Heel spurs, “a growth of bone on the bottom of your heel,” per Dr. Rushton, grow in the contour of your feet. “If your foot doesn’t have adequate padding beneath it, as you roll forward, you’re more likely to pinch between the bottom of the foot and the ground,” Dr. Rushton says. A cushioned heel and anatomical arch support will help promote healthy foot alignment, so the entire foot will absorb the impact of every step rather than just the heel. When shopping for the best rain boots for women, there are many important factors to consider, like the difference between waterproof and water-resistant rain boots. The main difference between the two terms is that waterproof materials are unaffected by water, whereas water-resistant materials resist moisture to a certain degree.

Hiker-Style Rain Boots: If you’re not into the traditional rain boot look, waterproof hiking-inspired boots are a perfect option. They offer the look of trail-ready pairs, complete with features like D-ring eyelets, in slightly sleeker constructions that fit right into current street style trends. We love the Arctic Sport for their heavy insulation, extra-tall shaft, and secure-feeling weight, but they're also quite uncomfortable when you're just strolling around town on a warm fall day. Our feet began to sweat immediately when we wore them in temperatures above 40 degrees. While the tighter shaft keeps the warm air in, you'll have to reach down to put them on and take them off. For a more comfortable boot that's easy to pull on and off, take a look at the Bogs Classic Ultra High. The Arctic Sport boots are for you if you are out in truly inclement weather. If you are not, consider a more casual boot. These boots performed highly in every test we threw at them, and we're confident they'll keep you dry and happy Dr. Mark Mendeszoonis a podiatrist and the owner of Achilles Running Shop in Pennsylvania. He specializes in trauma, sports medicine, diabetic foot and ankle conditions and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery. Foot Volume: How much foot material do you have? This is determined by your bone structure and the height of your foot — do you have a high-volume foot or a low-volume foot? This is more of an informal spectrum — footwear shops don't have a way to easily measure this, but it's a good variable to keep in mind. If you often get heel blisters (like our testers do), chances are you have low-volume feet. And if you often have trouble fitting into shoes, you probably have wider, higher-volume feet.You should also choose a rain boot depending on your foot type or any conditions you suffer from. Experts suggests the following types of rain boots for women: While I’ll admit that some of the brand’s styles can look a bit orthopedic, this sleek, lightweight boot isn’t one of them. Its roomy shaft and moderate hemline make for a cute, relaxed look when paired with jeans or leggings. Dr. Miguel Cunha is the founder and leading podiatrist of Gotham Footcare in New York City. He is a trained foot and ankle surgeon with experience in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery as well as treating more minor foot problems. Best Mid-Calf Rain Boots for Women Norty Hurricane Wellie Best Overall Mid-Calf Rain Boots for Women

Mike Rushton, DPM, is the co-founder and medical director of Forward Motion Orthotics in St. George, Utah. He has 13 years in private practice specializing in conservative care and orthotic therapy. He also is a national tri-athlete competitor and recently qualified for the Ironman Kona event and finished respectively in 2012. The boots with the lowest scores did not keep our feet warm at all and almost instantly cooled our feet to discomfort. Those models were the Hunter and XTRATUF Legacy 15" boots, both of which feature thin rubber and no insulation. Their low scores in this category are not disqualifying, though — poor insulation makes them strong candidates for use in reliably warm and wet weather. On the other side of the spectrum, the Arctic Sport is the reigning champion and lasted 20 minutes in the ice test. The Bogs Workman came in second and kept our feet warm enough until 18 minutes into the ice bath. The Kamik Forester was another standout for warmth. Plantar fasciitis, a common inflammatory foot condition resulting in stabbing pain in the bottom of one or both feet, can result from wearing the wrong shoes. However, those who suffer from the condition need to select footwear carefully, says Mike Rushton, DPM, co-founder and medical director of Forward Motion Orthotics in St. George, Utah. He suggests looking for a neutral supportive shoe, which will depend on your foot type. Those with tight, stiff feet, will benefit from shoes with excellent structure and cushioning, but not that are “so soft you’re not finding the ground,” Dr. Rushton says. Anyone with flexible feet should focus on stability in the form of arch support, which will help increase the arch for those with flat feet and encourage high arches to drop to a more neutral position. Dr. Rushton explains that there are two primary ways that diabetes affects feet. One is neuropathy, in which people experience anything from “odd sensations in the feet, all the way to no sensation in the feet,” or burning, stinging, or cold sensations. The other is “losing protective threshold,” Dr. Rushton says, which could result in an identified injury, eventually manifesting into more severe damage. Dr. Rushton suggests wide-fitting diabetic shoes with “plenty of depth,” so rubbing and chafing that can lead to greater sores and injuries will be avoided. Wide toe boxes and soft shoe interiors and linings are also essential.If you suffer from ankle pain or weakness, ankle support should be a top priority. “High-top shoes are great for additional structure and support to prevent ankle injury,” says Dr. Dan Geller, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and advisor for Kane Footwear. “Running shoes may not always be the best for folks with weak ankles as some can actually roll you out.” Those who suffer from ankle pain or injuries should always consult a doctor first but generally, look for “a stable wide platform and deep heel cup to stabilize the foot and ankle better.” It may be tempting to skimp when it comes to rain boots because you figure that you won’t wear them often. However, “you’ll wear them more than you realize” assures Tomasi Hill. “A good pair of wellies last forever.” She recommends investing in quality and, to keep things fresh, looking for details that add a little more style than your average pair, like a great color or interesting sole. Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud updated this article. She has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. Along with writing about beauty, she also frequently covers fashion, wellness, and lifestyle topics.