Rain boots are humble yet hard working. They are a down-to-earth hero that belongs in every inclement-weather wardrobe. While their reputation has long been one of practicality and comfort over style, the best rain boots for women aren’t devoid of fashion appeal these days—many chic versions exist at every price level—and are well-equipped to handle heavy rain, snow or slick city streets.
The type of rain boots you choose depends on your needs, the level of waterproofing you require, and where you intend to wear them. I consulted a variety of outdoor experts to find out which pairs stand out from the rest and will save you from soggy feet. My top pick overall is Hunter’s Short Back Adjustable Rain Boots, which are a shorter, more flexible version of their signature tall boot. For a more affordable version, your best bet is Planone Mid Calf Rubber Boots, which you can order on Amazon. Ahead, all of the best women’s rain boots in every category.
Hunter Women’s Short Back Adjustable Rain Boots
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: Black, Navy, Tufted Purple, Primrose Yellow and more (10 in total) | Materials: Rubber, recycled polyester lining
Hunter is a British brand renowned for making rain boots that last (they were a favorite of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh). This shorter version of the Original Tall has a more flexible fit, relaxed shape and an expandable tab at the back. They also come in 10 colors, and are functional for country and city life. Keep in mind: Hunter’s boots are a bit expensive and shorter isn’t better in heavy rain.
Sizes: 6-10.5 | Colors: Dark Grey, Black, Copper Green, Red and more (10 in total) | Materials: Synthetic rubber
Planone’s Wellington boots are made from durable rubber that can hold up in heavy rain but are also lightweight enough for gardening and long walks. This pair has anti-slip grooves on the sole and a price point that hard to beat. To find the right fit, measure the largest area of your calf to select your boot size. Keep in mind: Some reviewers say these boots run narrow.
Handmade in France, Aigle’s boots area chic take on a hunting style and come in a classic shades. To prevent leg fatigue, these have cushioned, triple-dense soles and are insulated against the cold thanks to a 4.5 mm-thick neoprene lining. Overall, they’re a great all-weather boot, with adjustable tabs and gussets that fit snug to keep out rain and snow. Keep in mind: Aigle’s boots can be an expensive investment piece, which may not suit everyone’s budget.
This Chelsea style has a round toe and sturdy block heel that marries fashion with function and it keeps you warm on chilly, rainy days thanks to the faux shearling lining. The flocked traction sole also provides solid grip and the elastic gores on the sides make this pair is easy to pull on and off. Keep in mind: These are water-resistant, not waterproof, and the shorter length isn’t ideal for heavy rain.
Grundéns Women’s Deck Boss Ankle Boot
Sizes: 5-10| Colors: Glacier, Parisian Blue, Sage Green, Fog and more (10 in total) | Materials: Rubber
Grundéns specializes in performance-level, waterproof gear, especially for fishing and boating, so you know their boots can stand up to wetness. This bestselling lightweight, easy-to-slip-on fisherman style is great for more than anglers, with razor siping to move water out from under the shoe and give you enhanced grip on wet surfaces. There’s also a thick insole for shock resistance. Keep in mind: This pair is ankle-length and short, so it’s not ideal for heavy rain.
Sizes: 5.5 – 11 | Colors: Light Brown Nubuck, Black Nubuck, White Nubuck, Black Nubuck Leopard, Wheat Nubuck | Materials: Leather
Rain boots aren’t designed with lots of walking in mind, but Timberland’s leather lace-up pair combines waterproof functionality with long-wearing comfort: There’s a steel shank for extra arch support, faux-fur lining for warmth and sustainable-sourced leather upper treated with a waterproof membrane that can be rolled up or down. Keep in mind: Leather isn’t as easy to keep clean or pull on and off as a traditional rubber rain boot.
Perfect for those with wider calves, Bogs’s rain boots hit just below the knee and have adjustable calf straps, plus an expandable back that conforms to your leg shape. They’re waterproof from top to bottom and have rebound cushioning at the midsole for extra comfort and support. Keep in mind: Bogs are a little heavy but prioritize practicality and durability.
Everlane’s rain boots are a great affordable basic in an easy-to-clean flexible rubber. They have slip-resistant tread, a cushioned insole, stretch side panels and back pull tabs so you get them on and off without a struggle. The fit leaves enough room for you to wear thick socks when it’s super cold, too. Keep in mind: There’s no built-in insulation so these boots are not ideal for deep snow.
A cross between a Chelsea pull-on boot and sneaker, Sperry’s rain boots have deep indentations to improve traction and a micro-fleece lining to keep your feet warm. The waterproof upper is balanced by a thick platform lugged outer sole, similar to those found on hiking and utility work boots for stability. Keep in mind: Some say the rubber can be stiff so plan to wear these boots with knit socks.
Sizes: IT 35 – 41(US 5-11)| Colors: Black | Materials: Rubber
For those wanting to make a fashion statement on light rainy days, these Moncler rubber rain boots are stylish and practical. The Italian skiwear brand specializes in all-weather essentials, and this pair has lug soles for stability on slick surfaces as well as tight seams to keep moisture out. Keep in mind: Moncler is a splurge, and this ankle length is not best for heavy rain.
My Expertise
I’m the former fashion features director of Harper’s Bazaar, and throughout my 20-plus year career as a fashion and lifestyle journalist, I have written for Vogue, Grazia, The Guardian Life & Style, CNN and Forbes. I’ve profiled leading fashion designers to learn about the production and manufacturing process, and reviewed hundreds of collections during fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris.
How I Chose The Best Rain Boots
To determine the absolute best rain boots on the market, I spoke to fashion experts Sarah Meikle, Nicole Colovos and Eva Dayton, as well as New York real estate agent Talia McKinney, who spends her walking the city, rain or shine. I also interviewed Jackie Sutera, DPM, a board-certified podiatric surgeon on the most important features to consider when choosing a comfortable and functional rain boot, bearing in mind different styles for various climates and activities. Finally, I researched outdoor brands with a reputation for making high-quality rain gear, taking into consideration the length, materials, price range, waterproof level, tread and traction of their boots. I crossed referenced all of my contenders with actual shopper reviews in order to make the final selections you see here.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.