Shoes for summer rain? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shoes for summer rain?

Christina F.

Veteran

Hi everyone! I tend to have a lot of leather sandals, and I don't like wearing my leather shoes in the rain if I can help it. Since I walk and don't drive there is always a chance of getting caught in a downpour. Maybe I don't trust weatherproofing enough?

It's usually too hot and humid here in the summer for me to wear rain boots.

What shoes do you all wear in the rain? I have these but nothing really any dressier. I have the blue Chucks on today

COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY x Converse Unisex Chuck Taylor High Top Sneakers

View Info

Top Pick

1

Keds x Rifle Paper Co. - Kickstart Embroidered Herb Garden Blush

View Info

Top Pick

5

COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor Hidden Heart Red Sole High Top Sneaker

View Info

Top Pick

4

Birkenstock Essentials Unisex Arizona EVA Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

4

Birkenstock BirkenstockBirkenstock Arizona Platform by Papillio

View Info

Top Pick

1

OluKai Ohana Flip Flop

View Info

Top Pick

3

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Jules

Veteran

Funny, I also commute on foot/transit and prefer leather, closed-toe shoes for rainy summer days. I feel leather is a bit more waterproof. Usually sneakers, loafers on occasion. Something with a decently thick sole to help keep above any puddles. I save my sandals and nubuck/suede/fabric options for dryer days.

Christina F.

Veteran

I think I'm probably too precious with my leather shoes, Jules! I mean, I wear the heck out of them but for some reason I fear rain, even with weatherproofing.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I also think summer rain shoes are hard. They need to be substantial for protection, but one has on summertime clothing so the juxapostion is complicated..I usually end up just getting wet!

LaPed

Veteran

It’s tough… for all-day rain, a true waterproof shoe might make sense (like a pair of Gore-Tex Hokas or something), but the waterproof membrane is otherwise miserable in summer temps. The worst, IME, is cotton canvas, which soaks through and then stays wet. A synthetic mesh sneaker or flat will get wet but probably dry within a couple hours. A leather shoe, especially treated with some leather cream or oil, holds up to a fair amount of rain before it wets through (the fewer seams, the better). I deeply dislike wearing sandals during city downpours (those puddles…what’s in them? ), so I’d definitely pick closed toe over open.

Olive Green

Veteran

I still would wear rubber boots or shoes, if it was a nice downpour, especially with mud. Anything waterproof will be sweaty, anyway, in summer. They do keep your feet clean so you can change out to good shoes at destination.
Those teal EVA sandals are a great choice for drizzles, and are light weight. I take them along in a bag if wearing good shoes that day. I have the Gizeh Birkenstock version and they are a workhorse when sticking to pavement. Also, don’t look too bad with casual summer clothes all by themselves.
Jules is so right about the puddles in the city…

rachylou

Veteran

We’re talking a tropical rain? Where it’s still kinda hot? I’d probably be in cheap sandals and just get wet. Or jellies.

Lucy

Veteran

I live in sub tropical Australia. It rains here almost solely in summer, and is very humid. In this weather, I wear dressier /more refined crocs sandals.

My favourite ones don't seem to be available anymore, but something like this:

https://www.crocs.com.au/p/wom.....#038;cid=0

or

https://www.crocs.com.au/p/spl.....38;cid=2Y2

rachylou

Veteran

Those are so cute Lucy!

Sal

Veteran

Either sandals with a bit of elevation or sneakers that I don't mind getting wet. Not canvas but leather or sporty style mesh ones.

I don't commute by foot anymore though so my dashes are relatively short unless I am going for an exercise walk.

Jules

Veteran

Saltwater Sandals claim to be very water-friendly… and they have a style with a bit more of a platform to it. Someone told me she liked them because she didn’t have to worry about getting them wet on a rainy day.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

I wear my leather sandals, never had a problem.

DonnaF

Veteran

I’m hoping these will work. I (probably) won’t be out in pouring rain, but these will keep me above puddles.

Jeffrey Campbell Lugged Platform Clog (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

0

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are great for me - in ALL sorts of rain:

COACH Rivington Waterproof Chelsea Rain Boot

View Info

Top Pick

10

Janet

(website)

Veteran

In summer rain, I just generally go with either sneakers or my leather sandals, preferably ones with a bit of platform to keep me out of the worst puddles. No suede or anything delicate, of course, and nothing very flat.

However, I am reminded that years ago I got stuck in a total downpour in my beloved strappy LD Tuttles…and they survived just fine!

If it were cool enough to wear jeans/pants, I might do boots like the ones here in my Finds, if I were going to be out and about on city streets.

Seychelles Women's Fisherman Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

6

NEROGIARDINI Platform Sneaker

View Info

Top Pick

13

Sam Edelman Poppy Sneaker

View Info

Top Pick

12

Söfft Malaga Gladiator Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

22

View Info

Dolce Vita Huey Bootie

View Info

Top Pick

17

Christina F.

