“It’s raining, it’s pouring…” And we want sustainable rain boots that aren’t boring.
Instead, we want durable rain boots that hold up in the toughest conditions while still being made under the strictest sustainable guidelines.
Naturally, we waded through our favorite ethical shoe brands, those that know recycled materials, responsible sourcing, water conservation, and waste reduction are key to planet-friendly puddle jumping.
Additionally, we’re introducing our new Brand Rating System to evaluate brands based on 22 criteria, from product performance to climate action. For more details on what you can expect to see as we refresh this article and others, see our explainer here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Make A Sustainable Splish-Splash In The Best Eco-Friendly Rain Boots
Merry People’s collection of 100% natural rubber gumboots will keep your feet comfortable, cute, and cruelty-free—down to the vegan glue.
Another brand specializing in pure natural rubber rain boots, a romp with ROMA also means you’re helping provide free boots to children in need.
Native Shoes turns algae into lightweight lace-ups ready for all-weather adventures. We’ve worn them all day long and stayed comfortably warm, and dry.
Index: Ethical & Eco-Friendly Rain Boots
- Matt & Nat Jump to brand
- Merry People Jump to brand
- Native Shoes Jump to brand
- ROMA Jump to brand
- Thesus Jump to brand
- Aigle Jump to brand
- Will’s Vegan Store Jump to brand
- Icebug Jump to brand
- Kamik Jump to brand
Matt & Nat
About Matt & Natt
Price Range: $85–$175
Matt & Nat wants to help you “live beautifully”.
And if you’re voting with your dollar from one of their sustainable wallets, be sure to check out their ankle and knee-high boots.
We love the vegan rain Chelsea boot, Denver, featuring a timeless design that will protect your feet from the fickle whims of fast fashion just as much as its recycled plastic body will protect them from the rain.
Matt & Natt’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Our favorite are their natural rubber rain boots, but most of Matt & Nat’s line consists of recycled plastic rain boots—specifically recycled PVC, which is otherwise one of the hardest types of plastic to recycle.
Logos are made from recycled shoe insoles.
Supply chain & labor practices:
All boots are made in Romania, in a factory that is (like all M&N factories) audited biannually and personally visited by the CEO at least twice a year.
Their entire operation is a “cruelty-free zone,” and they do not tolerate child labor or unfair wages.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
While all their PVC is recycled, they’re working on phasing out PVC altogether by switching to PVB (polyvinyl butyral) made from 100% recycled windshield glass resin.
Community & charitable giving:
Matt & Nat currently sell the HOPE charity bag, from which 100% of the post-tax purchase price (not just profit) goes toward animal rights, environmental, or humanitarian causes.
Merry People
About Merry People
Price Range: $130
Australia-based Merry People makes gumboots that look cool enough to wear anywhere.
They have a few styles available, like the Bobbie Ankle Rain Boots.
These sustainable wellies are not only waterproof, but insulated enough to take on below-freezing temperatures.
Merry People’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The boots have a 100% waterproof natural rubber outer, insulating neoprene lining, and durable soles with removable innersoles to allow for orthotics.
They’re totally free of animal byproducts—even the glue is vegan.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The boots are manufactured in a family-run factory in China.
They work to ensure that everything is produced under safe, legal, fair, and humane working conditions, though we’ll be touching base for specifics on how.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Merry People carefully monitors its sales to ensure it doesn’t overproduce, thus minimizing waste.
All boots come with a 12-month warranty.
Native Shoes
About Native Shoes
Price Range: $100
You’d be hard-pressed to find a lighter pair of sustainable waterproof boots than those from Native Shoes—in weight and impact.
The Fitzsimmons Citylite Bloom are vegan, minimalist rain boots that use next-level technology and futuristic fibers to keep feet dry.
Native Shoes’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Native Shoe’s Fitzsimmons Citylite Bloom contains algae-infused (collected from waterways where it otherwise chokes out natural flora and fauna) Bloom uppers and microfleece-lined neoprene booties to keep toes warm and dry.
They also have a grippy Bloom sole to enhance traction.
All of Native’s Shoes products are free of BPA, phthalates, formaldehyde, and formamide. They’re also REACH, Prop 65, and CPSIA-compliant.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Native Shoes are produced in China and Vietnam in ethical factories that prohibit forced labor, monitor work hours, and regulate wages.
They personally and regularly visit the factories to ensure conditions are maintained.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Thanks to The Remix Project, old Native Shoes can be sent back to be responsibly recycled.
