Depending on where you reside, you might face a significant amount of rain during the chilly or stormy season. Proper attire is essential, including a raincoat, umbrella, maybe a hat, and of course, weather-ready footwear.
There may be nothing worse than walking around with wet socks, especially when it’s already cold out. Whether you’re anticipating a torrential downpour or a mild drizzle, you’ll need water-resistant (if not waterproof) shoes for the wet season. And if rain boots aren’t your forte, we’ve got you covered.
As it turns out, the best shoes for rain go way beyond traditional galoshes. Here at Vionic, we believe your feet should be comfortable, protected, and stylish, no matter where you’re headed or what the forecast says. Read on for our favorite alternatives to rain boots along with some helpful tips on how to dress for the cold with the proper waterproof boots.
Cute Waterproof Shoes: Styles We Love
The best waterproof shoe for rain can be dressed up or down. You can wear them to dinner, out shopping, site-seeing, or even to work with the confidence knowing your feet and hosiery will stay dry.
Standout styles for women and men include:
- Waterproof leather booties
- Waterproof block heel ankle boots
- Dressy waterproof booties
- Weather-resistant heeled boots
- Weather-resistant slip-ons
- Slip-Resistant Sneakers
- Weather-Resistant Chukkas
- Weather-Treated Driving Mocs
Weather-resistant and waterproof footwear can definitely be stylish—especially if you shop the collections from Vionic. The best part about these options is that if the weather turns out not to be rainy, you won’t look like you’re dressed for inclement weather. Ahead, cute waterproof shoes for every occasion during the rainy weather.
Waterproof Leather Booties
Classic leather booties—but make them waterproof. This footwear style is a women’s staple through the fall and winter. The ankle-high waterproof boot is classy, totally chic, and the perfect balance of laid-back and put-together.
Vionic carries a range of women’s leather booties with modest heel heights of 2 inches or less. You can opt for sophisticated, straightforward silhouettes or western-inpsired designs with almond toes and a dash of sass.
Elastic gores and side panels make them super easy to get on and off while ensuring a secure fit. More to the point, the drum-died waterproof uppers are treated to repel rain, and our seam-sealed technology keeps water out.
Waterproof Block Heel Ankle Boots
You might also consider a block heel ankle boot with a waterproof design. To the untrained eye, Vionic’s nubuck styles look just like any other fashion-forward bootie, only the supple leather is treated to stand up to inclement weather.
This sensible yet fashion-forward shoe has a slightly pointed toe, an interior zipper, and cute buckle detailing. In addition to treating the uppers, we engineer our winter-ready ankle boots with seam-sealed technology and waterproof zippers to prevent leaks. With a block heel under 2 inches high, you can count on staying not only dry but also comfortable for hours on end.
Dressy Waterproof Booties
For fancier occasions, slip into a pair of dressy waterproof booties. Boasting a modern silhouette and pared-down yet posh details, you can rock these shoes on a date, to happy hour, to a job interview, at a networking event, or just out and about during the day.
When you browse comfortable boots for women from Vionic, you’ll find elegant styles with waterproof, drum-dyed leather uppers and leak-proof zippers. The durable rubber block heels will elevate your look without sacrificing comfort. And thanks to our built-in orthotics, you can count on arch support to carry you through your day.
Weather-Resistant Heeled Boots
Or how about a pair of weather-resistant heeled boots? If you’re heading to a dinner party, an evening date, an office party, a winter wedding, or any other professional, romantic, or formal event, you’ll look the part in this classy footwear style.
When you think of alternatives to rain boots and snow boots, heeled shoes might not be the first thing that comes to mind. To be sure, most high heels aren’t the best choice for rainy days—but Vionic’s weather-resistant heeled boots are another story.
Boasting tapered block heels ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 inches in height, our women’s styles will elevate your ensemble while protecting your toes from drizzle. The ultra-soft suede boots and textile uppers are treated for moisture resistance, while side zippers offer an easy-on, secure fit. With a pair of heeled boots, you can dress to the nines this winter, no matter what the forecast says.
Weather-Resistant Slip-Ons
What about the guys? Weather-resistant slip-ons are an excellent alternative to rubber rain boots and duck shoes. Vionic’s town-trendy styles have full-grain or nubuck leather uppers with stretchy gores on each side for effortless entry.
