The Best Weatherproof Duck Boots For Men To Wear Right Now

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 with our guide to the best duck boots to stay dry.

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.

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.

Land’s End Insulated Flannel Lined Chelsea Duck Boots

Best Chelsea Boots: Like L.L.Bean, Land’s End has been around for quite a while, and it’s been protecting patrons from the elements since its conception. The heritage brand’s option sits on an enviously cozy insulated footbed that does away with cold feet, paving the way for seasonal warmth with every step you take. Plus, the sturdy stompers boast a flannel-lined leather upper and waterproof rubber shell, serving as a standard-abiding pair of duck pairs from heel to toe.

Ugg Insulated Flannel Lined Chelsea Duck Boots

Best Flannel-Lined Boots: 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. The waterproof stompers sit atop a grippy White Spider sole and feature a dynamic support shank for enhanced stability and mobility in unformidable weather.

Lacrosse Uplander

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.

Polo Ralph Lauren Claus Boot

Best City Boots: 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. The boot’s faux shearling lining ensures nothing short of warmth through frigid forecasts, all the while its fleece-lined rubber shell and memory foam footbed promote remarkable weatherized capabilities and all-day comfort. All that said, this pair does run on the smaller side, so account for that before adding them to your cart.

Nike Lunar Force 1

Best Sneakerboots: What more could sneakerheads ask for in the dead of winter than a pair of boots that double as Air Force 1s? Nike’s remarkably durable spin on the timeless silhouette features rugged leather construction that’s easy to clean for easy maintenance and a consistently clean look. Nonetheless, these are built to be roughened up. The Lunar Force 1’s leather upper is treated with a water-repellent finish and internal membrane that keeps your feet dry from heel to toe, assuring these stompers are fit for any crazy forecasts. For additional warmth, the duck boots boast synthetic insulation to keep you warm with every step, which is assisted by a tongue that wraps around the ankle to keep the cold where it belongs — away from your feet. Of course, it wouldn’t be a pair of duck boots without notably grippy soles, and this silhouette has all the treads you need to tackle wet pavement.

All-Weather Duckboot

Best All-Arounders: All-Weather’s Duckboot is built for what the brand name wholly suggests. The rugged stompers sit atop a plush insole, shock-absorbing EVA midsole, and a mightily-lugged Vibram outsole, assuring ideal traction across any terrain. And while these premium elements already make them noteworthy, we couldn’t overlook the silhouette’s well-designed upper, comprised of waterproof unbuckle, full grain leather, and suede for an undeniably smooth feel and stunningly stylish look.

Hunter Explorer Duck Boots

Best Chunky Boots: The Hunter Explorer Duck Boots retain the traditional pair’s unmistakable composure while implementing a formidable, ballistic nylon upper with a waterproof construction that’s been adorned with an internal waterproof fleece lining for increased protection and solid warmth. On its exterior, you get an FSC-certified rubber outsole working with a TPU Vamp, protecting its wearer’s feet from all manner of moisture and mayhem. Finally, there’s an Ortholite footbed and a cushioned EVA midsole.

L.L.Bean Bean Boots

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.

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 Best Winter Boots for Reliable Warmth and Traction

While most duck boots could be considered winter boots, most winter boots are not necessarily duck boots. Don’t get the two twisted, and take a look at our guide to the best men’s winter boots.