Tall vs Short Rain Boots: Which One is Better?

Be it the light rainfall of the spring or the heavy torrential rainfall of the rainy days or the drizzle of the fall days or the snow flakes of the winter, a pair of rain boots is a must!

Of course no one likes to wet his boots in the rain or puddle and then spend the entire day at work with those soggy, cold and wet boots.

But not all rain boots are meant for every weather!

While tall rain boots are a must for extreme muddy puddles in the heavy rainfall days or for stepping in deep snow in the winters, short rain boots on the other hand are our best friends for light drizzle of the fall season and the light rain of the spring.

Tall vs Short Rain Boots

Well, these are not all of the differences between the tall and short rain boots, in fact, there are lots more and I am going to list them all up for you in this post…

Comparison table of Tall and Short Rain Boots

Tall Rain Boots Short Rain Boots
Seasons to be worn inSnowy winters, heavy rainy seasonLight drizzle of the fall season, light rain of the spring 
Shaft height16 inches high10 inches high
WeatherTo be worn in wintersTo be worn in summers
FlexibilityLessMore
To be worn byTall peopleShort people
MaintenanceHard to maintain Easy maintenance 
Wearability Difficult to wear and take offEasy to wear and take off
Problem of the shaft slipping downYes if they do not come with bucklesThere is no problem of the shaft slipping down
Protection MoreLess
LookFormalCasual

Advantages of tall rain boots:

Not only tall rain boots are the saviors of the chilly winters, they also have the following advantages:

1.) They no doubt look damn classy and add definition to your style statement

2.) They provide ample protection from cuts while you are digging in snow

3.) Some of them come with fleece to give you that extra warmth in the cold days

4.) The high shaft high cover till the knees and therefore, save you from the outside cold

5.) They offer a more formal and stylish look

Disadvantages of tall rain boots:

While tall rain boots are a must to beat the cold, on the off side they have some disadvantages as well:

1.) They are high maintenance boots

2.) They will crease easily below the knee are where your legs bend and in the ankle areas too

3.) If they do not come with buckles, you might feel the discomfort of the shaft coming down every now and then and waste your time adjusting it

4.) If you are short heighted, tall rain boots might press on your knee or calf areas and cause chaffing

5.) They cannot be worn in the hot summer days or even in the fall season

Advantages of short rain boots:

Short rain boots are the best companions for people living in the marshy, rainy and not so chilly cold climatic conditions for the following good reasons:

1.) They are all weather and all season boots

2.) They are easy to maintain

3.) They are easy to wear and take off

4.) They do not have the problem of slipping down the calf area

5.) They too come with fleece/insulation for the cold winters

6.) They are to be worn in the hot days

7.) They are suitable for both tall and short people

8.) You can also wear socks with these rain boots

Disadvantages of short rain boots:

As there’s an other side of every coin, so does the short rain boots too have some disadvantages as well:

1.) If you stand in too deep watery areas or step in deep puddles unknowingly, there are chances that water might get into the boots

2.) They are not enough to beat the cold chilly winters

3.) They will not protect the entire calf area in case you get cut by the ice in winters

Tall vs short rain boots: which one is better?

As we have seen in the sections above, both tall and short rain boots have their own advantages and disadvantages and it entirely depends on individual choice which one they would prefer.

Yet, short rain boots take away more points on the positive side for being the all weather boots and for easy wear ability. 

If you live in the harsh cold weather countries, then tall boots should be your preference. But if you live in humid weather, but face torrential downpour every now and then, short rain boots should suit you the best.

If you prefer a formal look, tall boots should be in your wardrobe and if you want a casual look, go for the short rain boots.

See also: Do Rain Boots Stretch Over Time?

How to choose the best rain boots?

It’s not always a matter of choosing between the tall and the short rain boots, but finding the best comfortable rain boots with the best features!

So, let’s look into the essentials features of a good rain boot:

1.) The weight of the rain boots:

Stepping on the mud and water will obviously put extra pressure on you feet while lifting up your feet to take the steps. So, choosing the lightweight rain boots will be the best option.

2.) The fit of the rain boots:

There’s a lot to consider while you consider the fit of the rain boots:

• The toe box should be roomy because damp weather will make your feet sweat and your toes need that extra space to wiggle

• The heel should not slam while you walk and if it does, know that the boot is too large for your feet size

• For tall boots, the shaft should not slip down the calf area and instead it should told tight

• The boots should offer you a snug fit with enough room to wear socks if necessary

3.) Insulation in rain boots:

If you live in cold weather countries, go for the insulated rain boots and if you live in hot weather countries you should skip the option.

4.) The material of the rain boots:

While most rain boots will be made of rubber, yet, rubber is too rigid and not flexible at all. So, if you prefer comfort go for softer materials that are waterproof.

5.) The calf opening of the rain boots:

The calf should be large enough to glide your feet easily inside the boots, yet not so wide that water might drop in. All in all, the calf opening should provide you a snug fit.

6.) The sole of the rain boots:

Always and always go for the rain boots that have rubber outsoles because rubber is versatile that goes well in water and snow both.

And it’s a wrap!

To wind it up, I would say, it entirely depends on you and the climate you live in that should be the judging factor behind the tall and the short rain boots.

So, remember both the positive and negative sides of both of them and decide accordingly!!!

Hope you make a great choice!

Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

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