The 13 Best Rain Boots for Women of 2023
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These weather-ready pairs will protect your feet from the elements.
Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland
Whether you live in a wet climate or are traveling to one, you'll be glad to have a good pair of rain boots to keep your feet dry, warm, and happy. Plus, being able to step in a puddle without ruining your shoes or soaking your socks can be really freeing. While today's offerings go far beyond the basic galoshes of yesteryear, not all are created equal.
We spoke with podiatrist Mona Ramani, DPM for her expert insights into buying women's rain boots. Besides waterproof materials, she recommends looking for rain boots with arch support and sturdy outsoles that aren't easily bendable. "A non-slip rubber or highly treaded sole will provide you with ample grip on slick surfaces," she adds.
With Dr. Ramani's insights in mind, we researched standout options for every style preference, occasion, and budget. Ahead, you'll find short, tall, and mid-rise boots, plus supportive designs made for walking, Chelseas, lace-up duck boots, and everything in between.
Best Overall: Hunter Women's Original Short Rain Boot
Why We Love It
These classic rain boots are not only watertight but also comfy, versatile, and stylish.
What to Consider
They don't come in half-sizes and have more of a utilitarian look than a trendier Chelsea-style boot.
When it comes to rain boots, you really can't go wrong with Hunter. Seen on the likes of Margot Robbie, Reese Witherspoon, and Rihanna, the fan-favorite brand makes stylish, functional footwear you can count on to keep your feet comfy, warm, and protected from the elements.
Available in a wide variety of colors ranging from black to blush to tawny brown, the Original Short Rain Boot has an entirely rubber exterior. It goes up to the mid-calf and features an adjustable buckle to offer a customized, watertight fit.
These rain boots have a bit more of a utilitarian look than, say, a more fashion-forward Chelsea-style boot. They're not really something you can dress up and wear in a professional setting, but they're a great option for everyday wear. The other thing to note is that Hunter boots don't come in half sizes, so if you're in between, you'll want to order the next size up.
Price at time of publish: $150
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 5 to 11 | 1.1 pounds per boot
Best Budget: Asgard Chelsea Ankle Women's Waterproof Rain Boots
Why We Love It
These affordable Chelsea-style boots are surprisingly durable, easy to slip on and off, and packable.
What to Consider
They don't have built-in arch support, but you can add your own inserts.
Those on a budget should consider Asgard Rain Boots. The nearly 20,000 five-star reviews speak for themselves, but we'll tell you why we love them, too. These Chelsea-style boots are made of thick, durable rubber and have sturdy soles that stand up to multiple — yes, multiple — years of wear and tear. This is pretty impressive, considering the affordable price tag.
What's more, they come in a wide range of sizes and several colors, from white to olive to prototypical yellow. These boots are easy to slip on and off with the elastic gore panels and heel tabs. They're also lightweight and packable. While they don't have built-in arch support, you can replace the insoles with a more supportive pair.
Price at time of publish: $50
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 4 to 13
Best Mid-calf: Chooka Women's Mid-Height Memory Foam Rain Boot
Why We Love It
Chooka Downtown Boots are an ideal medium height, with waterproof rubber uppers and high-traction soles that prevent slips.
What to Consider
They're only available in whole sizes.
Not too tall but also not an ankle bootie, Chooka Downtown Rain Boots are the perfect mid-calf height. You can wear them over leggings, tights, knee socks, and even jeans, with peace of mind knowing they'll keep your feet totally dry.
They have rubber uppers and high-traction outsoles with molded lug-style soles. The fabric lining makes them soft on the inside and easy to slip on, while the memory foam footbeds provide cushioning underfoot. These waterproof boots only come in whole sizes, but you can adjust the fit slightly with the buckle strap.
Price at time of publish: $60
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 6 to 11 | 0.5 pounds per boot
Related: The 17 Best Waterproof Boots of 2023
Best Tall: Hunter Original Tall'Rain Boot Women
Why We Love It
The knee-high design keeps you reliably dry while the grippy outsoles keep you steady on slick ground.
What to Consider
At 2 pounds per boot, the bulky design isn't ideal for packing.
Hunter makes our favorite knee-high pair of rain boots. The brand's Original Tall Rain Boots are made of waterproof, puddle-ready rubber. They'll keep your feet and legs reliably dry in wet weather, while the traction-gripping soles promise to help prevent slips.
A soft textile lining makes these boots easy to pull on, and you can adjust the side buckles to make them slightly tighter around your calves. Like other Hunter styles, they come in lots of cool colors and everyday neutrals. At 2 pounds per boot, we should note that the relatively heavy, bulky design isn't ideal for packing in a carry-on.
Price at time of publish: $175
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 5 to 11 | 2 pounds per boot
Best Ankle: Everlane Women Rain Boot Tawny Brown
Why We Love It
Perfect for trips and everyday wear, these booties will keep your feet dry, comfy, and stable when walking outside.
What to Consider
They only come in whole sizes, and dried mud can easily get trapped in the treads.
