The 10 Best Rain Boots, Ranked & Rated By Wet-Weather People
As the old adage goes, when it rains, it pours, and now your feet are soaking wet. Just kidding, that’s not the actual saying but the sentiment about being prepared with reliable rain boots is more likely true than not. That’s the thing about rain boots — they’re out of sight and out of mind (and not really on your fashion shopping list) until you find yourself trapped under a shabby awning while torrential downpour cascades around you. You look down at your “water-resistant” shoes that are absolutely going to get destroyed and you think, “Well, here goes nothing” as you make a run for it. Don’t let this happen to you.
Instead, peruse our Hype Machine guide to the best rain boots for women, featuring highly-rated, all-time customer faves as recommended by people who have actually trekked out in storms. We hope that this roundup helps you secure at least one pair of tried-and-true, 100% waterproof footwear ahead of the dicey, wet weather of fall and winter. And while most of the styles are of classic duck boots, up-the-leg Wellingtons, and rain booties disguised as Chelseas, we’ve also found budget-friendly slip-on rain shoes from Amazon, the best rain boots for extremely cold climates, and much more.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Everlane The Rain Boot
Best Ankle Rain Bootie
Leave it to Everlane, our go-to for elevated basics, to create a no-frills, pull-on rain boot that is both cute and practical. It's a solid option for those wintry-mix days when you're not in dire need of anything too high-rise or heavy.
The Hype: 4.63 out of 5 stars and 1,851 reviews on everlane.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I’m in love with these boots! The color is gorgeous and they are very well-made. They feel substantial without being heavy. They are extremely comfortable with a cushy sole. I have muscular calves and knee-high rain boots never fit well, so these are absolutely perfect. I’m a size 10, regular width, and the 10 fits perfectly with the medium-weight socks I wear in the PNW winter. I’ll be enjoying these for years to come."
These mid-calf UGG wellies come especially highly rated for the brand's signature sheepskin-lined PU insole. Needless to say, the fluffy footbeds make even the rainest, coldest days feel cushier and comfier with every step.
The Hype: 5 out of 5 stars and 2,020 reviews on zappos.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I just got my rain boots and I am very impressed! I used my new boots to take my dog on a walk through the woods behind our house. The trails are tricky to walk on this time of year because of snow, ice, slush, mud, and water. I was so surprised by the boot's amazing traction! I didn't miss a step or slip once, even when going up a fairly difficult slushy, snowy and icy incline. My feet stayed dry and warm (I wore a pair of thin wool socks inside). What a great purchase! I couldn't ask for a better boot."
A mind-boggling 15,000+ buyers have rated these $30 waterproof Chelsea boots a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. With 13 color options available (including neutrals like black and brown, bold solids like hunter green and canary yellow, and unexpected turns like this all-over silver glitter seen here), this trendy wet-weather offering is a runaway hit.
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 15,119 reviews on amazon.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I wear these boots literally all the time and cannot stop recommending them to everyone I know. They are amazing. I don't know how, but they are SO comfortable - the sole is sufficiently flexible to afford easy walking but durable enough to make walking on snow or gravel comfortable. They are 100% waterproof (up to the elastic part), and yet they don't make my feet sweat during vigorous walking (how??). They are flat-footed, so it's easy to slide them on, yet my high arches never hurt - and I once stayed up overnight in an airport because of a flight delay. That's about 36 hours of comfortable continuous wear! I rarely experience a product that just so absolutely nails it, and Asgard nailed so many dimensions. I hope I die in these boots."
Asgard Women's Waterproof Chelsea Boots, $, available at Amazon
Chooka Market Rain Shoe
Best Slip-On Rain and Garden Shoe
These Chookas are great for those light, on-and-off drizzly days that don't require a full-on rain boot. Or, as many reviewers have noted, they're also perfect for quick errands in rainy weather or for the garden. This shoe also comes in a cute yellow with an allover bee print.
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 70 reviews on dsw.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I bought these shoes to keep my feet dry when I walk my dog in the morning and the grass is covered with morning dew. They are perfect!"
