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Having a great pair of waterproof boots—perhaps even more than one!—can make getting dressed in thick weather feel a little less sad. Or at least a little less wet. A reliable pair of warm waterproof boots brings protection. Security. Confidence. You need boots that are well-made and durable, can take on harsh weather without falling to pieces, and won’t let water sneak into gaps and seams at unexpected times.
Keep it sleek and office appropriate with a brogue boot from Allen Edmonds, or opt for a classic Chelsea boot from Ugg. If you’re braving the winter weather outdoors, get a functional, protective style equipped to take you anywhere—Blundstone, Arc’teryxBarbour, and Hunter have great picks. And if you just want to keep things simple and suave, well, there are styles from Sorel, Converse, and Danner that are certifiable staples.
From a bit of rain to a full-on blizzard, these waterproof boots will keep you upright and dry. Not even your feet are concerned, at least.
Barbour Nimbus Rain Boot
If there’s one brand I’m going to trust for dealing with impossibly rainy weather, it’s British-born Barbour. We love its classic waxed jacket—a perennial favorite—and all of its cozy wool accessories. But the boots are great, too. This is simple: a short, rubberized boot with a lug sole and great traction. It is great for rain, but it was built for walking through mud. You know, the kind of test we hope we never have to take it on.
This boot does an excellent job keeping your feet warm and dry, but there are some mixed reviews of getting it on and off. Although the elastic sides help get your feet in, some reviewers complain that the pull tabs on the front and back are more for show than they are for function, given that they are too narrow to comfortably fit a finger through.
Slabtown 62′ Six Waterproof Boot
Let’s call this boot what it is: a work boot for people who are probably not doing any hard labor in it. And you know what, we love it all the more for that. Although we’re partial to pretty much any Sorel boot for snowy climates, we like how this boot isn’t overtly waterproof. We like how the shaft is a little higher than an ankle boot’s but doesn’t feel like a heavy, industrial winter boot’s either.
The molded footbed is comfortable—many reviewers comment that it is comfortable right out of the box—although the rubber sole doesn’t have quite as much traction as you might want.
Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged 2.0 X Hi Boot
When I say that a waterproof Converse has changed my life, I am not exaggerating. i hate (hate) wearing heavy boots and trying to style snow boots with an office outfit. I’ve had maybe three versions of this shoe, which is the ideal compromise for wearing something that feels like a sneaker but functions much more efficiently. This is warm and comfortable, and the dramatic lug sole has great traction.
That said, the fleece lining is what makes it warm—and what also makes it a little harder to work with in warmer weather. With that lug sole, too, comes a shoe that’s probably higher and chunkier than what you’re used to feeling. Not necessarily a con, but it’s not for everyone.
Panorama Mid Boot
For a stompy, durable, made-for-the-great-outdoors boot, we love Danner. Its offerings are designed for true function, but they don’t sacrifice style in the process. The Panorama is one of the brand’s more affordable boots with a mid height, a thick sole, and a functional lace system. It’s waterproof and durable, but it’s infinitely more lightweight than your standard waterproof hiker. Even more lightweight than Danner’s own styles.
It’s a great price (some Danners will cost you $400 and up), but with that more reasonable price point comes some disappointment on quality from reviewers. It’s simply not as luxe as a pricier boot and maybe feels more like a sneaker than a true hiking boot—though that’s really more about shoe expectations than anything else. It performs well but doesn’t last as long with tough, regular wear.
Lug Waterproof Chukka Boot
I can, have, and will die on the hill that Ugg makes some of the best winter boots. And not the classic suede ones you might be thinking of. No, Ugg’s winterized, waterproof boots are well made and perform exceedingly well. Although I’m a big fan of the Butte for snowy weather (my love letter to the Butte here), it is quite snow-boot-esque. This chukka boot is a little less bulky but still performs great. It’s easy to wear every day—nothing about it necessarily screams Ugg—and it’s sneakily comfortable.
Kopec Mid GTX Boot
It’s no secret that our editors love Arc’teryx for all things cold, rainy, and outdoorsy, and that’s exactly what this boot was made to tough out. The Gore-Tex design ensures flexibility and a lightweight feel, with added abrasion resistance, too. With a grippy 4mm insole, it delivers stellar traction on the wettest of days.
Oslo High Boot
Polo Ralph Lauren’s Oslo boot is about as cool as a duck boot could ever get. That duck-boot top sits on a thick, lugged sole and meets a waterproof leather upper that feels more like a stylish combat boot’s. It’s a bit stompy—perhaps too heavy a stomp for some—but that’s also what makes it great. It’s lined with faux shearling and overall makes for a great waterproof boot that doesn’t make you feel dorky.
