Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Waterproof Boots for Men Tackling All Weather

Forsake Range High Waterproof Boots
Forsake

Winter and fall are wonderful for a whole mess of reasons. However, footwear isn’t one of them. No matter how much designers may try to class it up, it’s inevitable that waterproof boots are going to be heavy, clunky, and cumbersome. They sort of have to be, if they’re going to keep the elements out.

Recommended Videos

Take it from someone who has weathered some of the harshest climatic conditions the United States can dish out: when it comes to winter footwear, the key is to embrace function over form. Pack away your best suede oxfords, your canvas slip-ons, and even your bespoke leather boots until May, and find yourself a tough pair of shit-kickers built from natural rubber, Gore-Tex, and pure grit. They may not be stylish, but boy, will they make you feel like a badass. Which, if you didn’t know, is also the best way to keep warm.

Related Guides:

Our lineup of the best waterproof boots will not only keep your feet toasty and dry but make you feel impervious to the most punishing elements. Go ahead, weather — do your worst.

Best All-Purpose Waterproof Boot

We had a tie for this one.

First, a classic: the Vasque Sundowner. The timeless simplicity and time-tested ruggedness of the Sundowner are the result of full-grain leather from a Minnesota tannery, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and the legendary Vasque Pyrenees outsole. With all this and an enduringly handsome profile, too, we’d have stopped right here, if it wasn’t for the fact that Vasque has incurred the displeasure of longtime loyalists as a result of a drop in the boots’ legendary quality (the result, some saw, of having relocated their boot manufacturing site from Italy to China).

With that in mind, meet the Forsake Range, a “sneakerboot” that does a damned convincing impression of a duck boot. They combine the stability of a hiking boot with the comfort and flexibility of a running shoe. The waterproof but breathable membrane within its seam-sealed leather upper offers all-weather protection and durability, while the composite shank, extra wide footprint, and Vibram Megagrip outsole offer great traction in treacherous precipitation.

Best Waterproof Boot for Rain

What makes LaCrosse such a legendary brand? Maybe it’s the uncompromising, hand-laid natural rubber construction. Maybe it’s how the boots perform in mud like a monster truck. Maybe it’s the Chevron Cleated Outsole, fully vulcanized onto the boot to ensure it never separates. All that really matters is that you have a pair of these Grange boots ready when the skies open. If they’re good enough for Grandpa, they’re more than good enough for you.

Best for Waterproof Boot Outdoor Activity

From end-of-season chores to a snowy hike on a bluebird day, the waterproof Danner Arctic 600 will keep a spring in your step. The renowned Danner silhouette is enhanced with an ultra-cushy Vibram SPE midsole. Ice and snow are no match for the traction supplied by a Vibram Nisqually Arctic Grip outsole, nor the warmth of 200G PrimaLoft insulation.

Best Waterproof Boot for Snow

This is where the rubber meets the road. Or in this particular case, the three-foot drift. If you’re rocking a pair of Baffin Icebreakers, you’ve got nothing to worry about. The only thing more mind-blowing than the squishy waffle footbed cozy internal lining (good all the way down to -94 degrees Fahrenheit) is their feather-light weight. I’ve been wearing Baffins for five years and still get compliments on them from hardened Yoopers (translation: “residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula”) who barely crack a smile at the best of times.

Best for Maximum Style

If the most weather your feet see is the sprint from subway stop or parking lot to the shelter of home or office, you still need a good pair of waterproof boots for winter, just a pair with a little more panache. For those who favor classic heritage styling, we recommend Red Wing’s new Sawmill Six-Inch boot. This boot is tight as a drum, with water resistance guaranteed by a storm welt and moisture-wicking lining, but softened with nubuck leather, a deerskin collar, and a felted wool footbed.

For those whose sartorial sense has a Euro-modernist lean, the Charlie boots by Norwegian brand Swims offer iconic Scandinavian style in vulcanized rubber with an anti-slip grip.

Topics
Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
The 8 best leather jackets for men: Elevate your style
Stay warm and cool at the same time
Best Leather Jackets

When you think of the most masculine and the most classic looks a man can have, the legendary leather jacket climbs near the top of the list. From Marlon Brando and The Terminator rocking the biker jackets to Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and Indiana Jones sporting the bomber jackets, some of our favorite heroes don the leather jacket to give themselves an elevated feel.

Tough, rugged, and stylish, you can't go wrong with this icon of the man's wardrobe. Of course, as usual there are a ton of options for the best leather jackets for men, so we did the deep dive and found these are the best of the best, no matter what you aesthetic is. Choose the right one for you and you can't go wrong.

Read more
How to style men’s boots with jeans: Top picks for every look
How to pair your favorite footwear with jeans
man wearing skinny jens and boots

No matter the season, there’s no denying that boots are some of the best ways to complete a denim outfit. Sturdy and quality boots can take you to any event and pair well with almost any closet. However, picking out the best men's boots for your jeans can be a struggle, especially when dealing with the numerous styles available. While these are easy-to-style options, finding the right boot can make or break your look. While the types of jeans you choose are an important factor in making the decision, ultimately it’s best to know which types of boots go with various jeans. Whether skinny or straight jeans, the following boots are the best for completing your look and make for a safe bet in any wardrobe.
Cowboy boots

With the numerous Western-inspired trends that have infiltrated the trends, it’s no secret that cowboy boots have become a regular footwear option. While cowboy boots are often seen as too niche or specific to a region, they’re a great choice for those looking to add ornate and rugged details to their look. Going back to the basics of styling, cowboy boots have always been the best partner to wear with denim. While this classic pairing has seen variations throughout the seasons, there’s no doubt that cowboy boots pair well with any jeans. Whether it’s a pair of straight jeans paired with a taller cowboy boot or a pair of slim-fitting denim with short cowboy boots, this pairing is the ultimate classic. 
Chukka Boots

Read more
Where comfort meets style: The best business casual shoes for men
All-around options for the office and more
Astorflex Brownflex chukka boot in chestnut

Depending on where you work, choosing your workday footwear can be a hassle. While some jobs require certain shoes, others only ask for a few guidelines to be followed. In most cases, it's easy to get away with a pair of dressy shoes like lace-ups to fulfill your dress code. However, these options aren’t always the most comfortable and can be too dressed up for more casual settings. Finding the right balance for your footwear requires a pair of business casual shoes that can function for the board meeting and beyond the office.

The best business casual shoes for men mix comfort with style to create an all-around option for daily use. Whether heading into the office or for drinks after work, these shoes can function perfectly for anything you have planned. These footwear options are lauded for their comfort, versatility, and practicality for function beyond the workplace.

Read more