The best men's rain boots you can buy

Why you'll love them: The Servus Comfort Technology PVC Steel Work Boots are tough enough for use around chemicals, fuel, fertilizer, and more, so they can definitely handle rain.

These high-rise, steel-toed boots from Servus by Honeywell cost about twenty bucks per pair, but they are so durable and so completely impervious to fluids that they outperform rain boots that cost four or five times more.

The Servus Comfort Technology PVC Steel Work Boots were designed for use by people working with dangerous or at least generally unpleasant materials, such as chemicals, biologically hazardous waste, paints or solvents, and so forth. So when the substance in question is dihydrogen monoxide, also known as H2O or water, your feet will be quite safe in these boots. And dry.

Your pocketbook won't feel much lighter, either, because a pair of Servus Comfort Technology PVC Steel Work Boots costs less than $21.

Now, to be candid, these aren't great looking boots. In fact, they're not even good looking. They're big, black rubber boots with heavy treads and no styling to speak of. But enjoying reliably dry feet for a great price is always in style, right? The heavy treads are also rated as safe against electric shocks, so you'll have that going for you, too.

With more than 1,300 reviews posted on Amazon, these affordable boots have a solid 4.4-star rating. One owner says she is "totally pleased" with her Servus Comfort Technology boots, calling them "so comfortable for a rain boot." Another calls them "very tough" and ideal for use doing dirty work during a 12-hour shift.

A write up from Best Walking Shoe Reviews called the Servus Comfort Technology PVC Steel Work Boots "heavy duty boots" that "laugh in the face of rain."

Pros: Amazing low price, superlative waterproofing, steel toe protection

Cons: Not at all stylish

Buy a pair of Servus Comfort Technology PVC Steel Work Boots from Amazon for $23 to $35 (price varies depending on size)

Why you'll love them: The Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots combine the performance of a hiking boot with the waterproofing of a rain boot.

I own a lot of Columbia gear and apparel, from jackets to base layers to packs. If there's one thing I know I can always count on when it comes to Columbia, it's that their products will keep you warm and dry. When you're miles away from home in a downpour, knowing you can rely on your gear is priceless. Fortunately, the Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots aren't all that pricey, because these boots definitely belong in the closet of anyone who does long distance walks in wet, rainy environments.

Whether you take a morning stroll through the neighborhood or down a country lane, a backwoods hike, or anything in between in these boots, they will keep your feet dry and steady on uneven ground. The tread pattern on these boots is similar to what you'd find on a pair of hiking boots, but the tall rubber upper part is rain boot through and through.

Inside the Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots, you'll find a lightweight, cushioned midsole that absorbs plenty of impact and a warm liner rated for use in temperatures well below freezing. These boots might not have any place on a fashion show's runway, but out on wet fields, muddy trails, or very wet sidewalks, they'll be right at home.

One buyer called his Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots "very comfortable and warm," while another reports that his family "bought three pairs," resulting in "three very happy customers." And on Amazon, the boots have a commendable 4.7-star average rating.

Pros: Excellent traction, tall waterproof upper, well-insulated and warm

Cons: Not fashionable

Buy a pair or Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots from Columbia for $79.90 (originally $140)

Why you'll love them: The Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots will keep your feet dry even when it pours on your job site.

The Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots will keep your feet nice and dry when you're on the job. The full-grain leather upper is reliably waterproof and it rises high enough to protect against rain as well as several inches of standing water. These are pricey boots, to be sure, but they look great and perform even better, and they keep your feet warm, dry, and safe even in challenging conditions.

The boots have a steel toe box that keeps your toes and upper foot protected, a sweat-wicking mesh lining, a supportive and cushioned insole, and a durable outsole that gives you decent traction and offers plenty of protection against loose nails, shards of glass, broken concrete, and much more.

I own several pairs of Wolverine boots, so you can take it from me: You get what you pay for with this footwear. And I don't just mean that in terms of performance, but also in terms of style. If you chose to never wear these boots during a single day of work, instead reserving them for casual wear about town, you'd be readily forgiven. But truth be told, you'd be doing it wrong, because these boots were made for work.

One repeat Wolverine customer called these boots "so worth" the price, noting their "durable, comfortable design" and cool style. Another gentleman calls them some "of the most comfortable lace-ups [he has] ever owned."

A video reviewer with Everyday Footwear called the Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boot "a fantastic boot for any factory worker, foundry worker, brick layer," and so on, thanks to the excellent protection they offer.

Pros: Excellent protection against injury, great ankle support, rather stylish design

Cons: Quite expensive

Buy a pair of Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots from Wolverine for $160

Why you'll love them: The Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Ankle Boots don't look anything like what you'd picture when you think of rain boots, but they're rugged and waterproof.

A pair of Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Ankle Boots wouldn't look out of place beneath a pair of jeans, casual slacks, or work pants. They're subtly stylish and suitable for use in an office with a casual dress code, while you shop or recreate, or during evenings out with friends. They're also suitable for use when it's pouring because these good-looking boots are also waterproof.

The durable leather upper of the Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Ankle Boot provides excellent rain resistance, while the thick sole and multi-directional tread pattern offer you plenty of stability and support. As the shaft of the upper only rises five inches, you're going to get wet feet if you step in a deep puddle, but barring that, these boots will keep you looking good and staying dry even in heavy rains, or as you trod through slush or snow or stroll over dewy fields.

Most buyers on Amazon give these shoes either 4 or 5 stars, though some people complain about their longevity.

Pros: Stylish, leather construction, waterproof, not too expensive

Cons: Not made for deep puddles

Buy a pair of Rockport Rugged Bucks Waterproof Ankle Boots on Amazon for $66.75 - $202

The best men's rain jackets you can buy

With the right rain jacket, your outdoor activities need not be limited because of light rain or a torrential downpour, nor does your sense of style need to suffer in the name of practicality.

In our guide, you'll find rain jackets suited for everything from hiking in the sultry jungle to trekking through freezing mountain rains to strolling down Fifth Avenue in a cool September drizzle. We selected coats from across the price spectrum and in a variety of different styles, but all share one key characteristic: They will keep you dry.

• Best overall: Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Jacket
• Best for warmth: Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket
• Best affordable: Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket
• Best for visibility: Shower Pass Waterproof Club Pro Jacket
• Best for classic style: Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat
• Best for under $100: North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket
• Best for running: Columbia Sportswear OutDry Ex Caldorado Running Shell
• Best for travel: Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket

The best umbrellas you can buy

A rainy day can ruin your plans, your outfit, and your mood, but with a great umbrella in your hands, rain need not put a damper on the day.

You're sure to find an umbrella or two on our list that will help keep you dry during the next rainstorm. The only issue is whether or not you'll remember to keep one close by.

Here are the best umbrellas you can buy:

• Best umbrella overall: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
• Best umbrella for travel: Samsonite Windguard Auto Open Umbrella
• Best golf umbrella: G4Free Automatic Double Canopy Golf Umbrella
• Best heavy duty umbrella: BLUNT Metro Travel Umbrella
• Best ultra compact umbrella: LifeTek FX1 Windproof Travel Umbrella