Clothing & Accessories - Live Life Big

Written by Camila Reed in Clothing & Accessories last updated April 2022 LiveLifeBig.net may earn a small commission when you use one of the links on this page to purchase. When I was a kid, I regularly had to use lotion to pull up my rain boots because my calves were just too thick for kid's waterproof boots! Luckily, those days are gone and even though I still have thick calves (and legs) I'm actually able to buy rain boots that fit. Not only can plus size ladies find boots that actually fit bigger calves but you also look pretty darn good too! But finding anything that fits plus size ladies is always harder and wide rain boots for bigger calves are no different. That's why I've done the research (and the testing) to find the perfect fit. I'll cover everything you need to know about finding the perfect pair but if you just want to skip ahead and see what wide opening rainboots made the list you can check out all my recommendations here: Best Overall: Jileon 23" Wide Rubber Rain Boots for Women Best On A Budget: Western Chief 20" Wide Calf Waterproof Rain Boot Best Mid Calf Rain Boot For Short Legs: Jileon 20" Wide Mid Calf Rain Boot Best Rain Boot For Cold Weather: Jileon 20" Wide Calf Insulated Neoprene Rain Boots Most Colors and Patterns: Sloggers 15" Wide Calf Waterproof Rain and Garden Boot Best Ankle Height Alternative: Jileon Wide Ankle Rain Boots Now let's get started with what you need to look for! What Women Need To Consider When Finding The Perfect Wide Calf Rain Boot Let's quickly break down everything you need to think about before you buy any rain boot that's designed to support bigger or wider calves. What's Your Calf Size? You probably already know that you have a wide calf, after all that's how you ended up here. But without knowing the actual measurement of your calf it's going to be difficult to know for sure what size you need so it's always a good idea to take a quick measurement of your calf. This video does a great showing you where to measure but if you want to skip the video you should know that it's going to be the largest part of your calf (about 3/4th of the way up): Once you have your calf measurement, you can check the width of each boot on the list above or check for the measurement within the mini-reviews below. I'll make sure to list it clearly but if you're checking a product page on Amazon (or anywhere else) you'll usually see it listed as "boot opening circumference" or "opening width". However, and this is important, don't forget to factor in pants, jeans, or anything else that you may want to tuck into your rain boots! For most pants, you only need to add around a half-inch and at most a full inch. But if you're wearing a special kind of pants or something heavy duty for mucking or similar work you may need to add more room. Do You Need Gussets For Extra Expandability and Adjustability? Gussets are little devices that can increase the width of a boot. It's most similar to a buckle and because rubber rain boots aren't going to have laces or ties, gussets are your best option for expanding and contracting your boots. Not only can gussets accommodate bigger thighs but they can also help you find just the right fit by closing tighter on your calves. This can be especially helpful if you need a tighter fit to protect your feet from the elements. However, gussets aren't especially common in your typical rain boot (even those that are built for large calves) so you shouldn't expect to see these on every boot. Still, if you need them then you can check out our best overall pick from Jileon on Amazon for a great rubber rain boot with gussets. If you're especially crafty (or maybe just brave) you can even try adding your own gussets but that will be much harder when it comes to rubber rain boots compared to any other material. For most ladies, that's just not going to be worth the time unless you really love a pair of smaller rain boots. Do You Have Wide Feet Or Ankles? While it's not always the case, if you have wide calves there's a decent chance that you also have wide ankles or wide feet. As you already know, the combination of wide calves and wide feet can make finding mud and rain boots a bit of a nightmare! Most wide calf rain boots will have more room for ankles but there are only a handful of boots that accommodate both wide feet and wide calves with the go-to recommendation being our best overall or any other rainboot made by Jileon. You have a handful of options beyond that, but if you have wide feet that's where you should start. What About Arch Support? It's hard to find any woman's rain boot with arch support, let alone wide calf options! But if arch support is a priority for you, I'd recommend going with any of the wide calf rubber rain boots from Jileon. That's the brand behind several of the boots on this list (including our best overall) and they cater to wide calves, wide feet, and ladies that need arch support so they're hard to beat. However, if you choose to go with another brand your best option is to go for an aftermarket insole instead of trying to find the perfect boot that has it all. There's a huge range of insoles to choose from and you should snag the one that's specific to your issue. Since I'm definitely on the heavy side, a good insole can make a world of difference for my knees but I also know that I can't expect my rain boot to take care of everything. How Tall Of A