The Tide Is Out

Can I Wear Rain Boots At the Tide Pools?

Short Answer: Rain boots do ok in the intertidal, but there might be better options you already have in your closet. 

Long Answer: Read on!

Shoes are really important for tide pooling, both to prevent injuries to your feet and to prevent slipping. For more information about shoes in general, read this article. A common question is whether rain boots are a good option, especially for kids, to keep their feet dry and warm. 

Let’s start with some concerns about rain boots at the tide pools. The biggest one is slipping. Rubber rain boots are designed to keep your feet dry, but that’s about it. Most have very little tread (that groovy stuff on the bottom of your shoes) that will grip on rocks and help prevent falls. Wet rocks and seaweed are easy to slip on, even with good tread. Slips and falls are also more likely with kids wanting to move quickly. Consequently, breathable water shoes or old sneakers that can get wet are usually better options for kids than rain boots. 

However, rain boots can be a good option for cold weather tide pooling when you don’t want to get your feet (or your kids’ feet) wet. Keeping your feet dry makes a big difference in staying warm. If you don’t have another waterproof option, rain boots are better than dunking your feet in icy water. You’ll need to go slower to account for the lack of traction, but it’s better than having wet feet. 

If you like tide pooling, consider getting some waterproof hiking boots or angling rubber boots to provide both waterproof-ness and good traction for cold rocky shores.

Rain boots can also be a good option on sandy shores when the water is cold. You aren’t in danger of slipping on the sand, and waterproof boots are a great way to wade into the water while staying warm. Just be careful not to wade too deep and flood them. If you wade into the intertidal frequently, waders that extend your rain boot waterproof-ness up to your waist are a good option.

If you’re trying out tide pooling as a hobby and don’t want to immediately invest in better shoes, rain boots are a good place to start, especially in colder climates. But they don’t come with the benefits of waterproof shoes or angling boots offer. If you’re bringing your kids to the shores, warn them about slipping in their rain boots or go on a warmer day when they can get their feet wet.