From your kid’s perspective, a rainy fall day might be the ultimate fun-filled adventure day. What’s more fun than stomping around in puddles and making mud pies? From a parent’s perspective, however, a rainy autumn play date can bring up all kinds of concerns. Is your child staying dry enough? Are they going to be warm enough? And just how much mud are they going to track into the house with them…?
Luckily, the right rain gear for autumn can allow your little ones to play more while you worry less. You might even want to grab your best raincoat and stomp around in a few puddles with them. So read on to learn about the best kid’s rain boots for fall.
Neoprene, the insulating material that wetsuits are also made from, has taken over the kid’s rain boot scene in recent years. Most of these rain boot styles still have a hard rubber sole and rubber boot covering at least the area around the ankle. The neoprene is typically layered from there and usually comes out over the top of the rubber part of the boot. Likewise, this style usually comes equipped with stitched and reinforced neoprene handles or straps for extra ease when taking the boots on or off.
Neoprene rain boots also allow for extra comfort and flexibility, making them a great choice for a rainy or snowy playdate. The neoprene also adds an extra layer of warm insulation for your kids feet and ankles so that they can also easily tuck in their pants or leggings.
If you live in a particularly cold climate, you may have already considered that your child may need extra insulated kid’s rain boots for fall and winter. Most insulated rainboots for children come with a fleece or wool inner layer to keep your kid’s feet nice and warm while the waterproof exterior keeps them dry.
Well-fitting insulated rain boots can also help prevent blisters, slips, and falls. Wool is a great insulator and is the perfect material for lining rain boots and snow boots because it maintains its warm, insulating abilities even when wet. Keep your kid’s feet and toes extra safe and warm by pairing these rainy day boots with a pair of insulating but breathable merino wool socks.
The best rain boots for kids are going to have some version of looped pull-on straps. These are a necessary feature in rain boots for kids, especially for the classic-style rain boots which are about calf-high. This height is great for keeping splashes of rain water and mud out of your boots, but it can also make it difficult for little ones to get on and off, so make sure their rain boots come with pull-on straps.
In addition to having the handy loops, the classic rainboot style is also the easiest to clean after playtime. Simply rinse these hard-soled rubber boots off with the hose, and they’re as good as new. Make sure the little adventurers stay warm and dry everywhere by layering them up with rain pants and a good kid’s rain jacket as well.
Nothing will ruin a fun outdoor playdate faster than freezing cold slush making its way into your boots. Rain boots with a drawstring or cord top that cinches tight are a great style to consider for the little ones. This fun but practical feature will help keep all of the rain, muck, and mud on the outside of the boots, keeping your little one’s feet warm, dry, and clean.
Duck boots are a great choice for kids’ seasonal shoes, as they can take you seamlessly from the cool rainy fall weather right into the snowy winter season. This style typically offers a warm insulating inner layer in addition to a waterproof outer layer, without the bulk of a full rubber rain boot. Duck boots tend to be a number-one choice for colder climates for this reason.
Additionally, this is a rainboot style that typically has a design and appearance that is more similar to an everyday shoe. Your kids will also likely appreciate the extra freedom of movement that comes with a lower-cut boot. Duck boots are a wonderfully practical winter boot style that is also fashionable and wearable day-to-day.
No matter what type of climate you live in, or what the day-to-day weather there is like, there exists the perfect rainboot for you and your little ones to stay dry and warm this fall. Now get out there and romp around in some mud puddles!