Keep your feet warm and dry in all weather with BBC Countryfile Magazine’s round up of the best wellington boots on the market.
Let’s face it – it rains a lot in Britain. Our temperamental climate means that owning a good pair of wellingtons is essential in any season, and their reliable waterproofing make wellies a useful option for gardening, dog walking and working outdoors.
A strong, sturdy rubber pair will let you breeze through puddles or hike across fields in a storm without ending up with soggy socks. As when buying any outdoor gear, it’s worth investing in a well-made pair of rubber boots – cheap wellies often start to come apart and let water in at the seams after a winter’s worth of use, but a good quality pair can last for decades.
For more on what to consider when buying a pair of wellington boots, head to our buyer’s guide.
And if you’re in the market for gear to complement your new wellies, check out our guides to the best kids wellies, best walking boots and gloves for walkers.
At a glance: best wellies for 2023
- Best for comfort: Ariat Kelmarsh Rubber Boot – Ariat (£110)
- Best work welly: Muck Boots Muckmaster Hi Rain Wellington Boot – Amazon (£116.63)
- Best festival welly: Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot – Amazon (£94.99)
Best wellington boots to buy in 2023
Le Chameau Vierzonord Neo Wellington Boots
Best premium welly
- Buy now from Le Chameau (£200.00), Outdoor and Country (£200.00).
- Weight: 700g per boot
- Materials: rubber
- Lining: neoprene
A classic grass-green design paired with cosy insulated lining, there’s a lot to like about this well-made, premium wellington boot.
The boots aren’t as heavy as their chunky soles suggest, and we found they offered the best arch support of any model on test. A solid choice for hillside walks too, the Vierzonord Neo Wellington Boots are pleasingly grippy.
We’d recommend choosing a size up if you plan to wear these wellies with thick socks.
Pros: insulated, very comfortable, adjustable calf
Cons: fits on the small side, expensive
Read our full review of the Le Chameau Vierzonord Neo Wellington Boots.
- Buy now from Le Chameau (£200.00), Outdoor and Country (£200.00).
Ariat Kelmarsh Rubber Boot
Best for comfort
- Buy now from Ariat (£110.00).
- Weight: 1.2kg per boot
- Materials: Vulcanized rubber
- Lining: jersey
While the Ariat Kelmarsh Rubber Boot has a similar look to many other tall, non-insulated welly on the market, the soft jersey lining and bouncy insole give this model an edge on the comfort scale.
The grip is decent enough, but you’ll need to keep the boots clean to avoid slipping in wet conditions, as they’ve got a fairly shallow tread. Overall, a lovely choice for enjoying the outdoors in autumn and spring, and as a plus, this model is available in half sizes so you can find your perfect fit for all-day comfort.
Pros: great insoles, soft lining, fit true to size
Cons: rear straps come undone, not insulated
Read our full review of the Ariat Kelmarsh Rubber Boot.
- Buy now from Ariat (£110.00).
Muck Boots Muckmaster Hi Rain Wellington Boot
Best work welly
- Weight: 1.4kg per boot
- Materials: Vulcanised rubber
- Lining: Neoprene
For a sturdy welly that’ll see you through a full day working outdoors in chilly conditions, you can’t go wrong with the Muck Boots Muckmaster Hi Rain Boot. Thanks to a warm neoprene lining, rugged rubber body and super-solid toe, these boots are the business.
They’ll do you well on a rainy day as the leg-hugging design keeps your socks nice and dry, and don’t be put off by the hefty appearance as on test, we found the boots were pleasingly malleable underfoot.
We didn’t have any issue with sizing either. The boots are true to size when worn with woolly socks.
Pros: comfortable, stretchy neoprene cuff, very insulated
Cons: heavy, too warm for mild weather
Read our full review of the Muck Boots Muckmaster Hi Rain Wellington Boot.
Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot
Best festival welly
- Weight: 800g per boot
- Materials: rubber
- Lining: cotton/polyester
The popular brand’s Original Tall Wellington Boot is quite the fashion statement, and an obvious choice for festival-goers.
The grip could be better so we wouldn’t recommend taking these boots for a hike in the hills, and there’s little insulation which means they’re not the warmest, but there’s still plenty to love. The boots are durable, waterproof and comfortable to wear – plus their stylish appearance can’t be denied.
Pros: comfortable, stylish, long-lasting
Cons: no insulation, limited grip
Read our full review of the Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot.
Barbour Abbey Wellington Boot
Best casual welly
- Buy now from Barbour (£64.95).
- Weight: 600g per boot
- Materials: Rubber
- Lining: Mesh
The Barbour Abbey Wellington Boot is another model that feels like it’s more suited to festival life, rather than a day of physical work outdoors. If you’re in need of a simple and stylish boot to chuck on for a casual dog walk, Barbour’s Abbey will serve you well.
The affordably-priced model is relaxed and lightweight, but due to the limited grip and minimal insulation, you’ll struggle in rough terrain.
Pros: lightweight, comfortable fit
Cons: poor quality insoles, no insulation
Read our full review of the Barbour Abbey Wellington Boot.
- Buy now from Barbour (£64.95).
What to consider when buying wellington boots
There are more types of welly boot on the market than you’d think. As well as simple rubber boots perfect for festivals and casual walks there are tougher models designed for people who work outdoors, with thick linings and reinforced toes, plus insulated options for wear in freezing temperatures and for long days working outside that are designed to keep your feet toasty warm as well as dry. These five pairs of wellington boots are all great performers in different situations, and we’ve picked models that will suit most budgets.
Key features
Waterproofing
Obviously, wellington boots should be completely waterproof (all fully rubber wellies on the market usually are, but you might also come across rain boots with rubber toes and a material upper, and these aren’t always fully waterproof). Look for thick seams and chunky, grippy soles with deep lugs – that means your new boots will give good grip on muddy and slippery ground.
Warmth
Working outside all day? Pick neoprene or fleece-lined wellingtons, which are warmer (if usually more expensive) than cotton lined wellies, or opt for safety wellingtons, with reinforced toes to keep your feet safe.
Fit
When it comes to fit, you’re looking for lots of room to wiggle your toes and no tightness anywhere, especially around the heels. Wear a pair of thick socks when trying on wellington boots – if you want to wear your new boots in the winter you may need to go a half size larger than usual to fit thick socks. Some models of wellington have straps at the top of the boot, allowing you to adjust the calf width. If you have wide calves and find regular wellies too tight, try a short wellington boot or look for specifically wider designs.
How we tested
We wore each pair of wellingtons over multiple days outdoors and in varied weather conditions. We put these boots to work while tackling gardening chores and also walked around four miles in each pair – while wellies aren’t usually designed for walking longer distances, they do need to be comfortable enough to stride around in for hours at a time.
We looked for a comfortable fit with cushioning insoles, good grip on wet surfaces and, if the model was insulated, heat-trapping warmth. And of course, we made sure that we immersed each pair in a puddle or two to check their seams held up under water.
We hope our guide has helped you find the perfect pair of wellington boots for the muddy months ahead!
If you’re still looking for waterproof gear, check out the best waterproof jackets for 2023, tried and tested by the experts at Countryfile.