keeps your feet dry, while EVA midsoles and OrthoLite footbeds are comfortable underfoot, and Michelin rubber outsoles ensure you can grip across any surface. Unfortunately, the Gore-Tex version of the Trek only comes in black, but the Brutus also comes in a lace-up non-waterproof style in a slew of colors or a less rugged waterproof lace-up with Hydroshield option.

The Details: 5 to 10 | Rubber

These duck boots from Columbia beat out multiple other strong contenders in our tests for the title of best duck boots. Their combination of a suede upper, rubber boot, and fleece lining proved both waterproof and extremely warm as well as breathable, and they were comfortable right out of the box.

The insoles offer excellent cushioning and the thick outsoles provide endurance and traction on nearly every surface (we only slipped once on ice). We also appreciate that they’re available in half sizes, which many rain boots aren’t, and in multiple color combinations.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Suede, fleece, rubber

The most sustainable choice you can make is just buying one pair of boots and wearing them for as long as possible. But there are other ways that companies can make their products more sustainable as well. Luckily, Kamik’s boots are designed to last and are built with eco-friendlier materials.

They’re made of a lightweight PVC-free synthetic rubber that Kamik calls RubberHe, with a removable EVA footbed for comfort and sealed seams to keep you completely dry. None of the materials involved are made from or tested on animals either, and once you’ve worn them out, you can send the boots back to Kamik to be recycled. Choose from black, charcoal, or a range of colors to liven up your rainy days.

The Details: 6 to 11 | Rubber

They look like a classic pair of sleek riding boots, but this pair from La Canadienne has a lot more going on than meets the eye. The leather (or suede) upper is fully waterproof and made with a microfiber lining so your feet can still breathe and have their moisture wicked away.

There’s also a zipper, unlike with most rain boots, so they’re easy to get on and off, and a memory foam insole. Combine that with a rubber outsole for traction and a block heel for a little extra style, and they may be the only boots you wear for most of the year. They come in three different widths as well as half sizes and both leather and suede styles, so there’s a pair to suit almost any foot.

The Details: 5 to 10 X-Wide | 100 percent leather

Rain boots aren’t always the most supportive footwear. But those who need a little more arch support need not despair. FitFlop takes its ergonomic design experience and applies it to the WonderWelly rain boot, with a removable cushioned insole that’s biomechanically engineered for comfort and support.

They also feature antimicrobial mesh to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria (a definite plus in a rubber shoe) and a slip-resistant sole to keep you grounded. The tall, pull-on style is a classic, and they’re available in sleek black, green, and navy, as well as in a shorter style if you prefer less height. Bonus: the calf has an adjustable strap so you can fine-tune your fit.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber and textile

If you’re logging serious mileage in your rain boots, you may want to opt for a pair of Blundstones. These classic shoes now have a waterproof version with the thermal styles, which come in two builds: the All-Terrain, which have a high-traction Vibram outsole for when you’re tackling snow and ice in addition to rain, and the less intense Thermal high-top if you don’t need something quite so rugged.

Rather than rubber, they’re made of a waterproofed leather, so you’ll get more flex and breathability. They’re also designed for up to 90 percent shock absorption as you walk, so your feet will stay fresh for longer, and the Thinsulate lining also helps you stay warm no matter the conditions. You may not want to be fording creeks in these, though, as the leather won’t be as waterproof as rubber.

The Details: 6 to 11 | Leather, rubber

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the best way to pack rain boots?

  Since they’re usually made of thick rubber, rain boots aren’t always the easiest item to pack. If the tops can roll down or the boots can fold, that will help them fit better into your luggage. If they can’t, you can also stuff them with smaller items like underwear, socks, or rolled-up shirts to optimize your packing space. As with any other pair of bulky shoes, rain boots should go into your bag early in the process so you can put them on the bottom and work around them.

• How do I clean rain boots?

  The best way to clean anything is by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Luckily, your rain boots should be pretty sturdy by default, and most dirt and other ick should easily come off with a wipe or wet cloth. We also recommend spot-cleaning over putting them in the washing machine, which could damage both the boots and your machine.

• How should rain boots fit?

  Comfortably! Rubber doesn’t have a lot of stretch to it, so you’ll want to make sure you have room to wiggle your toes and walk comfortably from the first wear. Most rain boots only come in full sizes; check the manufacturer’s advice for sizing, but most recommend you size up rather than down if you’re between sizes.

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