The 15 Best Rain Boots for Men, From L.L.Bean to Prada
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We won’t sugar coat it: The weather is only going to get more fickle. You can start the day with a string of bright sunshine emojis in your weather app and then end up getting drenched in a rush-hour downpour. The skies—and, um, climate change—don’t care about your loafers, chukkas, or sneakers. You’ve got to be prepared with the best rain boots—ones that can handle any puddle or sudden storm that comes your way.
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Rain boots for men have one job: Keep your feet dry. They should also provide some traction on slippery ground. And keep your feet relatively warm. And look cool. And anchor your fit. Okay, they actually have to do a lot for what may seem like a pretty straightforward addition to your whatever-the-hell-season-it-is footwear lineup.
The best rain boots have a sturdy rubber sole and some kind of waterproof—or at least, water-resistant—upper. We’ve included a few lace-up options here, too, but largely they should have as few seams as possible. This is not the time to bring out your Cuban heels or even your well-worn hiking boots. You’re looking for a barrier between your feet and the elements. Luckily, there are a whole bunch of rain boots in the market that’ll ward off any water—and we’ve gathered the best of the best below.
Best Statement-Making Rain Boots
Prada Monolith Duck Boots
Every time Miuccia Prada deploys her signature nylon in a new and thoughtful way, we can’t help but tip our hats to her. Here, we’ve got it encasing the upper of these aptly named Monolith boots with a neoprene (another Prada regular) inset to keep things comfortable and waterproof. Are the hulking soles actually carved from stone as they appear? Based on their light weight, no. But they definitely provide a solid foundation.
Materials: Neoprene, nylon, and rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Classic Rain Boots
Hunter Original Waterproof Rain Boot
Hunter’s OG Wellington boots—aka “Wellies”—are about as iconic as it gets. They hold two Royal Warrants of Appointment from the British royal family, garnering greater renown for their protection from the elements throughout the decades. Whether you’re walking through mud at Glastonbury or tending to your garden back home, it just makes sense to have a pair (or two) waiting by the door.
Material: Vulcanised rubber with polyester lining.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid-calf.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Hybrid Rain Boots
Sorel Metro II Waterproof Chukka
Sorel makes some of the burliest winter snow boots around, which is why we’re not surprised it applies the same exacting approach with this chukka-slash-sneaker hybrid. A suede waterproof leather upper, seam-sealed construction, and a molded rubber midsole with hand-crafted vulcanized rubber taping all mean that water doesn’t stand a chance of getting close to your toes.
Materials: Waterproof leather suede and rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Ankle.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Minimalist Rain Boots
Stutterheim Chelsea Winterwalker Boot
Stutterheim knows waterproof. If you see a minimalist rubberized cotton raincoat shedding water and oozing Swedishness, it’s probably from Stutterheim. The brand brings the same ethos of designing for “troubled water and dark skies” to its rubber Chelsea boots, which features thermo-fleece lining that will mold to your foot shape over time.
Materials: Rubber with thermo-fleece lining.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Ankle.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Thick-Sole Rain Boots
Off-White Logo Sponge Rubber Boot
A solid base is a key attribute of a good rain boot. Off-White delivers a foundation and then some with these rubber boots that sit atop a beefy sole. You’ll also get some street cred with the brand’s signature zip tie hangin’ out in the back.
Materials: Rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Tactical Rain Boots
Palladium Pampa Travel Lite Waterproof Boot
Palladium started out manufacturing airplane tires in the 1920s, which means it can handle some slush and drizzle just fine. A lug sole, black-and-orange colorway, and toggle cord laces give these boots a tactical vibe. They can definitely withstand a good beating.
Materials: Recycled polyester and EVA rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best High-Fashion Rain Boots
Bottega Veneta Puddle Boot
These Bottega Puddle boots made a big splash (sorry) when they debuted during Milan Fashion Week, ushering in an era of hulking stompers that we’re still wading through (again, sorry)—and with good reason! They are waterproof, feature a cool, curvy silhouette, and come in a bunch of excellent colors.