Boot Do You Need? If you're looking for a wide calf rubber rain boot then we already know that you probably want a boot with some height to it. But just how high do you need your boot to rise? If you're mucking stalls or working in the garden, you may not need quite the same height that you would if you're wading through rivers banks or something similar. Going for a shorter height can not only make it easier to find a rain boot that fits but can also make your rubber boots more comfortable and easier to put on. An in-between option like Jileon's mid-calf rain boot can be a great choice (see it here). It's still built wide for bigger calves but since it's not quite as high on the calf it can be much more comfortable and the thickness of your calves may not be as much of an issue. So take a second to really think about how much height you need because going lower on the calf can not only save you some cash but also increase your comfort while still protecting your feet. Don't Forget About Style! I don't care if I'm running around in the mud or mucking stalls, I still want to look cute! Of course, function will be the first priority but if you want to wear your rain boots out and about instead of in the garden then style should be a factor. Every boot on this list will come in black and that's a classic color to work with but most will also have some variety. I've added a pick for the most color options and you can check that one out on Amazon by clicking here if you know you want plenty of color options. Still, every boot besides our insulated options includes some cute patterns! Best Extra Wide Calf Rain Boots For Ladies With the background information out of the way, it's time to get into the reviews starting with our best overall! Best Overall: Jileon 23" Wide Rubber Rain Boots for Women 1,214 Reviews Jileon Extra Wide Calf Rain Boots for Women | Specially Designed For Ladies with Wide Feet, Ankles &... Fits calves up to 23 inches wide thanks to an adjustable gusset 6 colors options with something for everyone Wide sole (3X) that supports wider feet in addition to wider calves 15 inches tall provide a lot of calf coverage Check Today's Price on Amazon When it comes to the best overall pick, we want a rain boot that checks all the boxes and this stylish rubber rain boot from Jileon does exactly that. With a 23-inch boot opening, these boots are designed to fit calves of all sizes but Jileon doesn't stop there and these rain boots can also accommodate wider feet and ankles too. Simply put, they're designed for bigger and more realistically sized women! With such a wide opening, the gusset on these boots is a very welcome addition and can help you get a tighter fit even if your calves aren't in the 20-inch range. The combination of a wide opening and gusset also allows plenty of room for you to wear thicker socks, tuck your pants, or both. These rubber rain boots are 15 inches high which will provide plenty of coverage for ladies of most heights. That makes these a good option for situations where you may get splashed with water, mud, or anything else. As if all that wasn't enough, these boots are also one of the few options on the market that can accommodate high arches. That means that these boots are ready for just about any combination of wide feet, high arches, wide calves, or thicker ankles. Even though their focus isn't on style, they have included a few cute choices and my favorite is definitely the blue and white polka dot pattern which gives you that classic rubber rain boot look! Ladies with bigger feet (not just wide) will also find what they need here too since Jileon offers sizes up to 13 in US sizes. Even if your feet are smaller, having the option to order larger sizes can be extremely helpful if you need extra room for socks or other layers. The only thing I don't absolutely love about these boots is the placement of the gusset. It's mostly out of the way and off to the side, but depending on how you walk or the work you're doing, you could run into problems where the gusset bumps into the other boot. With normal use, I had this happen only a couple of times and it never caused any problem but it is something to keep in mind. It also helps that there are more than 800 five-star reviews on Amazon including hundreds from plus size ladies with big calves. You can check out some of their reviews, take a closer look at all 6 styles and check today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best On A Budget: Western Chief 20" Wide Calf Waterproof Rain Boot 2,172 Reviews Western Chief Waterproof Printed Wide Calf Rain Boot Black 6 M 20-inch adjustable opening is perfect for larger calves Choose from plain black or one of three super cute patterns 12 inches from heel to leg for plenty of coverage without going too high Easy on the budget Check Today's Price on Amazon Our budget pick isn't quite as wide as our best overall recommendation but with a 20-inch opening, it can still accommodate a wide range of women. For some reason, the folks at Western Chief make it hard to find the exact boot opening but it measures 20 inches when fully open. You will find different measurements when you read Amazon but 20 inches is what I've seen as accurate. Besides the extra wide calf opening, I also love that they've placed the gusset directly in the back of the boots so that they're out of the way and there's very little chance that you'll bump into them with your own