The Best Waterproof Barefoot Rain Boots and Shoes

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A collage of different people, men, women, and children, wearing waterproof barefoot rain shoes and boots
Barefoot rain boots keep our feet happy on wet days!

If you live in a wet climate waterproof barefoot shoes will keep your socks dry and your feet happy. You see, many standard rain boots have a narrow pointy toe and chunky heel that can hurt and cause all kinds of issues in your body. But a completely flat and wide rain boot is hard to find!

I’ve compiled a list of all the waterproof, water resistant, and rubber rain boots (for kids and adults) that also don’t squish your toes. Don’t let the weather keep you from getting outside! Read on for the full list of barefoot waterproof shoes below.

How to Waterproof Your Shoes

a close up of two waterproofing products for shoes. Sno seal leather wax, and kiwi protect all shoe spray

Before we get to the waterproof barefoot shoe options, let’s discuss ways you can make use of the shoes you have. Keep in mind that treating your shoes with a waterproofing agent can change the way they look. Leather often gets significantly darker with impregnating waxes and can even change in texture. While these products are usually very effective, a shoe spray is a better alternative if you don’t want to change the way your shoes look.

Waterproofing Sprays, Waxes, & Creams

If working with suede, nubuck, or fabric I use waterproofing sprays because it’s less likely to change the look and texture of the material. Waxes & creams have to be rubbed into the shoe and are more likely to affect the look, but they are often more effective – best used on smooth leather/vegan leather products.

  • Carbon Pro – The most effective without changing the material in any way! Works on everything, including vegan and fabrics
  • Nano Tech Waterproof Leather Spray – Have not used myself, but it comes highly rated
  • Nikwax Footwear Care – This is an ecofriendly spray, but it does slightly alter the look of suede/nubuck
  • Renapur Leather Balsam – This conditioner is a gentle waterproofer, not as effective as the other options. But really great for restoring the look of your shoes and increasing their longevity!
  • Otter Wax – Works great
  • Sno Seal – Very effective, but can really change the look of the leather (unless you are dealing with a glossy black to begin with).

Other Tricks/Gadgets

  • Aquaseal – This is used to repair holes or seal up seams on your shoes!
  • Neos Overshoe – This overshoe can be worn directly over your shoes to make them waterproof and slip-resistant (there are many retailers, so search around to find your size).
  • Chala Overshoe – Available in 3 different varieties for year-round situations! Use code 93D5B5E9 for 5% off

Adult Waterproof Barefoot Shoes

A side view of a pair of feet wearing green Xero Shoes Gracie rubber barefoot rain boots standing in wet grass

When it comes to rain boots, most of the options available for adults have clunky soles and pointy toe boxes. The options listed here are the most comfortable I’ve found, with space for your toes and a natural fit and feel.

Rubber Rain Boots

The following are the truest to barefoot shoe ideals, and my personal top 3 picks.

  • Wildling Ranidae – This is the highest quality rain boot of the bunch. The toe box is also quite generous without being excessively floppy (so hard to do in rain boots!). They run a little long so size down if you’re between. You can get a one-time free shipping offer with code AWN_ANYA_S. If you’re outside the US/Canada, shop Wilding Shoes here.
  • Saguaro Brisk – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off. Comes in a fleece lined and unlined version. My favorite is the fleece lined. Great foot shape, flexible, comfy. They are a clear winner for me, albeit a thinner rubber that doesn’t feel as durable as Wildling’s boot.
  • Xero Shoes Gracie (women’s) – This is a cute chelsea style rubber rain boot, for little puddles. I loves them in bright yellow. Read my review here. For those in the EU, shop Xero Shoes EU here.
  • BONUS: Vaistoa Katve (EU only) – This Finnish brand only ships within Europe, but I have tested a sample and they are great! Good for those who need a taller cut, and they have an extra wide toe box shape.

And here are some additional options that don’t have quite as wide of a toe box as I prefer, but can work for slimmer feet.

  • Women’s Asgard (AMAZON) – Packable, affordable rubber boots that check all the boxes, but do have a narrower toe box than I prefer. Read my Asgard review here.
  • Bisgaard (women’s & kids) – These rubber boots are completely flat and flexible but only go up to a size 40. US/Canadian customers can get them from Pedterra and use code ANYASREVIEWS, and the rest of the world can search for a retailer on Bisgaard’s website. Wider than the Asgard above, but just a little bit narrow.
  • Pokeboo Packable Rain Boots – Men’s and Women’s – very minimal but have a narrower toe box. This is the only other true barefoot rain boot that comes in men’s sizes besides Saguaro Brisk.

Fun fact, you can turn any rain boots into thermal ones with a boot liner! And I also highly recommend the use of leg warmers to get a secure fit without compromising on toe space (because pull on rain boots are not adjustable).

Compromise Rain Boots:

These options are more minimalist than most conventional rain boots, but they might have a small heel rise and are heavier and thicker than is typical for a barefoot shoe (and also pinchier in the toe box).

Waterproof/Resistant Shoes

Lem’s Waterproof Boulder Boot

While these are not your typical pull on rubber rain boots, these barefoot shoes are water resistant and practical for wet weather.

Kids Waterproof Barefoot Shoes

A pair of bright yellow barefoot rain boots from Ten Little being worn by a child in thick mud and water
Ten Little Rain Boots

Like for adults, true barefoot rain boots for kids are a tough find! But the options below we have vetted to be zero drop a wide toe box, so that kids can play in the rain and mud without hurting their feet.

If you want to see which barefoot kids shoes we consider to be the all time best, click here!

