Colorful, funky rubber rain boots are one of this year's hottest fashion trends. They are definitely the most FUN way to keep your feet warm and dry in yucky weather, and they make excellent gifts, too. How can you not smile when you see someone walking around in one of those adorable women's rain boot fashions?

If you want to add a little whimsy to your life (or to the life of a lucky lady), buy a rubber women's rain boot. Here are five issues to think about while you shop.

SIZING: If you're shopping online, sizing issues can be challenging. The best advice here is to be aware of the various brands' sizing quirks. For example, Chooka rain boot sizes run large, while Western Chief Rain boot sizes tend to be wide, and they don't come in half sizes. TIP: an easy way to discover a brand's sizing quirks is to check out the product reviews on Amazon.com or other high-traffic websites.

DURABILITY: As functional as women's rain boots can be, the more popular, ultra-cute ones aren't really meant for yard work! Don't abuse your boots. If you treat them well, they can last for a long time. If you have any heavy work to do outside, it's better to buy some waterproof work boots.

TREAD: Rain can make walking surfaces slippery! It's important to make sure that your women's rain boot has good tread, to prevent you from falling into a puddle... or worse! TIP: for even better support, you can insert a pair of insoles. You won't believe how much more comfortable this can be!

INSULATION: When you put a women's rain boot in the snow, it does not automatically become a winter boot. You'd be surprised how many people try this, only to be unpleasantly surprised when their feet get really cold. Think about it, though; these boots are designed to keep your feet dry in the rain, but not necessarily the snow. You might be OK if you wore some serious wool socks with your rain boots, but then you might run into sizing issues. All things considered, it's much smarter to wear regular snow boots in very cold temperatures.

COMFORT: Let's face it, rubber rain boots are made of... you guessed it, rubber. Rubber isn't always the most comfortable material for clothing, but it's great for waterproofing. I've found that most worthwhile boots will involve a "breaking in" period where you have to deal with a little bit of discomfort while the material conforms to the shape of your body. After that, you and your now-comfortable boots will become nearly inseparable.

Women's rain boot fashions can express that free, artistic side of yourself and might even help you to strike up fun conversations with people. They can also make you feel like a kid again! Whatever your reason for considering rubber rain boots, you're sure to find the best pair available if you keep these tips in mind.