The Best Wellington Boots

There are so many differences in wellies these days that while we could try and name one brand and style of boot, it wouldn’t necessarily be the “best” wellington boot for you. It isn’t a simple case that every other welly is the same as every other wellington boot.

The 'best' boots can depend on the purpose you need them for - after all, the best walking wellington boots may be good for dog walking but not pottering around in the garden.

You can find differences in materials, grip, height, purpose, and even linings. These differences often lend themselves to different levels of use and what you’re doing with them. For example, a farmer is not going to need the same features as a dog walker, and neither is a festival go-er going to need the same as a gardener.

Here we take you through a few features to look out for, and then provide a guide to what wellies might suit you best depending on the type of use you give them.

Key Features To Look For In The Best Wellington Boots

• Rubber content - generally better quality, more comfortable wellingtons are made from natural rubber. Unlike synthetic rubber, natural rubber has some stretch, and this elasticity makes them supple and more comfortable to wear.
• Sole unit - Better quality wellies have sole units on par with a quality walking boot, with superior grip and cushioning. Some basic wellies have the same rubber injection moulded throughout the entire boot, which will mean no cushioning of insulation in the sole.
• Insulation - this is a matter of personal preference and type of use, but for good insulation and longevity a neoprene lining is hard to beet
• Fit - wellies that are sculpted to the shape of the leg, particularly further up the calf are less likely to rub, and will also be warmer. Fit around the ankle is particularly important, as too much slack will mean they can rub at the heel. 

What is the Best Wellington Boot Brand?

It’s generally agreed that the best wellies to buy contain a high natural rubber content, have a sturdy sole which provides good grip and cushioning and either a leather or neoprene lining. Not to mention a fit that is sculpted to the leg shape.

Whilst there are a number of brands to choose from that fit these criteria, most industry experts would probably agree that Le Chameau and Aigle are the 2 brands that lead the way.

The Best Boot For Your Need

The Farmer

As a farmer, it’s expected that you’ll be outside all year round in whatever mother nature throws at you, from baking heat to freezing snow and heavy rain. Wellies sometimes are the only option when you’re going to be calf-deep in mud and… muck… Le Chameau has created the Ceres unisex range with farming in mind.

The collection features three boots: the Ceres Jersey Boot, the half-height Bottillion and the Ceres Neoprene lined boot. We’ve talked previously about various linings in this blog, but for a long story short, the jersey lining found in the Bottillion and the Jersey boot is great for year-round wear. However, they can mean that your feet get cold in winter.

The neoprene lining in contrast is far better for retaining heat (just think of a wetsuit!) which is better in colder weather, or if you’ve got bad circulation.

Aside from the differences in linings, all these boots feature a natural rubber with reinforced legs, hardwearing Michelin Agricultural soles and provide good grip with a pneumatic style tread. If you’re not a fan of Le Chameau, we have a few other options that include some of the best wellington boots for walking.

While not originally designed as agricultural boots, Seeland’s Nobel Gusset Wellies are designed for tackling the toughest outdoor conditions. They feature a dual-density rubber outsole for maximum grip and comfort and a neoprene lining that is even warmer than fleece lining.

Finally, we really like the Aigle Unisex Parcourse 2 wellies. With three slightly different styles, there’s something for everyone. They all feature a tri-density sole for extra foot support and shock absorption. The uppers are made from natural rubber for added comfort, strength, and flexibility.

The differences between the Iso, Vario and Original are the linings, gussets, and straps, but all three are great options. If you’re after something shorter, that you can pair with bulky trousers or coveralls the Hunter Unisex Argyll Short Wellies might be the best option for you. They are designed with heavy-duty construction and are ideal for rough environments and agricultural use.

The Festival Go-er

Unlike the farmer above, the festival attendee has a completely different set of requirements. Although we think the one defining similarity is keeping you from getting wet and muddy, or at least not too mucky... We’ve picked from great colourful wellies for women and some good all-rounders.

