Rocket Dog Rainy Black - Women's Review

The Rocket Dog Rainy is pretty simple, made with synthetic rubber and with a thin neoprene lining. There are metal eyelets for the laces, including D-rings at the ankle. The tongue is partially attached and also made of rubber. The high-top lace design is a fun alternative to the traditional solid rubber shaft, but style is higher than function in this rather basic for this pair.

Performance Comparison

Rain Protection

Even though the top of the shaft measures 6.5 inches from the ground, the rubber tongue is only partially attached. This means that the actual flood height is 4.25 inches. There isn't too much room for error if you find yourself near puddles or overflowing gutters in the street. Best for low-key rainy days, we definitely appreciate how the shaft's snug circumference (9.5 inches) keeps overspray from entering at the top of the boot.

Comfort

As noted above, the circumference of the opening may help keep overspray from entering — 9.5 inches isn't very wide. And, due to the nature of the rubber construction, there isn't much give — contrary to what having laces may imply. Even if you loosen the laces, the shaft isn't going to change or stretch very much. The footbed provides decent comfort, but it lacks arch support and isn't ideal for long walks. Fit, however, is more easily done with this model because the brand does offer a handful of half sizes. Nonetheless, we feel that the boot runs a bit small.

Traction

With a very small heel, there is still ample surface area for traction. There aren't any pronounced lugs, however, and the tread pattern is tight-knit and flat. We feel the Rocket Dog is best for flat surfaces that are non-technical, like common urban surfaces. While we could travel off-road in these (like flat dirt or gravel trails), we certainly don't expect them to perform well on varied, rugged terrain. We appreciate the relative softness of the outsole, which means greater friction over that of harder, less malleable outsoles.

Warmth

Ranking low for this metric is most likely a good thing. Since rubber isn't a breathable material, warmth is already inherent. During our creek wading test, we immediately felt the frigidness of the water, which means this model is best for moderate temperatures. Hot, sunny days will be too much, and snow will undoubtedly be too cold — this boot is meant for chilly but mild rainy seasons where added warmth isn't required.

Style

A strong suit for this pair, the style is fun, nostalgic, and maybe even a little edgy. The black and white midsole adds a pop to the boot's shape, reminiscent of the classic high-top Converse. Too, the black and white laces break up the molded rubber shaft. A pull tab and small heel are other design features.

Fit

The Rocket Dog Rainy comes in sizes 6 through 9.5 in half sizes and sizes 10 and 11. Our experience leads us to believe that they run a tad small, so sizing up a half size (if available) is recommended. The foot box is fairly roomy, particularly the width of the toe box. The laces allow for some play when it comes to how snug the top of the boot feels against your foot, but one aspect that is a bit unavoidable is how small the circumference of the shaft opening is, which might not accommodate everyone.

Value

Being so simply constructed with fairly low-key materials and offering very average performance results, the only thing that truly stands out about this boot is its style. If that's all you're going for, then the cost might make sense, as many fashion boots of this height run high. However, if you're shopping for something more practical and affordable, we would recommend looking elsewhere.

Conclusion

As laces become a more popular addition to rain boots, we do find the look of the Rocket Dog Rainy to be really appealing. The style is more versatile than a traditional boot but also not as convenient as a slip-on. Comfort, traction, and rain protection are all rather average but are, bottom line, adequate for most casual scenarios.