Tested: The Best Weatherproof Duck Boots For Men

The traditional “rain boot” is a classic footwear offering that’s fulfilled its role for many years. However, what began as a functionally-sound staple for outdoorsmen and workers, quickly fell to the wayside when newer, more formidable materials, textiles, and designs were put into play. One of these designs was none other than the duck boot, a stylish model that solved the mystery of unprecedented waterproofing during the early 1900s. The silhouette has a rich American heritage along with formidable weather protection, and you can find the pair that suits you best in the following guide, where we tested the best duck boots around.

How We Tested

Duck boots aren’t necessarily the most common type of boots but there are still quite a few on the market. For this guide, we looked to our favorite brands, industry staples, and some lesser-known silhouettes. We considered visual aesthetic, upper materials, outsoles, price, and insulation (if any). After sourcing our units for testing, we spent considerable time with each pair, taking them out into the wild and testing them on both wet and dry ground, focusing mostly on the latter, especially on slick surfaces, since that is what will separate the good lugs from the less good. We also looked at comfort and support, as well as overall fit and feel. These results and more are detailed below.

Measurements: I, Ethan Brehm, was the person testing these duck boots. While I’m typically a U.S. men’s size 12.5 in sneakers, I go down a bit for boots. As such, nearly all of the boots I tested were size 12, unless stated otherwise. I also have medium-width feet, so keep that in mind when reading my feedback on these shoes.

What to Look For

Material: While their name suggests they’re intended for staring at mallards from a park bench, duck boots are much more than that. The rugged silhouette is perfect for taking on unpredictable weather, much in part due to its waterproof construction. They are typically made of treated leather materials and treaded rubber soles, two elements that you should most certainly keep in mind if you plan on picking a pair up.

Syle: Moreover, any set of “duck boots” that don’t feature both shouldn’t be labeled as such. Additional details you can expect to find are pull-loop tabs for easy on-an-off access and sometimes even proper insulation for optimal coziness.

Fit: These boots should definitely be tight enough to stay snug, but if you live somewhere colder where thick socks are needed, you may want to get a pair with extra room.

Insulation: Especially if you’re using these as winter boots, you’ll want to consider a pair that’s insulated with something like Thinsulate, for example.

Traction: Those residing in rainy areas should strongly consider a non-slip outsole with a solid lug system, giving you traction when the weather gets inclement.

Nike Woodside 2

Best Town-to-Trail Boots: What more could sneakerheads ask for in the dead of winter than a pair of boots that double as a clean pair of Nikes? Nike’s remarkably durable spin on the timeless silhouette features rugged leather construction that’s easy to clean for easy maintenance and a consistently stylish look. Nonetheless, these are built to be roughened up. The Woodside 2’s upper is made of both real and synthetic leather and is treated with a water-repellent finish, bolstered by water-repellant overlays assuring these stompers are fit for any crazy forecasts. For additional warmth, the duck boots boast a high-cut collar for additional warmth. Of course, it wouldn’t be a pair of duck boots without notably grippy soles, and this silhouette has large treads to assist you with tackling wet pavement.

The Good

In terms of aesthetics alone, the Nike Woodside 2 was perhaps my favorite of the duck boots I tested. I loved the classy look of the leather with the monochromed Swoosh emblem. Also, the brown of the leather matched with the rubber over the toe, making these look a bit less aggressive than other duck boots. They’re also pretty versatile, making for a style that you could throw on in multiple situations. Everything from the look to the feel of the leather uppers won me over.

The duck boots did a good job of feeling spacious without giving me too much room, even if they technically ran slightly large. Despite any issues, however, these were really easy to walk in and comfortable underfoot. They also performed really well when getting wet, with just enough grip on slicker surfaces. Another standout here was the laces. Super easy to lace up, they gave me a bit of stretch so I could tighten these up, but without suffocating my feet. Not to mention, these are the most affordable duck boots on this list.

The Not so Good

After lacing them up, the first thing you’ll notice about the Nike Woodside is how rigid they feel, from the stiff collar up top to the toe cap. Nikes usually have a short break-in period but this wasn’t the case here. Also, the brand’s shoes typically run small on me, which is why I typically go a half size up. However, the size 12 here was fine, even a bit large on my feet.

When walking, I did notice a bit of pressure above the base of my toes on both feet. This could level out after getting broken in but the sensation was there the whole time for me. Also, I should mention that the outsoles held onto dirt and sand really easily; I had to manually remove it with my fingers which I didn’t love.