Some reviewers report a bit of discomfort (re: rubbing and tightness) around the top of the ankle. They recommend, as do we, a high sock to help soften any irritation.
ACG Torre Mid Waterproof Shoe
If anyone knows how to make outdoorsy stuff feel extremely cool, it’s Nike ACG. This mid-top shoe is kind of a sneaker and kind of a boot. It looks like something that you can actually use on the trail or you can wear with whatever gorp-core fit you’ve got going on. It’s sturdy with great traction and a mixed-media upper that doesn’t necessarily look as weather resistant as it is. That said, ACG tends to make interesting colorways, which are not always for everyone. And the shaggy suede on the upper is also quite controversial. For us, though, that’s a plus.
Original Chelsea Boot
The quintessential “I’m going to go splash in that puddle” boot. Tried and true, baby. This is the oldest rain boot I own (I’ve had it for ten-plus years!), and although it’s not the boot I would call out as my favorite, its price for wear over the years presents a solid counterargument. That is to say, it’s a simple boot, but it does its job well and consistently over time. It’s classic, cool enough for Kate Moss to wear to Glastonbury, and, really, it goes with everything.
Traverse Hiking Boot
Your favorite jacket maker has a Gore-Tex hiking boot that’ll keep your feet nice and dry during a winter stroll. I’m a longtime fan of Helly Hansen (I live and die by the brand’s ski pants), and in my books, these boots showcase the brand’s excellent craftsmanship: It’s incredibly lightweight and sleek, with a flexible feel that gets better once you break it in. It’s tough without feeling heavy, and we’re especially partial to the added toe and heel protection.
Kaha 3 GTX Shoe
If hiking is your thing, fear not: You don’t have to give up the great outdoors just because of the weather. Hoka’s Gore-Tex hiking boot is waterproof and protective, and, honestly, it looks pretty damn cool. It is virtually indestructible, made with a 4mm lugged Megagrip Vibram outsole and Gore-Tex outer. It is a bit heavier than your standard Hoka but still maintains that pillowy, rocker fit while you’re wearing it. It comes in a few colors and in this medium height as well as a low one.
Chelsea Boot
If you know a thing or two about boots, Blundstone won’t be a new name. Our editors—and many, many others—swear by the durability the brand consistently offers. This is one of the sleeker styles, a go-to, no-nonsense Chelsea boot that’s—you guessed it—100 percent water-resistant.
Hamilton Wing-Tip Waterproof Chukka Boot
Not all waterproof boots are chunky and heavy, and Allen Edmonds proves it, with this chukka boot’s gorgeous brogue detail. Seeing as we’re menswear experts, you know this is a style we love—you will, too.
How We Tested
Here at Esquire, we’ve tried or tear of waterproof boots over the years—I mean, we live in rainy NYC. We also consider ourselves to be comfort experts. We prioritize only the best options for ourselves, and the ones we pick for you are the same ones we would wear—and we only accept the very best in terms of functionality and style.
Every waterproof boot above has been approved by our editors, which means we’ve tested ’em, tried ’em, and deemed ’em worthy of hours of wear and walking through even the worst day of winter in New York. We wear these styles and pay attention to things like comfort, care, and all the features that make them so damn great.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gore-Tex?
We talk a lot about Gore-Tex, so let me give you a very brief explainer. Gore-Tex is a lightweight, breathable, and waterproof fabric that makes for great footwear thanks to its all-weather, durable qualities. Hikers and outdoorsy types love the membrane for its comfortable, high-quality feel.
Are waterproof boots good for snow?
Most of the waterproof boots on this list will be just fine for heavy snow, thanks to their, you know, waterproofing. Many also have great traction and nonslip designs that’ll help, too, but if you’re anticipating really heavy snow, you might be better off with a winter boot or a snow boot specifically designed for below-freezing weather.
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How to Choose the Best Waterproof Boots
Picking a pair of waterproof boots can feel difficult, especially if you’re tired of trudging home with damp socks. When it comes to finding the perfect pair of waterproof boots, consider the activities you’re anticipating (an office meeting will call for a different look than, say, working outside all day), how much walking you may be doing, and the fits you’re going to wear throughout the season. Not everyone will need a snow-proof, all-terrain boot, and not everyone will get use out of the brogue boot from Allen Edmonds.
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