The 8 Best Rain Boots for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Hunter Short Rain Boot

$120 at Amazon $150 at Nordstrom $150 at Zappos

If you’ve walked around any city in the rain, you’ve probably encountered a pair of Hunters, so you won’t stick out on your travels with this style. We wore them multiple times a day, sometimes even without socks and over pajama pants for quick walks, and stayed comfortable all the while thanks to the cushioned liner. There isn’t a lot of arch support and they do get a bit sweaty during prolonged wear, but they feel high-quality and well-balanced weight-wise, so you don’t have to worry about any punctures when you’re out in nature, but also won’t be weighed down on long days of walking.

The traction holds up against wet grass and pavement and despite being “short,” they’re still high enough to block out any puddle splashes. A slip-resistant sole keeps you sturdy on cobblestone streets and they’re easy to get on and off, and the adjustable buckle gives them a little more customizability. Plus, their color selection numbers in the double digits, though they don’t come in half sizes.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber

Best Budget

Asgard Chelsea Ankle Waterproof Rain Boots

$33 at Amazon

Maybe you’d rather spend your money on souvenirs, or you live in a dry climate and are simply traveling to a damp one. In that case, Asgard’s Chelsea boots are your best bet. We found they run true to size when wearing regular socks, though they did get a bit warm when we were indoors. The insides are fairly basic in terms of comfort, without very much padding or support, but are still comfortable enough and ready to wear out of the box.

They felt sturdy but not heavy and had a good amount of traction even in a muddy field and when tramping through flowing gutters, and kept our feet dry the whole time thanks to the thick rubber. The pull tabs to get them on were especially helpful, as were the elastic sides. Bonus: they come in 15 different colors, so you could even pick up two to match your favorite umbrellas.

The Details: 4 to 12 | Rubber

Best Mid-calf

Bogs Sweetpea Tall Rain Boot

View on Amazon $45 at REI $67 at Backcountry.com

For a straightforward, easy rain boot, go for the Bogs Sweetpea. These held up against Vermont’s intense summer 2023 flooding without any slipping, and they gripped solidly on gravel, pavement, wood, and stone, so you can wear them wherever your travels may take you. The design is also unobtrusive and easy to blend with whatever you’ve packed.

They don’t come in half sizes, and we found ours to be just a bit on the large side but believe the size down would have been too small. That said, they didn’t rub anywhere or create any hot spots, and they didn’t require any breaking in. The thick material feels long-lasting without being heavy and they have excellent traction. And of course, no moisture snuck in at any point while wearing them.

The Details: 6 to 11 | Nylon and rubber

Best Everyday

Merry People Bobbi Rain Boot

$130 at Merrypeople.com

Merry People’s Bobbi boots are comfortable and versatile enough to wear even if the forecast doesn’t necessarily call for rain, so you won’t be squandering suitcase space on them. We experienced some slight pinching on wider feet at first during our testing, but they loosened up after a few hours of breaking-in and felt like a hug on our feet from there. There was no soreness or discomfort even after 4 straight hours of wear.

They’re easy to slip on thanks to the neoprene lining, and the cushioned sole provides a good amount of arch support. The length hits right above the ankle so you’re protected from puddles, and they are still comfortable even with thick socks (though your calves will still be exposed). They’re a little heavy but have lots of traction so there’s no need to worry about slipping. The insoles did slide out whenever we took them off which was a minor nuisance, but not enough that we won’t still consider wearing them even if it’s dry outside. There are also 19 different color combinations to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Rubber and neoprene

Best Versatile

On Waterproof Hiking Boots

$220 at REI $220 at Nordstrom $220 at Backcountry.com

If your travels are covering a lot of outdoor territory, the Cloudrock 2 may be the best rain boots for you. As hiking boots made by a running shoe brand, they cover a number of bases, and still looked basically new after a week on rainy New York City streets. We found them comfortable, breathable, and supportive, though a little bit heavy. They also have excellent traction and waterproofing, and repelled water like it was nothing. They may not be the best fit for formal outfits, as the sporty hiking-boot look is a hard one to dress up, though they do come in five different colors from lilac to all black.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber, polyester, TPU

Best Pull-on

Planone Short Rain Boots

$46 at Amazon

These uncomplicated boots can easily slide into your travel wardrobe. The wide sizing makes them roomy and easy to fit. The rubber isn’t the most breathable material, but will keep you dry, and elastic side panels give them some extra fitting ability and flexibility. The traction is sufficient for grass and concrete. The lack of arch support and firm insoles make us think they won’t be ideal for long days of walking, but if most of your time won’t be spent on your feet, they’ll still keep you plenty dry. Just avoid higher puddles, as the elastic sides aren’t waterproof and will let splashes in. We also had some concerns about the durability of the single piece of rubber. However, they’re priced well, and the nine colors and simple structure will easily blend well with a variety of outfits.

The Details: 6 wide to 10 wide | Rubber

Best Tall

Salter House Plasticana Hemp Wellies

View on Salter.house

Salter’s Hemp Wellies aren’t just sustainable; they also feel supportive and run true to size. They do require a break-in period, but they offer support for both the ankles and arches, and their tighter calf helps prevent any moisture from sneaking into the top of the boot. They’re also a little heavy, but they have good traction, with no slippage occurring, and can easily be worn out and about for the day. The construction feels sturdy and long-lasting, and while they only come in one color, it’s an attractive neutral that will look good with whatever you pair it with, so you don’t need to worry about it clashing with the contents of your suitcase.

The Details: 35 to 46 | Hemp plastic

Best High-heel

Sorel Women's Brex Boot Chelsea

$180 at Nordstrom $90 at Backcountry.com $92 at Zappos

If you want a trendier rain boot for city travel, your best pick is this edgy style from Sorel. The Brex run true to size but are on the tighter side, so they’re a bit tricky to get on. But once you’re in, your feet feel comfortable and supported. The high-quality rubber and thick sole mean they’ll be able to stand up to whatever mileage your agenda throws at them. Both the rubber body and elastic panels repelled all the water we threw at them, and the grooved soles provide both style points and excellent traction. We did find that the upper edge rubs against the ankle if you aren’t wearing long socks, so make sure you pack socks that will keep your ankles chafe-free.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Leather, EVA footbed and midsole