While hiking boots are the best footwear for long walks in the outdoors, when it gets really wet and muddy the rain boot is the footwear you want to pulling on. Much loved in the rainy UK, where they are known as wellingtons, this waterproof boot was reborn as a music festival fashion icon over a decade ago and is no longer just for farmers, hunters and anglers.
For something so stylish, the rain boot is as practical as footwear gets. Usually made from rubber, they seal your foot safely away from water and mud, and can be cleaned off easily with water afterward. Standard rain boots aren’t insulated though so if you plan on wearing them in cold weather, look for pairs with extra insulation or wear with a thick pair of socks. Here are some of the rain boots we recommend.
Hunter Women's Original Short Rain Boot
Classic rubber boots that won’t let you down
Hunter is a British institution famed for its durable rain boots which are worn by the aristocracy and have become a festival style icon. Made from rubber, they are more fitted than some rain boots and have a cleat around the opening to keep them on when you’re in the field.
Sperry Women's Saltwater Boots
Waterproof with a heel
If you don’t want to go full rain boot, Sperry’s Saltwater Duck Boots give similar waterproofing with a stylish slight heel. The micro-fleece lining makes them cozy in any condition and the signature Wave-Siping on the rubber sole makes them a sure-footed choice on wet and dry surfaces. There are three different color combinations to choose from.
Western Chief Women's Printed Tall Waterproof Rain Boot
Great performance and fun designs
These rubber rain boots are handmade with a vulcanized construction that prevents weak spots and allows some fun designs. The lining is a soft polycotton blend for coziness with good moisture absorption. A removable EVA insole adds to the comfort factor.
TIDEWE Rubber Neoprene Boots
Warm and dry in any conditions
When you want extra warmth in the wet, these boots have 6mm of neoprene as a layer of insulation. The waterproof CR Flex-Foam moves with your feet as you walk and combined with 15-way stretch nylon, your feet will be as comfortable as possible right down to -4°F.
Bottom line
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Every shoe rack needs a pair of rain boots on it if you want to be able to walk in wet and muddy environments. They are easy to slip on, keep your feet dry and comfortable and clean off afterward so they look as good as new. The rain boots we would recommend are the Hunter Women's Original Short Rain Boot. Worn by royalty in the UK, they are quite simply a durable, well-made boot that shouldn’t let you down however bad the conditions underfoot are.
Using the same material wetsuits are made from, the TIDEWE Rubber Neoprene Boots give an extra layer of insulation that you’ll come to rely on if you are regularly in wet and cold conditions. They would feel cozy even if you were standing in a lake.
