Best Products Style Shoes The 12 Best Duck Boots for Men and Women of 2023 We love the Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots and the Original L.L.Bean Duck Boots. By Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle Instagram Website Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in travel, food and drink, sustainability, and general lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, Texas Highways, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying Duck Boots FAQ Why Trust T + L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. LL Bean / Sperry Whether you live in a traditionally rainy or snowy climate, or you just want to be prepared, duck boots are a great accessory to have on hand. Made with a rubber, waterproof bottom, this design is fantastic for rain, snow, mud, and unfavorable weather in general. The upper portions of duck boots can be made from a variety of materials, including leather, canvas, or suede. The boots usually hit anywhere from right above the ankle to mid-shin, depending on the brand and style. We’ve rounded up the best duck boots for men and women based on a variety of attributes. We love Sperry’s Saltwater Duck Boots for women, as they’re a classic choice made with durable, waterproof rubber bottoms and a water-resistant leather top. For men, the Original L.L.Bean Boots are a guaranteed win, as they’ve been crafted in Maine the same way since 1912. They come with waterproof rubber bottoms and were designed to combat wet feet. However, if those don’t quite do it for you, we’ve selected several other pairs to inspire your next purchase. Here are the best duck boots for men and women: Our Top Picks Best Overall, Women: Sperry Duck Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall, Men: L.L.Bean Bean Boots at Zappos Jump to Review Best for Winter, Women: L.L. Bean Fleece-Lined Bean Boots at Zappos Jump to Review Best for Winter, Men: Ugg Duck Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Traction, Women: Sorel Duck Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Traction, Men: Huckberry Duck Boot at Huckberry Jump to Review Best Budget, Women: Skechers Duck Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget, Men: London Fog Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge, Women: Eddie Bauer Boot at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge, Men: L.L.Bean Bean Boots at Zappos Jump to Review Best Overall, Women Sperry Saltwater Duck Boot Macy's View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Lovethesales.com Why We Love It: The rubber shell combined with durable leather make for a classic duck boot that lives up to its reputation. What to Consider: The rawhide laces are not easy to tie, and are actually meant to be knotted. You can’t go wrong with the classic Saltwater duck boot from Sperry, as it’s made with a water-resistant rubber bottom and a leather upper to keep your feet warm, dry, and protected from the elements. It’s easy to quickly slide into these boots thanks to rawhide, barrel-tied laces that can be knotted to your liking, along with a zipper entry on the side. Rust-proof eyelets are another great perk, especially if you’ll be often wearing these boots through rain and snow. All standard sizes are available with lots of color options, too. Price at time of publish: $89 Sizes: 5-12 | Material: Rubber, leather | Weight per pair: 1 pound Best Overall, Men L.L.Bean Men's Bean Boots, 8" L.L. Bean View On Zappos View On Nordstrom View On L.L.Bean Why We Love It: Storied design meets comfort and a waterproof build in this pair. What to Consider: The heel wears down more than expected. Designed by Leon Leonwood Bean himself in 1912, the classic duck boot from L.L.Bean is a win, as the company claims you’ll only ever need to buy one pair. Still made in Maine to this day, the original duck boot is designed the same way it was more than 100 years ago: with waterproof, rubber bottoms and durable yet comfy full-grain leather. Expert craftspeople create a foot form that provides stability and comfort, and a steel shank adds support for the long run. Even the leather upper is waterproof so add thick socks to have dry, warm feet in a wide range of weather conditions. Price at time of publish: $149 Sizes: 7-14 | Material: Rubber, leather | Weight per pair: 1 pound, 5 ounces Best for Winter, Women L.L. Bean Women's Fleece-Lined PrimaLoft Front-Zip Bean Boots L.L. Bean View On Zappos View On Nordstrom View On L.L.Bean Why We Love It: Added fleece and insulation keep your feet warm during the coldest of days. What to Consider: Half sizes are not available in this boot. Made with 200 grams of Primaloft insulation and a soft fleece lining, these duck boots are a warm and cozy treat for your feet on a cold day. They have a front-zip design, making it easy to get them on and off. Waterproof leather and suede uppers and L.L.Bean’s rubber-chain tread bottoms both keep your feet dry and provide traction on slippery surfaces. L.L.Bean has made their boots in Maine for more than 100 years – a perk for those looking for U.S.