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Nothing ruins time spent outside like a pair of wet socks. (Take it from me, a fitness and outdoors writer who’s always testing running shoes and hiking boots.) The best way to keep my feet dry is by wearing a pair of trusty rain boots. I don’t only use my rain boots when it’s stormy out — their waterproof materials and construction are great for keeping my feet mud-free on park walks and for shielding my feet from dirt and grime when I’m doing chores out on my patio. While tall, rubbery Wellies are still one of the best options for staying dry in a downpour, there are plenty of waterproof options that don’t necessarily scream “rain boot.” The kinds that rely on materials like Gore-Tex will also be more breathable: Impermeable materials like rubber or plastic shed water easily, but can also make your feet feel like they’re in a sauna.
To find the best rain boots, I tested some pairs myself, and I spoke to men’s style experts, outdoor-gear testers, and guys like commercial fishermen and park rangers who use rain boots on the job to get their top recommendations. I’ve included pairs from Xtratuf, L.L.Bean, and Bogs, the best-known makers of rain boots, as well as some hiking boots and work boots from other brands that are equally durable and waterproof.
What we’re looking for
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Some models cover your shins and calves, while other pairs rise just past the ankle. For torrential downpours or if you’re spending time in wet climates, you might want that extra coverage, but those models might not be as suitable or comfortable for everyday wear as shorter boots.
Design details
A good pair of rain boots will be made with some type of waterproof material, like rubber or Gore-Tex, while some pairs are made with a combination of rubber and leather. Some pairs will have features like pull-on heel tabs that allow you to slip into them more easily, while others will have laces.
Comfort
Because of their rubber and leather constructions, rain boots generally won’t be as breathable as other boots. But some pairs have features that make them comfortable to wear, like cushioned footbeds, insulated linings that boost warmth, and roomy toe boxes.
Best men’s rain boot overall
Profile: 15-inch height | Design details: Seamless, neoprene latex rubber | Comfort: Foam footbed, insulated version available
The best rain boot is the one that will repel water and keep your feet the driest. That means full coverage, well past the ankle, and a seamless design that won’t let water creep in, even when almost fully submerged. The Xtratuf Legacy Boot checks all those boxes. The 15-inch height rises up to the mid-calf on me (I’m five-foot-ten), and it’s made from neoprene latex rubber, which is fully waterproof. When I rounded up the best men’s winter boots, the Legacy Boot came highly recommended by Ben Shryock, chief ranger of the Alaska State Parks Kodiak region. “They are the most comfortable and durable rubber boots I’ve found. You can find them for sale in almost any coastal Alaskan town,” he says. Shryock uses the insulated version, but finds them too warm for the summer, so he normally trades them out for the regular, uninsulated Legacy Boots in April. They’re also available with a steel toe, in a wide-calf version, and in a neoprene bootie version.
Best less-expensive overall
Profile: 6-inch height | Design details: Pull-on tabs, rubber | Comfort: Wide heel collar
If you don’t think you’ll need the full coverage of the 15-inch Legacy Boot, I recommend the six-inch Ankle Deck Boot from the same brand. Its outsole is made with a durable rubber that’s fully waterproof, and it has a wider heel collar that allows you to tuck in your pants or drape them over the boot. According to Christopher Nicolson, a winemaker and commercial fisherman, you’ve likely spotted these boots on folks who work on boats or in the seafood industry. Nicolson wears his pair of Deck Boots for work and mentions how they’ve even become somewhat stylish outside of his professions. “I think that they’ve made their way into lower-48 outdoor-fashion culture some years ago, but pretty much all Alaskans still wear Xtratuf boots,” he says. “The classic brown ones are the jam.”
Best for everyday wear
Profile: 8-inch height | Design details: Rubber sole and toe, leather laced upper | Comfort: Roomy toe box
Whenever the forecast calls for rain, I throw on my Bean Boots. The rubber bottom that surrounds the toe repels slush, snow, and puddle splashes, and the laced-up leather top gives them a better fit than the sloppier-feeling shaft of rubber boots. I find my Bean Boots comfortable for walking — the rubber heel is forgiving and has a slight bounce to it, while the leather upper flexes with my foot as it bends (as opposed to a stiff rubber shaft). Bean Boots run a bit large. If you’re wearing them with regular socks, you’ll want to order a full size down from your normal shoe size if you’re usually a whole size (and one and a half sizes down if you’re a half-size).
Best for work
Profile: 11-inch height | Design details: Composite toe, pull-on tabs | Comfort: Gel cushioning in footbed
When it comes to waterproof work boots that can hold up to the muckiest conditions, it’s hard to beat a pair of Bogs, which are known for their durability. The Bogs Workman Mid Comp Toe has the thick, heavily lugged sole of a work boot, a fully waterproof outsole, a composite toe that shields the toe box, two pull-on tabs. Joe Jackson, a former gear columnist for Outside who is based in Ashland, Oregon, has put thousands of hours of use into his pair. “They are what I do rainy trailwork in during the fall, they are what I work in during the winter when I’m teaching adaptive ski lessons (I stay in them every second I don’t have to be in ski boots while teaching), and they live outside my door the rest of the winter waiting for any muddy task that might come my way.” They’re also durable: “They stink to high heaven,” Jackson says, “but other than that, they are holding up insanely well with barely any wear and tear in the interior lining (a light abrasion at the heel after thousands of foot slip-ins) and light scuffing on the exterior.”
Best lace-up winter rain boot
Profile: Ankle height | Design details: Gore-Tex lining | Comfort: Thick, cushioned midsole and lugged outsole for traction
Not all hiking boots are built for rain, but some have simple constructions with minimal seams and make use of materials that repel water, making them a great choice for winter slush and mud. The Vasque Sundowner is a classic hiking boot that has been around since 1984, and one of the newest versions is the GTX, which has a Gore-Tex membrane. Its simple design is why it’s such a popular model among hikers and backpackers — and also stylish men. Columnist Chris Black recommended them in our roundup of the best men’s winter boots, calling them “understated and functional.” Leon Hedgepeth, a freelance writer and editor at the menswear newsletter Sprezza and contributor to the Strategist, agrees. “These are some of the most low-key boots. It’s such an easy shoe to throw on because it’s all black” — they also come in brown leather — “and they’re easy to keep clean,” he says.
Best Chelsea rain boot
Profile: Ankle height | Design details: Made with a matte natural rubber, vegan | Comfort: Elastic gore and pull tabs
The Bolinas is like a sleeker, more citified version of the Xtratuf Deck Boot. It has the standard Chelsea boot-style elastic gore that allows for easy pull-on and the same seamless construction that allows water to bead off. Hedgepeth says it’s not easy to find a rain boot that’s stylish yet functional. “But these are it,” he says, especially for a reasonable price. “I pack these boots anytime there’s rain in the forecast or when I’m doing any outdoor activity that might involve mud,” he says, noting how the boot’s natural rubber is easy to hose down and clean. He finds that they run a bit large. “Since I have narrow feet, I sized down significantly to an 8.5, even though I typically wear a size ten in sneakers.”
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
