Boot cut jeans are characterized by a slight flare at the bottom of the leg, which allows enough room to comfortably fit over boots or other footwear. The flare starts subtly around the knee and gradually widens towards the hem. On the other hand, puddle jeans, also known as puddle-hem or puddle-length jeans, have an intentionally longer inseam, resulting in a hem that extends beyond your shoes, creating a pooling effect or “puddle” of fabric around the ankles.