Today we’re going to review and compare rain boots: the Kamik “Jennifer” VS Sperry Top-Sider “Pelican” VS Hunter Original – a complete rundown with photos and comparison chart.
Rain Boots (from left to right):
- I bought the Kamik “Jennifer” from Zappos
- And I later bought the Sperry Top-Sider “Pelican” from endless.com (because the cute black plaid wasn’t available at Zappos)
- I had originally considered the Hunter Original because it’s sort of the industry standard for Rain Boots but enough people were complaining about calf width I figured they would not be a good match for my more shapely calves. I have however included them in my comparison chart.
Of the two I bought, both shipped and arrived extremely fast but one has to go back.
(I really don’t need two pairs of rain boots!)
For reference I measured my calf and at the widest point the circumference was 15″ without jeans and I typically wear a size 8.5 shoe. I ordered the size 8 in both shoes.
When I first got the Kamik Jennifer in, I was both excited and disappointed. This boot is a tight 15.5″ and I could get it on but I couldn’t figure out how to get my jeans or leggings neatly inside (more on this later.) I could get the jeans in but it took some effort and they still bunched at my knee. The rubber was nice and smooth, flexible and not too clunky and easy to walk in. The color I was a little less thrilled about, it wasn’t bad, just wasn’t something to get excited about.
A little backstory: I have wanted rain boots for awhile but never committed to buying any. Then someone asked me if I had waders for doing this walk in a wetland that I somehow committed myself to for this Sunday. I asked if knee high rain boots would do since I had wanted a reason to buy a pair and the answer was yes.
So at this point I ordered the Sperry Top-Sider Pelican. When they came in my first thought, “super cute”, second thought “they’re not nearly as tall plus they lose some height for the elastic on the side.” See why I needed to tell you about the wetlands?
Anyway the Sperry Top-Siders are definitely have plenty of space for my jeans and the elastic at the top is a nice feature if I were only looking for simple rain boots. These are also really toasty shoes and again comfortable to walk in. Not too bulky. Overall both shoes are excellent choices.
By this point I had figured out how to get my jeans tucked into the Kamik however so they were back in the running. Tuck them into socks. Or rather I cut off the end of some socks because I didn’t want to wear non-wool socks in these and used the sock band to secure the bottom of my jeans before putting the rain boots on (I may take a pic of this tomorrow if I remember.) You can also roll up your jeans which is another option for a rainy day.
So which one am I keeping? The Kamik Jennifer.
What were the deciding factors on keeping the Kamik Rain Boots?
- Warmth – I actually felt like my feet warmed up too much in the Sperry Top-Sider Pelicans which didn’t make them ideal for fall or spring but might be excellent for the winter. I can wear socks with the Kamik though.
- Height – I just really wanted those extra inches. If the Kamik had been painfully tight in the calf I would have gone ahead with the Sperry Top-Siders because they are still really tall.
- Pattern – surprisingly the black and cream plaid that I thought would work well with outfits was complimenting fewer outfits than the green. Really important for wetland walks right? Well I do want to wear these for days it simply rains a lot too.
Do not think you can adjust these boots with that little strap.
| Boot Name | Kamik Jennifer | Sperry Top-Sider Pelican | Hunter Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $65 | $70 | $125 |
| Material (Upper) | Lightweight, waterproof upper made from RubberHE. It's a PVC free, synthetic rubber that's designed to retain its flexibility and traction in both warm and cold temperatures. | High gloss durable waterproof rubber . | Vulcanised natural rubber construction, built on an orthopaedic last. |
| Lining | Printed lining. Material is imported from Italy. | Cushioned Micro-Fleece lining for added comfort and luxury with weather protection, quick-drying capabilities. | Woven nylon lining. |
| Footbed | Removable Kamik Comfort Footbed for a great step-in feel and lasting plush. | Same as lining | Cushioned |
| Outsole | RubberHE Voyage outsole offers traction in wet conditions. | Non-marking rubber outsole with Wave-Siping™ is made for excellent dry/wet traction. | Traditional calendered outsole. |
| Heel | 1" | 1" | 1" |
| Shaft (measured from arch) | 15" | 13" | 16" |
| Circumference (your calf measurement) | 15.5" | 15.75" | 15" |
| Weight | 20oz (site says) 2 lbs 10oz (my postal scale) | ?? (site did not say) 3 lbs 3oz (my postal scale) | 2 lbs 3 oz (site says) (did not buy so can't weigh) |
Just for a little humor I’m sharing this next bit. I got the below email from Endless.com the day rain boots from Endless came in in the mail. Yup. Really.
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