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Apr 25, 2023

The 8 Best Rain Boots of 2023

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These rain boots are practical additions to keep you dry on hikes, commutes, or long days in the rain.

You don't have to look like Paddington Bear or the Gorton's fisherman to keep dry when you’re caught in the rain. Along with workwear jackets and other articles of utility, these days, your pair of rain boots doesn't have to only serve you when it pours.

There are plenty of styles that employ updated materials and old-school manufacturing to create boots that can handle getting caught in the rain and still look good when you get to your destination, saving you from wet socks and cartoonish slip-and-falls while hustling across the sidewalk.

You can still buy the traditional tall rain boot, but if you’re looking for a waterproof pair that can serve you at work, on the trail, or on long walks, our recommendations range from hikers to workwear boots to sneaker-like hybrids. Whether you’re after a pair of Wellies to brave a rainy day out or a waterproof boot to slip on while running errands on rainy days, these are the best rain boots on the market.

Rain boots are no longer made of just rubber—you have your pick of leathers and synthetics that will repel water during a shower. A rubber boot is the ideal if you’re wading in water or jumping in puddles, or if you’re going fishing or hunting in heavy rainfall.

Full-grain leather is durable enough for work boots and motorcycle jackets and can be weatherproof, but you don't want to submerge these in water for long periods of time. The height of the opening of the boot—called shaft height—should be high enough to give you ample coverage if you do have to traverse a shallow puddle. The styles we recommend range from the ankle for quick showers, all the way to covering your calves for deep puddles.

A good rain boot ensures waterproofing in every part of the shoe. Look out for features like sealed seams and gusseted tongues, which keep water from getting into the uppers and toe box of your boot.

A waterproof membrane, like Gore-Tex, on the interior of the boot keeps water out while allowing moisture to escape to prevent sweaty feet. Look for a rubber sole that has traction for slick surfaces. All of the rain boots we recommend have slip-resistant rubber and/or treaded outsoles—often Vibram, one of the most durable sole materials on the market—to prevent you from slipping on wet crosswalks or slick concrete.

Think about your daily commutes or instances where you’ve been caught in rain and consider how long you’re really exposed to it. Are you mostly in your car and just need something to get you from the parking lot and into your office, or are you walking outside daily and don't mind going full Deadliest Catch garb?

A modern rain boot is a boot that can handle rain—it’ll protect against bad weather, keep you comfortable, and go seamlessly from outdoors to indoors. If you’re after that classic rain boot look or better coverage in deep puddles, we recommend a few Wellies-style rain boots, too.

To determine the best rain boots, we started by looking to the boots we prefer to get caught in the rain in. Moving from Houston—a driving-dependent city that sees its share of rain—to New York, where unpredictable weather can soak the socks I’ll be stuck in at work for eight hours, the boots I’ve tried have been put to the test in various rainy settings.

We know all of our daily lives look different—some of us commute to work each day in our own cars, some take the subway, others spend the days working on site—so we made sure to include a range of recommendations for work settings, casual wear, and active lifestyles.

We selected rain boots that, most importantly, keep your feet dry, whether you’re spending the day stomping through mud or darting between office buildings. From there, we prioritized functional, practical, boots that’ll last for several rainy seasons, made from the most durable and effective waterproof materials on the market.

The U.K. experiences plenty of wet weather throughout the year, and Hunter's rain boots—which British troops wore in both World Wars—are a go-to for staying dry, both across the pond and here in the U.S.

This classic Wellington boot silhouette, also called Wellies, have a mid-calf shaft height that provides maximum coverage with an opening large enough to tuck in your pants to keep dry. The seamless one-piece construction ensures no water seeps in from the bottom, and the buckled strap at the calf can cinch to give you a more customized fit.

The treaded rubber sole successfully grips wet streets and the angled heel provides a natural shape for your foot. Reviewers note these are durable and have a more cushioned insole than other all-rubber boots.

If the high shaft-height is too old fashioned for you, or not enough, they’re also available in shorter and taller models.

