The 6 Best Rain Boots for Men 2024

Profile: 6 inch height | Design details: Pull-on tabs, rubber |Comfort: Wide heel collar

If you don't think you need the full coverage of the 15-inch Legacy Boot, I recommend the six-inch Ankle Deck Boot from the same brand. Its outsole is made from a durable, fully waterproof rubber, and its wider heel collar lets you tuck in your pants or drape them over the boot. According to winemaker and commercial fisherman Christopher Nicolson, you've probably spotted these boots on people who work on boats or in the seafood industry. Nicolson wears his pair of Deck Boots to work and mentions how great they are even become somewhat elegant outside of her profession. I think they made their way into the outdoor fashion culture for the under 48s a few years ago, but almost all Alaskans still wear Xtratuf boots, he says. Classic chestnuts are jam.

Profile: 8 inch height | Design details: Rubber sole and toe, leather lace-up upper | Comfort: Spacious tip

Whenever the forecast calls for rain, I reach for my Bean Boots. The rubber bottom around the toe repels slush, snow, and puddle splashes, and the lace-up leather upper gives them a better fit than the sloppier uppers of rubber boots. I find my Bean Boots comfortable to walk in, the rubber heel is forgiving and has a slight bounce, while the leather upper flexes with my foot as it bends (as opposed to a stiff rubber upper). The Bean Boots run a little big. If you're wearing them with regular socks, you'll want to order a size down from your usual size if you're usually a full size (and a size and a half down if you're a half size).

Profile: 11 inches tall | Design details: Composite toe, pull tabs | Comfort: Gel padding in the insole

When it comes to waterproof work boots that can stand up to the dirtiest conditions, it's hard to beat a pair from Bogs, known for their durability. The Bogs Workman Mid Comp Toe features the thick, heavily lugged sole of a work boot, a fully waterproof outsole, a composite toe cap that protects the toe, and dual pull tabs. Joe Jacksona former columnist specializing in construction machinery Out based in Ashland, Oregon, has put thousands of hours of use into their pair. They’re what I work in on rainy trails in the fall, they’re what I work in during the winter when I teach adaptive ski lessons (I’m in them every second, so I don’t need to wear ski boots while I teach), and they live outside my door the rest of the winter waiting for whatever muddy task might come my way. They’re also durable: They stink to high heaven, Jackson says, but otherwise they’ve held up incredibly well with virtually no wear on the inner lining (one slight abrasion on the heel after thousands of feet of sliding) and minor scuffing on the exterior.

Profile: Ankle height | Design details: Gore-Tex lining | Comfort: Thick, cushioned midsole and lugged outsole for traction

Not all hiking shoes are designed for rain, but some have a simple construction with minimal seams and use materials that repel water, making them a great choice for winter slush and mud. The Vasque Sundowner is a classic hiking shoe that has been around since 1984, and one of the newer versions is the GTX, which features a Gore-Tex membrane. Its simple design is why it is such a popular model among hikers and backpackers as well as stylish men. Columnist Chris Black recommended them in our roundup of the best winter boots for men, calling them understated and functional. Leon Hedgepeth, freelance writer and editor of the men's fashion newsletter Contempt and Strategist contributor, agrees. “They’re one of the most discreet boots out there. They’re a very easy shoe to put on because they’re all black, they also come in brown leather, and they’re easy to clean,” he says.

Profile: Ankle height | Design details: Made with a matte, vegan natural rubber | Comfort: Elastic band and pull tabs

The Bolinas are like a sleeker, more urban version of the Xtratuf deck boots. They have the standard Chelsea boot style that makes for easy on and off and the same seamless construction that allows water to bead up. Hedgepeth says it’s not easy to find a rain boot that’s both stylish and functional. But these are the boots, he says, especially at a reasonable price. “I bring these boots whenever there’s rain in the forecast or when I’m doing an outdoor activity that might involve mud,” he says, noting that the boots’ natural rubber is easy to hose down and clean. He does find them to be a bit big. Since I have narrow feet, I sized down significantly to an 8.5, even though I typically wear a size 10 in sneakers.