Stutterheim's Comfy, Waterproof Chelsea Boots Will Make You Look Forward to Rainy Days
SHOP $160, stutterheim.com
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Rain is a bummer, right? It rains when sad things happen to beautiful people in music videos, so it's got to be a bummer. But what if—and don't freak out, here—rain is not a bummer. What if rain is actually great, and we should all celebrate its arrival, especially considering the fact that it's, oh, you know, quite literally necessary for human survival? Nah? Still not into the rain? Well, maybe some good boots will change your mind.
Seriously, think about why the rain is a bummer, if you see it that way: You get wet. That's annoying. But if you're outfitted in the right gear—good jacket, maybe an umbrella, good boots—all the hassle falls away. And if those boots are comfortable and good-looking enough that you can wear them inside, away from the water falling from the sky...well, all the better. That's why you need a pair of Stutterheim's Chelsea Rainwalkers in your rotation.
They're made by experts.
If you know the name Stutterheim, it's likely because you've come across one of the Stockholm-based brand's raincoats. See, it rains a lot in Sweden, and Stutterheim's entire reason for being is dealing with that fact. The brand's collection is all about keeping the warmth in and the water out. Those coats—made of rubberized cotton and exceedingly minimalist—will easily keep you dry in a deluge. Well, your top half, at least. The Chelsea Rainwalkers exist to bring that same protection to your feet.
They're made with the right stuff.
Stutterheim is by no means the only brand out there making a rubber Chelsea boot. What sets the Rainwalkers apart, though, is what goes into them: natural rubber. These things are soft and pliable, right out of the box. It doesn't feel like your feet are being encased in plastic, like the sensation you get from some cheap galoshes. Honestly, it feels more like the snug embrace of a good pair of leather boots. And, like leather, the rubber will conform to the wearer's foot over time, making them more comfortable.
They look as good as they feel.
Now, unless you're a capital F "Fashion Guy," I'm not going to recommend wearing these with a suit in the office. But the Rainwalkers have a tough, utilitarian look to them that manages to lean a little bit more "fashion forward" and a little bit less "these are my rain boots, please stop looking at my feet." It might be the lugged sole, which gives 'em a little grit. Or maybe it's the toe cap, which provides a little extra durability but also just looks good. Or, perhaps, it's the fact that the soft rubber material gives the uppers a genuinely streamlined shape. Most likely, it's all those things combined. Whatever the reason, you'll find yourself looking forward to rainy days when you get to wear these boots again.
Prop styling by Miako Katoh.
Photography by Timothy Mulcare.
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