A pair of the best wellies is a solid investment. They're essential for keeping your feet dry in horrible weather, yes, but modern Wellington boots have advanced well past mere waterproofing duties. Improvements in design and technology mean that today's best wellies provide impressive grip, insulation and support.
Often sharing some of the features you'll find on the best hiking boots – such as advanced grippy outsoles made with sophisticated rubber compounds – many of the best wellies on this list are suitable for wearing for long periods and walking further distances comfortably and confidently. For this guide, we've reviewed wellies from classic brands like Hunter and Barbour, as well as relative newcomers such as The Original Muck Boot Company.
To get optimum performance from these boots, it's also worth investing in a pair of the best hiking socks to add padding and warmth. While there are plenty of options that are great for gardening in this guide (if that's your priority, you should also consult our ranking of the best gardening shoes and boots), most of the best wellies featured here are suitable for tackling tracks and trails in even the worst weather.
Read on for our pick of the best wellies for men on the market right now.
Best wellies for men to buy right now
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We think the best wellies for men right now are the Barbour Bede Wellington boots. The base model in the Barbour range, these boots are perfectly functional but come with a few hidden benefits. The vulcanised rubber upper is solid enough to be easy to get on and off, but still flexible enough to be comfortable in wear, and includes an adjuster strap. A thick insole keeps your toes warm even in extended periods standing around.
This is attached to the rest of the boot, which means it stays securely in place when pulling the boots on and off, but you can't dry or air it separately. An important design tweak is the addition is a ‘kick spur feature’; a small right-angled projection on the heel that provides a lever to help you get your boots on and off. They're not the cheapest... but they're not the most expensive, either. If you're wanting a pair of boots that'll keep you comfy and dry for years to come, these Barbours are our top pick.
Read our full Barbour Bede Wellington boot review.
Designed by Aigle as an anti-fatigue hunting boot, the Parcours 2 is made to be worn all day and it's the ideal footwear for a long, muddy winter hike. Handmade in France, the Parcours 2 features a tri-density rubber sole with shock absorption through a heel cushion and foam insole, while its Gomma Plus natural rubber upper is lined with fast-drying polyamide.
It's a quality boot that delivers cushioning, stability and abrasion resistance, and it's built to last, but this means that it's also the most expensive in this round-up. That said, it's sure to outlast many of the cheaper boots listed here (especially if you follow Aigle's care instructions), so if you're willing to pay up it'll almost certainly save you money in the long term.
Another excellent welly for walkers on a tighter budget, is the Decathlon r900. These boots boast a reinforced instep shock-absorbing insole unit that's specifically designed for walking, as well a 5mm tread for grip. While Decathlon says that they'll keep you comfy for strolls of up to 20km, be aware that no welly will offer the same level of ankle support you would in proper hiking boots. The r900s are made from a new rubber formula that's designed to be more durable, and boast a high cut that makes them ideal for dense undergrowth and very boggy ground. Although these aren't the cheapest wellies around, they're nice and robust, and don't involve any compromises in the comfort stakes.
If you're looking for robust wellies for tough tasks, check out the Muck Boot Mudder. These boots shine when it comes to outright protection, with a sturdy build and outsoles designed to repel oil and gas as well as shed excess mud. Thoughtful additions such as the heel wedge and reflective tab help these stand out further, although, in our review, we found they're not the most flexible boots, so if you're wanting something for long, comfortable strolls, perhaps look elsewhere in the list. There's a wide fit all around, so a good choice if you've got chunky calves or want to be able to tuck in bulky trousers comfortably.
Read our full Muck Boot Mudder review.
If you're looking for a wellington boot that is heaped with function and style, these Le Chameau beauties could be the best wellies for you. Although seemingly expensive, the Vierzonord, available for men and women, are built to last, so expect a robust and durable build straight out of the box. If you work outdoors, they will see you through many years of slogging away in the mud and heavy rain, thanks to their durable natural rubber upper and hard-wearing rubber sole. But you don't have to work outdoors to enjoy them – they're also perfect for dog walking and muddy country strolls. The Vierzonord wellies have an adjustable snap-fastening buckle on the side so that you can wear them comfortably over jeans, trousers and leggings. Those with wider calves may appreciate the adjustable fit.
The fast-drying 3mm neoprene keeps your feet dry and makes these wellies comfort-rated to temperatures as low as -15°C. The neoprene does take a little getting used to at first, especially when it comes to tugging off the wellies, but we found that rolling the boots down a little helped us to get them off easier. They also wipe clean in a jiffy, with mud and dirt washing straight off.
Read our full Le Chameau Vierzon Wellington Boot review.
If you're looking for a pair of wellies you can keep in your car, for wearing on dog walks and for getting out and about in the mud, these Dunlops are the best wellies for you. While they don't match the more expensive wellies in terms of material (the outer material is synthetic, not rubber), they're still fully waterproof and come with a 3cm heel for cushioning on unstable ground. Plus, with wellies for wider calves being quite tricky to come by without a hike in price, these boots really are budget-friendly. If you require a cheap and cheerful pair of wellington boots because you don't want fancy forking out on a pair of Hunters, we heartily recommend these Dunlops.
If you don't need full-leg protection, these ankle-length boots from The Original Muck Boot Company come highly recommended. We've tested out the women's version and were hugely impressed. The thing that stands out most is the comfort – the insole provides ample cushioning for hours of wear, while the lace-up top section adds adjustable support around the ankles. This lace up section makes them easier to get on and off than your average wellington boot, too. The rubber lower section is fully waterproof – you can submerge these in puddles without worry of damp feet – while the leather upper provides natural water-resistance when walking through long wet grass, for instance. For full calf protection you'll need to invest in a taller boot, but for more casual wear and especially for those who need a bit more stability and support, the Duck Lace-up short boots are a top buy.
For a classic welly that will serve you well when mucking about in deep mud most days, we recommend our number one choice's taller counterpart: the Original Tall Wellington Boot from Hunter. They're a great all-round welly, but most importantly the full calf coverage will you keep your feet, ankle and calves dry no matter how much it rains, or how deep a puddle of mud you stand in. You'll have the rugged durability that comes with the Hunter name and promises to keep your feet warm and dry in deep mud or rainfall.
The Muck Boot Apex is a welly boot for people who don't like wellies. More akin to a traditional hiking boot, the Apex melds high-performance welly-esque rubber and 5mm neoprene with a mid-ankle boot design, resulting in a close-fitting, highly flexible waterproof boot. There's plenty of breathability built in to combat the inevitable internal clagginess, as well as a antimicrobial footbed insert to beat the pong.
The outsole is designed for use on loose and soft ground, making these perfect for high-performance activities in soggy conditions, as well as ingenious 'stealth' wellies for those times when the dress code isn't obvious. That front lock-down waterproof zipper and screen collar help to keep the boot securely on the foot, as well as prevent debris from sneaking in and ruining your day. Overall, these are the perfect welly for active folk that want to go anywhere, do anything – without worrying about their feet getting damp.
Call us fickle, but we're especially keen on these boots' bright orange (Blaze Orange, to give it its official name) liner, which is revealed when the tops of the boots are rolled down. It's designed to ensure high visibility for those working in areas such as forests, but in a world dominated by olive-green wellies, we're all for a splash of colour. However, don't make the mistake of thinking these boots prioritise style over substance – they're packed with features which make life that little bit easier, but which so many other boots lack. Examples include the generously-sized, reflective pull tab for easy removal, quadruple rubber heel reinforcement and a steel shank for structural support.
How we test the best wellies
To put together this ranking, wherever possible we call the wellies in and spend time testing them out to put together a full review. We'll consider how much protection they offer, whether they keep your feet cosy or offer enough breathability for warmer weather, how comfy they are to wear and if they're suitable for long days on your feet. We'll look at how much grip they offer, and if they're supportive around the feet and ankles. Finally, we'll consider the quality of materials and how they've been put together, and how much we like the design. Because some of these factors can be personal, we also look at other reviews to make sure there's nothing we've missed.
In the cases where we haven't been able to get hold of a product, but feel it's worthy of inclusion, we research what other customers and reviewers have said, and combine that with what we know about the market to put together an informed blurb for you to base your decision off. Find out more about how we test at T3.