boot. The gusset is easy to use and lets you lock in your boot to keep pants, socks, or anything else in place. And even though they don't offer sizes up to 13 like our best overall, many ladies will still find what they need with sizes up to 11. You can also choose from additional cute styles and the raindrop pattern is easily my favorite. The rubber rain boot is made of vulcanized rubber which means that's it formed around a cast in one solid piece and it allows for a highly waterproof product since it's mostly one piece rather than being stitched together. Of course, vulcanized construction or not, the quality of the material will still be the major factor when it comes to durability. The folks at Western Chief deliver there too and have found a great balance between budget and quality. You shouldn't expect these to last a lifetime or anything but for most ladies, the durability will be plenty for what they need. If you need an absolutely bombproof pair of rubber rain boots then I'd suggest going for the best overall. But if you want something for mucking stalls, tending to the garden, or just walking around the city then these should be more than enough all while going easy on your pocketbook. I'm certainly not the only fan of these cute rubber rain boots and there are more than 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. You can check out some of those reviews, take a closer look at the cute raindrop pattern and see the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Mid Calf Rain Boot For Short Legs: Jileon 20" Wide Mid Calf Rain Boot 926 Reviews Jileon Mid Calf Rain Boots | Specially Designed For Wide Feet, Ankles & Calves | Half Height Wide... Fits calves up to 20 inches with a buckle (instead of gusset) to lock everything in place These boots are 9.5 inches tall from sole to the top which makes them a good choice for shorter ladies that still want some calf coverage. For taller ladies, that means these boots may only rise to the bottom of your calf for extra comfort 5 cute colors and patterns to choose from Check Today's Price on Amazon Shorter ladies still need wide calf rain boots but that doesn't mean they want to be swallowed by a pair of rubber rain boots that are 15 inches tall like our best overall! On the other hand, some taller women may prefer the combination of coverage and comfort that a mid-calf rain boot provides. That's where this cute rain boot from Jileon enters the picture. With a height of 9.5 inches, it will sit below or at the middle of the calf for most women but of course, that will all depend on your height. Because the middle of your calf is also the thickest, these rain boots can also completely eliminate the problem of thicker calves for some women since these boots can often sit below your calves. That means calves of just about any size can fit if you're tall enough while sorter ladies will find that the roughly 20-inch boot opening can still accommodate them too. Because this rain boot isn't designed to cover the calf, Jileon has opted for a buckle mechanism instead of the gusset that we saw in the best overall. The buckle allows you to keep your pants tucked into the boot but doesn't offer quite the same level of expansion which shouldn't be a huge problem in this case. Even though this rain boot comes from the same brand as our best overall pick, there are three unique patterns for this specific rain boot and the purple butterfly pattern is the clear winner for me. As with the other Jileon rain boot on this list, you'll also find extra room for wider ankles, wider feet, and additional arch support. You can also choose from sizes up to USA size 12 for even more inclusivity. That makes this a great all-around boot and if you don't mind the short rise, it can also be a great budget-friendly alternative to a higher rise boot. You can read more reviews, take a closer look at all the available patterns and see the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Rain Boot For Cold Weather: Jileon 20" Wide Calf Insulated Neoprene Rain Boots On Sale ($10.00 OFF) Jileon Wide Calf Warm Insulated Neoprene Rain Boots for Women - up to 20 inch Calf - Wide in Foot... Fits calves up to 20 inches thanks to a wide opening and comfortable neoprene material Extra tall height for additional coverage in cold weather Sizes available up to 13 to allow room for thick socks and other layers Neoprene and rubber combination insulates better than rubber alone Check Today's Price on Amazon Most women won't need more than a thick pair of socks and your standard rubber rain boots to keep warm. But if you're working or walking in especially cold areas or you just want to stay as warm as possible, the combination of neoprene and rubber in these boots could be just what you're looking for. Neoprene is more weather resistant and a better insulator compared to plain rubber but it's also significantly more stretchy. In fact, neoprene can even stretch 5 to 6 times its original length! However, you shouldn't expect these boots to stretch that much but that stretchiness will help thicker calves fit comfortably. The stretchiness will also help these rain boots sit tight, but still comfortable, on your calves and limit airflow into your boot. That helps provide additional warmth and a super comfortable fit if your calves are within the 15 to 20-inch range. Because these boots rely on neoprene to add stretch and keep the boot tight, you won't find a buckle