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
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).
– This is an ecofriendly spray, but it does slightly alter the look of suede/nubuckOther 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
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.
- Xero Shoes Gracie (women’s) – A true barefoot rain boot! Read my review here. For those in the EU, shop Xero Shoes EU here.
- Saguaro Brisk – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off. Quite thin, but really great foot shape!
- 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.
- Vaistoa Katve – This Finnish brand only ships within Europe, but they look to be a perfect barefoot rain boot!
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:
While these options are more minimalist than most conventional rain boots, they might have a small heel rise and are heavier and thicker than is typical for a barefoot shoe (and also a little pinchier in the toe box). To make these options even more minimal, always check to see if there’s a removable insole.
- Grundens – Multiple height zero drop options, but the toe box is tapered so consider sizing up for extra space.
- Tretorn (Amazon) – Bo & Viken models are the flattest.
- Tretorn (EU) – Wings & Bolt Winter models
- Urberg Men’s Orby
- Urberg Kinna
- Viking – Look for the flat models. Viking ships to the EU only, but this brand can also be found at Outnorth for international shipping.
- Nordic Grip
- Muck Boot Company – The Forager model has a flat outsole
Waterproof/Resistant Shoes
While these are not your typical pull on rubber rain boots, these barefoot shoes are water resistant and practical for wet weather.
- Ahinsa Jaya Boots (vegan) – Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off. We also carry these at Anya’s Shop
- Be Lenka Boots – Lots of great water resistant options! You can also order several of them them from Anya’s Shop in the US. If ordering from Be Lenka directly code ANYASREVIEWS give you 5% off (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA).
- Chala Overshoe – 3 types for different waterproof covering needs. Use code 93D5B5E9 for 5% off
- Fare (Czech Republic & Slovakia only). Those outside of EU can shop Fare at Mugavik Barefoot. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
- Feelgrounds Patrol boot (vegan). Read my Patrol review here
- Freet All Weather Shoes – Use code AnyaFreet for 10% a Freet purchase. If you live outside the USA, shop Freet here. See my thoughts about Freet in this post about The 10 Best Barefoot Hiking Boots.
- Groundies Ontario – Select Groundies styles available at Anya’s Shop
- Joe Nimble Sneakers – These are wide toe box, but have a thicker sole than most barefoot shoes. Many styles are water resistant! See my thoughts on the Wandertoes 2.0 hiking boot in my Best Barefoot Hiking Boots Post.
- Lems – The Chelsea boot & Boulder boot come in waterproof options. IMO these make excellent rain shoes and have served me very well over the years. European readers can purchase Lems from Mugavik Barefoot and use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off. Read all my Lems Reviews here
- Neos Overshoe – This waterproof overshoe can be worn over other shoes or with a thick boot liner to become a warm waterproof rain boot.
- Realfoot – Super wide toe box waterproof shoes! Use code ANYASREVIEWS10 for 10% off. Read my Realfoot review here for all the details!
- Sole Runner – Several models labeled as being water-repellant, but I have minimal experience with them.
- Vibram Furoshiki Boots – The boot versions are water resistant! You will get 15% off your purchase through this link.
- Vivobarefoot – VIVOANYA20 for 20% off. You can find there a variety of waterproof boots and shoes. Tracker FG and Primus Trail All Weather are my two favorites.
- Xero Shoes (vegan) – See my all my Xero Shoes reviews here. For shipping within the EU, shop Xero Shoes EU here
- Zaqq (vegan options) – A LOT of waterproof styles here. We have the waterproof Quintic seasonally at Anya’s Shop
- Wildling – The waterproofing on these is only effective up to the laces, so best for very shallow puddles and light rain. Use code AWN_ANYA for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link. To learn more about the options you can find all my previous Wildling reviews here.
Kids Waterproof Barefoot Shoes
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
- 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.
- Foot Buddy – Use code ANYAS15 for 15% off
- Koel (EU) – These wellies also have a great toe box shape and are a good choice.
- Ten Little – Toddler/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.
