We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Fashion Shoes The 13 Best Rain Boots Start at Just $40 and Include Pairs from Hunter, Ugg, Sperry, and More We tested the most popular rain boots, and these pairs kept us dry By Erika Reals Erika Reals Erika Reals is a senior shopping editor for PEOPLE.com with over five years of experience in digital media. She covers fashion and beauty related topics such as the best work bags and the best places to buy jeans, as well as celebrity-inspired trend pieces. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 10, 2024 04:15AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Best Tall Rain Boots Best Mid-Calf Boots Best Duck Boots Best Chelsea Boots Add to Cart Behind the Scenes Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: 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. We tested some of the most popular rain boots, from traditional tall boots to stylish chelsea boots. We recommend these styles for their stability, durability, and value. Best Rain Boots Planone Tall Rain Boots, $39.80; amazon.com Merry People Fergie Rain Boot, $170; merrypeople.com Hunter Short Rain Boots, $140; amazon.com L.L.Bean Original Bean Boot, $109 (orig. $149); llbean.com Hunter Chelsea Insulated Boot, $112 (orig. $140); amazon.com Ugg Brisbane Chelsea Boot, $170; ugg.com Western Chief Waterproof Mid Rain Boots, $35; amazon.com Best Tall Rain Boots Planone Tall Rain Boots Amazon $40 at 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 $175 $116 at Amazon $190 $97 at Zappos 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. The design calls to mind a great pair of cowboy boots — and is just as timeless. 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 $170 at Merrypeople.com 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 Senior shopping editor Erika Reals wears the Merry People Fergie rain boots on a wet walk through the park. People / Erika Reals Best Mid-Calf Boots Western Chief Waterproof Mid Rain Boots Amazon $40 at 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. If you're looking for all-purpose outdoor and gardening shoes, these would be a good option. 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 $170 at Nordstrom $170 at Zappos 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 $150 at Merrypeople.com 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 $139 $85 at Zappos $139 $85 at 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 Shopping editor Kayla Kitts wears L.L.Bean boots during a downpour. People / Kayla Kitts Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots Sperry $110 $50 at Amazon $80 at Zappos 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 $140 $90 at Amazon $130 at Zappos $130 at Dsw.com 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 Best Chelsea Boots Dr. Martens Work Chelsea Boot Amazon $170 at Amazon $170 at Nordstrom $170 at Dsw.com If you’re looking for a rain-proof chelsea boot to last you years, consider this pair. Dr. Martens boots are notoriously high-quality, and these chelsea boots live up to the hype. During testing, we found that they’re super durable, stylish, and water-resistant. We wouldn’t be standing around in puddles in these boots, but they’re protective enough to go out in moderate rain. And while they’re not the most supportive boot we’ve tried (we won’t be reaching for these for long walks!), we love them for events, the office, and other short wears. Size range: 5–15 | Colors: 2 | Construction: Leather, rubber PHOTO: People / Madison Yauger PHOTO: People / Madison Yauger PHOTO: People / Madison Yauger Hunter Original Chelsea Insulated Boot Amazon $140 $112 at Amazon $140 at Zappos $140 at Dsw.com If you’re a fan of the Hunter brand (like us and so many celebrities), you’ll probably love this chelsea rain boot. Since they’re made of rubber, they’ll be truly puddle-proof — which is rare for a chelsea boot. During testing, we found these boots offered reliable traction on wet pavement. Plus, the material is super durable and will be easily cleaned after any encounters with mud. We had a few qualms, though: The flat sole won’t be supportive enough for super active days, and the boot rubbed against our ankle during testing, causing some discomfort (which we were able to lessen with tall socks). They’re on the pricey side, too, but if you love the brand, we think it’s a style worth investing in. Size range: 5–11 | Colors: 9 | Construction: Rubber, nylon PHOTO: People / Laura Gurfein PHOTO: People / Laura Gurfein PHOTO: People / Laura Gurfein PHOTO: People / Laura Gurfein Sam Edelman Laguna Chelsea Boot Amazon $150 at Amazon $150 at Saks Fifth Avenue $150 at Samedelman.com These leather chelsea boots are as practical as they are stylish. While they look like a classic chelsea boot, we’d trust them rain or shine, thanks in part to the heavily lugged sole that provides great traction. They’re also waterproof, which is often a tough ask for leather chelsea boots. We weren’t super impressed with the comfort of these boots, but they didn’t cause us any pain or discomfort, either. Wide sizes are available for some sizes, but not all, which caused us to feel like our feet were squished a bit during testing. Size range: 5–14 | Colors: 4 | Construction: Leather, synthetic fabric PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson UGG Brisbane Chelsea Boot Nordstrom $170 at Amazon $170 at Shopbop.com $170 at Ugg.com We love the look of these chunky UGG boots, and they’re sure to keep out the wet during rainy (and even snowy) days. The boots are super high quality, with a platform lugged sole, thick leather, and fur lining that’s warm enough for cold rainy days and snow. When we first took these boots out of the box, they weren’t the most comfortable, but we think the durability makes up for it. That being said, these might not fit well if you have wide feet. Size range: 5–12 | Colors: 3 | Construction: Nubuck, polyester, wool, lyocell PHOTO: People / Cai Cramer PHOTO: People / Cai Cramer PHOTO: People / Cai Cramer Add to Cart On rainy days, you need more than just a pair of waterproof boots. Little Donkey Andy Waterproof Rain Jacket Amazon $63 at Amazon $53 at Littledonkeyandy.com 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 $22 $17 at 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. Shopping editor Madison Yauger tests the Quince rain boots while walking her dog Stevie. People / Madison Yauger 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. We also conducted an additional test of chelsea boots, putting some of the most popular pairs to the test. We included the waterproof chelsea boots that impressed us with their durability, comfort, and value. Why Trust PEOPLE? 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. Shopping writer Genevieve Cepeda most recently updated this article after we tested additional chelsea boots. She pored over testing insights to identify the stylish chelsea boots that held up in the rain, too. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.