REASONS TO BUY
Height provides extra weather protection
Relatively affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
“Sticky” interior makes putting on/taking off difficult
Molded seams are rough
Kamik Jennifer Review
This high-cut model provides great weather protection, but didn't overwhelm us in any other metrics
Kamik Jennifer
By Amanda Fenn ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ September 12, 2017
RELATED: The Best Rain Boots for Women
Our Verdict
The Kamik Jennifer is a tall rain boot that earned fairly mediocre scores across the board, landing it in the middle of the pack. We liked the look and extra weather protection that its height provided, but also found it to be stiff and relatively uncomfortable. Initially we thought the molded detailing was very attractive and would earn the boot extra points in our style metric, but over time we discovered that some of the molding was roughly crafted. There were small pieces of straggling rubber on some of the “seams” and we didn't love the seam that cuts up the center of the shin.
The Jennifer, which rings up at $65, is a great option if you really like the look of the Hunter Original Adjustable ($160), but want to save some money and don't mind sacrificing a bit of style.
Our Analysis and Test Results
New Colors and a Lowered Price Tag for 2017
While no longer offered in the bright pink we tested, this boot is now offered in black (seen above), light grey, charcoal, deep red, navy blue, and olive green (seen below, left to right). The new contrasting color on the sole definitely bumps up the style a bit, and the $5 price decrease is also an added perk.
Hands-On Review
The Kamik Jennifer is a relatively affordable rain boot that provides extra weather protection thanks to its height. We liked the cushy support under the heel, but didn't think it was as high performing or as stylish as some of its competitors.
A tall boot that provides great weather protection, the Jennifer earned average to good scores across all our metrics.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Weather Protection
One of the taller rain boots we tested, the Jennifer measures 16.5 inches from the bottom of the sole to the top of the shaft. As a result, this boot earned above average scores in weather protection. On our tester, there was a gap of about one inch from the shin to the edge of the boot, but we don't think that would be enough of a gap to really let in extra precipitation.
This product has one of the tallest shafts in our review. If you know you'll encounter deep puddles or streams or even just tall wet grass, this will certainly keep you dry.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Comfort
This boot has a surprisingly cushy insole with plenty of support under the heel. This insole is uniquely inset so that it never pulled out when we took the boot off (a feature that we loved!). It unfortunately, though, doesn't offer nearly the arch support of the Bogs Women's Classic High. Our biggest complaint in the comfort department is that this boot has a very grippy shaft (inside and out). It's difficult to take on and off due to the sticky rubber interior; we initially thought that this would reduce the heel slippage, but unfortunately our heels still slipped away. Finally, the stiff rubber and tall height do not make this boot very mobile. We noticed this same challenge with the Hunter boots.
This boot has a very cushy insole, but has a couple of other characteristics (most notably a “sticky” interior) that made it lose a few comfort points.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Style
At first glance, the Jennifer seems quite stylish with its molded detailing, subtle heel, and decorative buckle. However, after looking more closely, we started to notice that some of the “seams” were quite rough and just didn't compare to the quality of the Hunter boot. The Jennifer also scuffs relatively easily.
This model reminded us a lot of the Hunter Original Adjustable, however, it's not quite as finely crafted.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Traction
The RubberHE Voyage outsole that Kamik used on the Jennifer unfortunately didn't perform so well in our traction tests. If you need a boot that will allow you to skip across creeks or board the bus with maximum confidence then we suggest a boot like the Helly Hansen Veierland 2 or the Sloggers Rain and Garden.
Warmth
We were pleasantly surprised with how much warmth this product offered. Its tall shaft and relatively thicker rubber upper combined to keep our testers' feet warmer than most competitors.
Although this boot does not have an insulative liner, the thick rubber provided quite a bit of warmth.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Fit
Our size 9.5 tester wore a size 10 Jennifer for this review. Length was spot on, but we still experienced lots of heel slippage. Unlike the Bogs North Hampton - Women's, this boot has a more narrow toe box. This wasn't uncomfortable for our lead tester, but she also has quite low-volume feet.
Best Applications
We didn't think this boot was very comfortable for longer walks, but as with most of the products we tested, it works well for casual use around town. Due to its height and added weather protection, it's also a good choice for women who live in areas with heavier or more driving rain.
We liked this boot for general use around-town from walking the dog to lunch with friends. Out testing the Jennifer on a rainy morning dog walk.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
Value
At $65, this product is one of the more affordable models that we tested. If you're in love the Hunter Original Adjustable, but just can't justify paying $160 for a rain boot, then the Jennifer could be a great option for you. And in this scenario, we think that it's a great value. However, for most people we would recommend either the Kamik Heidi, our Best Buy Award winner or the Helly Hansen Veierland 2, which offers significantly more performance.
Conclusion
The $65 Kamik Jennifer is a much more affordable alternative to the Hunter boots we tested, however, it falls short in a couple of key metrics, including traction and comfort. We suggest it if you need a tall boot that will provide a little extra weather protection.
With its combination of great weather protection and good scores in comfort, style, and warmth, this boot scored in our top five.
Credit: Amanda Fenn
—Amanda Fenn
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