- Igor – Toddler/little kid sizes US 4-13 Also available in the US at PedTerra in sizes EU 20-30
- 1000 Hours Outside – Toddler 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
- KomForme – These are the only on the list that we can’t determine to be 100% zero drop. My best guess is they have a 2mm heel rise.
- Saguaro – Sizes EU 24-34. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 15% off
- 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.
- Be Lenka Snowfox, & Winter– ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). Read my Be Lenka Kids Review here
- Fare Bare (Czech Republic & Slovakia only). Those outside of EU can shop these at Mugavik Barefoot. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
- Feelgrounds – The Patrol and Chelsea models
- Kiuu Boots (EU only) – Kiuu has an impressive line of waterproof kid boots!
- Koel – Koel does not ship worldwide, but you can find them at retailers Tupsunupsu or Mugavik Barefoot (Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off)
- Magical Shoes Takin – Wool lined with a waterproof membrane. Use code ANYA for 10% off
- Meriweather – These waterproof sock shoes for toddlers and young kids are surprisingly functional!
- Mukishoes – Select seasonal models are water resistant. We have a pair of Mini-Moss and they are awesome. Use my code ANYAMUKI for 5% off your order, and see all my Mukishoes reviews here.
- Reima – A waterproof sneaker and 2 boot options! Use code ANYA20 for 15% off your first Reima purchase
- Sole-Runner Amari 2
- Vivobarefoot All Weather Booties – Code VIVOANYA20 for 20% off for 10% off
- Wildling – Super minimal! Note that these are best used for light rain and not in deep water or mud. Read all my Wildling reviews here. Use code AWN_ANYA for a one-time free shipping offer. If you are outside the US/Canada, use this Wildling Shoes link.
102 thoughts on “The Complete List of Waterproof Barefoot Shoes for Rain”
Can you do this with canvas or cotton sneakers?
Good idea! For now you can find lots of sneaker options here, many of them are canvas or cotton: https://anyasreviews.com/15-barefoot-sneakers-that-are-better-than-vans/
Most of them don’t have the sole which allow me to keep safe on offroad slopes hikes. If Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest Escape would have waterproof mambrane they would be winners – Michellin sole makes the difference if I’m on slippy side of trail. Anyway, there is no sense of buying leather boots, without membrane, if you are willing to spend 4-5 hours on trail during rainy weather. Vivo please use membrane!
The Xero short wellies have been great for gardening and running around town in the rain. But I wouldn’t wear them hiking (or for long walks) as my feet move around in them a little, they don’t have great traction, and they put very uncomfortable pressure on my right medial malleolus (I have bony feet). Anyone else have this? It isn’t rubbing…it feels like bruising. I need to investigate further and see how I can remedy it.
You might try a tongue pad or even two stacked on top of each other in them. That’s how I make them a little more secure and not floppy. I also love leg warmers for that too, because they fill in space around the ankle and midfoot but don’t take up toe box space.
Absolutely agree, I asked Decathlon many times to simply design ONE model of hunting (or gardening) boots over the years, without success. I’m pretty they can 100% do it, either from Solognac or Tribord manufacturers. They could sell a pair for 30 bucks and become the leader of this not-that-niche product but no one gives a shit. Also asked recently Xero to make their gracie rain boot but for men. Only thing which works more or less for me is wearing trail FG shoes all weather from vivo, multiple layers of waterproof sealant + bicycle overpant from decathlon
Your top waterproofing pick, Carbon Pro, has toxic PFAS chemicals. A Feb 2023 study, from a danish consumer protection group, tested several waterproof sprays. I haven’t researched all your picks, but hopefully you can reassess your recommendations. Thanks for considering! Source – https://taenk.dk/kemi/english/avoid-pfas-waterproofing-sprays
I agree! It’s not “healthy” footwear if it’s made from toxic materials that leach into the environment and your body!
