The Find: Chic Winter Rainboots
Jan 13, 2020
In Montana, I need snow boots. Full stop. But in Washington (or Washington, D.C.), the winter storms often consist of rain or a wintry mix. Neither of which necessitates a pair of Sorel Caribous.
I snagged these Jeffrey Campbell Chelsea Rainboots at Nordstrom Rack on discount, and I adore them. They were comfortable straight out of the box (as Campbells almost always are). They don’t squeak, even on a damp grocery store floor. And the simple silhouette and styling makes them super sleek.
These boots are really easy to wear. I wear them with jeans, leggings, or with tights on my commute. If it gets a bit chilly, I add these Smartwool socks to keep my toes warm. (Pro tip: If you want to layer socks with tights for warmth, you want to wear the socks under the tights.)
{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}
What?! Socks over tights, forever.
Agreed! My feet get hot so I take the socks off as soon as I’m at the office. Not stripping down to my knickers to do that.
It’s warmer under, surprisingly. Since I usually wear knee-high boots in winter for warmth, I don’t need to take them off when I get to the office.
Thanks for posting these! I really like the look and the price! I’m not familiar with Jeffrey Campbell, but holy smokes! His other shoes are like every one of my moms worst nightmares from my middle school days 🙂
It’s either feast or famine with him. I have three pair purchased sporadically when he makes something great: an ankle strap heel that people always ask who made it, a pair of simple mules, and these. Some of them are really terrible, but I always check because they are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned.
I just started looking for new ankle boots yesterday that can stand up to the wintry mix! Thanks for the recommendation!
Have y’all stumbled across anything that’s perhaps a half-step nicer? I work in a business casual office (my go-to outfit is cords and a blouse); I’d love to find boots that I could wear all day and not have to change shoes! Everything I’ve seen so far doesn’t have the traction/grip on the soles I need or is “waterproof suede.” which makes me a little nervous.
I work in a business casual office and I wear boots like this often! I have the Target knock off version, but I get compliments on them almost every time I wear them and people don’t usually know they’re rain boots until they look closely. I would imagine these would be the same.
Do not fear waterproof suede- Blondo boots in waterproof suede are my regular commuting shoes in cold weather. I only break out rubber boots for driving rain/deep puddle days or residual snow/slush after multiple inches of snow. Lots of great for business casual styles to choose. Mine have held up well.
My sisters swear by the Blondo booties and they have transit commutes. I personally have some dansko booties that are not waterproof, but they do fine in the rain as long as I’m not puddle jumping (caveat I have a car commute).
If I am puddle jumping (toddlers), I just bought a new pair of hunters in the mid calf height (original short) and they are amazing. Costco also has them right now too (I wanted purple so got them in one of the holiday sales from Nordstrom).
The matte I think makes these totally professional enough to wear in the office, imho. But you should check out Nordstrom’s waterproof shoes for other ones.
Lots of people recommending Blondos – I personally found that my waterproof ones (despite re-waterproofing them periodically) started leaking after a year, so just be warned they aren’t as foolproof as actual rainboots.
Thanks for all the advice! I decided to snag these Blondo boots (on major sale but now sold out): https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/2403382/blondo-valli-waterproof-bootie?color=COGNAC%20NUB and ordered the Chelsea rainboots, too because the prices were so low!
Does water ever splash up and through the elastic gores on the side? Love the look of these!
Haven’t had that problem.
These in black, love them:
https://m.shoes.com/chaco-cataluna-mid-boot/853830/1957944?cm_mmc=googleproductads_pla_with_promotion-_-none-_-none-_-none&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgYSPjP-B5wIVgtdkCh1d_AJLEAUYAiABEgKbGPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
For color options in a similar style and price, I have these Sam Edelman ones and love them! Just size up a half size or so. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYKWAYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought these a few months ago! How do you style them? Jeans tucked, over, cuffed? I can never get the look just right and I feel like they make my feet look huge. They are comfortable though.
My jeans are all hemmed to hit a half inch or so below the top, so I tuck. Leggings, I tuck. Wider leg pants, I leave out.
this post was so perfectly timed. i just had a whole moment this rainy DC morning about what shoes to wear. these have been ordered!
They’re really great. I fought getting rain boots for a while (because I didn’t want to admit I needed them), but I love them.
I just moved to Seattle to go back to school, so I basically live in leggings and sweatshirts. I got a pair of the new water resistant Allbirds for Christmas, and they’re worth every penny. My feet have stayed totally dry in the rain the last few weeks, and I’ve walked all over in the current snow and my feet have been dry and toasty. Since they’re wool, they’re also pretty warm, but not too hot.
Huge hit on the streets of Seattle. Almost mandatory wear!!