I’ve lived in Raincouver (aka Vancouver, Canada) for three years and counting, and one of the first things I noticed when I moved here was that the locals were killin’ it in the rain-proof gear game. And so, while Vancouver rain is nothing compared to what Singapore rain is like—think a steady, drippy drizzle versus torrential rains and monsoon season—I felt increasingly compelled to be suitably attired and ready for the inevitable fall/winter showers.
Enter these Alice + Whittles rubber boots, which have become a staple in my rain-ready wardrobe. Fun fact: I won them after joining an Instagram giveaway woohoo! Also, this is not a sponsored post; I’ve wanted to write about these on the blog for ages since I know most folks would love to read real, unfiltered reviews before making a purchase.
The style
I picked out the minimalist black + white ankle rain boot because I like its clean, sleek profile and the little touch of contrast it provides with its white soles. I love how black goes with everything, so it probably saves me three seconds of deciding whether my outfit matches or not every day. I also appreciate the high ankle cut, and while it does seem like water can still get in since the openings seem a bit large even with my feet in, I’ve never experienced any problems with them or had my socks/feet wet.
The material
As with all the brand’s products, the boots are made of 100% natural fairly traded rubber and come with a cotton sock lining. They’re not as heavy as you think, and walking in them for a few hours is pretty comfortable, although the top parts of my feet do hurt a lil if I’m wearing them for too long. There is no padding in these boots, so wear thicker socks if you need to.
One thing to be careful of when wearing these boots is that they do get a tad slippery on certain surfaces. The soles are designed with anti-slip tread, but I found that when I stepped on manhole covers or other slicker surfaces, I had a tendency to slip. There is no issue when these boots hit gravel, puddles, or paved paths.
The fit
I decided to order a half-size up (my usual size is 6.5-7) based on reviews I had read and also based off the brand’s description that their boots come in a narrow fit. But I kinda regretted it because the boots seemed to have a little too much wiggle room; I suppose my feet aren’t as wide as I think they are :p
Verdict
Alice + Whittles’ minimalist black + white ankle rain boot (CAD$161) is sturdy, reliable, sustainably made, and are pretty dang chic for rubber boots! They’re easy to clean and maintain, and I love how effortless it is to pair them with any outfit. I wouldn’t run or hike in them, but I would definitely wear them when heading out for coffee dates or grocery runs. They’re the perfect footwear choice for busy urbanites who are always on the go and don’t want the rain to dampen their routines or lifestyles.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any other questions about them!
xx,
iz
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