Beat Spring Showers: The Best Rain Boots for Men in 2021

Sperry Footwear always seems to find a great blend of form and function, and its Decoy Rain Boots For Men are no exception. Combining a contrast-stitched leather upper with a bombproof rubber lower and gum sole gives the Decoy a distinct and slick-looking aesthetic. At the same time, the cushy insole keeps feet comfortable during all-day wear. The fit and feel of my tester pair were fantastic, due in part to the malleable leather upper and soft insole. I walked around for hours in these shoes with zero hotspots or discomfort. During the rainy days and soak tests, the shoes kept my feet bone-dry.

Between the comfort, waterproofing, and that sweet Sperry style, these boots easily make this list. But the addition of the siped outsole puts it near the top. Siping, often used in car tires, is basically a series of small cuts or notches in an outsole that increases contact surface area and provides unreal traction. I’ve walked down steep, ice-covered driveways in siped outsoles without losing grip, and the Decoy’s soles sport the same tech. I have yet to find an ice-covered driveway here in California, but when I travel somewhere icy, you can bet I’ll be wearing these. A perfect addition to any rain gear collection.

Let’s be honest: all of these are waterproof boots, but they don’t all have the style or comfort of a boot that you’d want to wear all the time. One of the more stylish rain boots, the Palladium Pampa Cuff WP Lux Rain Boots For Men, is one of the shoes that perform well in the rain and look great, whether it’s raining or not.

The boot looks like a high-end fashion or motorcycle boot, but the waterproof leather and sealed seams make them totally waterproof when the weather turns foul. The stainless-steel eyelets look sharp and are rust-resistant, and the textured lugs on the outsole keep you from taking a spill on wet, slick surfaces.

We had to go with a classic for the best overall pick: the Muck Wetland Rubber Premium Rain Boots For Men. These knee-high rubber rain boots for men offer serious protection from the elements, along with serious comfort to boot. (Get it? Because this is a boot roundup? Never mind.) The waterproofing comes from the rubber and neoprene exterior. The 5-mm neoprene offers a huge amount of insulation and provides a comfort rating down to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lightweight EVA midsole provides a great mix of support and comfort. The calf-high rubber overlay provides added protection from rocks, sticks, and brush when tromping through the backcountry.  All that tromping can heat a boot’s interior, so Muck added a breathable air mesh lining to help wick away sweat, and the neoprene upper rolls down when the weather warms up. It’s a premium boot for a premium price, but if you’re looking for a rain boot that can handle anything you throw at it, this is the one. Combine them with your favorite rain jacket and stay protected.

Say what you want about UGG, but you can’t deny that the company makes some damn comfortable footwear. Case in point: the Zetik Rain Boots For Men. You still get the comfort of the famous UGG wool lining combined with soft tricot in the interior, but the exterior is as tough as you’d expect from a good rain boot. The seam-sealed combination of the rubber lower and leather upper eliminates any leakage, and the elastane laces allow the boot to move better with your foot for added comfort. They’re not built like the other men’s insulated rain boots, but they’re definitely the most comfortable.

Like Roosevelt’s civilized barbarian, these boots sport a durable and sturdy exterior with a refined interior, providing an excellent blend of luxury and ruggedness. But if you’re hankering for that UGG vibe, you can always pair them with some short shorts, a venti chai, and a Pomeranian.

This list wouldn’t be complete without showcasing this little gem from Muck Boot. Muck’s Jobber showcases what makes Muck Boot Jobber Rain Boots For Men one of the best in the rain boot business in a low-cut style. Built as an easy-on solution for trekking through sloppy conditions, this ankle-high slip-on boot punches well above its…height.

The entire lower body of the boot is a seamless rubber, making it completely waterproof, with a flexible neoprene cuff upper that makes it simple to put on and take off the boots in a pinch. The neoprene also allows the boot to breathe, keeping the boot cool in temps up to 75 degrees and warm in sub-freezing temperatures.  The outsole tread is a combination of pebble and wave patterns, providing traction in various conditions, from slogging through a field to heading down a steep driveway to get the paper. If you’re looking for short rain boots for men, these are a great option.

If you want to wear waterproof shoes without looking like you’re ready to wade through a marsh, the Tretorn Men’s Gus Rain Boot is a great option. This pair of waterproof rubber boots are disguised as a fashion ankle boot; the Gus blends a low-profile style with a completely watertight exterior. This is thanks to the entire rubber construction, which eliminates any seams that may potentially allow leakage. Even the easy-entry elastic ankle coverings are waterproof.

These ankle rain boots are unlined, so don’t expect them to provide any insulation, but the rubber insole is removable for easy cleaning. Overall, the low-profile style of this rain boot is what makes it stand out. It just looks like an everyday shoe — which makes you seem like less of a kook when you dress for rain, and none shows up. 

For more top-quality footwear, check out our selection of the best hiking boots.

Designed to help you tromp through the coldest conditions without losing a toe to frostbite, the Kamik Icebreaker Cold Weather Boot is ready for rain, sleet, ice, and snow. Built like a classic rain boot with a seamless one-piece rubber exterior, the Icebreaker dials up the heat with an 8-mm Zylex liner that gives it a comfort rating down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The grippy rubber outsole design grips wet and icy surfaces and they’re self-cleaning so that they won’t get slick with snow after a few feet. To prevent rain from coming in over the top (or from snow getting in if you’re post-holing), the fabric cuff sports a drawstring so you can seal the top of this rain and snow boot. If you need a boot that’ll keep your feet dry in the coldest conditions possible, give the Icebreaker a good, hard look. 

Looking for men’s tall rain boots that won’t break the bank? Tingley’s got you covered with its Economy Rain Boot. The only shoe on this list that costs less than $20, this tough boot is built for rugged wear in nasty conditions. The boot’s construction is injection-molded PVC with zero seams so that the only way water will get in is if you fall in a lake (which, while hilarious, is not likely).

A self-clearing cleated outsole provides consistent traction in slop and mud and is abrasion-resistant. The upper, made with 30% recycled materials, keeps its flexibility in cold temperatures to make walking easier. The removable cushion insole wicks away sweat to keep your feet dry and comfortable. It’s not the fanciest boot on this list, but if you can do without the bells and whistles, this pair will get the job done for a fraction of the price. Be sure also to browse our list of the top winter boots that will keep your feet dry and warm wherever you go.

If rain boots are a requirement for work, you’re likely going to want a sturdy pair of steel-toe boots. The Servus Comfort Technology 14in Rain Boot is your huckleberry. Built with agriculture workers in mind, these steel toe boots are built for long hours in the sloppiest conditions. The PVC polyblend injection-molded upper is not only completely waterproof, but it’s also resistant to chemicals, fertilizer, and animal waste.

That takes care of the sloppy conditions. But how’s it going to feel during an 8-plus-hour workday? Pretty damn good, it turns out. That’s thanks to the scalloped top line, which flexes with the foot, and the lightweight foot form contour cushion insole, which provides arch and heel support. The insole is also removable for easy cleaning and/or replacement.