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Crocs is best known for its summer-ready Clog, but the comfy wide-toe style is also available in a pair of unisex rain boots. The mid-calf height gives extra coverage and the vents at the top of the foot are filled in to keep your feet dry.

Customers report these are comfortable right out of the box and are more durable than they initially expected. Reviews insists if you’re a fan of the traditional Crocs, you’ll love these boots.

Huckberry's in-house brand offers a crossover boot that mirrors the comfort of your favorite sneakers and the traction of your go-to hiking boots, all with a durable waterproof construction.

The waterproof leather uppers have sealed seams to further protect from water and the gusseted tongue keeps the toe box dry. The rubber duck boot toe box and vamp are also completely waterproof and don't hang onto mud or dirt. They have a waterproof membrane in the interior to keep out the elements, but allow moisture to escape so your feet don't sweat. The Vibram treaded sole provides grip on slick surfaces—protection from rain went into almost every detail of this boot.

Reviewers say the Duckboot works well and were surprised a weatherproofed boot could be so lightweight and comfortable. The versatile sneaker-boot style doesn't look like they were built just for the rain, so they’ll fit most casual occasions.

These boots give you maximum protection from heavy rain, with integrated handles on either side for a better grip than pull tabs, which sometimes break. They have a cushioned footbed for added arch support and they’re lined in a moisture-wicking polyester fabric.

The high shaft and wide opening allow you to tuck in your cuffs and keep your pants protected when wading through water or sinking into mud. Since they have a wider design, customers advise sizing a half size down so your feet don't move around while you walk or work.

While most reviews say they’re highly durable, the rubber can dry out and crack, so make sure not to leave these out to extend the life of the boot.

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These Neoprene-rubber boots give you flexibility for comfort while remaining 100% waterproof. They have a mesh lining to help wick away moisture and the stretch top makes them easier to pull on and off than standard rubber or leather boots.

The shaft has a gusset you can cinch at the calf for a secured fit and to ensure no water or mud gets in. The interior is insulated to trap in heat and keep your feet warm on colder days working or hunting. Customers report the cushioned insole is comfy on even the longest days of work, and the lightweight design prevents foot fatigue.

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We’re big fans of Blundstone, and the brand makes its popular Chelsea boot in a waterproofed option. The All-Terrain uses waterproof elastic gore with latex seams and uppers made from waterproof leather. The Vibram outsole offers more traction than the standard 500 boots for more grip on slick surfaces.

The interior is lined in leather and warm, thin insulation which keeps heat trapped in while letting moisture out so you won't deal with sweaty feet. The shorter shaft won't offer full protection in heavy rain or flooded areas, but if you’re between the field and office, these can transition seamlessly with you.

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Bean boots, as they’re lovingly called, are mostly suited for the fall and early winter, but these boots have the water resistance to make for a great pair of rain boots (especially this springy teal-and-orange combo).

The full-grain leather uppers are waterproofed and will shed rain while the classic rubber vamp and toe guard are slick for kicking off mud or wet debris. It has a gusseted tongue to fully cover the eight-inch height and seal out rain, and the chain-tread rubber sole will grip any wet surfaces as you go about your day.

These boots require a short break-in period, but customers say they’re comfortable within about a week. If the teal/orange is too loud for your liking, the classic tan/brown color is always available. For even more options, be sure to check out the L.L. Bean sale going on right now.

I’ve personally used these boots during just about any activity I can think of—they’re my go-to boots because they’re comfortable, waterproof, and versatile. The Vibram sole has amazing grip on anything from slick, rocky trails to flooded crosswalks, and the full-grain leather uppers are pliable out of the box without feeling flimsy.

The insoles have great cushioning and a higher heel drop than you’d expect in a hiking boot, which makes these feel more like a sneaker. I like the classic hiking boot look that comes from the D-ring lacing system, and though the shaft height doesn't offer much coverage, I prefer it because I can wear these with shorts.

Although these are on the chunkier side, they don't feel heavy, and I’ve covered miles in both cities and on trails without feeling any discomfort.

Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.

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