Ladies Waterproof & Water Resistant Boots and Shoes
An Irish winter needs footwear that copes with the weather, and everything in this collection has a membrane built in to keep the wet out. Each style is labelled as either waterproof or water resistant, so you know exactly what you're getting. For proper rain and puddles, there are Ara Gore-Tex ankle boots, waterproof twin-zip boots and loafers from G-Comfort, and Merrell Gore-Tex walking shoes. For everyday showers and wet pavements, there are water resistant ankle and knee boots from Rieker and Jana, and velcro-strap shoes from Softmode. Shop with us in Skerries, Co. Dublin, or online with free delivery on orders over €69 and free returns within 30 days.
What's the difference between waterproof and water resistant?
A waterproof shoe or boot has a membrane, such as Gore-Tex, that forms a sealed lining around the whole foot, underneath included, so you can walk through puddles and wet grass and stay dry. A water resistant style, such as one with a RiekerTEX or Soft-Tex membrane, keeps out showers and splashes from a wet pavement, but it isn't built for standing water. Both stop working once water comes in over the top, so a waterproof ankle boot won't save you in a deep puddle. We only call a style waterproof when its maker does, and the product details on every style say which it is.
Which brands make waterproof boots and shoes?
Ara use Gore-Tex in their winter ankle boots and slip-ons, and Merrell use it in their hiking shoes. G-Comfort build a waterproof TEX membrane into almost all of their boots and shoes, often with twin zips and a warm lining. Josef Seibel use their Topdrytex membrane in warm-lined boots, and Caprice, Waldlaufer and Skechers each have waterproof styles as well. Rieker, Remonte, Jana and Softmode make water resistant styles, which are lighter and suit everyday wear in town.
Will my feet get hot in waterproof shoes?
Much less than you'd expect. The membranes in this collection are breathable as well as waterproof or water resistant: they're made to let warmth and moisture from your foot escape while keeping rain out. A fleece or warm lining makes the bigger difference to how warm a boot feels, so if you run warm, a water resistant shoe without a lining is the cooler choice.
Do suede boots with a membrane still need protecting?
Yes. The membrane keeps your foot dry, but it sits inside the boot, so the suede or nubuck outside can still darken and mark in the rain. Spray it with a protector before the first wear and again every so often through the winter, and let wet boots dry naturally, away from a radiator. Our shoe care guide has more detail, and the sprays we use ourselves are in our shoe care section.
Do you have waterproof shoes in wider fittings?
Plenty. The Jana, Waldlaufer and several Rieker styles are made on an H fitting, the wide fitting, and Softmode use the UK EE and the extra-wide EEE. G-Comfort don't mark a width fitting, but in our experience their styles fit at least as wide as an H. Sizing itself depends on the brand, and the sizing note on the individual product is the one to go by. If you'll wear thicker socks with winter boots, try them on with those socks, indoors on carpet first. Our wide fit footwear (H & EE) section has everything we stock in H and EE.
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