Rubber Rain Boots

  • Wildling Ranidae – The same rain boot we love for adults, also comes in kids sizes! You can get a one-time free shipping offer with code AWN_ANYA_S. If you’re outside the US/Canada, shop Wilding Shoes here.
  • Bundgaard rubber boots (US/Canada) – All the Bundgaard Classic wellies have a good wide toe box and are zero drop, and we consider them to be the best true kids barefoot rain boot available! Customers outside the US can order directly from Bundgaard.
  • Koel – These wellies also have a great toe box shape and are a good choice. We carry these at Anya’s Shop in the US!
  • Saguaro BriskSizes EU 24-34. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off. We love these, especially the fleece lined version.
  • Foot BuddyToddler/little kid sizes US 8-13 Use code ANYAS15 for 15% off
  • Ten LittleToddler/little kid sizes US 6-13. These have a good shape to them, but are a little heavy. Read our review here for more details.
  • IgorToddler/little kid sizes US 4-13 Also available in the US at PedTerra in sizes EU 20-30
  • 1000 Hours OutsideToddler 6 up – Youth 2
  • Bisgaard – All zero drop except “Rain” model. Toe box a little narrower than the above two options but still pretty good.
  • Oaki Rain Boots – The rubber boots are zero drop, neoprene boots are not.
  • Original Hunter Classic
  • Stonz – West and Urban models. Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off
  • Viking(EU) Not all models are zero-drop, so look for the flat soles (Indie line looks the best!). Viking ships to the EU only, but this brand can also be found at Outnorth for international shipping.

Waterproof/Resistant Shoes

If you don’t need a full rubber boot, these waterproof kids barefoot shoes are the next best thing.

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Comments

108 thoughts on “The Best Waterproof Barefoot Rain Boots and Shoes”

  1. Hi,
    Thank you for this amazing info.
    It is a long list!

    I am looking for something for my 18 mo, for this coming fall. She is super active, and we don’t wear any shoes during summer time.. So, maybe you could recommend 1-2 options you would choose for you kid? 🙂 Her foot is 12.5 and not all of them have the sizes for her.
    Also, do you know if I need to add an extra cm since she is going to wear them with her socks?
    Thanks

    1. Hi! Wildling has some great warm toddler shoes that are also water resistant! The NorthWolf is one that’s going to be restocked on September 10th along with a few other warm weather models. If she’s going to wear socks I would factor that into the measurement, since it adds to her foot size.

  2. Hi Anya. I’m not sure if the product has changed since you published this article or what, but I ordered the KomForme boots from Amazon, and they are neither zero drop, nor flexible. Also, the link to the Vincent Cat and Jack boots isn’t working; seems like maybe it’s a discontinued model.

  3. Some feedback — I ordered a pair of the Urberg Bergen, and they have a narrow toebox, were very heavy, and return shipping was so expensive that I’m looking into re-selling them at a loss instead. Just my experience so maybe others were happy with them, but after several years of only wearing barefoot shoes these definitely didn’t work for me.

  4. Thank you so much! Your reviews help me alot!
    I have very wide feet, until now I just have bohempia wide shoes which fit me. Now I need one waterproof shoe for fall and one warm wintershoe (if possible also waterproof or at least waterresistant for snow and mudd). Which shoes are the widest in these sections?
    My feet: 24.3cm / 10.5cm Thank you!!

    1. For extra wide feet, Ahinsa Jaya, and Freet Mudee are good fall options. For winter, Be Lenka has some good highly water resistant warm boots and they are really wide. The Winter 2.0 is the warmest water resistant option.

  5. Hey Anya. I stumbled across this because I’m looking for a barefoot shoe that can survive daily running through tall, wet grass. (We just adopted a dog that I swear is half SLS booster rocket, and I’m running through pasture with him to burn off that energy.)

    A lot of the suggestions in this article seem great for hiking and for being waterproof, but that’s not quite what I’m looking for. The thing is, I don’t really care too much if they are -waterproof-. I don’t care if they get soaked, as long as they can dry pretty quickly and without becoming gross or mildewy. (My wife has a pair of the Wildling Crow boots and after walking through the fields ONE time they got so soaked and have a gross, mildewy smell forever now.)

    Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

    1. So maybe what you need is a water type shoe, like the Ultra from Vivobarefoot or the Tanga from Freet. Or maybe even the Loyal from Astral Designs. Saguaro and Whitin also sell cheap barefoot-friendly water shoes on Amazon.

      If your shoes often get wet, I highly recommend a vent dryer (provided you have an air vent system). Drying wet shoes out quickly is key to preventing mildew, and if you run your house fan so the air is continuous this drying contraption speeds up the process tremendously. When we have stinky mildewy shoes I fill the inside with baking soda and then pour vinegar in 😀 and let them sit a while before either hand or machine washing them. Then I put them immediately on the vent. It’s worked pretty well for us! Not sure if the Wildlings are salvageable though if it’s been a while.

    2. I have been living in the Vibram 5 fingers shoes for years. I can’t get waterproof ones here in Australia, but because my toes can work, my feet don’t get cold if I am moving. I wear them whether it is 42deg.C or minus 5deg. C, but I don’t have to deal with snow. I haven’t found them stinky. My preferred style is the Trek, because of the grip on the sole.

    1. The outsole looks zero drop, but you would want to check the insole for a hidden heel wedge. Also, the toe box looks a little narrow. But I think they look decent.

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Picture of Hi. I'm Anya.

Hi. I'm Anya.

I first discovered barefoot shoes after a long history of foot issues. By changing my footwear and strengthening my body I was able to completely transform my life. Anya’s Reviews is my way of sharing with the world that healthy feet are happy feet!

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