
They have a slightly wider fit and higher profile than the Xtratuf deck shoes, and are obviously much more city-friendly.△The tire producer / manufacturer of the tires you are buying, and Canadian Tire is responsible for the recycling fee that is included in your invoice. “I get compliments on them all the time!” Trying them out for myself, I have to agree that Merry People’s Chelseas are both comfortable and stylish, with their neoprene lining making them much softer and cozier than other options on this list. Her Bobbi Rain Boots “hold up well to our heavy clay soil that clumps to your boots in wet weather, and they have a nice grip so I never slip.” She points out that ankle boots are easier to get off than knee-highs, plus, “they are cute enough to wear out as well,” she says. Katie Parks, who grows her own food on one acre in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California and is known in the gardening world as Freckles and Sprouts, likes the brand. “They’re just so comfortable and easy to clean,” she says of her pair. They’re favorites of stylish gardening types, like Amber Grossman, North Carolina gardener and creator of BlackGirlsGardening. These stealthy Chelsea boots from Merry People are actually fully waterproof. Profile: Short | Design details: Discreet Chelsea style | Comfort: Neoprene lining The soles are bouncy and grippy, with a slight heel, and the profile sits very high - you could plunge literally knee-deep in mud while wearing these and come away from it with a clean pair of jeans. Karrie Meiklereid, creative director of The Style Room, calls Hunter “the go-to brand for rain boots.” CaliKim says, “Pulling them on always puts a smile on my face.” I tried a pair for myself and found them to be surprisingly lightweight and flexible, yet very waterproof due to their seamless rubber construction. “No worries if they get muddy or dirty - a quick spray with a hose cleans them up in a snap,” says Southern California organic gardener and YouTuber CaliKim. Blogger Heidi Grey adds that they have a solid rubber construction, “so you don’t get any leakage at all.” These boots, while practical, are also very stylish. Available in a spectrum of bright colors that’ll cheer you up on overcast days, Hunter’s boots are made to last and wipe down easily to retain their good looks.
RAIN BOOTS PROFESSIONAL
Professional gardeners and festival-going celebrities alike swear by British Wellington boots, the very best of which come from heritage brand Hunter. Profile: Tall | Design details: Iconic buckle and silhouette | Comfort: Fitted shape, polyester lining Below, I found the best options for every kind of rainy day, from classic Wellingtons to cool Maine-mom-approved clogs. What they do is keep your feet clean while you garden, fish, or venture to the bodega in dreary weather. The trade-off is that rain boots can be rather sweaty, and aren’t great for more athletic activities. “The less seams and stitches, the more a boot can be water-resistant,” explains Igor Burt, a footwear designer and lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design. They tend to lack shoelaces, zippers, or any other points where water might leak in.

Unlike a hiking or snow boot that has been treated with a durable water-repellent finish, rain boots are made from fully waterproof materials like plastic or vulcanized rubber. The right pair of rain boots will keep your feet warm and dry, and they’ll look pretty cute too.

Puddles are inevitable, but getting your socks wet doesn’t have to be.