Materials: Rubber with cotton lining.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Ankle.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Handcrafted Rain Boots
Diemme Balbi Suede Rubber Boot
Taking a cue from duck styles, Diemme ups the ante and brings its performance-meets-craftsmanship approach to these Chelsea boots; each pair is handmade in the brand’s Italian workshop. Sure, there’s some damn rich suede up top, but they’re not getting anywhere near the ground, because of its lengthy and heavy-duty rubber soles. Rest assured, these guys are built to perform.
Materials: Rubber and suede.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Sole only.
Best Mud-Ready Rain Boots
Barbour Bede Rain Boots
Barbour’s footwear may not have ascended to the same seminal status as its waxed jacket, but the brand born in the British countryside knows how to keep things dry—feet included. Its Bede boots will get you through all kinds of muck and will make you look smart in the process.
Materials: Rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid-calf.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Luxury Rain Boots
The Row Greta Textured Leather Chelsea Rain Boots
Sometimes the best kind of luxury is the one only you (and some eagle-eyed jawns enthusiasts) really know about. Take the Row’s Greta boots, for instance. They may look like a sturdy utilitarian pair, which they are, but they’re also constructed from impossibly supple textured leather set on top of a beefy Vibram sole. And the proportions are perfect. It imbues both fashion cred and function.
Materials: Leather and rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Sole only.
Best Cult-Status Rain Boots
Suicoke Alal Rain Boots
The duck boot is ripe for riffing, and it makes sense cult Japanese brand Suicoke would step up to the plate: EVA rubber soles and technical materials are part of its ethos. This tonal black pair combines rubberized leather uppers with high-coverage lightweight soles capable of keeping you super dry and super fly through the rain.
Materials: Rubber and rubberized leather.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Duck Boots
L.L. Bean 8” Bean Boot
If your vibe skews to this side of the pond, then the classic duck boot may be your answer to Wellies. Possibly Maine’s most famous export next to lobster rolls, L.L. Bean’s Bean boots have a reputation for keeping water and cold out with a thick rubber boot bottom and a steel shank for comfort and support. They come in all kinds of iterations—lined, unlined, short, and tall—but we’re digging this chamois-lined version for chilly temps.
Materials: Rubber and leather.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Heavy-Duty Rain Boots
Nike ACG Zoom Gaiadome Gore-Tex Boot
If your eyes widen at words like “heavy-duty” and “Gore-Tex”, these are your rain boots. Built with waterproof fabric and hefty lug soles, Nike’s ACG Zoom Gaiadome boots (even the name is tough as hell) are begging you to climb up a damp mountainside or at least complete your trekking fit. They’ve got all that Zoom Air cushioning for a soft landing, too.
Materials: Gore-Tex-coated canvas and rubber.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Yes.
Best Everyday Rain Boots
Blundstone #2058 All-Terrain Chelsea Boot
There’s a reason you’ll see almost every Brooklynite of a certain age shod in Blundstone—even when it’s bone-dry outside. They’re supremely functional, comfortable, and look best when you’ve put some miles on them. Also, the Vibram outsole and water-resistant leather upper will guarantee that you’ll make it across muddy roads and sidewalks without fuss.
Materials: Rubber and water-resistant leather.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Mid.
Waterproof: Water-resistant.
Most Unique Rain Boots
Moncler Aqua Rain Boot
Moncler’s Aqua Rain Boots will not be categorized. The brand somehow created a hybrid sneaker, boot, and galosh with a few mountain bike chromosomes thrown in. Undulating foam uppers and waffly recycled rubber soles, along with a cozy lining, all add up to foot coverings that repel water.
Materials: Recycled rubber, recycled EVA foam and synthetic lining.
Fit: Regular.
Height: Low.
Waterproof: Yes.
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