Indian monsoons don’t believe in gentle reminders. One moment it’s overcast and poetic, the next you’re knee-deep in brown water, wondering why your waterproof confidence came from a pair of mesh Nikes. This season doesn’t care how cool your sneakers are. It cares about grip. It cares about drainage. It cares about whether your shoes can survive a pothole splash at 60 kmph. And if they can’t, maybe it’s time to upgrade.
9 different types of boots that actually show up for you when it pours. They’ll keep your feet dry, your style intact, and your dignity firmly out of the puddles.
Wellington Boots
Our Pick: Kenzo x Hunter Original Tall Boots
Call them wellies, gumboots, or rain gods—they’re the OG monsoon shoe. Waterproof to the top, built to handle ankle-deep water like it’s no big deal, and weirdly satisfying to walk in.
Get the ones with breathable linings and thick treads, so your foot doesn’t feel like it's in a sauna. Matte black or deep olive makes them city-appropriate. Just don’t wear them with a kurta unless you want to look like a confused fisherman.
Duck Boots
Our Pick: Nike Woodside 2
The Birkin bag of monsoon boots—functional, iconic, slightly preppy. These have a rubber base and a full-grain leather or canvas upper, which means your socks stay dry even if your rickshaw doesn’t.
Full-grain leather isn’t just a flex, it’s essential. It’s the most durable part of the hide and can be waterproofed like a pro. Genuine leather, on the other hand, is the soggy toast of the boot world.
Duck boots work with jeans, cargos, or even shorts if you’ve got the attitude for it.
Ankle Rubber Chelseas
Our Pick: Dr. Martens Vegan Chelsea Rain Boot
Same silhouette as your go-to Chelsea boots, but made of rubber and rainproof ambition. Easy to slip on, hard to kill. Ideal for city commutes, scooter rides, and last-minute errands when it’s already pouring.
Just one thing: Rubber doesn’t stretch. So size up. Or enjoy wet socks and blisters like a rookie.
Combat Worker Boots
Our Pick: Sacai Worker Boot
These are not your regular knock-offs. Real combat boots were designed for jungle warfare. That means they’re breathable, quick-drying, reinforced, and have drainage holes. Actual holes. For water. Because that's how wet it's going to get.
Whether you’re commuting through pothole hell or trekking through a flooded hillside, these boots will outlast your will to commute. Plus, they age beautifully if made with canvas and full-grain leather.
Waterproof Leather Boots
Our Pick: ECCO Grainer Waterproof Boots
You heard “leather” and panicked. But this is full-grain, oiled or waxed, and backed with a waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex. These are the grown-up boots you wear to meetings when it’s pouring but you still need to look like you give a damn.
They’re discreet, durable, and just polished enough to make your chinos feel smug. Skip suede and anything that says “genuine leather.” That’s code for: will crumble by Independence Day.
Deck Boots
Our Pick: Xtratuf Performance Deck Boots
Made for actual boats, which is helpful when your street turns into a stream. Deck boots are grippy, rubberised, and lined for comfort. They usually hit at the ankle, which makes them more wearable than full-on gumboots, but just as functional.
Think of them as monsoon Crocs for people with taste. Works best with cargo pants, rolled denim, or techwear fits.
Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Our Pick: Columbia Omni-Heat Hiking & Trekking Boots
They were built to handle Himalayan downpours and landslides, so your local train station doesn’t even count as a threat. Hiking boots with Gore-Tex lining keep your feet bone-dry, offer insane traction, and give your ankles the kind of support usually reserved for professional climbers.
Buy them if you walk a lot. Or if you just like looking like a survivalist on a coffee run.
Motorcycle Touring Boots
Our Pick: Royal Enfield Kargil Boots
If you’ve ever ridden a bike in Mumbai rain, you know the trauma. Wet jeans, water pooling inside your shoes, and tyres slipping on zebra crossings. Touring boots are your escape plan.
Reinforced toes, shin protection, and waterproofing make them perfect for the wettest commutes. Ideally, get something with full-grain leather and a breathable lining. Velcro closures make it quicker to yank them off when you’re finally dry.
Platform Rain Boots
Our Pick: Onitsuka Tiger Round-Toe Lace-Ups
These are for when the puddles get personal. A few extra inches can save your socks, and your mood. Platform rain boots are waterproof, grippy, and built for splash-dodging.
They’re not flashy, but they work. Think of them as insurance with style. Just steer clear of cheap EVA versions that turn into slip hazards after two weeks.
