Why would I need rain boots? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why would I need rain boots?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

These are at Lidl. The price is right, they have my size, and they’d go with my new raincoat. I’m trying to think when I would ever wear them.

I usually avoid cheap stuff, but in this case, I don’t think I need the Taj Mahal of boots. Rubber degrades; I think any rubber boots would wear out that way faster than on my feet. Then again, the online description says they are “other material” so maybe not even rubber. https://www.lidl.de/p/esmara-r.....p100334014

If you have rain boots, when and where do you use them? I have no pets or small children in my home, and any grand babies are a looooooonnng way off

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by Stagiaire Fash

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

rachylou

Veteran

I wear them in the rain! Hehe. I have a pair for dog walking and a couple of ‘fancy’ pairs - red cowboy and shiny black. The dog walking ones got a good workout camping. First day was pouring rain. Glad I threw them in at the last minute.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So sassy, Ms RachyLou! That’s why I like you.
My camping is likely to be bike camping, and even ankle boots take up a lot of space in a paneer. Hm.

N

I added these to my wishlist for Christmas. They are rainboots. But more because I couldn't wear anything else over winter as we are usually full of snow! That said...maybe heels aren't the best for walking in snow, but I do have a proper pair of walking type shoes, these are just for fashion.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

N, those suit your new direction. Since they’re rain boots, will they be warm enough in the snow? Also, I’m a little jealous of places that actually get snow in the winter. This year we got the first since we moved here over 3 years ago.
My walking is generally on sidewalks. There are occasional puddles to jump, but it’s not like I’m out there fording streams.

kkards

Veteran

I own a pair of rain boots and honestly I don’t wear them a lot…if I’m really on the go, i prefer waterproof “real” boots and sneakers, I’ve found the rain boots not that comfortable. YMMV

LaPed

Veteran

The closest thing I have to rain boots is a pair of Bogs. They're ideal when the mud/slush is deep, or for yard/garden work when it's very dewy. And because they slip on they're nice for quick trips outside: bringing in firewood, taking out the compost, etc. They rarely leave home; my regular leather chelsea boots do a fine job in rainy conditions and are nicer for walking longer distances.

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Blundstone Blundstone Women's 1448 Chelsea Boot

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DonnaF

Veteran

California has been in a major drought for a number of years. Just before the last one, I picked up an inexpensive pair at Target. And just before the current one I bought these which I think are called Fog Boots. I need boots to traverse puddles which are sometimes too big to jump over. Storm drains often get clogged with leaves. So I got the boots for the thick soles; not sure that I can depend on the seams.

Jeffrey Campbell Waterproof Fog Boot (Women) | Nordstrom

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CarolS

Veteran

I can see why those tempt you! I don't find rain boots comfortable for walking (I may just never have tried the right ones?). I have a very plain pair I wear in the yard/garden when it is muddy. And I have a pair of warm waterproof Keen boots I wear for walking in snowy/melting conditions in the spring. Otherwise I wear regular shoes. Sometimes a pair of older shoes gets relegated to being the pair I'll wear out in wet conditions.

N

SF I'll wear them with thick socks in the snow and I won't be out in the snow long. Longest would be the 7 min walk to the train station. Though will likely take longer in the snow. I'm wanting them for basically anytime I would wear regular boots because we get lots of snow in winter and like we also get typhoons and tropical rains too and you'd get drenched in anything other than rainwear (I don't think leather would hold up even if I did buy it). I'm also thinking of buying some ballerina style shoes in a rainboot material for the same reason (summer rain). Yeah we have quite some weather to contend with here haha. Trying to look fashionable at the same time has its challenges!

DonnaF I really like those!

Sal

Veteran

I have a pair of rainboots/gumboots that are about 10 years old - I got farming ones after a couple of pairs of cheaper ones not lasting.

I wear mine in the garden and for rugby/football watching, where I live is wet rather than cold. I rarely walk very far in them, and I wouldn't choose them for city walking.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I have an inexpensive pair of Chelsea style rain boots, much like yours but the gusset is plain black. My four season climate and semirural lifestyle means it makes sense for me to own several pairs of rain boots (in addition to all the snow boots), but these are the pair that get all the compliments and all the envy.

They are very waterproof and therefore my feet can get really sweaty if I wear them for long. But less so than a full length wellie, because of the short height.

All the things LaPed said. I also wear them to walk on the beach when it's no longer sandal weather; to the car if there is heavy dew or rain on the grass; to work if light rain is expected and I plan to walk to the hospital at lunch.

I've also ruined a really nice pair of leather loafers when I was caught in a freak downpour. I queried whether I should have carried them and gone barefoot... but no, I wear shoes to protect my feet, not vice versa. So I now lean harder in the direction of practical footwear.

Anyway. Your lifestyle is much more urban than mine, and YMMV, but you just might be really glad you have them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't own dedicated rain boots. But it really depends on your climate/ lifestyle. In my former climate, there were simply not enough wet cool days to require a dedicated rain boot -- a waterproof winter boot or a waterproof shoe/ sandal worked better. Where I live now, I could see adding a rainboot for the garden. But for hiking, I wear my goretex trail runners or hiking boots. For in town, I have waterproof leather. So, really, no serious need for them.