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! It sounds like I should trust in my leather shoes a bit more. I wear the canvas sneakers only if I don't expect to be in a real downpour.

I really hate wearing rain boots at any time of year, but especially in the summer....

rachylou - yes, we were deemed a subtropical climate recently here in NYC.

Jules - I was looking at Saltwater! I think they also make espadrilles. ETA - wait, never mind, it's Sea Star who makes the espadrilles.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Janet said. I've been caught in heavy Ontario downpours in these Eccos and they survived just fine. I hadn't even sprayed them with waterproofing, to my recollections.

That said, I probably wouldn't wear my white sneakers in a downpour -- especially in the city.

I prefer not to wear sandals in that kind of weather but sometimes you're caught and sometimes it's just too hot for much else. So then, I'd go for something with a platform.

View Info

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also dislike rainboots — I’ve found them to get overly warm and make my feet sweat, which never happens to me in other boots!

Star

Veteran

Definitely something with a platform. I believe leather is far more accepting of rain than most people realise. Leather jackets especially can really withstand rain (just not suede!), BUT I would take note of how they are put together, if they are sewn there should be no problem but if they are glued they may un-glue. I had this problem on the way to a wedding, we had to catch a bus to the other side of the bay (not using the car because DH would be having a celebratory drink or 2) and then it poured like never before on the way there, the drainage here is absolutely terrible, and I stepped out of the bus into a huge puddle, after that the shoes just came apart at the front. They were leather but they were glued. Ugghh!! A shoe-maker re-glued them for me but I have not worn them since, a bit off them after that; rose-silver, pointy flat mules.

Roberta

Veteran

I feel you! Warm and rainy, that's a tricky situation. I have a couple of pairs of "ventilated hikers" that are machine washable. Ryka (below) and Skechers (not pictured). These have paid off in unexpected wet or muddy weather, since they are machine washable with no laces.

I have ruined two pairs of leather sandals by being caught in unexpected downpours. The straps stretched and the insoles were never the same. Leather shoes, on the other hand, have been fine. Stuff them with paper and let them dry in the sun or AC.

LaPed is right about canvas - it would seem they would be perfect, but they stay wet and clammy and heavy.

Ryka Women's Echo Knit Sneaker

View Info

Top Pick

1

Vildy

Veteran

No pics but my friend and I both wear something like mary janes made of faux leather. Works a treat.

ETA if it's really heavy rain then an umbrella or booties like Angie wears.

Val

I feel quite similar to you, struggling with summer days where it’s too warm for rain boots (or any non-breathable shoe) and too wet for canvas shoes. I get around on foot and routinely walk for an hour at a time. Leather sandals can get pretty squidgy if the insoles get soaked. Mine have generally survived the experience, albeit with some stiffening and/or staining, so I don’t rule them out. However the EVA plastic Birkenstocks are my go to for days when rain is most likely. (Saltwaters don’t come in my size.) Sorry I have no new suggestions for you!

Anonymous

I am a fan of Merrell hikers for rainy weather

DonnaF

Veteran

I might wear Dansko Pros due to their platform and non-slip soles.

Dansko Women's Professional Mule

View Info

Top Pick

5

Dansko 'Pro' Clog

View Info

Top Pick

3

Dansko 'Professional' Clog

View Info

Top Pick

6

Minaminu

Veteran

Same challenge, so I will be watching this thread for some suggestions!
I have a pair of metallic trainers and I am hoping they will cope well with the rain!

View Info

Christina F.

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I need to be less precious with my sandals and sneakers in leather. I just got these sandals and I think they may be good in the rain despite the leather uppers. Appropriate since they are fisherman style! These will do when I need to be reasonably dressy.

Clarks Women's Coast Shine Slingback Fisherman Sandals

View Info

Top Pick

4

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those should work great, Christina!

I forgot to mention another secret weapon -- umbrella. With an umbrella, you are more covered. I know it's tough in the city but I have carried one in busy Manhattan and Toronto and Montreal during rains. The thing with summer storms there is that they tend to be furious but relatively fast. So it's not an all day proposition as a rule.

Runcarla

Veteran

My white leather converse work great in wet summer conditions, as do the NoBulls. If they get wet through and through, I just open up from the tongue and let them dry.

I’ve put the NoBulls through the wash, and they come out looking like new, and they are 2 yo. (I take out the innersoles witch are Superfeet and give them a scrub, and set them out in the sun to dry.)

bj1111

Veteran

Great decision just to wear your regular shoes.

Bonus—if they need to be replaced, it’s a shopping opportunities

Nitsirk

I bought my son these water proof sneakers which have been outstanding for him. He adores them and has gotten compliments on them from other teens at his high school. That’s saying something when your sneaker style REALLY matters where he goes to school. The weave is genuinely water proof - as long as you don’t step in water deeper than the shoe, your feet stay fully dry. They have some pretty cute and colourful styles too! https://ca.vessi.com/

12