Product Review: Maniera Boots

What Is It: The Maniera Sport Rockall is a PVC-free rain-boot that features a cushioned footbed, a toasty faux-fur lining, and are designed to be pliable enough that you can fold the boot tops down (so they take up about the same amount of space as a regular pair of shoes in your luggage).

Price and Where to Buy: $135 on Maniera’s homepage.

Pros: When you’re going to a rainy, wet destination (London, we’re looking at you), nothing can put a damper on your trip faster than damp feet. The Maniera Rockall boots that we tried were by far the most comfortable we’d ever worn, due to the warm faux-fur lining and cushy padded footbed. The boots kept our feet dry even sloshing through puddles, and are fashionable enough that we wouldn’t be ashamed to break them out in a fashionable city. Unlike most rainboots that have stiff boot tops, these fold easily and could be compacted to fit in a carry-on. Plus, they come with a handy drawstring bag that you could attach to your backpack or other bag for easy transporting while they’re wet.

Cons: Yes, these boots are more pliable than normal rainboots, and fold down smaller than regular boots, but they will still take up a fair amount of room in your bag. Plus the price tag is pretty hefty.

How it Rates:

• Usefulness: 8/10. These lined boots were a nice luxury for our feet during some wet weather, and would definitely be comfortable to walk around in while sightseeing for hours.
• Portability: 7/10. More portable than regular rain-boots and lighter than waterproof hiking boots, but less portable than regular shoes.
• Value: 5/10. The touches like adjustable laces, a lined interior, and a really comfortable sole put them way above regular rainboots, and they seem sturdy enough to outlast most cheap boots, but the price tag is a bit tough to swallow.
• Durability: 10/10. Most cheaper rainboots leak after a few months of heavy wear; these are still going strong and show almost no signs of wear and tear.
• Cool Factor: 10/10. The cute colors and design of these boots garnered a ton of compliments when we wore them.

Final Verdict: Worth it if you can afford it. Think of it as an investment, since you’ll have to replace them less often!

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].