A pair of tall rain boots is essential for surviving New England winters (a slight exaggeration, but not untrue). On the days following heavy snowfall, when the ground is a minefield of slush puddles that render UGG boots useless–those days are what rain boots are made for. Sure, before you can put your feet inside rubber boots, you will need to first put on fleece-lined tights and boot socks (and an optional jeans/pants layer), but that’s a small price to pay for warmth and dryness.
(I’d also recommend getting shearling insoles to further winterize your rain boots.)
And Hunter rain boots are the gold standard. For those of average-height, the Original Tall Rain Boot might be the best option.
Most reviewers recommend ordering a size down, but if you intend to wear the shoes with thick boot socks, your “normal” size might be more appropriate. In a size 7, the boots measure 15 inches tall, and 15.5 inches around the widest part, with a 1″ heel.
And if you have wider calves, Hunter offers an Adjustable Calf Rain Boot that accommodates calves up to 17″ in circumference.
If you are petite, have narrower calves, or live in a temperate area, I would recommend the Hunter Tour Packable Rain Boot (seen below; also sold here and here).
A few more tall rain boot options at different price points:
Or buy the Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot at Hunter, Amazon, Nordstrom, Zappos, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord + Taylor, Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom Rack, and Urban Outfitters.
My friend who also uses the Hunter Socks in her wellies said that she had some slight problems removing the boots when wearing them, did you have a similar problem with them? Or did they just feel normal?
Hi Shannon. Tall boots that fit closely ARE harder to remove, especially for those with wider-feet–your friend isn’t alone in her struggles. Because I (a half-sizer) had to size up to the next whole size in this style, I don’t have problems removing this particular shoe. But I would advise sitting down when attempting to remove boots (so you can grab the heel-kick when you pull), or buying an inexpensive “boot jack” to aid in boot-removal. Hope this helps!