Best Budget-Friendly Rain Boots for Kids

Playing outside in rainy, muddy weather can actually be really fun.  My kids jump in puddles, make mud pies and enjoy being outdoors. But your kids need to have the right gear for rainy weather play.  This includes a rain suit or jacket and pants and waterproof rain boots.

There are some really great kids rain boots out there, but I personally am not willing to spend $50+ on rain boots that my kids will outgrow in a few seasons.  Below are the best budget-friendly rain boots for kids which are still good enough for serious outdoor play.  At the time of writing, all of the rain boots cost less than $35, though that might have changed.

Skip ahead for How to Choose Rain Boots as well as tips to get multiple-seasons use out of one pair of boots.
Also read: Best Rain Suits for Toddlers and Best Rain Pants for Kids

 

Best Rain Boots for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

1. Crocs Unisex Handle It Rain Boots

Best Overall

Review: Crocs makes really nice rain boots.  Their Handle It model is my personal favorite.  The large handles actually do make it easier to get the boots on and the handles are sturdy enough that they won’t break.  I also love that there is no lining in the boots so they dry quickly.

The traction on these Crocs rain boots is good enough for them to be used in winter. You’ll just need to put an insole inside the boot for insulation and thick socks on your kid.

 

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2. Kamik  Stomp Kids Rain Boots

Best for Bigger Kids

Review: These rain boots come in little and big kid sizes.  They are particularly good for bigger kids though because they don’t have baby-ish designs but still look cool (my style-conscious 11-year old approves of them).

For an affordable rain boot, they are still fairly well-made.  The plastic holds up and doesn’t crack.  There is a lining in the boot but it is actually sewn in place (not just glued) so it doesn’t peel away like with others.  There is also an insole but it is really thin and terrible, so I would recommend replacing it with one of your own.

A big downside of the Kamik Stomp boots is that they have a weird seam on the inner edge.  This seam can rub against your child’s legs.  Your kid will need to wear tall socks or tuck their pants into the boots to prevent this.  I saw that some parents just cut the top of the boot off to get rid of the seam!

Note that these rain boots really aren’t great for winter.  The sole is too thin.  The fit is also fairly narrow so you won’t be able to put too many layers on your kid. They are also at the upper end of the budget.

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3. Say Yea Baby Rain Boots

Best for little walkers (1-2 years old)

Review: For such cheap rain boots, these ones are surprisingly well-made. They are made of a flexible plastic which doesn’t crack when bent. The removable insole is breathable and provides decent insulation. There is a collar at the top edge which serves two purposes: it holds the cotton lining in place and also prevents chafing.

The flat sole and flexible design and make these the best rain boots for little walkers. They are short to keep them lightweight, so your toddler’s feet won’t get too tired stomping through puddles.

The only real downside is the cotton lining.  It will take a long time to dry and can get stinky if it gets saturated. Make sure your little one has good rain pants to wear over these so water doesn’t get in.

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4. LoneCone Kids Rain Boots

Best for cute designs

Review: LoneCone is a very popular brand of rain boots for kids, mostly because they are really affordable and have lots of super-cute designs.  They are also certified free of BPA, phthalates and harmful chemicals.

The boots themselves do seem to hold up well. However, the fabric lining will eventually separate from the inner boot. The handles are also flimsy and can easily break- use them for carrying and not pulling onto your kid’s foot!

Note that LoneCone gets really mixed reviews. Some people say the boots lasted their kids years whereas others say the boots cracked in a matter of months.  LoneCone does have a 6-month guarantee on the rain boots, but apparently the company doesn’t always respond.

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5. Western Chief Glitter Rain Boots

Best for school-aged girls and divas 🙂

Review: My older daughter is really picky about style. Most rain boots in her size have really childish designs, so it’s no surprise she doesn’t want to wear them. But you can’t really go wrong with glitter and girls 🙂

The rain boots are well-made and hold up well enough  The lining will start to peel away a bit over time, but it doesn’t fall off like with some brands.  Note that these rain boots are fairly narrow though.  This makes it difficult to fit with thick socks on.  They are definitely not for cold weather.

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6. K KomForme Light Up Rain Boots

Best: Cheap option for occasional puddle stomping

 

Review: The light-up features on the KomForme toddler rain boots is fantastic.  Not only will your kids love making their boots light up each time they splash, the lights also make it easier to see your toddler at dusk.

The boots are completely unlined and have a removable insole. This makes them very easy to clean and fast to dry. Because there is nothing but plastic against your kid’s legs, you can expect chafing: wear these rain boots over long underwear or socks!

