Reviews You Can Rely On

Rocket Dog Rainy Black - Women's Review

A non-traditional and uniquely stylish ankle boot that provides moderate rain protection and comfort
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Rocket Dog Rainy Black - Women's Review
Credit: Rocket Dog
Price:  $70 List
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Manufacturer:   Rocket Dog
By Sara Aranda ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 2, 2021
58
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Protection - 30% 5.0
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Traction - 20% 6.0
  • Warmth - 15% 5.0
  • Style - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Rocket Dog Rainy is a trendy ankle boot designed with a tongue and lace closure. The construction is rather straightforward, and the rubber is flexible enough for general use. There isn't any added arch support, however, and the shape of the foot box is borderline clown-ish, but overall we like the look and casual feel. Best used for non-technical environments and short distances, these boots are also on the colder side of the spectrum, which is great for moderate temperatures. This pair is best for those who don't mind dealing with laces every time you want to take them on and off.
REASONS TO BUY
Trendy
Flexible rubber
Moderate comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
No arch support

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rocket Dog Rainy is pretty simple, made with synthetic rubber and with a thin neoprene lining. There are metal eyelets for the laces, including D-rings at the ankle. The tongue is partially attached and also made of rubber. The high-top lace design is a fun alternative to the traditional solid rubber shaft, but style is higher than function in this rather basic for this pair.

Performance Comparison


rocket dog rainy black for women - best suited for urban and suburban environments and for shallow...
Best suited for urban and suburban environments and for shallow puddles only.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Rain Protection


Even though the top of the shaft measures 6.5 inches from the ground, the rubber tongue is only partially attached. This means that the actual flood height is 4.25 inches. There isn't too much room for error if you find yourself near puddles or overflowing gutters in the street. Best for low-key rainy days, we definitely appreciate how the shaft's snug circumference (9.5 inches) keeps overspray from entering at the top of the boot.

rocket dog rainy black for women - our lead tester is wary of going too deep and surpassing the flood...
Our lead tester is wary of going too deep and surpassing the flood height.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Comfort


As noted above, the circumference of the opening may help keep overspray from entering — 9.5 inches isn't very wide. And, due to the nature of the rubber construction, there isn't much give — contrary to what having laces may imply. Even if you loosen the laces, the shaft isn't going to change or stretch very much. The footbed provides decent comfort, but it lacks arch support and isn't ideal for long walks. Fit, however, is more easily done with this model because the brand does offer a handful of half sizes. Nonetheless, we feel that the boot runs a bit small.

rocket dog rainy black for women - a somewhat minimalistic design, there aren't any added comfort perks...
A somewhat minimalistic design, there aren't any added comfort perks like arch support.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Traction


With a very small heel, there is still ample surface area for traction. There aren't any pronounced lugs, however, and the tread pattern is tight-knit and flat. We feel the Rocket Dog is best for flat surfaces that are non-technical, like common urban surfaces. While we could travel off-road in these (like flat dirt or gravel trails), we certainly don't expect them to perform well on varied, rugged terrain. We appreciate the relative softness of the outsole, which means greater friction over that of harder, less malleable outsoles.

rocket dog rainy black for women - good enough for most casual places and activities, the relatively...
Good enough for most casual places and activities, the relatively flat tread pattern is nonetheless best for the city.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Warmth


Ranking low for this metric is most likely a good thing. Since rubber isn't a breathable material, warmth is already inherent. During our creek wading test, we immediately felt the frigidness of the water, which means this model is best for moderate temperatures. Hot, sunny days will be too much, and snow will undoubtedly be too cold — this boot is meant for chilly but mild rainy seasons where added warmth isn't required.

rocket dog rainy black for women - the warmth factor is perfect for those mild weather days.
The warmth factor is perfect for those mild weather days.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Style


A strong suit for this pair, the style is fun, nostalgic, and maybe even a little edgy. The black and white midsole adds a pop to the boot's shape, reminiscent of the classic high-top Converse. Too, the black and white laces break up the molded rubber shaft. A pull tab and small heel are other design features.

rocket dog rainy black for women - while the toe box widens a bit and gives a slightly clown-shoe vibe...
While the toe box widens a bit and gives a slightly clown-shoe vibe, this model is still fun and trendy.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Fit


The Rocket Dog Rainy comes in sizes 6 through 9.5 in half sizes and sizes 10 and 11. Our experience leads us to believe that they run a tad small, so sizing up a half size (if available) is recommended. The foot box is fairly roomy, particularly the width of the toe box. The laces allow for some play when it comes to how snug the top of the boot feels against your foot, but one aspect that is a bit unavoidable is how small the circumference of the shaft opening is, which might not accommodate everyone.

Value


Being so simply constructed with fairly low-key materials and offering very average performance results, the only thing that truly stands out about this boot is its style. If that's all you're going for, then the cost might make sense, as many fashion boots of this height run high. However, if you're shopping for something more practical and affordable, we would recommend looking elsewhere.

Conclusion


As laces become a more popular addition to rain boots, we do find the look of the Rocket Dog Rainy to be really appealing. The style is more versatile than a traditional boot but also not as convenient as a slip-on. Comfort, traction, and rain protection are all rather average but are, bottom line, adequate for most casual scenarios.

rocket dog rainy black for women - this pair will certainly get from you a to b, as long as you stay...
This pair will certainly get from you A to B, as long as you stay away from deep puddles!
Credit: Sara Aranda

Sara Aranda