This is a great resource for a lot of folks needs, but I’ve come to an unfortunate conclusion:
Those of us who rely on sturdy full-calf rubber boots for work conditions where we might spend 8-10 hours daily clumping through deep swamps with tricky vegetation, or wading through manure muck in farm operations, or any number of similar demanding situations really don’t have any zero-drop options. The few that come close are usually heavily insulated, a problem if you work anywhere warm, or they don’t go over 10″ height.
None of the above is really compatible with minimalist construction or thin soles, but I find my feet are getting less tolerant of the heel height difference between my minimalist to barefoot non-work time and the footwear I need for work. Depending on the time of year I spend more of my waking time in tall rubber boots than not, and I know I’m not the only one. Suprisingly some of the cheapest $30 rubber boots you can get from tractor supply co. are the least offensive, but still cause me problems by the end of the day.
Minimalist shoe companies out here are putting lots of time and effort into offering a zillion different kinds of recreational and casual shoes, and that’s great, but I would ask for even just one of them to please, please make a solidly built zero-drop rubber boot for those of us who need to work in them.
You are definitely not the only one! I hope this type of shoe gets made soon.
So I just wear “basic” second hand vivobarefoot fg allweatjer shoes, apply multiple coats of “waterproof” sealant and use their 20€ bicycle pant on top of that, it works but I have to repair the shoe part of the pant quite often. I work as a gardener 40 hours per week in a place where it rains a lot.
Sooo agree with you ! Kinda frustrating to feel meandering around town is the only thing people ever do… My main problem, and I’ve just emailed Ameico and Vaistoa to ask if they deem their boorts work-resistant… curious to see what they’ll say !
Thanks for all the reviews! I am looking for a pair or wide rainboots for my three year old. Have you heard of these from Aigle? I can’t figure out if they are zero drip and minimalist but they look fairly wide.
https://www.aigle.com/int/en-il/p/lolly-pop-play2-NA42_gardening.html
Hi Dori! We don’t have any first-hand experience with those particular boots but they do look pretty good to me. There may be a few mm difference between the toes and the heel on the outside but that’s only speculation. If you decide to get them, let us know how they are!
A new Vaistoa brand is missing from the list. They have true barefoot rainboots. https://vaistoa.fi/products/vaistoa-korpi-paljasjalkakumisaappaat
Thank you for the heads up! We will check it out.
Hi Anya, you mentioned Be Lenka here, I have a pair of Nevada which are not waterproof, anyway when I wore them and the soil is wet, they are very slippery on most flat surfaces, like concrete or simply on my garden pavement, I read the same on many comments on their website. I’m looking for some everyday/city looking Winter boots, not hiking style, not necessarily waterproof but with a nice grip/not slippery. As I know many stylish brand does not comply with that request, could you recommend a brand that meet that? Thank you!
Hi Valentina, I would look into the Lems Boulder Grip
If I use one of the oil or wax waterproofing cream options on the Lem’s boulder boot mid cut leather will that provide me with a relatively low cut waterproof shoe? I like low cut shoes but I need something that won’t turn into a block of ice while winter camping. Do you have any other suggestions for a low cut waterproof shoe available in Canada? I like the Vivobarefoot magna FG except that the sole started separating in under a week.
Indeed, those are a great candidate for waterproofing. Lems even sells Otterwax, so you can easily purchase it with your shoes. Too bad about the Magna, that seems like something that would be covered under warranty? Another option is the Freet Esk, which I have not tried personally yet but seems to fit what you are looking for and I’ve had good experiences with Freet’s other boots and booties.
Hi Anya, yes the issue was covered by warranty but I chose to get a refund instead of a replacement. The Freet Esk does look like what I am looking for, I’ll go see if I can buy them in Canada
Thank you for this comprehensive resource!
I’m just wondering how flexible the soles are on both the Bisgaard and Bundgaard boots (specifically in the adult size range). I love the designs on them, but they don’t look very flexible in the pictures. I’m also a little worried about the toe box.
They are on the heavy side, but fairly flexible and they become more so as they are worn. For me the bigger concern is the toe box, which is only moderately wide and IMO not quite enough space in the toe area.