or gusset on these boots. Just to be clear, even though these boots are labeled as insulated (and it's a fair label) they don't have any sort of extra insulation inside the actual boot. So you'll still need to wear warm socks or other layers if you're planning on using these in snowy or colder conditions. As with all Jileon products, the inclusivity doesn't just stop with the boot opening you'll also find padded arch support, a wide range of sizes up to 13 along with plenty of room for wide feet and wide ankles. The only downside is that you have just one choice of color for these rain boots and that's a not-so-cute brown and black blend. Of course, it is harder to create cute designs when the boot is a blended material (instead of just all rubber) but I'd still love to see some additional colors. Overall, this rain boot is a good fit for ladies with wide calves that want some extra insulation and value function over form. You can take a closer look at the design, read reviews from other women, and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Most Colors and Patterns: Sloggers 15" Wide Calf Waterproof Rain and Garden Boot 9,734 Reviews Sloggers Women's Waterproof Rain and Garden Boot with Comfort Insole, Midsummer Black, Size 8, Style... 15 inch opening is wide but may not be wide enough for all women Choose from more than 15 colorful and cute patterns for a super stylish look Made with a comfortable padded insole that's above and beyond what you'd find in your typical rain boot More than 7,500 five star reviews on Amazon Check Today's Price on Amazon While we've looked at several rain boots that have plenty of cute patterns to pick from (especially our best overall) none have quite as many options as this cute mid-calf boot from Sloggers. You can choose from more than a half dozen patterns that are mostly cute garden themes but you can also pick from some more unique options or just go with plain black. At 10.5" tall, these boots usually sit at mid-calf or just below your calf depending on how tall you are. The slightly shorter height of these can definitely help since the boot opening is only 15 inches wide without gussets or stretchy material. If you're tall enough to have these boots sit below your calf, that may help compensate for the lack of extra width in the boot opening. Still, some women will find 15 inches to be plenty and they'll get the benefit of all these cute colors! These boots are also more narrow compared to others on this list which makes them better for ladies that have some width to their calves but not on their feet. It also helps that there are more than 7,500 five-star reviews on Amazon from thousands of happy women. You can read some of those reviews, check out all 17 patterns, and see the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Ankle Height Alternative: Jileon Wide Ankle Rain Boots 1,133 Reviews Jileon Ankle Height Wide Calf Rain Boots - Specially Designed For Ladies with Wide Feet & Calves -... Ankle height design means it doesn't matter how big your calves are! 6 cute patterns and simple colors to choose from Wide boot opening and finger loop make these super easy to slip on and a great option for ladies that have limitations around bending More than 800 five-star reviews from happy ladies Check Today's Price on Amazon Okay, I know that these aren't calf-height boots and so by definition don't have an extra-wide calf opening. But hear me out! Depending on what you need the rain boots for, these ankle height rubber rain boots can definitely work and they completely eliminate the need to worry about or measure your calves. You know, because they don't cover your calves at all! If you have limitations around bending, these can also be a great pick and are going to be much easier to put on compared to calf-height boots. Not only does the shorter height make them easier to get on your feet but as with all Jileon boots they also feature plenty of room for wide ankles and wide feet. There's even a small gusset to make things even easier. You also get the added benefit of extra arch support which can be especially important for anyone that considers themselves to be plus size. There are also 6 cute colors including some (like the snakeskin style) that we haven't seen in any other Jileon boot. Although my favorite is still the classic polka dot pattern! When you really think about it, most rain boots probably don't have to be calf height but we're so used to them being built this way that it can seem like the only option. But you can break free from measuring calves or struggling to slide those boots on by opting for ankle height if it fits your needs. You can take a closer look at all the sizes, colors, and the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Closing Thoughts That's it! We've covered everything you need to know about finding, fitting, and picking the perfect pair of rain boots for wide calves, ankles, and feet! It shouldn't be a surprise that Jileon snagged many of the top spots as they're one of the only brands that are willing to make a rubber rain boot that's actually built for the plus size woman. Because of that, they're usually going to be your best pick, and not only can you get a wider fit but the extra arch support can make a big difference for heavier people too. Hopefully, we've covered something for every woman with wide calves so I'd love to know which pair of rain boots you decided to go with!?