Galoshes are boots or shoes that are made to be worn over other footwear.

Designed to protect the wearer and their shoes from the elements, galoshes are sometimes referred to as "rain boots," although that more general term actually refers to any type of boot made for wet weather, while the term "galoshes" usually refers to boots and shoes made to protect and cover other footwear.

Also sometimes referred to as overshoes or overboots, galoshes slip right over the wearer's regular footwear, allowing them to negotiate bad conditions like rain, slush and mud without having to carry a pair of shoes with them. To accomplish this and to remain waterproof, galoshes are generally made from rubber or plastic.

Galoshes can be stiff enough to retain their molded, upright shape when not in use, or they can be made from a thinner, flexible material that serves the same purpose, but isn't as structured and may not be as durable.

Galoshes are available for women, children and men, and come in a variety of styles, heights, colors and patterns. Galoshes have even been designed with clear rubber, so that the wearer's original footwear could be seen beneath the overshoes.

Some galoshes look more like shoes than boots, but because they can be worn over other shoes and are designed to protect from the elements, they can still be referred to as galoshes.

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