The Wirecutter Show

It can be tough finding a great pair of rain boots that suits your style, feels good to wear for hours on end, and that will actually hold up season after rainy season. But it’s not impossible. This episode, outdoor gear writer Kyle Fitzgerald explains what makes a well-designed rain boot.
Drawing on years of real-world testing through floods, mud, and city downpours, Kyle shares top picks for city commuting, quick errands, and heading into the great outdoors.

This episode includes:
What construction details to look for: One-piece molded rubber boots or heavily sealed seams along the sole and upper prevent leaks.
How to pick the right tread for your terrain: Flatter treads excel on city sidewalks while deeper, wider treads keep mud from clogging your grip.
How to prevent clammy feet: Swap cotton for wool or moisture-wicking synthetic socks to absorb perspiration trapped inside non-breathable rubber boots.
When rain boots can double as snow boots: Rain boots paired with wool socks can handle chilly 35° to 40°F weather. If it’s colder than that, you’ll probably want designated snow boots.

Products we recommend:
A great boot for city walking: Merry People Bobbi Ankle Rain Boot
A boot that doesn’t slip on pavement: Xtratuf 6-Inch Ankle Deck Boots in Men’s or Women’s
A classic rain boot for mixed terrain: L.L.Bean Bean Boots in Men’s or Women’s
The best calf-height boot: Hunter Original Short Rain Boots in Men’s or Women’s
The best tall boot: Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots
A fashionable tall boot our style expert loves: Ganni Country Boots
A great boot for the mud: Bogs Classic Seamless Tall in Men’s and Women’s
A leather shoe worth waterproofing: Blundstone Men’s Originals #500
A cowboy boot that can handle the weather: Tecovas The Earl

Additional reading:
The Best Rain Boots of 2026
The Best Kids' Rain Boots
The Best Winter Boots of 2026
I Still Wear the L.L.Bean Boots I Got 38 Years Ago
How to Clean and Care for Rubber Rain Boots
I Scoured Secondhand Sites and Outlets for These Rain Boots.
Extreme-Weather Reporter Judson Jones’s Packing Tips


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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Out of the thousands of products Wirecutter tests, only a small fraction ever earn the title of "top pick." Some of these products continue to impress us year after year, proving to be more durable and delightful than the competition.

To celebrate these iconic products, Wirecutter introduced its first-ever Hall of Fame award, honoring 50 items that have remained top recommendations for at least six consecutive years.

In this episode we talk with four veteran Wirecutter journalists to go behind the scenes on some of the most beloved Hall of Fame inductees, including an indispensable multitool, the best ice cream scoop you’ll ever use, headphones that actually protect kids’ hearing, and more.

This episode covers:
What makes a product Hall of Fame worthy: The criteria behind selecting 50 legendary picks that have survived at least six years of rigorous, head-to-head testing against newer models.
The ultimate multi-tool: Home improvement writer Doug Mahoney explains why the lightweight Leatherman Skeletool CX offers the right balance of essential tools without unnecessary bulk.
The perfect ice cream scoop: Kitchen writer Lesley Stockton demystifies the Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop, patented in the 1930s, which uses heat-conductive fluid inside the handle to effortlessly roll hard ice cream into smooth, perfect spheres.
Protective headphones: Audio writer Lauren Dragan discusses her groundbreaking testing of children's headphones and why the volume-limiting Puro Sound Labs BT2200 has remained our top recommendation for nearly a decade.
A superior air purifier: Tim Heffernan, who covers air and water filtration, highlights the Coway Airmega Mighty air purifier, the most popular product Wirecutter has ever tested.

Products we recommend:
The best multi-tool: Leatherman Skeletool CX
The ultimate toilet clog buster: Korky 99-4A Beehive Max Performance Plunger
Our longtime favorite ice cream scoop: Zeroll 1020 Original Ice Cream Scoop
The best coffee grinder: Baratza Encore
The best kids headphones for music and videos: Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus
A great air purifier: Coway Airmega Mighty (AP-1512HH)

Additional reading:
The Winners of Our 2026 Hall of Fame
This Air Purifier Is the Most Popular Wirecutter Product of All Time
We Tested Headphones for Schoolkids. Some Were Worryingly Loud.


