The 12 Best Rain Boots for Wet Spring and Summer Days Start at Just $35
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Including Hunter’s classic tall boots and Merry People’s colorful wellies
People/Madison Yauger
As a dog parent without a backyard, I have to take my dog, Cleo, outside on walks multiple times a day — rain or shine. And it’s imperative that both she and I dress appropriately when showers hit.
After wiggling Cleo into her doggy rain coat, I throw on my own trusty rain jacket, comfortable leggings, and a pair of wellies. I’ve owned many pairs of rain boots over the years, from L.L.Bean’s Bean Boots to rubber ones from Target, and I’ve realized that the ones I turn to again and again have a few things in common: plenty of traction (usually a grippy, lugged rubber outsole), at least some arch support, and a rubber or waterproof leather upper.
Editors' Picks
Tall Rain Boots: Merry People Fergie Rain Boot
Duck Boots: L.L.Bean Original Bean Boot
Chelsea Boots: Quince Rain Boots
To find the best rain boots on the market this spring, I pored over product reviews and entrusted two PEOPLE editors to help me test-drive a few pairs from popular brands. We recommend these styles for their stability, durability, and value.
Best Rain Boots
Planone Tall Rain Boots, $39.80; amazon.com
L.L.Bean Original Bean Boot, $109 (orig. $149); llbean.com
Quince Rain Boots, $70; quince.com
Ugg Droplet, $56 (orig. $80); zappos.com
Best Tall Rain Boots
Planone Tall Rain Boots
Amazon
Armed with over 3,300 five-star ratings at Amazon, these boots are an incredible value at $35. Aside from rainy days, these boots are suitable for mudding, gardening, and even dressing up, according to reviewers. One even said they stood in them for eight hours during a rainy festival and their feet were “dry and comfy the whole time.”
While most shoppers say they fit true to size, some warn that they aren’t ideal for wide calves and feet. And since they aren’t insulated, they’re not meant for snow or cold weather.
Size range: 6–10 | Colors: 8 | Construction: Synthetic rubber
Hunter Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots
Hunter
Introduced by the brand in 1956, these are the boots that come to mind when I picture rain boots. Shopping editor Madison Yauger has owned the same pair for eight years — they’re that durable. Worn by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kyle Richards, the Hunter boots are 100 percent waterproof and come in a plethora of colors, some with a glossy finish.
Size range: 5–11 | Colors: 6 | Construction: Natural rubber with 100% recycled polyester lining
Merry People Fergie Rain Boot
Merry People
What makes these Merry People rain boots stand out is their adjustable tall shaft to accommodate different calf sizes — a game changer for those with wide calves. I took these for a spin in rainy conditions throughout April (we had a particularly wet one in New York City this year), and they are undoubtedly the best rain boots I’ve ever owned.
I love that they have a thick lug sole, which not only makes the boots seem very sturdy, but also gives them a stylish edge. They seem well-insulated and warm enough to wear in the winter, but first, I’ll be testing them in summer rainstorms.
Size range: 5–12 | Colors: 3 | Construction: Natural rubber with neoprene lining
People / Erika Reals
Senior shopping editor Erika Reals wears the Merry People Fergie rain boots on a wet walk through the park.Best Mid-Calf Boots
Western Chief Waterproof Mid Rain Boots
Amazon
These Western Chief boots have over 4,300 five-star ratings from Amazon customers, with many commenting in reviews on how cute and comfortable they are for rainy days, gardening, cleaning the chicken coop, and more. Constructed from thick rubber, the boots have a cushioned foot bed, although some reviewers say they don’t offer enough arch support for longer wears.
Size range: 6–11 | Colors: 31 | Construction: Rubber with cotton blend lining
Hunter Short Rain Boots
Amazon
If you love everything about the tall Hunter boots except the shaft height, these boots are for you. The shorter shaft makes them a bit lighter and easier to wear with pants. We even spotted Sarah Jessica Parker in a black pair on the set of And Just Like That… to protect her feet from a New York City downpour.
Size range: 5–11 | Colors: 13 | Construction: Rubber and nylon
Merry People Darcy Mid Calf Boots
Merry People
Similar to the Merry People Fergie boots, these Darcy mid-calf rain boots also have an adjustable shaft and arch support and are completely waterproof. But unlike their Fergie counterpart, they have a removable insole to make room for orthotic inserts if more support is needed.
Size range: 5–11 | Colors: 13 | Construction: Rubber and nylon
Best Duck Boots
L.L.Bean Original Bean Boot
L.L. Bean
Shopping editor Kayla Kitts wore these to conquer some outdoor tasks, then took them for a spin through some particularly nasty April showers in Atlanta. The waterproof leather upper and rubber boot bottom kept her feet completely dry and comfortable through puddles and downpours, confirming to us that the hype around Bean Boots is real.