Your old rain boots might become playground flooring, seating, or insulation.
Or they might be distributed to charitable partners across the globe to support good causes.
Community & charitable giving:
Given the brand’s name and the fact that its HQ is on lands stolen from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, they work with Indigenous consultants and organizations to support reconciliation activities.
My Personal Review of Native |Shoes’ Fitzsimmons Citylite Bloom:
“I am so happy to say goodbye to stifling, stiff rubber in favor of the light and comfortable foam-like construction of these lace-up ankle boots. My favorite part is that they blend fun, color-popping aesthetics with performance needs—down to the laces, which make these boots fit more snuggly than slip-on wellies—making them a versatile choice for both rural and urban adventures alike. I also find my feet don’t get nearly as sweaty in them as in rubber boots but I don’t think that means they aren’t plenty warm. The neoprene sock liner insulates the feet, and I especially love the added padding around the heel and ankle, which provides super comfortable, blister-free cushion for all-day wear.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
ROMA
About ROMA
Price Range: $35–$99
ROMA is a “buy one, give one” boot company that blends fashion with philanthropy. For every pair of sustainable rubber rain boots sold, a pair is donated to a child in need.
The Romanian founder got the idea for the company after seeing children mostly roaming the streets sans footwear.
The name “Amor,” spelled backward, refers to gypsy people and love (ROMA’s primary motivation).
They have a few different styles for men and women, like Chelsea Boots, which are made from rubber with a quick-drying cotton lining.
ROMA’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
All boots are made of natural rubber with a quick-dry cotton lining and a three-layer insole.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The natural rubber is sourced from China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ROMA’s manufacturing partners are nearby in China, adhering to strict labor conditions per the brand’s Supply Chain Policy, which bans child/forced labor and provides legal minimum wages.
The factories are regularly visited by ROMA staff.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
ROMA works with its manufacturing partners to encourage recycling and reuse.
Community & charitable giving:
Designed to “give poverty the boot,” the ROMA Foundation has provided more than 100,000 boots to children in 27 countries.
Thesus
About Thesus
Price Range: $225
Canadian-based brand Thesus is on a mission to prove its thesis that positive change happens when even simple ideas are given wings.
They offer three kinds of ankle-height sustainable waterproof boots: the Weekend Boot, Modern Winter Boot, and, if you prefer slip-ons, the Anyday.
Rain boots ideally keep our feet dry from all moisture—perspiration included, which is why the Anyday 100% recycled rubber rain boots feature a sweat-wicking lining made from recycled nylon.
Thesus’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Thesus crafts good quality vegan rain boots from materials like recycled synthetic wool, recycled rubber, recycled plastic, and recycled nylon.
Their sustainable boots also include vegan water-based glues.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Thesus works closely with its partners across Portugal to ensure a sense of community and the highest quality standards are met.
100% of the Thesus staff and direct manufacturers are paid living wages, and 75% of their suppliers follow suit.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Thesus aims to become Climate Neutral and eventually Climate Positive.
So far, each pair of Anyday Boots redirects 1.4 kg of waste from oceans and landfills, reducing carbon emissions by around 25 kg.
Inclusivity:
Thesus is proudly BIPOC woman-owned and women-led. They are dedicated to the best practices for hiring, growth, and diversity.
Aigle
About Aigle
Price Range: $18–$434
Since 1853, French brand Aigle has been outfitting people for inclement weather.
Following a 60-step production process, the company’s 200 master rubber craftsmen hand-make boots for men, women, and kids in every shape and size—including ankle, mid-calf, and knee-high styles.
The Wellington Boots are made from highly durable rubber with a neoprene lining for additional insulation.
Aigle’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
2 kg of natural, organic rubber goes into every pair of sustainable wellington boots, often blended with 30–35% recycled rubber.
Some boots feature an additional polyester, Neoprene, or polyamide lining.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Most of the production occurs in France, but they also work with manufacturing partners in China and elsewhere.
As a purpose-driven company, all suppliers adhere to the ICS charter, which ensures fair working conditions, no forced or child labor, and fair pay.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
In addition to numerous specific goals tracked with performance indicators in their annual sustainability report, they’re in the process of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 46% over the next decade and reducing VOC emissions during manufacturing.
Their second-hand platform (Second Souffle) allows French customers to recycle clothes and boots to receive Aigle vouchers.
On their website, you buy boots with “slight defects” at a lower price to reduce waste.
