Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

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

The Best Waterproof Boots for Men Tackling All Weather

By
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.

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Related

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.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Chelsea Batten
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…
How to lace men’s dress shoes: A complete guide to the top methods
Did you know there was more than one way to lace a men's dress shoe?
close up on oxford shoe laces

Many situations warrant dress shoes, such as formal occasions, work, or holidays. However, as important as the shoe’s design is to achieve your look, it’s also key to know proper lace-tying etiquette. While it might seem minor to some, how you tie your laces can add an extra touch to your outfit that takes it to the next level. How you tie your dress shoes will largely depend on the type of laces and shoes you have. Those with thicker laces might be easier to tie with a simple method rather than one that is more intricate. Brands typically recommend leaving pre-laced shoes as is to get the best style. Most of the time, laces should be either black or brown, but colorful hues have become more prominent as many men look to express their sense of style more. Keep reading for our guide on how to lace men's dress shoes.
Criss Cross method

The most common lacing technique is the criss-cross technique, which is most likely to be used with dress shoes. Criss-cross is the easiest method if you’re looking to tighten up your laces for a more comfortable fit. This technique will also give you the shortest laces at the end, avoiding an excess amount that hangs while walking. 

Read more
The 9 best shoes for HIIT workouts
Learn about the pros, cons, and pricing of these top options
Close-up man legs wearing blue sneakers doing step-up exercise in gym

The road to a thousand reps begins with the right shoes on your feet. If you want to jump on the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) trend, you should do so with good shoes. HIIT combines quick bursts of energy with short recovery periods, putting immense strain on your feet.

The right footwear is crucial to provide the stability, comfort, and flexibility needed to withstand explosive movements, lateral jumps, and fast-paced cardio. Below, we have rounded up nine of the best shoes for HIIT workouts.
What is HIIT?

Read more
Blundstone’s newest campaign is all about your worn out boots
man wearing Blundstone chelsea boots

Unlike most shoes, the more wear your boots show, the better. This is a concept well understood by the Tasmanian footwear brand Blundstone. In their first global campaign, Blundstone is exploring your well-worn boots and giving them new meaning. Titled “Well Worn,” this campaign tells the stories of unique wearers whose boots hold various stories about their journeys and experiences. Using multiple figures from various walks of life and backgrounds, Blundstone highlights how despite frequent usage and damage, their boots remain sturdy and reliable. With various boot styles and options, including their Heritage collection with Goodyear welt construction, there’s no doubt about Blundstone’s quality and craftsmanship. 
Well Worn Campaign by Blundstone

First established in 1870, Blundstone knows what it takes to make well-crafted boots that last. The company has also made waves for its no-fluff boots, which are considered some of the toughest footwearfor work in the industry. Not sacrificing style, Blundstone’s Chelsea boots have frequently been regarded as some of the best from the company due to their mix of style and quality. Lauded as “The Everywhere Boot” by the Time 100 list of Most Influential Companies in 2024, the Blundstone boots have a significant standard for creating a boot that can withstand almost anything. Wear them for errands or work; you can’t go wrong with these all-terrain boots. As their “Well Worn” campaign details, the more scuffs and marks your boots show, the more history you’ll be able to tell. Part of the campaign includes unveiling their Well Worn site, where users can see first-hand the stories of notable users and how their Blundstone boots have been part of their journeys.

Read more