The brand recommends sizing up or down depending on what socks you choose to wear; she went with her usual size and paired them with thin hiking socks, and they fit perfectly. She noticed some rubbing against her ankles at first but was able to break them in after a few brief wears.
Editors Say
“I have always wanted a pair of Original L.L.Bean Boots, and these far exceeded my expectations. They’re great for doing yardwork, gardening, slushing through the snow, and more. ” — Kayla Kitts, shopping editor
People / Kayla Kitts
Shopping editor Kayla Kitts wears L.L.Bean boots during a downpour.Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots
Sperry
These Sperry boots are very similar to L.L.Bean’s Bean Boots but a fraction of the cost. Also constructed with waterproof leather uppers and rubber soles and toe caps, Sperry’s boots differ from L.L.Bean’s in their laces. Instead of a traditional lace-up design, the Sperry boots have barrel lacing, meaning no tying necessary, and a size zipper for easy on and off.
Size range: 5–12 (also available in wide) | Colors: 6 | Construction: Leather, rubber
Kamik Sienna Snow Boot
DSW
The Sienna boot from Kamik is a great all-weather boot we’d take out on cold, rainy days. It's armed with thermal insulation, waterproof leather, and lightweight rubber uppers to keep your feet dry and warm. The padded insole makes these more walkable than most rubber rain boots. Plus, reviewers appreciate its warm fleece lining and comfortable padded insoles.
Size range: 5–11 | Colors: 3 | Construction: Leather, fleece, rubber, knit flannel
Deal Alert!
The Kamik Sienna Snow Boots are up to 50% off right now at dsw.com.
Best Chelsea Boots
Ugg Droplet
Zappos
The Ugg Droplet combines the comfort of a classic Ugg boot with the functionality of a rain boot. Shopping director Laura Gurfein has owned Ugg rain boots for three years and counting, and she estimates that the Droplet is the current iteration of her Chevonne boot, which is no longer in production. This style mimics the silhouette of a stylish Chelsea boot, and the upcycled sheep wool lining keeps your feet insulated. You don’t have to worry about rain slipping inside the short shaft, since there’s a neoprene sockliner (neoprene is the material used to make wetsuits).
Size range: 5–12 | Colors: 2 | Construction: Rubber, upcycled wool, Tencel lyocell, neoprene
Quince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boots
Quince
Yauger was in the market for ankle rain boots as an alternative to her trusty tall Hunters, and she found them at Quince. These don’t have as much coverage as other boots on this list, but Yauger insists they keep her feet dry on rainy dog walks.
Size range: 6–10 | Colors: 3 | Construction: Natural rubber and recycled neoprene made from five plastic bottles
Editors Say
“The Quince rain boots are so lightweight when walking, and despite the waterproof material, they feel like regular shoes.” —Madison Yauger, shopping editor
People / Madison Yauger
The Quince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boots right out of the box.Blundstone Women’s Thermal High Top Boots
Blundstone
These all-weather boots from Blundstone will last for season after season. I’ve worn my Blundstone Voltan Chelsea boots in sleet, snow, rain, and ice, and these high-tops have additional features like insulated lining, a wool footbed, and waterproof leather upper that will keep your feet dry, stable, and warm.
Size range: 6–11 | Colors: 4 | Construction: Leather, thermoplastic urethane, elastic, latex
Add to Cart
On rainy days, you need more than just a pair of waterproof boots.
Little Donkey Andy Waterproof Rain Jacket
Amazon
Over the past two years, we’ve tested 23 women’s rain jackets to find the best of the best. This rain jacket, available on Amazon, is our best budget pick. Testers love it for its impressive water repellency and the structured bill that shields your face.
EEZ-Y Windproof Travel Umbrella
Amazon
This portable umbrella has over 15,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. One reviewer appreciated its sturdiness against wind, ease of storage, and usability for rain, sleet, snow, and protection from the sun.
People / Madison Yauger
Shopping editor Madison Yauger tests the Quince rain boots while walking her dog Stevie.Behind the Scenes
To surface the best rain boots on the market, we researched top brands, pored over customer reviews, and spent two rainy weeks testing out several pairs ourselves. I collected insights from PEOPLE editors to inform several of these choices, including the rain boots from Quince, Hunter, Merry People, and L.L.Bean. We evaluated each pair’s value, durability, and stability before deciding on our top 12 rain boots.
Take Our Word for It
Erika Reals is a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE with over five years of experience writing and editing commerce content. She lives on Central Park in New York City, where she often has to tread through puddles, slippery sidewalks, and muddy terrain on daily walks with her rescue dog, Cleo. For this story, she spent several weeks testing the Merry People Fergie Boots and surveyed her current shoe collection, including the Blundstones she’s worn for five months. Shopping editors Kayla Kitts and Madison Yauger tested the L.L.Bean Original Bean Boot and Quince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boots, respectively. Reals collected real-world insights and analyzed online reviews to help determine the best rain boots of 2024.
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In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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