The uppers are treated with a protective coating to ensure weather resistance. Not only that, but the sturdy rubber outsoles are designed to absorb shock and keep you steady on your feet when the ground is wet.
As with all Vionic footwear, our weather-resistant slip-on shoes feature our exclusive podiatrist-engineered orthotic technology. This means you’ll enjoy exceedingly comfortable arch support, plus stability and better alignment from the ground up.
Slip-Resistant Sneakers
When you’re feeling sporty, slip-resistant sneakers are the way to go. Active walking shoes from Vionic’s Pro line have anti-skid outsoles to keep you steady when the ground or floor is slick.
In addition to excellent traction underfoot, the mesh uppers ensure breathability during a long day on your feet. To make the entire shoe weather-resistant, consider using a protective spray, like Vionic’s Rain & Stain. Our formula creates a water-resistant barrier that protects from dirt, stains, precipitation, and other outdoor elements without compromising breathability.
Weather-Resistant Chukkas
Another option for men is weather-resistant chukkas. This winter boot-shoe hybrid is a cold-weather staple for guys on the go, presenting a casually dapper, up-for-anything vibe. The chukka boots from Vionic have weather-treated, supple suede uppers with fine stitch detailing and durable rubber outsoles.
What’s more, these all-weather, any-occasion kicks are embedded with our proprietary orthotic technology to reduce discomfort, minimize over-pronation, and support a natural stride. Vionic shoes can also help alleviate heel pain and other symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Weather-Treated Driving Mocs
Weather-treated driving mocs look nothing like your average rainy-day shoe. Inspired by traditional moccasins worn by Natives and spruced up with handsome detailing, Vionic’s driving mocs for men exude laid-back luxury. This is the perfect travel shoe or everyday slip-on any guy will be glad to have in his arsenal.
The full-grain leather or suede uppers are treated with a special coating that stands up to inclement weather. They have a reliable rubber sole with excellent traction, plus built-in arch support and orthotic contouring for endless comfort.
What to Look For When Buying Water-Resistant Shoes
Rainy weather doesn’t mean you have to give up on fashion. Believe it or not, you can look cool, feel confident, and stay dry while rocking your most flattering attire. The key, of course, is the right pair of weather-resistant shoes. Here’s what to look for when shopping around.
Waterproof Uppers
One of the most important factors is waterproof uppers—or at the very least, weather-resistant. This will not only protect the exterior of your shoes from moisture damage but also keep your feet dry and warm.
Sealed Seams
Just because the uppers are treated for water resistance doesn’t mean liquid won’t seep through the cracks. With this in mind, you’ll want to look for a pair of men’s or women’s rain shoes with sealed seams, which makes them all but impenetrable to precipitation.
Waterproof Zippers
On a similar note, if your shoes have zippers, it’s crucial that they’re waterproofed. As with the styles from Vionic, this typically means there’s seam-sealed tape on the inside to prevent leaks.
Rubber Outsoles
Additionally, rubber outsoles are crucial for keeping you steady on your feet while walking on wet or otherwise slick ground. Look for a style with patterned tread for extra grip.
Orthotic Arch Support
While arch support doesn’t keep your feet dry, it should never be overlooked when shopping for shoes. Every pair of Vionic’s waterproof and weather-resistant footwear features our innovative orthotic technology to keep you comfy, aligned, and steady on your feet.
Where to Buy the Best Shoes for Rain
The team at Vionic is passionate about creating stylish, supportive footwear for every season. We carry some of the best rain shoes on the market, each pair just as fashion-forward as it is comfortable.
From leather booties and dressy heeled boots to nubuck slip-ons, anti-slip sneakers, and suede chukkas, we have a wide range of weather-ready styles for men and women. Shop our collection of waterproof shoes for women and men today!
External Sources:
- “Water-resistant vs Water-repellent vs Waterproof: What’s the Difference?”. HZO. https://www.hzo.com/blog/waterresistant-waterrepellent-waterproof-whats-difference/
- Mandy Zee. “8 Unstoppable Waterproof Sprays for Shoes”. Who What Wear. Oct 8, 2021, https://www.whowhatwear.com/waterproof-sprays-for-shoes
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