Slipping into a trusty pair of wellington boots is one of life’s simple pleasures. A strong, comfortable and reliable pair of boots is essential whatever the time of year, whether that is for trekking around sludgy fields, mucking out myriad stables, or taking the dog for a walk.
The design and materials of wellington boots hasn’t changed that much over the years, but more features have been added to ensure that feet stay warm and comfortable all year round.
Our panel of testers has hunted down mud and jumped in puddles to give our selection of boots a rigorous testing. Each pair of boots is marked out of five for fit and comfort, performance, and value for money, giving each an overall rating out of 15 stars.
1. Le Mieux Stride Wellington Boots
Le Mieux Stride Wellington Boots
RRP £94.95
Colours: Navy, port, oak
Sizes: 4 – 9
Fit and comfort: 4.5 stars
These proved to be a little snug and so I would suggest going up a size as I wasn’t able to wear thicker socks comfortably.
Because they are snug, I also found them rather difficult to pull off – it’s easier with a boot jack!
They were a good fit in the calf, and the strap on the side can be easily adjusted to make the boot a little wider if needed.
Performance: 5 stars
The rubber is pliable, but not too floppy. My foot felt supported, too.
The neoprene lining is soft and my feet stayed at a comfortable temperature.
These boots are waterproof and the grip on the sole gives a feeling of security when walking across muddy fields.
Value for money: 4.5 stars
A great, practical welly at a fair price.
Total: 14/15 stars
2. Joules Printed Wellies with Back Gusset
Joules Printed Wellies with Back Gusset
RRP £59.95
Colours: Grey floral, navy dog
Sizes: 3 – 8
Fit and comfort: 4.5 stars
The boots I tried were my usual size, but I found them a bit tight with thick socks. They have a narrower fit around the feet than some, so if you have wide feet and intend to use these in the winter you might want to go up a size.
That said, I found the narrow fit beneficial as my feet were well positioned and I didn’t experience that sloppy feeling that comes with a wider boot.
The adjustable gusset with an easy-to-use metal stud works well for different calf widths and makes the boots easy to put on and take off.
Joules Printed Wellies are light to wear and the rubber is more pliable and thinner than others I’ve worn and so they proved very comfortable.
Performance: 4.5 stars
These have just the right amount of ‘girliness’ for someone who is a bit of a tomboy.
They have good grip for typical (wet and muddy) Scottish weather, plus a good depth of heel.
I found the insoles and sole of the boot a little on the thin side, which made me aware of every stone underfoot. My arches didn’t feel overly supported either.
Value for money: 4.5 stars
I was surprised at the lower cost and I think these are great value for a good quality product.
Total: 13.5/15 stars
3. Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene Lined Boots
Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene Lined Boots
RRP £200
Colours: Chameau green, dark brown, iconic green
Sizes: 2.5 – 9
Fit and comfort: 4 stars
My only gripes would be that my usual foot size felt snug with thickish socks – I suggest going up a size – while as someone with not insignificant calves, I found the legs on the tight side, even with the adjustable gusset at full stretch.
Admittedly, the rubber did seem to stretch slightly during the test period, but a wide leg version would I’m sure be welcomed by many purchasers.
Performance: 5 stars
I have invested a lot of money over the years in wellies because I spend so much time trudging through my horses’ fields. By comparison to those I have worn before, I found the quality of these boots to be exceptional.
The supple Chamolux rubber lived up to its reputation, being incredibly soft and malleable, while the footbed seemed exceptional, too, and not only super-supportive, but it insulated me from the deepest, coldest puddles I could find in early autumn.
Value for money: 4.5 stars
As for value for money, these are certainly pricey, but you get what you pay for and, to reiterate, the quality is exceptional. If these remain as resilient as they are today in a year or two’s time, they would get a 5/5 in this category for me.
Total: 13.5/15 stars
4. Caldene Westfield II Neoprene Lined Wellingtons
Caldene Westfield II Neoprene Lined Wellingtons
RRP £99
Colours: Green, brown
Sizes: 3 – 11
Fit and comfort: 4.5 stars
These looked smart and sturdy – and they didn’t disappoint.
The fit was good and accurate to size, and because they are unisex they were more generous around the foot.
The neoprene lining made them easy to put on and take off.
Performance: 4.5 stars
They were comfortable, gave a good amount of support and I was impressed with the sole, which offered excellent grip; I didn’t slip at all.
Value for money: 4.5 stars
Smart, reasonably priced, excellent hardwearing boots.
Total: 13.5/15 stars
5. Toggi Barnsdale Wellington Boots
Toggi Barnsdale Wellington Boots
RRP £130
Colours: Black, navy, olive
Sizes: 37 – 48
Fit and comfort: 4.5 stars
These smart looking boots are true to size and I found them easy to slip into and very comfortable to walk and work in.
My one criticism would be that there is no ‘ridge’ just behind the heel to assist when pulling the boot off with the other foot.
Performance: 4.5 stars
Barnsdale Boots are made from rubber with a neoprene lining. The cushioned sole helps to absorb shock and I felt very secure while wearing them – the grip of the tread is good enough to ensure no sliding around in muddy fields. They proved easy to clean.
Value for money: 4 stars
While the price point is higher than I would normally pay, I’m very pleased with them so far.
Total: 13/15 stars
6. Ariat Burford Waterproof Rubber Boots
Ariat Burford Waterproof Rubber Boots
RRP £140
Colours: Olive green, brown, navy
Sizes: 3 – 8.5
Fit and comfort: 4.5 stars
These are nice looking boots with a smart leather trim at the top and an adjustable strap closure.
I tried books in my usual size and they fitted well – although they were a little snug with thicker socks on.
The vulcanised rubber that these boots are made from is more rigid than other boots I’ve worn, but I do find that my foot is more supported and comfortable in these.
Performance: 4.5 stars
As is to be expected from Ariat, these boots have ATS Pro technology in the sole to keep feet stable and comfortable – you don’t actually realise you are wearing them!
Burfood boots are waterproof and seem to repel dirt well. The sole provides good grip on different surfaces.
Value for money: 4 stars
These are a really practical pair of wellington boots. They do come with a higher price tag, but they appear to be durable and are very comfortable.
Total: 13/15 stars
7. Felix Bühler Winter Rubber Boots Classic
Felix Bühler Winter Rubber Boots Classic
RRP £39.90
Colours: Plum, forest green, navy
Sizes: 3 – 10.5
Fit and comfort: 3.5 stars
These look like a classic pair of wellies, but they are quite a bit shorter in the leg than my usual ones. They are smart, but sadly I didn’t find them very comfortable.
Although they were my usual size, they proved to be wide in the foot. This meant that my foot wasn’t well supported, moving about as I walked. This, combined with the shorter length, meant that they were baggy on my calf.
I also found the sole quite thin and I could feel stones.
Performance: 4 stars
These boots are waterproof, have cleaned up well after use and the fleece lining is a nice addition.
Value for money: 4.5 stars
They are also a good price, but they just didn’t suit me.
Total: 12/15 stars
All prices are correct at the time of writing.
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