Verdict: A perfect town-to-trail option, the Nike Woodside 2 has a fantastic outsole grip and rugged uppers but looks stylish enough that you could go about your day with these laced up as well. We noticed the boots ran slightly large and were a bit stiff on the first few outings. However, these were still really easy to walk in and comfortable underfoot despite any other fitting issues. These are also some of the most affordable duck boots you’ll find, making their visual aesthetic even sweeter.

Sperry Ice Bay Thinsulate Tall Duck Boot

Best for the Cold: Although Sperry might be more associated with the boat shoes it helped invent nearly 90 years ago, the Massachusetts-based brand has an awesome tall boot option for winter weather, tapping into what made their boat shoes so great too: a non-slip outsole that works on surfaces like snow, rain, and ice. You’ll also get super warm Thinsulate insulation for lining beneath a certified leather upper that looks as classy as ever, especially with the Sperry embossing below the collar. Not to mention, the shoe is extra high to help keep out drafts.

The Good

Cozy, warm, and cushioned underfoot, the Sperry Ice Bay Thinsulate Duck Boot is arguably the most comfortable shoe I tested. Unlike the more rigid structures of other boots here, the Thinsulate interior helps give it some plushness inside, especially above the foot and around the ankles. The collar had some flex to it and it was easy to get my foot inside without it feeling too wide up top. However, the boots still felt very tough. I loved the arch support too, which almost acted like a massager underneath, nearly extending to my outer feet. Despite the coverage above the toe cap, there is a solid flex above my toes as well.

Even though these boots are quite tall, it’s not difficult to walk in them, again thanks to the flex at the collar. The rougher outsoles really gripped the hard wet surfaces well, as expected, and didn’t cling onto mud and sand too badly.

The Not so Good

My main issue with these boots, regardless of how comfortable they technically feel, is that they’re at least a size and a half too big. I got hands-on with a size 12 and there are literally 2″ of space in front of my toes. I feel I could’ve gone down to a size 10 and been fine (I haven’t worn a size 10 since elementary school).

I also didn’t love the laces. While they were a bit more stretchy compared to other cord laces, I couldn’t manage to pull them very much. I felt like I had no control over how loose or tight they got, which made the large fit even worse.

Verdict: Tall but still really flexible, the Sperry Ice Bay Thinsulate are really amazing winter duck boots but do run pretty darn large. We also didn’t love the unrelenting laces that don’t let you fine-tune your fit. Once you find your right size, however, you’ll love the underfoot comfort and arch support, as well as the reliable outsole grip. These are highly warm and comfortable boots offered at a reasonable price.

Lacrosse Uplander II

Best Hunting Boots: LaCrosse isn’t just a sport — it’s also a premium footwear company. The brand’s approach to boots is as timeless as they come, and with a lineage dating back to 1897, it’s safe to assume that their silhouettes are both informed and capable. Its duck boot model, known as the Uplander, plays to the strengths of the company’s centurial design, thanks to a 100% leather construction, large, 10-inch shaft, and a looped heel pull to make donning and doffing an easy affair. Like many of the shoes on this list, the Uplander is defined by its robust rubber sole, waterproof qualities, and contrasting trim, making it an attractive — albeit, tall — silhouette for seasonal wear.

The Good

For calf-height boots, the Lacrosse Uplander is very easy to walk in. The higher profile offers you more protection against the elements and gives you better opportunity to wear pants either inside or outside of the collar. These shoes are also really comfortable, with a soft landing pad and an accessible lift that other boots might not have. Unlike other high boots, the laces here actually do something in terms of tightening the fit, which was good because there was some extra room inside (more on this below). Likewise, I fully expected these to be difficult to put my feet inside but I had no such trouble.

Also, the Uplander probably has my favorite water grip underneath, with a perfect stickiness that made me feel safe on wet, slick surfaces but also didn’t accumulate sand and dirt between the lugs. A few taps and most of the wet clumps fell off easily.

The Not so Good

While the boots are really comfortable, they’re also a bit too spacious at times. I felt like I had too much room around my foot, which actually made me notice the lack of insulation; my feet were prone to getting cold here. Also, they were so comfortable that some might prefer a bit more structure in the ankle area. These are calf-height boots, and the low rigidity that makes the uppers so comfortable extends up to the top of the collar.

Verdict: Don’t let the calf-high profile fool you; the Lacrosse Uplander II is a very comfortable duck boot. The higher collar helps protect you better and gives you options when wearing pants. We loved the outsoles, which were among the stickiest we tested and didn’t accumulate dirt and sand over time. However, we did feel like the extra roominess inside allowed for colder feet and the lack of rigidity of the uppers precluded solid ankle support. Nevertheless, these had some of the softest landings we tried.

