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Bogs SweetPea Review

This ankle-height boot is trendy and practical despite its short shaft
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Bogs SweetPea Review (A quaint rain boot, the SweetPea is fairly affordable as compared to the other short boots we tested.)
A quaint rain boot, the SweetPea is fairly affordable as compared to the other short boots we tested.
Credit: Sara Aranda
Price:  $85 List
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Manufacturer:   Bogs
By Sara Aranda ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 13, 2024
60
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 16
  • Weather Protection - 30% 5.0
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Traction - 20% 7.0
  • Warmth - 15% 5.0
  • Style - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Bogs SweetPea boots are trendy with an inconspicuous design and an ankle-height shaft. Described on the Bogs website as an “elegant Chelsea,” they are attractive for their distilled design and for their ability to be thrown on quickly without the worry of how you're going to stuff your pants inside. They provide decent traction, warmth, and comfort, particularly if you have narrow feet. DuraFresh technology aids in mitigating odors and the Bogs Max-Wick helps keep feet sweat-free inside. After wearing them in the sun quite a few times, we were happy to find our feet dry. Check out our article on the top rain boots for women to see how it ranks versus competitors.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Trendy
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Low weather protection
Narrow footbed
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 13, 2024, to inform about updates to this rain boot. Details below.

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bogs sweetpea
This Product
Bogs SweetPea
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
Best Chelsea Style Boot
  
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A trendy hit among reviewers, this boot has all the basics covered for its heightStylish and incredibly practical, this boot offers exceptional bang for your buckComparable to a hiking boot, with basic rain boot features to move through wet conditionsA simple yet stylish boot that's both practical and affordableAn inexpensive and fairly lightweight boot with fun patterns and aggressive tread
Rating Categories Bogs SweetPea Kamik Heidi 2 Bogs Holly Chelsea Kamik Olivia Sloggers Rain and G...
Weather Protection (30%)
5.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
6.0
Comfort (25%)
7.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Traction (20%)
7.0
7.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
Warmth (15%)
5.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
4.0
Style (10%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
8.0
Specs Bogs SweetPea Kamik Heidi 2 Bogs Holly Chelsea Kamik Olivia Sloggers Rain and G...
Weight per Pair 1.6 lbs (size 8) 2.8 lbs (size 8) 2.5 lbs (size 8) 3.6 lbs (size 8) 2.6 lbs (size 8)
Flood Height (from bottom of sole to lowest point of shaft) 4.75 in 12 in 7 in 14 in 10.5 in
Mouth Circumference 10 in 15 in 10.5 in 15 in 14 in
Lining/Insulation Textile Nylon Max-Wick Everdry textile None None
Upper Material Textured rubber Synthetic rubber Rubber, textile Rubber Rubber
Outsole Material Rubber Synthetic rubber Rubber Rubber Rubber
Insole Max-Wick CushyStep Everyday EVA foam Rebound midsole, BLOOM algae based footbed, removable insole Breathable mesh Removable
Unique Features Anti-odor lining Vegan, latex free, phthalate free, fully recyclable (not made of recycled material), DuraFresh natural bio-technology (odor control) Recyclable 50% Recycled materials, made in USA
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Sizing Info True to size True to size True to size True to size True to size

Our Analysis and Test Results

Bogs SweetPea
Bogs SweetPea
The SweetPea we tested on the left, with the updated SweetPea II on the right.
Boot Updated Since Testing
Bogs recently gave the SweetPea a slight makeover. The updated boot, the SweetPea II, has an updated silhouette (note the heel cups in the comparison photos above) and a reinforced pull loop on the heel. We're linking to the updated model in our review.

One of the lightest pairs we tested, thanks to its 5.5-inch height, the SweetPea is easily matched with nearly any wardrobe. With fair traction and warmth, you might not need anything more than this simple, textured rubber option. Best for urban and suburban environments, these boots are comfortable in light rain and are designed for casual, everyday wear. While you can get away with walking through shallow snow, it's not recommended for technical terrain, long hikes, or markedly low temperatures. Our lead tester, who lives out of a van, has become particularly fond of these boots because of the little space they occupy and their convenient height.

Performance Comparison


bogs sweetpea - a low-profile look, the sweetpea dressed well with leggings, pants...
A low-profile look, the SweetPea dressed well with leggings, pants, shorts, and even dresses.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Weather Protection


Low-top boots don't score very well when it comes to all-around weatherproofing. The SweetPea is no exception, being one of the shortest of the group and yielding little protection against overspray from large puddles, pouring rain, or the depth of a stream. Romping through snow also poses issues since the shaft won't aid in keeping snow from sneaking over the lip and soaking your feet. We still enjoy the ease and practicality, however, and the tighter circumference around the ankle helps keep the feet dry.