Glastonbury and mud are synonymous, but if you’re looking for a short boot style, to throw in your bag, just in case, we really like the Hunter Women’s Original Play Short wellies. These wellies are ankle-height, and come in a variety of fun colours, feature a flattering platform with maximum comfort and a polyester lining which should help to keep you cool in summer.

If you want tall boots and don’t mind a lack of colours, the Barbour Bede’s which are available for both men and women are a great shout. These boots are the perfect all-rounder – not just for a festival, they’re made with vulcanised rubber, with a track sole for better grip. If colour and style is something that matters to you, Hunter Originals Tall and Half Height all come in a variety of colour, and the Women’s Bede’s even have a snazzy tartan alternative.

The Dog Walker

If you own a dog then you almost certainly need to own a pair of wellies for walking! We’ve included a range of tall and half boots, as this is mostly a personal preference thing. Although, if you are going to be wading into puddles and mud after your pet, tall boots might be best. Some of our favourites include Heritage 1845’s Dinedor and St Joseph Wellingtons.

The Dinedor are your classic style green wellies, brilliant for tromping around with a versatile jersey lining which is great all year round, but may need to be worn with extra thick socks in winter. You can read all about linings on our blog here. The St Joseph features an adjustable strap and gusset, as well as a neoprene lining which is better for winter, and colder weather – or if you’ve got bad circulation.

If you like a shorter welly, we have a few different favourites that have a Chelsea boot style. Our favourite Barbour styles are the Kingham wellies for women and the Nimbus for men. These shorter options are some of the best wellington boots for dog walking no matter the weather.

They’re exactly like your classic Chelsea boot, but with the added benefit of waterproof rubber. This is perfect if you don’t want to get your shoes wet or muddy, but don’t want the hassle of bulky tall wellingtons.

If you’re looking for something in the middle, we like the Le Chameau Giverny Bottillon for women, or the Hunter Original Short Wellington available for both men and women

The Gardener

With wellies for the gardener, you’re probably not looking for quite the same requirements as a dog walker, or farmer. With the level of movement and kneeling, bending crouching that you’re likely to do while gardening, tall classic-style wellies might be too bulking and limiting.

Aigle is probably one of the most obvious choices and has several shoe and clog styles which are perfect for gardening, including the classic Lessfor, the Taden Clogs and the Taden Plus.

These styles live up to Aigle’s high standards for wellies with durable lugged rubber outsoles for great grip and traction, and the Lessfor even has a removable insert with a quick-drying lining. If you’re looking for an alternative brand to Aigle, we really like the Le Chameau Iris Chelsea Boots. These handy Chelsea boots feature a poly cotton jersey lining which is great for year-round wear.

The Casual Puddle Splasher

We’ve decided to add a little bit more of a general category, for people who want a pair of wellies, but don’t necessarily wear them often. Perhaps you need a wellie boot for a bit of a muddy stroll, or when you know you need muck boots to get through a field – It’s always useful to have a pair just in case.

We’ve got a few good all-rounders, some of which have been mentioned previously, but they are just so versatile! We especially love the Barbour Bede’s, they offer wellington boots for men and women, and they’re the perfect balance of price and quality.

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced neoprene lined welly – or you’re a lover of Barbour, they have made the Tempest welly, available in both men’s wellington boots and ladies' wellington boots. These options are similar to the Bede wellingtons but feature a warm neoprene lining and leather trim to the top of the boot.

We also think the Heritage 1845 wellies, either the St Joseph neoprene lined wellies, or the classic Dinedor wellies are perfect. The St Joseph is perfect if you think you’ll get more use in winter and want to keep your toes warm, while the Dinedor is perfect for your year-round use.

Hopefully, we’ve given you some ideas or thoughts about what to choose for your next pair of wellies. The best advice we can give is to look for the features that are important to you, and what you’ll need them for. If you need any further help, or support call our customer service team at 01432 377089, they are always happy to talk and offer advice.