As you’d expect from a cheap rain boot, the handles will break easily – use them for carrying and not pulling.  There is a chemical smell and expect the lights to break after a season or two.  I expect the stiff plastic would also crack eventually too.

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How to Choose Kids Rain Boots

Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Rain Boots

Rain boots without insulation are better for playing in the rain.  Linings absorb water.  Once wet, they take a long time to dry and can get stinky. They are also harder to clean.  If you are worried that it will be cold, put your child in two layers of socks: a thin liner sock (or stockings) to wick away moisture and an insulating wool sock on top.

However, insulated rain boots are great for playing in cold, muddy weather.  Just make sure your child has good rain pants to go on top of the boots so the inside stays dry.

Tip:  Buy unlined rain boots a size bigger in fall. Get a good insole for them and have your child wear two pairs of socks.  By the time summer comes (and their feet have grown) the rain boots will still fit with just one pair of socks.  This is how I get multiple seasons out of my kids’ rain boots.

 

Can Kids Wear Rain Boots in Winter?

Most kids rain boots simply aren’t suitable for winter use.  They don’t have enough insulation to keep your kids’ feet warm.  Because they are completely waterproof and not breathable, your kids feet can also end up wet from sweat.

However, if you live somewhere that doesn’t get very cold in winter, you can get away with using rain boots as winter boots.  Size up and you’ll be able to use them for summer puddle splashing too.

For rain boots to be suitable for winter, they must have:

• Good traction
• Thick sole
• Insulating insole
• Size large enough to wear with multiple pairs of socks

 

Sizing Rain Boots

Kids rain boots come in toddler, little kid and big kid sizes.  The number does not correlate to their age.

To measure your child’s rain boot size:

1. Put on socks. They should be the same socks you’d wear with the boots. For cold weather, put on a liner sock and an insulating sock.
2. Have your child stand on a piece of paper.
3. Outline their foot.
4. Measure the foot from top to bottom.
5. Check the size chart to find your child’s size.

 

Toddler Sizes	Insole Length*	Insole Width*
4T	5.5	2.13
5T	5.63	2.25
6T	6	2.38
7T	6.2-6.5	2.5
8T	6.38-6.8	2.5
9T	6.75-7	2.5
10T	7-7.2	2.5
Little Kid
11	7.13-7.5	2.63
12	7.5-7.7	2.88
13	7.6-7.9	3
Big Kid
1	8	3
2	8.2-8.3	3
3	8.5	3
4	8.7-8.8	3.25
5	9-9.2	3.38
6	9.3-9.5	3.38
7	9.5-9.75	3.5
8	9.88	3.5

*In inches
**Based on Oaki, Outdoor Master and some generic Chinese brand sizing

 

Should I Size Up Kids Rain Boots?

If you measure your child’s foot in thick socks, there is no reason to size up rain boots.  You don’t want them to be too big or your kids’ feet will wiggle around in them too much and could get blisters.  Too-big boots will also come off if they get stuck in mud!

Just remember that many rain boot brands run big or small.  Always check the sizes against the brand’s size chart.  Check exchange policies before buying in case you get the wrong size.

 

Testing Rain Boot Fit

Rain boots which fit well will have a “pop” when you put them on.  Your kids’ feet should be loose in the boot but not wiggle or clomp when walking.

With all footwear, I give my kids the “jump test”:  They need to jump and hop around to see if they fit.

 

Do Rain Boots Need Handles?

Handles are nice to have on rain boots for very little kids.  Once kids get old enough to stand up and push their feet into the boots, then handles aren’t as necessary. Boot handles also tends to be the weakest part of the boot and will snap if pulled too hard.

 

Rain Boot Collar

The collar is the upper, outer edge of the rain boot.  A good collar will help prevent boot chafing.

Avoid rain boots with drawstring collars: they cut off circulation and dig into the skin. Drawstrings don’t even keep rain out of the boots nearly as well as a good pair of rain pants.

 

Rain Boot Lining and Insole

Many rain boots have a thin liner on the inside.  The liner makes the rain boot harder to clean and take longer to dry, but it also makes it more comfortable to wear.  Cheap rain boots often just glue the liner place.  These liners will start to peel away from the boot and make them uncomfortable to wear.  Better quality rain boots sew the liner in place or even have a sewn collar around the upper edge.

Most rain boots come with an insole. They are usually cheap and provide almost no insulation.  If you want to use the rain boots as winter boots for your kids, you’ll need to buy a better insole.

 

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Image credits:

“Grandson’s Fun In The Puddles.” (CC BY 2.0) by audreyjm529