-made products. Three neutral color combinations are available. Price at time of publish: $189 Sizes: 6-11 | Material: Leather, suede, fleece, rubber | Weight per pair: Not listed The 13 Most Comfortable Women's Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best for Winter, Men Ugg Emmett Duck Boot UGG View On Amazon View On Champssports.com View On Ugg.com Why We Love It: These boots will keep your feet warm and toasty even in the coldest of temperatures. What to Consider: They aren’t made for super heavy precipitation. Weather-rated to negative 32 degrees Celsius, these duck boots from UGG combine the performance of a sports shoe with the style and functionality of a hiking boot. The waterproof leather uppers are seam-sealed to keep water and snow off your feet, and the rubber outsole has lugs on the forefoot and heel that grip ice while improving traction on slippery surfaces. A support shank gives you extra stability across terrain changes, and the cushioned sole contains a specially designed tread to help prevent snow from getting caught underneath. Note: These duck boots are meant for light to moderate rain and light snow only. Price at time of publish: $130 Sizes: 7-14 | Material: Rubber, leather | Weight per pair: Not listed Best Traction, Women Sorel Out 'n About™ III Classic Duck Boot Sorel View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Sorel.com Why We Love It: Whether you’re out in the elements all day long, or simply wearing them for an extra bit of style, these boots deliver. What to Consider: These are made for rain and are not guaranteed to help in snowy situations. A bestseller from Sorel, these duck boots are waterproof and have a thick sole with extra traction to keep you from slipping in the rain. The uppers are full-grain, waterproof leather and suede with a waterproof canvas. The rubber shell is also waterproof, as are any suede and felt additions. Take them through a puddle, or even through a rainstorm, and you’ll be good to go. The outsole is molded to help with traction on wet surfaces, and multiple color options are available. Price at time of publish: $130 Sizes: 5-12 | Material: Rubber, leather, suede, canvas| Weight per pair: Not listed Best Traction, Men Huckberry Duck Boot Huckberry View On Huckberry Why We Love It: The size range from 4-15 is incredible. What to Consider: The boots run wide. Fully waterproof, these hybrid boots were made to transition from walking through town to hiking a trail. They’re made with a comfortable insole, shock-absorbing midsole, and full-grain leather uppers. The rubber bottoms have a tread design made to provide great traction in any element. Seriously, you can wear them anywhere, whether for a fashion statement or for some serious weather. They also come with the classic speed-hook lacing system, which helps you strap them on with ease and take them off fast. Two color options are available. Price at time of publish: $188 Sizes: 4-15 | Material: Rubber, leather, cotton, brass| Weight per pair: Not listed Best Budget, Women Skechers Women's Duck Rain Boot Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It: The waterproof bottoms paired with a cute plaid design is a win.What to Consider: They don’t have the best arch support. For a great beginner pair of duck boots, or for those looking to stick within a budget, these Skechers duck boots are a great buy. They have a waterproof rubber bottom, and an insole made from cushy memory foam. They come in the classic duck boot design, with a slightly raised toe. The upper is made from water-resistant wool and synthetic materials, and the boots lace up with ease. Two plaid patterns are available — red and black or white and black. Price at time of publish: $71 Sizes: 5-10 | Material: Rubber, wool | Weight per pair: 1 pound Best Budget, Men London Fog Ashford Boot Amazon View On Amazon View On Kohls.com Why We Love It: The simple duck boot design paired with waterproof construction makes for a great starter pair of duck boots. What to Consider: The stitching isn’t as top-notch as competitor brands. If you’re looking for duck boots without breaking the bank, this pair from London Fog is a solid starter option. They’re also great in case you’re wanting to try this style for the first time before fully investing. These duck boots will help keep your feet warm and dry during cold and wet days, as they’re waterproof and insulated with 200 grams of Thinsulate. Several shades of brown are available from chocolate to cognac. Price at time of publish: $90 Sizes: 9-13 | Material: Rubber, leather, fabric | Weight per pair: Not listed Best Splurge, Women Eddie Bauer Women's Hunt 8" Pac Boot Eddie Bauer View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Eddiebauer.com Why We Love It: We’re all about the yellow laces that make this pair of duck boots pop, but we also love the added insulation for colder months. What to Consider: Shoppers with wider feet should skip these. A classic duck boot with a bit of an edgy style, these duck boots were first made by Eddie Bauer in the 1950s and are now updated with modern technologies. The uppers are made of waterproof, full-grain leather, and the vulcanized rubber shell bottoms keep your feet dry through rain, mud, and snow. ThermaFill insulation adds extra warmth for colder months, and the seam-sealed design means no moisture will seep in through the bottom