Timberland Converge Waterproof Boot

Best for Traction: Mostly known for its flagship work boots, Timberland has shown that when it extends its reach, it’s more than capable of finding success. Case in point, the Converge Waterproof Boot is not only a more accessible take on the duck boot with a visual aesthetic that belongs with the brand’s other products but they perform well too. Available in a trio of colorways currently, the duck boots have incredible traction with unique lugs for a myriad of surfaces. Other features include OrthoLite insoles for comfort, responsibly sourced GreenStride EVA soles made from sugarcane and bio-based rubber, ReBOTL uppers made partially with recycled plastic, and TimberDry waterproof membrane for rainy or slushy days.

The Good

I know I was raving about the traction on the Lacrosse boots above because of their ability to stick in wet conditions. However, these Timberland Converge boots are right up there for water grip but also performed fantastically for all-around traction as well. These are not hiking boots, per say, but also aren’t hiking boots either. Nevertheless, if you have a lot of dirt, sand, or rocky terrain, the Converge will keep you upright the most consistently.

Continuing on the idea of hiking in these shoes, the Converge are also arguably the most walkable duck boots here. Lightweight, with its weight distributed well all around the foot, the Converge also has an incredible fit. There was just the right amount of room in the front, the back, and the sides of my feet. The boots are flexible yet supportive, and the uppers are stretchy so as to not constrict your feet, yet you get some solid ankle support too.

I really loved the lacing system which was designed so you could tie them around the ankle, but could also go higher with a couple of brackets on either side. While a lot of boot brackets stick out too far and often catch on the laces of the opposite shoe, these were tucked in a lot better too.

The Not so Good

There’s not much I disliked about the Timberland Converge. Truth be told, I never loved how the brand’s work boots fit on me so I was expecting the same here. However, these are the best-fitting Timbs I’ve ever laced up. One thing I noticed was a slight pressure on the heel area that annoyed me a bit upon first putting these on. However, it already seemed like it was getting broken in after just a few times on my feet and I expect it will only continue to do so.

Verdict: Perhaps the easiest shoes to walk in of the duck boots we tested, the Timberland Converge Waterproof Boots have a classic Timberland look but with some added elements to fit into this category. We loved the versatile lugs which were super grippy on both wet and dry surfaces, serving as an ad hoc hiking boot if you needed them to be. These were very comfortable and even the small pressure against the heel continued to break itself in the more we wore it.

L.L.Bean Original Boot GORE-TEX

Best Classic Boots: Any duck boot guide wouldn’t be complete without the masters of the genre, L.L.Bean. As the American-bred heritage brand that pioneered the original duck boot, the timeless staple is still one of its most lauded shoes, and it’s fully constructed in its family-owned, Maine-based factory to boot. Luckily, not much has changed over the years in terms of pure aesthetics. The boot’s materials, on the other hand, have been updated for the modern wearer. Calling upon a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX lining, Thinsulate insulation, a handsomely realized full-grain leather upper, and transcendently grippy soles, this all-original duck is the quintessential rain boot, acting as the functional progenitor for the genre’s most recognizable offerings.

The Good

L.L.Bean handles the onus of being the originators of the duck boot with esteem. This Original Boot is a great representative of the category, with incredibly soft interiors that also keep your feet warm without overheating. There’s nice support on the ankles and the laces let you really tighten these boots if you want a more restrictive fit. Being that this is the progenitor of all other duck boots, the visual aesthetic might feel a bit generic but just because it’s been copied so many times.

The insole is just as soft as the insulation padding the top and sides of the foot. Likewise, you get some solid support under the arches and, unexpectedly, a bit of a lift in the heel, which gives you a bit of propulsion forward when walking. Fit-wise, the L.L.Beans were about as perfect as I found among these duck boots I tested.

The Not so Good

While the outsole didn’t carry dirt from one piece of wet ground to the next, the lugs were the least grippy among the duck boots I tested. That’s not to say they were useless since there was some stickiness happening. However, the lugs are nearly nonexistent underneath, not making for great traction.

I also need to mention the price point here. These aren’t the most expensive on this list by a long shot but they’re also about $100 more than the next lowest. While they’re a good middle ground between, say, the Timberlands above and the Sutterheims below, they’re also pretty darn pricey.

Verdict: The originator of the duck boots, the L.L.Bean Original Boot is worthy of its reputation, with cozy interior warmth, GORE-TEX waterproofing, and a timeless aesthetic. We also noticed the fit on these was the best of the bunch, with underfoot support and comfort to boot (literally). The traction could have been better but that’s not to say it was nonexistent. Also, we didn’t necessarily love the sticker price on these either. However, if you want the Platonic ideal of a duck boot, this one is it.