If you live in a place that experiences moderate precipitation, then keeping your toes out of the water is all that is necessary. Consider the much taller models for far more comprehensive weather protection, but we found this pair to be highly reliable when walking to and from places around town. Even the nylon gusset is resistant enough not to soak or leak immediately — we found that it took several minutes of direct contact with water for the nylon to absorb any of it. The rubber is also cut high behind the gusset, furthering the boot's ability to mitigate premature flooding.

bogs sweetpea - a closer look at the textured rubber.
A closer look at the textured rubber.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Comfort


With a narrower footbed (and not so narrow feet), long-term comfort isn't a given, but neither is it severely compromised. Our toes weren't able to spread out as much, and if we wore thick socks, we were noticeably cramped. The footbed is designed with cushioning and a shank for added support. We felt that this cushioning and shank combo created a strange feeling at first, but over time we stopped noticing it and have come to appreciate it. One of the only pairs to not have a heel lift, the narrowness has become less noticeable over time and makes for a better overall fit in retrospect. We never expect a rain boot to “break-in,” but we are happily surprised.


The soles are a bit more flexible than most boots, which is nice for driving and the natural movement of the foot when walking. This also increases sensitivity, which helps instill confidence in stride and stance. Though, this also means the SweetPea isn't as ideal for rocky environments or on sharp, gravel surfaces.

bogs sweetpea - the sweetpea boots are ideal for flat surfaces.
The Sweetpea boots are ideal for flat surfaces.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Traction


With fairly average and shallow tread, the SweetPea still fares better than others when it comes to certain flat surfaces, such as linoleum tile or snowy sidewalks. Nonetheless, the traction isn't nearly as confidence-inducing as some of the other boots we've tested when the terrain becomes more rugged, icy, or muddy. We believe these boots to be designed particularly for the more urban environment.


It is easy to spin around in the snow, but on wet asphalt or concrete, the more flexible sole is almost like that of a suction cup. Dependable for the casual outing or running errands, you might not need anything more aggressive.

bogs sweetpea - the soles on the sweetpea are more flexible than the bogs north...
The soles on the SweetPea are more flexible than the Bogs North Hampton. Nonetheless, the traction wasn't much more steady in the snow. Flat surfaces are ideal.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Warmth


The textured rubber upper retains heat as well as most waterproof boots do, but without insulation, the SweetPea doesn't withstand snow for long periods of time. Designed strictly for mild weather, they are best when temperatures range between 50 and 75°F. Though, with the added moisture-wicking footbed, it is certainly easy to forget about your feet feeling too hot when the sun comes out.


The short shaft also allows for heat to escape. This can be a perk when the weather warms up, or, this can potentially be a disadvantage when the temperatures drop significantly. Keep in mind, too, that since the shaft is so short, the chances of water or snow making its way over the lip of the boot is much higher. If your feet get wet and stay wet, they certainly won't be able to stay warm for long periods of time in thin rubber boots like these.

bogs sweetpea - the sweetpea fared well in colder temperatures, but only for short...
The SweetPea fared well in colder temperatures, but only for short periods of time.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Style


Something we have noticed is how dusty these boots look after a while due to the textured rubber collecting dirt and grime. They don't wipe clean as easily as the smooth rubber of some other boots, which means intentional rinsing is the only way to keep them clean (or a healthy helping of rain!) Dust aside, the versatility of the design is a comfort in and of itself. We were able to wear them with jeans, dresses, shorts — you name it. Casual at its finest, their minimalism is certainly in line with current trends.


Although the rubber is noticeably… rubber, the darker tones are rather charming, in our opinion. The pull tab, too, aids in giving the boot away as rainwear, but the nylon gussets are what truly help bring the style back the other way. We've been asked numerous times about them in passing, which is very telling of how popular the look is!

bogs sweetpea - a closer look at the pull tab, gusset design, and short construction...
A closer look at the pull tab, gusset design, and short construction of the Sweetpea. The pull tab is necessary for putting on these boots.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Fit


With whole sizes 6-11, we sized up to an 8. Running true to size, we felt that the length of these boots was one of the best-fitting we've come across. As mentioned previously, the narrow foot box can be a leading factor of discomfort for us. We are surprised to find that the width of the footbed on the SweetPea differs from other boots by the same brand. While our lead tester tends to prefer a snug fit, the sides of the footbed did feel too tight if her feet were ever swollen from outdoor activity.

The circumference of the boot opening is only 10 inches, but being so short, it doesn't seem to influence fit very much. One thing we noticed, however, is that you can't easily slide your foot into these boots, so putting them on requires the use of your hands. Thankfully, there's a pull tab to help. Otherwise, the narrow and highly flexible rubber just folds under your heel.

bogs sweetpea - a slim look that is on the more narrow side of fit, but the rubber...
A slim look that is on the more narrow side of fit, but the rubber is soft enough to not hurt our feet.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Value


Made in China, the SweetPea lists for what seems to be average for the ankle-height class and is certainly much cheaper than many of the taller options. With decent traction, warmth, and comfort over time, these boots perform well overall. Incredibly versatile and practical, we think they are of high value.

Conclusion


Regardless of a few drawbacks in fit, we find ourselves choosing the Bogs SweetPea again and again for those quick trips out the door. Easy to pair with a dress or jeans, the flexibility of the boot provides more than adequate performance for not only a pair of rain boots but for an ankle-height shoe in general.

bogs sweetpea - a high-value ankle boot ready for the rain.
A high-value ankle boot ready for the rain.
Credit: Sara Aranda

Sara Aranda