The 15 Greatest Waterproof Boots for Males, Examined and Reviewed

It’s been nearly two centuries since Chelsea boots were invented by Joseph Sparkes-Hall, Queen Victoria’s bootmaker, and they’re still a timeless style. Ugg, known for its cozy, suede winter boots, also makes Chelsea boots, and we cannot say enough good things about them. We wore these boots in various situations, including on a rainy day in New York, both in the dirt and on street pavement, and they excelled in every terrain. The best part was the excellent traction, which prevented slipping anywhere we stepped. 

Our feet had zero discomfort from the get-go, and it took just four days to fully break them in. To test waterproofing, we soaked them under running water and wore them in high, wet grass. At no point did we experience wetness through the boot. But these boots are beyond just a solid pair of waterproof boots. Yes, they prevent water from getting in and are very durable — but they’re also beyond comfortable and stylish, which you simply don’t get with every pair off the rack. 

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Waterproof suede upper and EVA midsole, rubber outsole

If you don’t want a waterproof boot that looks like a waterproof boot, check out the Larimers from The North Face. Stylish and casual like a skate shoe, they’re fully waterproof thanks to North Face’s Waterproof DryVent membrane. Insulation inside will keep your feet warm, and there’s solid ankle and arch support. We felt comfortable in these boots from day one, but ordered a size up as recommended, and that worked out perfectly. They were noticeably lightweight, which is a good alternative to some of the heavier options we tried. After six months of wearing, they are still in great condition and seem to be well-built for long-term use.

The Details: Sizes 7-14 | Waterproof suede and ballistic nylon upper, insulated inner, EVA midsole, rubber outsole | 1.9 pounds per pair

Danner’s dedicated hunting boot goes up higher above the ankle, offering outstanding support for rough terrain. Despite the height, we loved how lightweight these boots were and that they were easy to slide into. We wore them at a farm and while doing yard work and found them to be completely waterproof. The Vibram sole had great traction, too. Break-in time was minimal, and they stayed comfortable throughout the entire day. These boots are quite pricey, so unless you really want the extra support, they might not be worth it for every budget. They also aren’t very breathable, but few waterproof boots are. Aside from a few minor scuffs and scrapes on the leather, these boots are still in great shape after six months.

The Details: Sizes 7-14 | Full-grain leather and suede upper, Vibram midsole and outsole | 2.8 pounds per pair

We found ourselves reaching for these boots again and again … and again. When we wore them at work all day, they remarkably didn’t cause our feet to overheat despite being made of vegan rubber. When we wore them for late-night dog walks or even little jogs around the yard, we were amazed at how they molded to our feet. But what really stood out was the comfort. When we walked in these they felt like walking on memory foam pillows, and the comfort improved even more after four or five times wearing them. In terms of style, they are every bit as technical and waterproof as a Hunter boot, more technical and comfortable than an L.L.Bean boot, but look much less “rain-booty” than both.

One thing to note is that when we stood immersed in water, we did notice dampness seeping through the Chelsea boot-style slits on the side. However, this didn’t happen in the rain. Another is that they don’t come in half sizes, but we felt comfortable sizing down. Our main gripe after three months of testing is that we found the boots to lack the proper insulation to deal with freezing rain and snow. For this reason, we’d recommend only wearing them in the spring or fall.

The Details: Sizes 7-13 (full sizes only) | Vegan rubber upper, recycled polyester lining, recycled polyester and elastic gore, rubber outsole

We can’t say enough good things about these Columbia boots. They’re lightweight, waterproof, comfortable, and have excellent traction — all for less than half the price of many of its competitors. We wore them on a week-long camping trip, and they did the job of keeping our toes dry, even on small creek crossings, slippery rocks, and through a cave hike. The fit was true to size, and they were ready to go out of the box without much breaking in. After six months of tests, they are still in great condition, and we actually prefer the rugged look caused by the normal wear and tear. The size range is also extensive, going up to size 17.