Stutterheim Patrol Boot

Best Combat Boots: Stutterheim’s catalog of well-made garments often leans toward the utilitarian side, and these are no less than that. The Swedish clothier’s Patrol Boots are about as luxurious as this category, featuring a construction of waterproof suede and a galosh-style duck sole. Right beneath that is a trusty rubber lug outsole, and these functional stompers offer all the protection you need and are surprisingly simple to take on and off. With its lace-up closure and pull-loop at the heel tab, sleeping these bad boys on is nothing short of simple, and odds are you won’t want to take them off anytime soon.

The Good

From a style POV, the Stutterheim Patrol Boot doesn’t look as “ducky” as most of your other duck boots. Its visual aesthetic is pretty versatile, in part thanks to the suede uppers and stylish midsoles. These just have a more luxurious look in person compared to any of the other shoes here. I was also partial to the fit, which kept my feet locked in and ankles supported, made even better by the padding around the latter. This was partially due to the lacing system, which was among my favorites here. Not only were the cord laces fairly elastic but the gusseted tongue allowed for significant tightening around the foot. Likewise, the brackets up top offered even more customization in this regard. And like the Timberlands above, these didn’t stick out too far, causing snagging.

Underfoot, I loved the arch support here, which has only been the case with about half the pairs I tested. However, unlike the L.L.Beans above, these didn’t have the extra lift, which I preferred considering the height of these boots, which felt about an inch taller than the others.

The Not so Good

There’s no given weight on the brand’s website but the Stutterheim Patrol Boot is easily the heaviest of the bunch. It wasn’t necessarily difficult to walk in but fit more like a heavy work boot than it did a classic duck boot like the ones above. Also, the traction on wet surfaces could’ve been better too. The lugs performed fine on dry dirt and inclines but were a bit more slippery than I wanted on slick ground. It’s also important to note that these are the most expensive on this list, but at least you’re getting the most luxurious as well.

Verdict: While it doesn’t necessarily excel in one area, aside from being luxurious and expensive, the Stutterheim Patrol Boot is still a really attractive and comfortable option. We didn’t love the traction on slick surfaces or the heavier weight but these boots were comfortable nonetheless, helped by the padded ankles, customizable laces, and arch support. If you can fit it into the budget, you won’t find much wrong with these duck boots.

Duck Boot Comparison Chart

What is a duck boot?

Invented and utilized by the founder of L.L.Bean, Leon Leonwood Bean, the original duck boot would find its way into circulation over 100 years ago. After its introduction in 1912, it was widely adopted by hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen who revered it for its water-resistant qualities, lauding its unique rubber design as the next step in the evolution of waterproof shoes. Eventually, the utilitarian staple would become more refined in both aesthetics and construction, quickly becoming a mainstay among the more stylish, fashion-focused crowd who wanted to confront the elements in a more tasteful way. Now, over a century later, the duck boot is still thriving. Below, we’ve curated a list of our favorite offerings from around the industry, focusing primarily on capability, durability, and timeless class. Needless to say, the genre’s most lauded proprietors have been joined by a handful of up-and-coming outfits looking to make their name within the world of water-resistant footwear.

Honorable Mentions

Hunter is another staple in the boot category and its Suffolk Insulated Waterproof Duck Boot is a beautiful Chelsea option (there aren’t many). We simply couldn’t get hands-on with these.

These Huckberry exclusives of the All-Weather Waterproof Duck Boot are good everyday options. Unfortunately, they’re sold out in a ton of sizes.

Guide Gear’s Pull On Insulated Leather Duck Boots are a solid budget option but didn’t strike our fancy on a visual level compared to all the others here.

While these aren’t as fuzzy as the prototypical pair of UGGs, the California-bred bootmaker’s Emmett silhouette is still a great pair of duck boots. That said, there’s no need for the shearling lining when it is already insulated, paving the way for optimized warmth without additional materials. However, in terms of insulated winter boots, we liked the Sperry above instead.

You can always expect something from Polo Ralph Lauren to be even slightly stylish, but the Claus Tumbled Leather Boot is more of a refined showcase of the brand’s adherence to longevity. Although not on the same tier as the L.L.Bean boot, this Santa-approved pair of stompers is equally durable. Sadly, they’re unavailable from the brand’s website and only two sizes are on Amazon as of this writing.

Tested: The Best Waterproof Boots

If none of these duck boot styles quite resonate with your style, be sure to check out our guide to the best waterproof boots to see several more options for the cold, wet weather.