Rain Boots

A rain boot has one job that no waterproof hiking shoe quite covers: keep water out when the puddle is deeper than the ankle. A shoe keeps rain off the foot; a boot keeps standing water, mud and slush below the shaft line, and the shaft height you choose decides where that line sits. Tall boots take knee-deep puddles and garden mud, mid boots cover the yard and the dog walk, and short or ankle boots cover wet pavements and quick trips where a tall shaft would only get in the way.

The twelve boots below cover that height ladder honestly. Hunter supplies the classic tall and short silhouettes that most buyers picture first, XTRATUF supplies the tall work and deck boots built for wet decks and cold water, BOGS and MUCK supply insulated neoprene work boots for cold and muddy jobs, Western Chief supplies the patterned tall boot at a budget price, and Kamik supplies the kids pair for puddle duty. Every pick is sold on Amazon, every shaft height and insulation figure is the maker or retailer figure, and fit is stated plainly because a waterproof boot that pinches or gapes at the calf is a boot that stays in the cupboard.