The Details: Sizes 7-17 | PU coated leather, suede, and mesh upper, Omni-tech waterproof membrane, Techlite midsole, Omni-grip rubber outsole | 2 pounds per pair

These leather chukka boots felt great from the first wear, with a cushioned footbed and nice arch support. Our feet never overheated or got sweaty while wearing these because of how lightweight and breathable they are. They’re made from a soft, waterproof leather material that looks high-quality but does not feel heavy and works well in different travel scenarios since you can dress them up or down (there are also waxed canvas styles available). Like some leather boots, we noticed that they tend to crease at the top by the toes, but darker colors will hide this better than the lighter options. The bottom of the shoes have very little tread, which could make them slippery on wet, flat surfaces. We also found that after three months of testing we needed to wear socks that cover the ankle as the shoes are low on the foot and don’t offer much ankle protection against the elements.

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Leather

Go somewhere with rough, rainy winters like Toronto, Seattle, or London and just count the number of Blundstones you see. We guarantee you’ll lose count because these Chelsea boots are so tried and true. Made with premium materials, Blundstones will last you years. During our tests, we had no trouble maintaining traction on snow and ice and keeping out water. In fact, we sprayed a hose on them for several minutes and not a single drop got inside, not even through the elastic.

They’re a bit heavy, but that’s because they’re meant to handle winters, and they don’t tighten up, so we wouldn’t personally wear them hiking, but there are many who do. A neat feature is that the cozy sheepskin footbed is removable, so you can easily slide in regular insoles in warmer weather to wear them through different seasons. These boots held up perfectly throughout our six-month testing period, including a very damp winter. They haven’t scuffed or received any water damage, and they remain easy to clean.

The Details: Sizes 4-13 | Waterproof leather, Thinsulate insulation, removable sheepskin footbed, TPU outsole

Anyone who has worn leather boots knows that it takes a while to break them in. Somehow, Carhartt has managed to steer clear of leather’s biggest drawback with its 6-inch Wedge Work Boot. During our tests, these boots were comfortable right off the bat and stayed comfy for up to 10 hours as we wore them throughout the day and for many days after. Another difference between these leather boots and others on the market is that they’re coated with Carhartt’s Storm Defender waterproof breathable membrane, which kept our feet dry while trodding through rainy sidewalks and into big, deep puddles. They also had enough grip to keep us from sliding around and look good enough to wear anywhere, not simply on the job as Carhartts are usually for. That said, if you want to use these on the worksite or in the warehouse, opt for the steel-toe option.

The biggest drawback we found with these boots is that they require you to wear long socks to prevent rubbing on the calf. Still, they didn’t cause any abrasions or rashes when we wore them with short socks. They’re also wide and fit large, so consider sizing down as much as a full size. We also found that after six months of use, the material on one heel began to wear down and made it annoying to slide our feet out. While we were disappointed to see this kind of wear, we would still recommend these based on their comfort and support, although we’ll try to get them on sale so durability issues aren’t quite as financially painful. We should note that while Carhartt doesn’t offer a specific warranty period, they do have a “Built to Last Commitment” that promises buyers the company will repair, replace, or credit for damage that does not meet expectations.

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Tanned leather upper, PU insole, rubber outsole

For stomping around in messy weather and rough terrain, check out these Wolverines. When we trudged through a creek, wet grass, and mud, we didn’t feel any water inside of these duck boot — even when we dipped our foot directly into the creek. We found them comfortable, and they showed no abnormal signs of wear during our six-month test. They also have great traction that felt stabilizing even in ice storms.

Some may be concerned with the weight, with each boot weighing in at 1.6 pounds, and you may want to wear heavy socks to prevent rubbing. But if you’re looking for something heavy-duty to keep the water out at a solid price, take a look at these.

The Details: Sizes 7-14 | Waterproof leather upper, DuraWarm insulation, EVA midsole, rubber lug outsole, nylon shank

These Columbia boots felt pretty comfortable after we wore them in after two wears, and we didn’t get any blisters or hot spots after wearing them more than 10 times — even after some long hikes. We wore these boots while hiking in northern California, in and out of ponds, and while running errands. We even soaked them with a hose, and our socks never got wet. The thick textile upper is coated with a waterproof coating, and they’re tall enough to avoid filling with water. We loved the rubber toe, too, which protected our feet when kicking rocks. The thick rubber sole showed no major signs of wear during our tests. After wearing them almost everyday for three months during the wet California winter, the boots have remained waterproof and look brand new.