either. The gusseted tongue also helps keep the elements at bay, and the sole design helps with traction. Price at time of publish: $170 Sizes: 6-11 | Material: Rubber, leather, polyester | Weight: Not listed The 12 Best Snow Boots of 2023 Best Splurge, Men L.L.Bean Men's 8" Gore-tex/Thinsulate Bean Boots L.L.Bean View On Zappos View On Nordstrom View On L.L.Bean Why We Love It: They have everything you love about the original L.L.Bean duck boot, with added Gore-tex and Thinsulate technology. What to Consider: They tend to run very narrow. These are essentially L.L.Bean’s original duck boots, but with added Gore-tex lining and Thinsulate insulation. The Gore-tex lining is waterproof, breathable, and keeps your feet dry in wet weather, while the Thinsulate insulation adds cozy warmth for extremely cold days. Full-grain leather uppers provide comfort and durability, while a uniquely designed footform adds stability. This pair also has a steel shank in each boot to add support, and all pairs are sewn in Maine by skilled craftspeople. Price at time of publish: $209 Sizes: 7-14 | Material: Rubber, leather, polyester | Weight per pair: 1 pound, 5 ounces Best Slip On, Women Lands' End Women's Insulated Flannel Lined Chelsea Boot Lands' End View On Landsend.com Why We Love It: The slip-resistant, grippy outsole and easy pull tabs are two additions we adore.What to Consider: These aren’t ideal for larger legs. Very similar to the men’s version of these boots, the Chelsea boot for women is equipped with front and back pull tabs and elastic gores to allow for an easy-on, fitted design that won’t slip off. This pair also has a comfy flannel lining, plus Thermolite insulation, for cold, wet days. Rubber outsoles provide excellent traction as well and help you keep your footing while traversing wet surfaces. Price at time of publish: $110 Sizes: 6-11 | Material: Leather, rubber | Weight: Not listed The 12 Best Travel Umbrellas of 2023 Best Slip On, Men Lands' End Men's Insulated Flannel Lined Chelsea Duck Boots Lands' End View On Amazon View On Landsend.com Why We Love It: The front and back pull tabs make it easy to slide these boots on and off. What to Consider: They likely won’t last forever. Meant for fall, winter, and spring, Land’s End’s Chelsea duck boot is built with a leather upper and a classic, waterproof rubber shell bottom that makes for a great duck boot. What’s different about these boots, though, is that there are no laces to worry about. Simply hold the front and back pull tabs to easily slip these boots onto your feet and quickly move on with your day. The outsoles have grippy bottoms and edges to help with traction, and there’s a flannel lining combined with Thermolite insulation that provides added comfort and warmth inside. Price at time of publish: $120 Sizes: 8-13 | Material: Leather, rubber | Weight: Not listed Tips for Buying Duck Boots Choose comfort over style Yes, there are duck boots out there that surely make a fashion statement (and some cheaper yet chic options as well), but definitely choose based on comfort rather than style. You’ll want a pair that is waterproof, or at least water-resistant, and that will keep your feet warm and dry through the rain and other bad weather. Consider your activities Are you going to be wearing your duck boots for hiking? Or will you be wearing them multiple days in a row on an alpine excursion? However you’re going to use them, consider your activities and surroundings. For example, if you’re going to be trekking through snow, buy a pair that will not only keep your feet dry, but toasty warm, too. Think about the weather Maybe you live in a snowy climate and need a great pair of duck boots to help you through long winters. Or maybe you live in a place where it rains all the time, so you’re in the market for a reliable pair that will keep your feet dry. Consider the weather your duck boots are going to be in, and plan accordingly. In these cases, you’ll want a pair that’s fully waterproof for rain and snow, and you might even want some added features like insulation or Gore-tex technology. Frequently Asked Questions What are duck boots? Duck boots feature a rubber sole and an upper made from either leather, wool, canvas, or other durable materials. Typically, duck boots are meant to keep your feet warm and dry, and they’re a practical shoe most shoppers find useful in their collections. Are duck boots good in the snow? Duck boots can often be worn in the snow, but you’ll want to find a pair that’s insulated for added warmth. You’ll also want to look for a pair with great traction on the soles to help you from slipping on slick spots. How do I style duck boots? There’s no right or wrong way to style duck boots. They’re great paired with jeans or leggings on the bottom and a winter coat, light jacket, or a raincoat up top. Add a thick pair of socks and an oversized sweater or T-shirt and you’re good to go. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, Travel + Leisure contributor Amanda Ogle used research and her personal expertise as a travel writer to craft the perfect list of duck boots for your next adventure. The 12 Best Travel Shoes With Arch Support of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit