10 best men’s wellies for muddy walks
Loved by everyone from dog walkers to allotment owners, the humble wellington boot will see you through the wettest, muddiest conditions, which is why, more than 200 years since they were invented, they’re still going strong.
We were after boots that were a lot more than just puddle-proof, though, and were looking for pairs that offered comfort for extended use, whether for a rambling weekend walk, quick dog walk in the park, or for a muddy day in the garden.
All the boots in this line-up offer 100 per cent waterproofing, but they also needed to be comfortable and easy to wear from the moment we started walking, without having to be broken in.
Warmth, the practicality of getting them on and off, and the traction provided by the outsole were all taken into consideration when testing the boots out on Dartmoor, as well as some urban adventuring.
These are the best wellingtons for 2022.
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The best men’s wellington boots for 2022 are:
Best overall – Muck boot forager: £95, Muckbootcompany.co.uk
Best zip-up style – Ariat burford insulated zip boot: £200, Ariat.com
Best anti-fatigue boots – Aigle anti-fatigue hunting boots: £139.70, Aigle.com
Best adjustable boots – Hunter men’s Balmoral field adjustable neoprene boots: £160, Hunterboots.com
Best roomy fit – Le Chameau country cross neoprene homme boots: £150, Lechameau.com
Best work boots – Dunlop purofort and full safety: £75.95, Dunlopboots.com
Best for muddy walks – Bosworth navy town and country wellies: From £27.72, Amazon.co.uk
Best short boots – Kornö men’s rubber boots: £80, Didriksons.com
Best insulated boots – Muck boot unisex arctic sport short boots: £125, Muckbootcompany.co.uk
Best heavy-duty boots – Buckler BBZ6000 S5 waterproof safety wellington boot: £81.50, Wilsonsworkwear.co.uk
Muck boot forager
Best: Overall
A very versatile boot with pliable, easy-to-fold rubber which means the boot can be worn at three different heights, so you can match it to the weather and conditions. The memory foam footbed was comfortable and warm, and there’s good protection on tougher terrain with extra rubber at the toe and heel.
These boots had one of the best outsoles on test, too, with superb traction and no problems with mud clogging up the tread. Good looks and a great price make this a real boot for all seasons. There aren’t many sizes left, but we found more at Next and Sports Direct.
Buy now £95.00, Muckbootcompany.co.uk
Ariat burford insulated zip boot
Best: Zip-up style
This tall boot is built to perform in all conditions and is very well insulated making it a good autumn or winter boot. Shock absorption from the midsole was excellent, so we didn’t feel a thing even when we were walking over hard, stony forest trails.
The comfort continues with a wicking footbed and an outsole that digs into any mud or loose gravel to give you plenty of confidence while walking or working outdoors. The boots have a classic design with a leather-trimmed top and zip that runs from heel to calf, making the boots easy to get on and off.
Buy now £200.00, Ariat.com
Aigle anti-fatigue hunting boots
Best: Anti-fatigue boots
The French footwear manufacturer calls these “anti-fatigue” boots because it has beefed up the cushioning in the heel and filled the midsole with shock-absorbing foam. With a natural rubber upper that is soft and pliable, you have a very comfortable boot that seems to mould to the foot the more you wear it.
Added to this is an outsole that offers a fusion of three different rubbers for durability and protection and superb traction in all conditions. This is a do-it-all boot with some classic styling.
Buy now £139.70, Aigle.com
Hunter men’s balmoral field adjustable 3mm neoprene wellington boots
Best: Adjustable boots
The boots from the well-known UK manufacturer were easy to break in and the rubber was comfortable straight out of the box. The footplate is enhanced by two removable 3mm and 5mm moulded insoles while the adjustable shaft means you can finetune the fit of the boot so your feet feel supported even on longer walks.
A durable, well-treaded Vibram outsole gave good traction and the boots were easy to get off thanks to the kickspur addition on the heel.
Buy now £160.00, Hunterboots.com
Le Chameau country cross neoprene homme
Best: Roomy fit
We found the natural rubber used in the country cross was one of the most supple and comfortable we tested. The boots felt like someone had already walked around in them to break them in.
We also liked the design of the boot which is slightly more generous around the calf for a roomy fit on the legs that tapers nicely to secure the feet snugly on the footplates. An excellent outsole and neoprene lining for warmth make for a quality boot that is well worth the investment.
Buy now £150.00, Lechameau.com
Dunlop purofort and full safety
Best: Workboot
These boots are made from a synthetic material, not rubber, but they still offer a comfortable wearing experience and are lightweight, making them good for all-day usage.
There is good support and cushioning across the footbed in these workboots. This is why a lot of thought seems to have been put into the outsole, which offered traction on paths and even surfaces, while also giving stability when things got wet and muddy underfoot. They’re sadly no longer in stock online at Dunlop, but we found them online at a lower price at Amazon (from £58.38, Amazon.co.uk.
Buy now £75.95, Dunlopboots.com
Bosworth navy town and country wellies
Best: For muddy walks
This full-length boot offers a roomy fit allowing plenty of space to tuck in trousers, even when you’re wearing thick socks. An adjustable shaft means it’s easy to customise the fit while a comfortable footbed makes the boot easy to wear all day.
Where Town and Country have really got things right with the Bosworth is the outsole which has plenty of tread on the forefoot to avoid slip-ups on flat surfaces. Plus, the higher heel can really dig into mud to anchor the heel as you walk.
Buy now £27.72, Amazon.co.uk
Didriksons kornö men’s rubber boots
Best: Short boots
This short wellie is supremely easy to get on and off and is made from soft natural rubber, so you won’t have to worry about chafing on the calf or foot.
The Swedish company has a history of making weatherproof gear for the fishing business. This means plenty of experience has gone into making a boot that feels as good to wear on the inside, thanks to a thin fleece lining, as it does on the outside.
Buy now £80.00, Didriksons.com
Muck boot unisex arctic sport short boots
Best: Insulated boots
This is an easy on-and-off mid-height boot, built for colder conditions with 5mm of neoprene insulation (compared to the usual 3mm on regular wellies) and a fleece lining that also helps to cushion and secure the foot in place on the footbed. This is supported by another 2mm of thermal foam for added warmth and comfort.
The opening stretches nicely, creating a seal between calf and boot to keep out any materials and trap warmth inside. The outsole performed well with good grip and mud release, so we didn’t have to worry about diminished traction as we walked.
Buy now £125.00, Muckbootcompany.co.uk
Buckler BBZ6000 S5 waterproof neoprene safety wellington boot
Best: Heavy-duty boots
Some wellies are created with something more in mind than a dog walk. That is the case with the S5s, which are a safety wellie for those with a particular job to do.
The sole is heat and slip-resistant, and there’s extra protection at the toecap and midsole. All this protection doesn’t sacrifice comfort and the boot comes with detachable cushioned insoles, effective breathable lining and, as you’d expect, excellent traction and grip.
Buy now £81.50, wilsonsworkwear.co.uk
The verdict: Men’s wellies
Good looks combine with real practicality for the Muck Boot Forager, which is a boot for all seasons, offering all-day comfort and plenty of protection. It really is go-anywhere footwear that you can adapt to any condition.
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Looking for a trendy pair of water-repellent shoes? We’ve got you covered with the best men’s waterproof boots