The most reviewed waterproof shoe on L.L.Bean is this Rubber Moc, stylized to slip on easy like a mocassin. Over 2,200 happy customers say this rain shoe is an absolute dream for keeping feet dry. Sturdier and more substantial than a regular garden shoe, this Rubber Moc can take on muddier, wetter grounds.
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars and 2,208 reviews on llbean.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "These shoes are great for mucking about outside. They slip on and off easily but have enough of a heel to keep most pooling water or mud out. I keep them by my back door when I need to take the dogs out or run over to the neighbors. However, they are such classics that I've worn them out and about with the right outfit. They run quite large (I usually wear an 8 and sized down to a 7) and you need to use the laces to really dial the fit in. Great arch support - I'm on my second pair and will always have a pair on hand. Like I said, a classic! XO"
L.L. Bean Women's Bean Boots, Rubber Moc, $, available at L.L. Bean
Jeffrey Campbell Hurricane Waterproof Boot
Best Heeled Chelsea Rain Boots (That Don't Look Like Rain Boots)
If you can't stand the look of actual rain boots — hey, we get it, they're big and chunky and not the most fashion-forward shoe — then get yourself a pair of these sleek Jeffrey Campbells rain Chelsea. These have a matte black finish, but they also come in patent black, patent red, and patent light blue.
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars and 131 reviews on nordstrom.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I got the black matte, which are actually pretty comfortable for being made of rubber. They look really cute on and don’t even look like rain boots unless you look at them very closely. They look great with jeans or leggings! These are a great boot if you live in a rainy area, you can dress them up and not worry about your shoes getting wet or ruined."
Jeffrey Campbell Hurricane Waterproof Boot, $, available at Nordstrom
Sperry Saltwater Quilted Nylon
Best Quilted Duck Rain Boot
A bit more luxe and fashion-forward than the standard duck boot, this Sperry boot also has a micro-fleece lining for keeping you extra cozy from very inclement cold weather.
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 144 reviews on zappos.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "What can I say......Sperry makes an amazing boot! I LOVE this boot so much that this year I also bought the shiny black, the brown tan, the pink and the gray! In the winter I live in leggings and these boots go perfectly with them! I live in western PA, we get quite a bit of bad weather, and I live in these boots! I wore these at least 3 times a week during the entire fall and winter last year, and so far this year, and they still look brand new! The fit is perfect. It is extremely hard for me to find comfortable footwear because I have both a hammertoe and bunion on my right foot and I can still wear boot socks with these boots. If you need a pair of boots for nasty weather and love to wear jeans and leggings then look no further."
Sperry Saltwater Quilted Nylon, $, available at Zappos
Hunter Original Tall
Best Knee-High Wellington Rain Boot
If memory serves correctly (and it does), Hunter Original Tall wellies were the preferred rain boot by the likes of Alexa Chung, Cara Delevingne, and Suki Waterhouse at the very muddy grounds of 2016's Glastonbury Music Festival. And, five years later, these knee-high classics are still protective as ever from super slushy, sloppy, schleppy weather.
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 422 reviews on zappos.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "I got these to walk in the waves at the beach in colder weather...AWESOME! Super super happy. I think they are adorable and they are more comfortable than I’d imagined. So happy I can walk near the water all year long now! They are very well made and look great."
Don't be fooled by the affordable price tag — this rain shoe delivers when it comes to wet days! Sloggers are also offered in many prints and colors (including a chic standard patent black), so be sure to take a peek at the Amazon page for all the cute options. An "all-day comfort" insole additionally makes this shoe extra comfy.
Sloggers Women's Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe, $, available at Amazon
L.L.Bean Women's Bean Boots, 10" Shearling-Lined
Best Shearling-Lined Rain Boots For Extremely Cold Weather
When it comes to outdoorsy life, L.L.Bean knows what's up. It's no surprise, then, that the outdoorsy company would offer a cult-favorite rain boot made that can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (seriously), thanks to lightweight but powerful insulation and genuine natural sheepskin shearling.
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 636 reviews on llbean.com
What Puddle Hoppers Are Saying: "Very warm! Wore the boots to a football game in 35-degree weather. They stood up for almost 12 hours of tailgating and watching the game and I was the only one without frozen feet! Could not be happier with this purchase."
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