Everlane set out to create the perfect ankle rain boot, and if you ask us, they pulled it off. These booties have 100 percent rubber exteriors to provide waterproof protection from rain, slush, and snow. They also have comfy cushioned insoles and thick, durable outsoles with slip-resistant treads to help you stay steady on your feet.
Dried mud can easily get trapped in the deeply grooved treads, but you can use an old toothbrush to loosen the debris, then rinse them with warm water. These rain boots are just the thing for everyday wear, and they're compact enough to pack in a suitcase. We should note they only come in whole sizes — if you're in between, the brand recommends ordering the next size down.
Price at time of publish: $85
The Details: Materials | Sizes 5 to 11
Best Chelsea: COUGAR Firenze Womens Boot
Why We Love It
A modern take on the classic silhouette, these fashion-forward Chelsea boots promise to keep you dry and comfortable.
What to Consider
They only come in whole sizes, so order up if you're in between.
Personal stylist Cassandra Sethi is a fan of Chelsea boots for their versatility. We like this pair from Cougar, which is a modern, sporty upgrade from the classic silhouette. The Firenze comes in several fashion-forward hues, like butter yellow, brick red, and glossy black with contrasting details.
These waterproof ankle boots have smooth rubber uppers and thick yet lightweight EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a flexible rubber-like thermoplastic) outsoles. Beyond protecting your feet from the elements, they have molded foam insoles to ensure you stay comfortable for hours on end.
Price at time of publish: $75
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 6 to 11 | 0.7 pounds per boot
Best for Cold Weather: UGG Women's Drizlita Rain Boot
Why We Love It
Just the thing for wet, chilly climates, these boots will keep your feet not only dry but also cozy-warm.
What to Consider
Each boot weighs more than a pound.
If you anticipate not only wet but also cold weather, Ugg is the way to go. Offering waterproof protection from puddles and torrential downpours, these boots are made of injection-molded rubber — but they do more than keep your feet dry. Lined with the brand's signature sheepskin, they'll also keep you cozy-warm.
The Drizlita comes in lots of statement hues like canary yellow, candy pink, and even clear. These boots are an excellent choice for winter travel. But the pair weighs nearly 2.5 pounds, so keep that in mind if you're trying to keep your suitcase under a certain weight.
Price at time of publish: $90
The Details: Rubber, sheepskin | Sizes 5 to 12 | 1.2 pounds per boot
Related: The 14 Best Women's Rain Jackets of 2023
Best for Warm Weather: BOGS Women's Sweetpea Ankle Waterproof Rain Boot
Why We Love It
These booties repel water, wick away sweat, prevent odors, and keep you steady on your feet.
What to Consider
You'll want to order a half-size up if you're in between sizes.
Of course, rainy days don't always point to cold weather. If you live in a warmer, storm-prone climate or are traveling to a tropical destination that sees lots of precipitation, Bogs Sweetpea Boots might be your best bet.
Instead of traditional rubber, these rain boots have wax-coated textile uppers that simultaneously repel water and wick away sweat. They also have Durafresh footbeds, so you can count on your feet staying dry and odor-free. As for the soles, you're looking at grippy rubber with shanks in the footbeds for enhanced traction and support.
Price at time of publish: $90
The Details: Wax-coated textile, rubber | Sizes 6 to 11 | 0.5 pounds per boot
Best for Walking: Merry People Bobbi Rain Boot Beetroot Light Pink
Why We Love It
They have built-in arch support and treaded outsoles to keep you comfortable and steady while counting your steps.
What to Consider
They're a bit pricey.
Looking for something you can wear while exploring a new city or scoping out the fall foliage? Go with the Bobbi Rain Boot. Unlike many other rubber boots, these have built-in arch support to keep your feet comfortable while walking long distances. Not only that, but the durable treaded outsoles help you stay steady and avoid slipping on wet sidewalks — the traction is third-party tested by Intertek for extra reassurance.
These rain boots have waterproof rubber exteriors and flexible neoprene linings that make them easy to pull on while keeping your feet warm on the coldest days. The Bobbi doesn't come in half sizes, so if you're in between, the brand suggests sizing down from what you normally wear.
Price at time of publish: $130
The Details: Rubber, neoprene | Sizes 5 to 12
Best Lace-up: L.L. Bean Women's Bean Boots 6
Why We Love It
This iconic boot is effortlessly cool yet practical, with a watertight design, traction underfoot, and adjustable laces for a customized fit.
What to Consider
The style might not be to everyone's tastes.
L.L. Bean's Bean Boot has been around for over a century. Available only in the iconic two-tone brown colorway, the timeless style is at once rugged, practical, and effortlessly cool. These duck boots have waterproof leather uppers that instantly shed rain and snow, plus watertight rubber bottoms that keep your feet dry in any weather.
They also feature the signature chain link treads to provide reliable traction underfoot. These rain boots only come in whole sizes, but thanks to the lace-up design, they offer a secure, customized fit. The Bean Boot is great for travel, too, as it's packable and versatile enough to wear with lots of casual outfits.