If I were on muddy sports fields or walking a dog through muck, I'd definitely get a pair.

lozz_oz

Veteran

I’ve just ordered a Hush Puppies pair that were heavily discounted. They have a removable insole so hopefully my orthotics will fit them and be comfortable. I plan to use mine for working in my garden. I chose the funky leopard print so in case I go head over turkey, someone will find me

Katerina

Veteran

I have two pairs of rubber boots, both from Ilse Jacobsen (Danish). A long pair with laces I bought more than 15 years ago - these are worn rather seldom, but lasted beautifully, no disintegration whatsoever. My other pair is a short pair, type Chelsea boots, with warm fleece lining and some leather details on the shaft. These are frequently worn in the late autumn or mild winter. We get a lot of rain and they are practical. Have had them ca 5 years. Good for walking to work, where I change to other shoes. I enclose a link, if you want to look at her website: https://www.ilsejacobsen.com/s.....ries/#menu

Star

Veteran

I have a similar cheapo pair and I wear them if I am going for a walk on a very rain day. Easy to clean off any mud and don't get any damage from the wet. Mine are actually really comfortable with thick-ish socks and seem to be wearing like iron. They could be useful in rainy Berlin.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

There’s rain, and then there is a deluge…I do have water resistant “regular” boots but every once in a while, the sky opens up around here and I need the real deal for the pools and mud.
I’d make sure they are reasonably comfy!

lyn67

Veteran

I don't have, as the cheep ones are not a great fit for me (we have Lidl, too) and cannot walk comfy and long in them but my DD has a pair for downpouring festival wear. Wow Katherina love those with laces from ilsejacobsen!! (Angie has some wellies, too-if can remember well?).

Helena

Veteran

Essential for me in spring when things are snowy and slushy and mucky and rainy all at once! I don't wear them often, but then, I've had the same pair of Hunters for years and don't think they'll ever need replacing.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Preppy Pear and Helena, where / for what activities do you wear them?

Anonymous

I had a pair of Hunters that I wore out. Now I am wearing Boggs but they are not the best for a lot of walking. Currently scoping out Vans. I wear this style of boot in spring, fall and winter. Changing over to Sorels in winter for freezing temps.

https://www.vans.com/shop/surf.....omegranate

Synne

Veteran

I currently have five pairs of rain boots. Different colors and styles. I wear them when it rains or when the ground is wet. Sooo, about 250 days a year, lol. I don't live in an urban environment, so gravel, grass and deep puddles are the norm.

I fought wearing wellies for the longest time. They are not elegant and I am not Kate Moss at some cool outdoor festival looking gorgeous. But I have accepted my real life and my real climate. And I dress for that. It has certainly done wonders for my style!

I wouldn't opt for cheap and uncomfortable rain boots though. Whenever I've tried that I have ended up throwing them in the trash. Blisters, ugh. I don't own Hunters but mid priced good quality boots.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I’ve been taking them all in and considering the various uses, one by one. I’m not going to go through each person’s suggestion by name, because I’d wind up sounding hugely negative and probably unappreciative, even though I actually am really glad you helped me think this through!

Here’s what I decided: I live in a city. The most water I have to trudge through at once is a puddle resulting from a clogged drain. I’m unlikely to foresee this well enough in advance to wear rain boots. Taking them along “just in case” also sounds unlike me. If I’m out hiking or camping, I probably would go in if the weather gets bad (or go barefoot if I have to run out of the tent to grab something. I don’t have a yard, or plan to have one in the future. If I’m going to the beach, it’s to swim. Our trash/compost/recycling containers are in a little paved area surrounded by a fence and shared with everyone else in the building; I put on my plastic slides when I need to run out there.

So I think having the boots “just in case” would mostly be adding clutter. Enjoy all your activities, rainboot wearers!

Lesley

Veteran

Sounds like you made up your mind... and it makes sense!

I'm pro even though I only wear them a handful of times a year, because when you need them, you need them. However, I'm pro for a good-quality pair, because I still have my same ones from more than 20 years ago (alas no longer available, from back when Martha Stewart had a catalog!). I do have kids, so those trips to farms for apple picking and pumpkin picking, etc, I couldn't do without them, because you stand up to your ankles in mud. But those super rainy days I love that I can just step right into them for errands or walking the dog, whatever, they are the best.

CarolS

Veteran

Sounds like a reasonable plan for your lifestyle! I probably would not have a pair if I did not have a yard/garden.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

One day, I may have grandbabies who like playing in the muck (my son never did). We will let it squeeze between our toes on warm days, and wear rain lots when it’s chilly.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I get this. In my previous city, the puddles/mud were manageable in regular boots. Now where I live, that’s not always the case! It gets pretty sloppy, even on sidewalks. It seems like the water just sits on top of everything for longer, if that makes sense.
On days I wear my rainboots to work, I generally keep them on all day.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

PP, the Universe may be conspiring to get me to do exactly that—wear them to work & leave them on all day. Today when I browsed a store that specializes in not-quite orthotic brands like Paul Green, Think!, Ecco, Waldläufer, etc, I noticed that they had short rain boots with Sherpa-like lining.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Yes on comfy lining. I have navy short Uggs with a shearling footbed - they are great. I thought I wanted the Hunter version which were more than double the price of the Uggs, but I liked the look. When I tried them both, the Uggs fit me better and felt like slippers, only rubber.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I've often wondered the same thing - personally, I would rather buy a pair of waterproof leather or gore-tex boots that don't look like wellies, but that can do double duty in a smart casual look. I've even worn them in fields & farms (albeit sometimes with those dashingly handsome (!) plastic covers over my shins, lol) & they've held up OK (so long as I spray them beforehand). You do you!

Edit: We literally just had typhoon weather & I was OK in my boots. But I suppose my days of standing directly in mud are well behind me - until I can go home again, I guess!

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