The 13 Best Rain Boots Start at Just $40 and Include Pairs from Hunter, Ugg, Sperry, and More

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleBest Tall Rain BootsBest Mid-Calf BootsBest Duck BootsBest Chelsea BootsAdd to CartBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

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

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 herdoggy rain coat, I throw on my owntrusty 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 leastsomearch 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

Amazon

$40 at Amazon

Armed with over 3,300 five-star ratings at Amazon, these boots are an incredible value at $35. Aside fromrainy days, these boots are suitable formudding,gardening, and evendressing up, according to reviewers.One even saidthey 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 warnthat 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

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

People / Erika Reals

Western Chief Waterproof Mid Rain Boots

These Western Chief boots have over 4,300 five-star ratings from Amazon customers, with many commenting in reviews onhow cute and comfortablethey 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

$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 ina black pairon the set ofAnd 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

$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.

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.

“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

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

Dr. Martens Work Chelsea Boot

$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 YaugerPHOTO: People / Madison YaugerPHOTO: People / Madison Yauger

Hunter Original Chelsea Insulated Boot

$140$112 at Amazon$140 at Zappos$140 at Dsw.com

If you’re a fan of the Hunter brand (like us andso manycelebrities), 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 GurfeinPHOTO: People / Laura GurfeinPHOTO: People / Laura GurfeinPHOTO: People / Laura Gurfein

Sam Edelman Laguna Chelsea Boot

$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 JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: 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 CramerPHOTO: People / Cai CramerPHOTO: People / Cai Cramer

On rainy days, you need more than just a pair of waterproof boots.

Little Donkey Andy Waterproof Rain Jacket

$63 at Amazon$53 at Littledonkeyandy.com

Over the past two years, we’ve tested 23women’s rain jacketsto 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

$22$17 at Amazon

This portable umbrella has over 15,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.One reviewer appreciatedits 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

People / Madison Yauger

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.

Erika Realsis a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE with over five years of experience writing and editing 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 theMerry People Fergie Bootsand surveyed her current shoe collection, including the Blundstones she’s worn for five months. Shopping editorsKayla KittsandMadison Yaugertested theL.L.Bean Original Bean BootandQuince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boots, respectively. Reals collected real-world insights and analyzed online reviews to help determine the best rain boots of 2024.

Shopping writerGenevieve Cepedamost 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.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto 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.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com