Gumboots, wellies, rain boots…this footwear goes by many monikers, and its persisting global prevalence is more than understandable. Face it: Whether you’re splashing through murky liquid on a Manhattan sidewalk in denim on denim or leaving footprints through a damp field in the Cotswolds dawning your favorite nap dress, you need a pair of rain boots to get you to your destination nice and dry. 

Companies like Hunter and Le Chameau have become practically synonymous with the shoe category. However, as trends like the fisherman aesthetic have the fashion-forward reaching for anything maritime-adjacent, more and more high-end and budget designers are getting in on the waterproof shoe. While maintaining the crux of its design, the stalwart style has evolved with its wearers. So, if the classic knee-high shaft doesn’t excite you, opt for an ankle grazer, combat boot, bright hue, or block heel instead. Below, find the 36 best precipitation-proof rain boots. 

Best Short

The short rain boot is the most versatile variation on this list and is particularly easy to swap into outfits for those accustomed to wearing sneakers, Chelsea boots, or chunky loafers. Wear them with tights and a dress or any cut of jeans—their simple silhouette works with nearly every casual garment in your closet. Because of their short shafts, you can fit them in your workbag and protect your less-weather-friendly shoes during your commute. 

Best Mid

In a fashion world filled with so many extremes, there’s nothing wrong with a little in-between. Take a medium-height rain boot, for example. Functional enough to keep liquid out and falling well below knee height, these middle-of-the-road rain boots embody practicality—and still look good. Pair these with your favorite athleisure outfit (think oversized jersey and soccer shorts) for a perfectly funky festival season ensemble.

Best Tall

Those in need of convincing that knee-high rain boots can be an instrumental part of an iconic ensemble should look for inspo from Princess Diana and Kate Moss; the two Brits styled the same tall Hunter wellies to emulate their very different personal styles (the royal tucked trousers into hers, while the supermodel sported hers with micro denim shorts). Fold high socks over the top or pair them with a flowy white sundress for endless styling options. 

Best Lined

Traditional rain boots make a laundry list of promises: protection from rain (obvious), mud, dirt, and muck. But people don’t typically come to them for warmth. Although some climates get humid rain, many experience the conditions that necessitate rain boots in very, very cold weather. So, it only makes sense that you’d want a rain boot that makes that laundry list a little longer to protect your toes from the chill temperatures surrounding them. 

Best Heeled 

Have you ever gotten dressed in a fabulous outfit before looking outside, only to check the weather app on your phone and grapple with whether or not to change? We would never advise you to brave the rain in your suede boots, but hear us out: Wear a heeled rain boot. The fashion-forward take on this style gives you a height boost and physically lifts you further from the wet ground. That’s a win-win.  

Best Lace-Ups 

If combat boots are your preferred shoe style, carry the laces over to your rainwear. In most cases, the laces are primarily aesthetic, giving the classic, functional shoe an edge, and they can really turn a simple silhouette into a statement piece. It’s fair to fret over your laces getting dirty in the rain or sleet—just run them through the washing machine to keep them looking fresh.