The Chelsea boot has been a popular choice for footwear ever since Queen Victoria’s shoemaker patented the design for the new-fangled ankle boots in 1851. (Her majesty wore them daily, it was said.)
With their elastic gussets, waterproof Chelsea boots are an easy-on, easy-off choice for garden footwear. We’ve rounded up 10 favorite pairs stylish enough to wear even when you’re not planning to tromp through muck:
![A pair of waterproof leather Women\2\17;s Thermal Boots is lined with Thinsulate (a synthetic fiber insulation) for warmth; \$\2\24.94 from Blundstone.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/waterproof-chelsea-boots-blundstone-733x475.png)
![A pair of Lela Chelsea Boots has a waterproof corrugated vulcanized rubber outsole; \$550 from Phillip Lim.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/waterproof-chelsea-boots-phillip-lim-733x503.png)
![Tretorn\2\17;s Chelsea Rain Boot has faux-fur lining and a \1-inch heel; \$99.95 at Nordstrom.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/tretorn-chelsea-rain-boot-733x423.jpg)
![Available in dark olive as shown (and in six other colors), Women\2\17;s Original Gloss Chelsea Boots are \$\135.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/hunter-waterproof-chelsea-boots-dark-olive-glossy-733x473.png)
![Ilse Jacobsen\2\17;s clunky-chic, completely vegan Short Waterproof Rain Boot is handcrafted using natural rubber from renewable resources.; \$\2\18.95 at Nordstrom.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ilse-jacobsen-short-waterproof-rain-boot-733x425.jpg)
![Swims\2\17; minimalist Charlie Boot has a jaunty orange loop at the back of each shoe. It\2\17;s available in navy (shown), black, and taupe; \$\1\20.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/swims-charlie-boot-733x435.jpg)
![From Hunter, the Original Waterproof Chelsea Rain Boot is available in four colors including black as shown here and in the top photo. \2\20;In hot or humid weather, natural latex rubber releases a protective wax film; simply wipe it off with a damp cloth,\2\2\1; notes the manufacturer; \$\135 from Nordstrom.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/waterproof-chelsea-boots-hunter-nordstrom-733x487.png)
![Everlane\2\17;s Rain Boot comes in five colors, including this olive green; \$75.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/everlane-rain-boot-733x423.jpg)
![A pair of waterproof rubber Chooka Bainbridge Chelsea Ankle Boots is \$65 from Zappos.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/chooka-chelsea-boots-waterproof-733x489.png)
![J.Crew\2\17;s version of the Chelsea Rain Boot is \$68. It comes in matte black (shown) and olive.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/jcrew-chelsea-rain-boot-733x416.jpg)
See more garden footwear (and fashion) in our recently 10 Easy Pieces archives. Read more:
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