Inclusivity:
Aigle is working to promote gender equality and diversity further within the company.
Community & charitable giving:
They support GoodPlanet for their reforestation projects, League for the Protection of Birds for their work to protect eagles, and Merci Raymond for creating green urban areas.
Will’s Vegan Store
About Will’s Vegan Store
Price Range: £102–£154
Are you looking for sustainable rain boots in the UK?
London-based and PETA-approved Will’s Vegan Store has won several awards for its animal and planet-friendly approach to footwear.
While not precisely labeled as “rain boots”, you’ll see the word “waterproof” a lot when scrolling through the impressive range.
The WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots are a favorite, as the scuff-resistant coating is perfect for any weather and all-terrain.
Will’s Vegan Store’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Most footwear is made with Italian bio-based vegan leather produced from cereal crops, and while it does contain 31% polyurethane, it’s free of PVC and PFCs.
The insoles are made from recycled polyurethane, the outsoles from recycled rubber or recycled TR, and the laces, insole boards, and labels from recycled polyester.
Supply chain & labor practices:
This vegan shoe brand’s supply chain partners in Italy and Portugal adhere to strict EU employment laws.
Employment benefits include fair and equal pay, maternity and parental leave, and support for victims of workplace discrimination.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Their vegan leather is made via a carbon-neutral process.
At the end of their life, all boots may be returned to be responsibly recycled into new WVS outsoles and uppers.
They use plastic-free packaging and are certified climate-neutral.
Icebug
About Icebug
Price Range: $130–$280
Icebug crafts some of the best eco-friendly rain boots on our list.
Especially if you want them to double a sustainable hiking boots for when your wilderness walks get a little wet—or icy, in the case of their traction studded models.
The Swedish brand has an eye for detail, with several pairs ready for the outdoors, like the waterproof Rover 2, with a GORE-TEX waterproof lining, 100% recycled upper, and protective TPU mudguard.
Its BOA lace system makes taking these shoes on and off as slick as the accented black appearance looks.
Icebug’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Icebug uses a range of materials in its ethical rain boots, including RWS-Certified wool, LWG-Certified leather, recycled plastics, polyester, BLOOM® foam, and FSC-Certified natural rubber.
Some models also contain GORE-TEX linings, which are bluesign®-approved and OEKO-TEX-certified.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Icebug’s non-toxic rain boots are manufactured in Vietnam. The Certified B Corp regularly audits its facilities and is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.
Through the Follow Our Foot Footprints initiative, customers can trace any pair of shoes through a QR code in the tongue or shoebox.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Icebug was the first footwear brand to become climate-positive by offsetting 200% of its emissions.
They have other ambitious goals, like halving emissions by 2030 and reducing to 6 kg of CO2 per pair produced.
Icebug also makes it easy to see the impact of each pair of shoes, publishing the carbon footprint and materials of each pair online.
Community & charitable giving:
As a member of 1% for the Planet, Icebug donates a portion of its revenue to organizations like Protect Our Winters and Naturavet.
Kamik
About Kamik
Price Range: $54–$99
Canadian company Kamik creates shoes that are tough enough for the great outdoors—while also helping to preserve them.
The family-owned and operated company has been doing that since 1898, so every pair of sustainable rain boots for men, women, kids, and toddlers brings 120+ years of history.
High-top, low-top, slip-on, and lace-up are just a few of the many styles they have available. We love the look of the Heidi 2 in green with its durable, 100% waterproof, phthalate-free exterior.
Kamik’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
100% recyclable synthetic rubber is their principal material for uppers and outsoles and is found in the upper of many of their boots.
It’s free of PVC and phthalates, too.
Some boots feature recycled rubber instead, and in the case of their insulated winter boots, linings made from recycled plastic.
The insoles are made from EVA, which is made from 100% recycled materials in some models.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Most Kamik shoes are made in North America, but they do have manufacturing partners elsewhere.
In 2023, 70% of Kamik’s products were made in North America using Canadian and imported materials.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Some might say sustainability is their sole purpose, which is why Kamik utilizes innovative technology (removable liners, etc.) to keep shoes and boots in use for longer.
Smarter technology also allows old Kamik boots to be sent back to be transformed into something new.
They recycle 90% of the water used in production.
Community & charitable giving:
Kamik Club has created the #FreeYourPlay movement, which invites parents and encourages kids to discover an ‘offline-no-agenda creative balance’ through outdoor activities.
