An Urban Gardener's Rainboot Review with Chicken Chaser Bri

Are you new to gardening or raising chicks? Whether you’re just getting started with the outdoor lifestyle or have been skilled in the outdoor life for a while, a reliable pair of rain boots will help you successfully finish your chores without being muddied down. We’ve partnered with urban chicken and garden expert, Chicken Chaser Bri, to share her perspective on some of her favorite styles for women’s rain boots. Read her rainboot review below!

Dryshod Ladies Haymaker Mid-Farm Boots

Durability	★★★★★
Fit/Comfort	★★★★★
Traction	★★★★★
Waterproofing	★★★★★
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★★★

The most comfortable rain boots I’ve ever worn. I was worried they would be heavy and bulky, but they offer so much traction without the trade-off of extra weight. I must admit they are a little overkill for my small urban homestead, but they are really handy for when I go help out on my brother-in-law's farm. My favorite thing about them is how warm they keep my feet and the rest of my body. My feet often go numb when I’m too cold and I never experience that in the Dryshod boots. It’s easy to wear these boots all day because they aren’t super heavy, you feel like you’re walking on pillows with the extra cushion souls, and they keep you completely dry and warm.

BOGS Ladies Classic High with Handles

Durability	★★★★★
Fit/Comfort	★★★★☆
Traction	★★★★★
Waterproofing	★★★★★
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★★☆

I was worried I would not like these boots because I have large calves and these boots come up pretty high. But I was pleasantly surprised when I realized these boots offer tons of room throughout. There was plenty of room for me to wear loose-fitting jeans on the inside of the boots. Since these boots were unisex, I went off of my men's size, which is a 9.5, and a men’s 9 was perfect for me. The handles at the tops make it easy to put them on, and the lip in the back makes for easy removal. I can hang out in these boots all day; I never feel restricted in my movements. While I love wearing these for my more heavy-duty projects around our urban homestead, I also really love them for fishing! We are lucky enough to go out on the ocean and The Columbia with our family a few times a year and I never had the proper footwear until now. These make for some great fishing boots because my feet never get cold, I can stand in them all day, and they keep me dry.

Muck Edgewater Mid Roll Down Waterproof Boot

Durability	★★★★☆
Fit/Comfort	★★★★☆
Traction	★★★★☆
Waterproofing	★★★★★
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★★★

I love throwing on my Muck Boots for doing anything and everything around my muddy yard. We have a drainage problem so after a few days of heavy rain it’s a mud pit back there, and these boots were my saving grace. From raking leaves or scooping dog poop to getting the first seeds of the year planted, these boots are my number one go-to! If I could change a couple things about these boots, I would add a lip on the back for easier removal and make the insoles permanent because they often curl up and come out when I’m taking the boots off. These boots are perfect for my urban homestead, and I wear them nearly every day!

LaCrosse Women's Ankle Rain Boot

Durability	★★★★★
Fit/Comfort	★★★★★
Traction	★★★★☆
Waterproofing	★★★★★
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★★★

I imagine I’ll be wearing these nearly every day in the garden once the weather warms up here in the Willamette Valley. These Lacrosse boots are so comfortable I’ll wear them to work on rainy days when my tennis shoes just aren’t going to cut it. I usually don’t like to wear rain boots for such a long time, but these have a nice “everyday shoe” look to them and I’ve never felt any discomfort, even wearing them for 12+ hours. I think my favorite feature is the waterproof seal at the top, instead of sitting on your foot, it sits higher up on your ankle. My socks never get wet, and the seal also helps to keep your feet insulated and warm. I think my favorite use for these boots is playing with my dog in the backyard, I just throw them on real quick and we run around in the mud. I wish I had a pair, or two, for my four-legged friend to wear!

Muck Boot Ladies Muckster II Low

Durability	★★★★☆
Fit/Comfort	★★☆☆☆
Traction	★★★★☆
Waterproofing	★★★★☆
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★☆☆

I loved the look of these low boots, but they were an uncomfortable fit for me. After wearing them around the house for a couple days I felt like I needed a smaller size because the waterproof seal seemed to hit in a weird spot on my foot/ankle. So, I went to Wilco to exchange them from a women’s 10 to a 9, and I couldn’t be happier with how smooth that exchange went! They were super helpful in finding me a size down, and I was in and out in about five minutes. Unfortunately, even with the smaller size, I did not like the cut of the waterproof lining. I have wider feet and ankles so I couldn’t help but feel like I just needed a little more room at the top of the low-cut boot. Overall, I think these would make a great boot for spring/summer gardening.

Slogger Yellow Chicken Clogs

Durability	★★★★☆
Fit/Comfort	★★★★☆
Traction	★★★☆☆
Waterproofing	★★★☆☆
Aesthetic	★★★★★
Value/Price	★★★★★

I don’t know how you couldn’t love these adorable chicken clogs! They come in a bunch of different patterns, but I had to go with the chickens! My usual size is a Women’s 11, and I often drop down a size for boots, but I should have stuck with my true size for these. The 10 fits a little tight and I don’t wear any socks to give myself a little extra room. The tighter fit ended up being beneficial because less water enters at the opening of the shoe. My feet stay generally dry, but I wouldn’t call the Sloggers 100% waterproof. Previous to having these shoes I was wearing open-toed sandals out in the rain/cold any time I needed to go into the chicken coop, and these have made life a lot easier! They are my go-to for a quick trip out to the coop to let the chickens out, collect eggs, and restock feed and water.

Photo credit: Chicken Chaser Bri Follow Bri on her Instagram @chickenchaserbri for tips and tricks on gardening and raising chickens in your backyard!

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