Price at time of publish: $139
The Details: Leather, rubber | Sizes 5 to 11, narrow and wide available | 1 pound per boot
Best with Arch Support: Skechers Arch Fit Rain
Why We Love It
These rain boots have molded footbeds that support your arches, absorb shock, and evenly disperse the weight of your feet.
What to Consider
Each boot weighs more than a pound, so keep that in mind if you're packing for a trip.
"When looking for a rain boot, find one that has arch support with a sole that isn't easily bendable," says Dr. Ramani. The Skechers Arch Fit Rain Boot checks both boxes and then some. The mid-calf style has molded insoles that support your arches while absorbing shock and dispersing the weight of your feet more evenly.
Meanwhile, the rubber soles are flexible yet durable with traction underfoot. These versatile boots have rounded toes, a slightly lifted heel, and faux side zippers for a little flair. Just a heads up, each boot weighs more than a pound, so you'll want to keep that in mind if you're trying to pack light for a trip.
Price at time of publish: $56
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 1 to 11 | 1.2 pounds
Related: The 17 Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2023
Best Designer: Kate Spade New York Puddle
Why We Love It
The sleek design and block heel will elevate your look while protecting your feet from the elements.
What to Consider
Each boot weighs nearly 1.5 pounds.
If you're interested in a slightly fancier pair of rain boots with brand-name appeal, Kate Spade's Puddle Booties might be the ones. The sleek monochrome design comes in a handful of sharp hues, like warm toffee, tomato red, and midnight blue. With a heel height of just over 2 inches, these boots will elevate any rainy-day ensemble.
Beyond enhancing your style, they'll keep your feet dry and protected from the elements. The textile linings, heel tabs, and inner zippers also make them easy to get on and off. We should note that due to the thick rubber and solid block heels, each shoe weighs almost a pound and a half. This won't affect the comfort, but you should keep it in mind if you're packing them in a suitcase.
Price at time of publish: $148
The Details: Rubber | Sizes 5 to 11 | 1.4 pounds
Best Sustainable: Dansko Women's Karmel Rain Boot
Why We Love It
The Karmel Boot is eco-friendly, supportive, slip-resistant, lightweight, and travel-friendly.
What to Consider
It runs large, so consider sizing down.
We also like Dansko's Karmel Boots. The uppers and footbeds are made from over 50 percent bio-based EVA, a material that can be recycled and used again just like regular synthetic EVA. The cushioned insoles also feature the brand's Natural Arch technology to provide support and help minimize foot fatigue.
These rain boots have thick rubber outsoles you can count on to keep water out while absorbing shock and helping you stay steady on slick ground. At just 0.5 pounds per boot, the lightweight, compact design is great for travel. Since this style runs large, we recommend sizing down from what you normally wear.
Price at time of publish: $120
The Details: Bio-based EVA, EVA, rubber | Sizes 5 to 12 | 0.5 pounds per boot
Tips for Buying Rain Boots
Prioritize comfort and support
"Most rain boots don't have the support required for full-day wear," says Dr. Ramani. "The soles are generally flat, which will inevitably cause foot pain that can lead to inflammation of the tendons and soft tissue." She recommends looking for a pair with built-in arch support to minimize strain and keep your feet happy longer. Shock-absorbing soles can also help prevent foot fatigue.
Choose a versatile style
According to Sethi, versatility is key when buying boots. To "get more bang for your buck," she suggests looking for an adaptable style you can dress up or down and wear with various outfits. Chelsea boots tend to be the most versatile, but you could also go with classic mid-calf rain boots or duck boots if you prefer a slightly more rugged look.
Look for boots with great traction
"Making sure a rain boot has strong traction is key to preventing slips and falls," says Dr. Ramani. This typically means the outsole is made of a grippy material (most often rubber, in the case of rain boots). Beyond that, the soles should have patterned treads to keep you steady on wet or slushy ground.
Consider durability
Durability is also crucial. Dr. Ramani says a "well-constructed rain boot" will be able to "stand up to harsh weather conditions." In addition to being made of reliable, waterproof materials, each component of the boot should be securely stitched, bonded, or otherwise attached to prevent it from falling apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should rain boots fit?
"Rain boots should fit snugly around the foot with enough room to be able to wiggle your toes," says Dr. Ramani. "They should also have a shaft that is not oversized at the ankle or leg." She explains that wearing boots that are too loose or too tight can lead to various foot problems, from blisters to hammertoes to bone malformations.
What's the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
Waterproof boots should technically be completely impermeable, meaning no water or moisture can pass through the material. Water-resistant boots, on the other hand, will repel water to some degree. But if you immerse your feet in water, say, by stepping in a puddle, you can't expect them to keep your feet totally dry. "The most important job of a rain boot is to keep your feet dry," says Dr. Ramani. "Wet feet are more prone to fungal infections, so waterproofing is a critical health component."
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in travel, fashion, and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Mona Ramani, DPM, of Aire Podiatry Studio, and personal stylist Cassandra Sethi of Next Level Wardrobe, who provided buying tips and insight into choosing comfortable, durable, weather-ready boots. Theresa has personally tried styles from Hunter, Asgard, Ugg, L.L.Bean, and Skechers.
Related: The 10 Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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