One thing we noticed with these boots is that the arch felt like it was placed more forward than other shoes we’ve tried, which may just depend on your foot shape. They also felt like they ran just a little big, but that wasn’t an issue when we wore them with thick socks. We think they’re a great everyday option for a fair price.

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Waterproof textile with suede collar and heel upper,  Techlite midsole, Omni-grip outsole | 1.9 pounds per pair

Sorel is known for its thick winter boots, which are my go-tos in Montreal winters, but these Sorels are more suited for style. They’re easy to dress up or down, which works well for traveling, and they’re like a nice blend of work boots and everyday boots. We wore them out to dinner and to a two-day music festival and never had wet socks. After we wore them out during a full day in the rain and mud, every part of our outfit was soaked through except these boots, keeping our feet warm and dry. The laces are not waterproof, but that didn’t affect the functionality of the boot.

We noticed that for short periods (under six hours), these Sorel boots were quite comfortable, but wearing them for more than eight hours made us notice the lack of support. The soles felt a bit thin, and we’d add more cushion if we could. The boots had terrific traction on all surfaces except slippery mud. 

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Leather upper with suede tongue, EVA footbed with textile top cover, Cushgrip sole

If you want a sturdy boot for staying on your feet for long hours but don’t need steel-toe protection, check out the Ariat Kingham. Made in a Chukka style, these boots fit similar to cowboy boots with a large heel and a rigid sole. They also have an enforced nonsteel toe box, which takes a little getting used to as it doesn’t allow for toe movement. Despite these particularities, it didn’t take long to get used to them, and we felt comfortable wearing them for hours on end, although we wouldn’t recommend these to city-dwellers — six months of testing later, we consistently found them clunky to walk in and don’t think they would be great for navigating bustling streets. They’re great outdoor boots otherwise.

These provided excellent traction on rocky and slippery terrain and had no trouble staying dry (so long as no water gets in from the top). We even stood in a puddle, and our socks stayed dry. One thing we didn’t love was how the sole sticks out from the back of the boot, but we still see these as a good option for those who want a comfortable, country-style boot.

The Details: Sizes 7-13 | Leather upper, rubber sole

If you’re trudging through the mud somewhere like rural England, France, or Vermont, these Muck Boots are a great option. We thought they were very comfortable and had awesome traction that almost feels like spikes, so you won’t have to worry about slipping. They feel almost bulletproof in terms of ruggedness, and we think they’ll last a long time. They also felt comfortable to wear immediately, with no blistering at all.

They are not breathable, which will work better in cold temperatures than warm weather. These repel water without a hitch, but the opening at the top is rather wide, leaving an opening for rain to get inside if your pants don’t cover it. After three months of testing, we’ve noticed that wearing them for longer than an hour can cause some foot discomfort as they don’t offer much support.

The Details: Sizes 7-15 (full sizes only) | Rubber and neoprene upper, EVA footbed, rubber outsole | 2 pounds per pair

How much did we like this boot? One of our team members wore them to get married! He wore them throughout his entire rainy wedding day and not a drop of water got inside despite there being plenty of mud and puddles. Later that night, after being outside all day, the boots finally got a little damp, but it’s hard to expect anything more from an extremely wet Minnesota day.

These wife-approved boots are very stylish and made with premium leather you can smell right out of the box. They’re comfortable, but take a day or two to break in — our tester got a little blister on the seam on the first day (not his wedding day, thankfully). Note that these aren’t made for hiking as there isn’t much cushion on the soles, so we’d recommend keeping them for work, destination weddings, or vacation date nights rather than trekking around in them all day long.

The Details: Sizes 6.5 to 15 | Waterproof leather, suede or nubuck upper, waterproof membrane, CustomCore insoles, rubber outsole