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Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You don’t need to settle for sad sandwiches and wilted salads for lunch. This episode, Wirecutter kitchen editor Gabriella Gershenson explains how the right lunch box can help you pack a midday meal that you or your kids will actually be happy to tuck into.

We discuss how to choose between bentos, insulated totes, salad containers, and thermoses for both kids and adults. Some boxes are better for upcycling leftover odds and ends, while others do a better job keeping your food at a safe temperature throughout the day.

Plus, Gabriella shares her favorite ideas and resources for adding more joy to the lunch box—from DIY tinned fish hand rolls to sweet hand-written notes.

This episode covers:
Why the vessel dictates the lunch: Compartmentalized bento boxes can help you turn bits of leftovers into an appealing meal, salad bowls will keep the greens crisp, while insulated thermoses open up a world of hot lunches–no microwave needed!
Keeping foods at safe temps: If you don’t have access to a refrigerator during the day, you may want to get an insulated tote and use freezer packs.
Fun packing ideas: Inspiration from Molly Yeh's bento hacks (like date "snickers" with nut butter and sprinkles) and Ali Slagle's DIY tinned fish hand rolls.

Products we recommend:
A sturdy, spacious plastic bento box: Bentgo Fresh Lunch Box
A chic stackable bento: Takenaka Bento Bite Dual
A great stainless-steel bento: Ecozoi Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box 3 Compartment
The best food thermos: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar
The best food thermos for kids: ThermoFlask Food Jar
A simple and stylish bag: Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag
A sturdy and roomy bag: Carhartt Insulated 12 Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler
A sleek and stylish lunch bowl: W&P Porter Bowl
A stainless-steel salad bowl: S’well Salad Bowl Kit
Great for packing cold and hot lunches for kids: OmieBox
A book for inspiration: Love Japan: Everyday Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook, , co-authored by Gabriella Gershenson

Additional reading:
The Best Kids Lunch Boxes
The 8 Best Lunch Boxes of 2026
This Pricey Kids Lunch Box Is Worth Every Penny
The 5 Best Cottage Cheeses of 2026


We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Do you have something that you always fight about with your spouse, partner, or housemate? Maybe you’re convinced you know the right way to load the dishwasher… or brighten laundry… but your partner disagrees? The Wirecutter Show wants to hear about your household skirmishes. Cleaning… cooking… laundry… bathroom habits… lighting and decor! All of it. Tell us what your household disagrees on and our team of experts will help settle the score, once and for all.

Send us an email – or a voice memo – to thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com. Tell us your name, who you bicker with, and what keeps you two at odds. If you can manage it, you might even record a note together.

We can’t wait to wade into the battle! Thanks.

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Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The right pillow can make the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a sore neck. But given you usually can’t try before you buy, it can be surprisingly difficult to figure out which pillow will actually work for you.

Wirecutter sleep writer Shaena Montanari explains how to choose a pillow based on your sleep position, what makes a pillow supportive, and how to tell when yours has reached the end of its life. She also breaks down the major pillow materials, what to look for before you buy, and why it’s probably time to wash your current pillows.

This episode covers:
Your sleep position should guide your pillow choice. Side-, back-, and stomach-sleepers need different amounts of height and support, so start by figuring out how you actually sleep before shopping.
The goal is spinal alignment. The right pillow should keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body while you sleep.
A pillow that’s too soft may not stay supportive. Pillows compress over the course of the night, and many people end up needing more firmness or height than they initially expect.
Pillows don’t last forever. Synthetic fills such as memory foam and down alternative generally start breaking down after a few years, while materials like down and latex can last longer with proper care. Shaena recommends replacing your pillows every three years.

Products we recommend:
Cloud-like down for all sleep positions: Garnet Hill Signature White Down Pillow (firm)
Best single-piece memory-foam pillow: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProHi Pillow
An inexpensive single-piece foam pillow, with ample support: Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Fluffy-yet-supportive down alternative: Boll and Branch Down Alternative Pillow
Best adjustable memory-foam pillow: Coop Original Adjustable Pillow
Structured down alternative perfect for side sleepers: Hotel Collection Luxe Down Alternative Firm Density Pillow
Firmer adjustable shredded memory foam, but pricier: Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow
Shaena loves: Her Baggu Bag

Additional reading:
The Best Bed Pillows
The Best Memory Foam Pillows
The Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
How to Wash Bed Pillows


We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.