Whether it’s a dog walk in the drizzle or tending to the garden after a downpour, there are times when it’s a joy to get out in the rain and mud. A reliable pair of wellies is an essential piece of footwear to avoid soggy socks and ruined trousers.
But what separates a genuinely good pair of men’s wellies from flimsy, leaky boots? Comfort is important – a wellie needs to be flexible enough for a long country yomp without rubbing you raw. Durability is non-negotiable, too – the last thing you want is a split seam letting in icy water halfway through a walk. On top of that, decent grip is a must for keeping you upright on treacherous, slippery ground.
With that in mind, I've been putting a wide range of men’s wellies through their paces, from classic PVC and rubber designs to more modern styles using innovative new materials. The result of my testing is a definitive guide to the best men’s wellies that will keep your feet snug and dry, whatever the weather throws at you.
How I tested
I put these boots through their paces in some demanding British conditions: a series of long, muddy treks across Dartmoor and a few rain-lashed urban adventures. My goal was to find the pairs that deliver on the key promises of a good wellington boot, focusing on the following criteria.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jon Axworthy is our garden and outdoor expert and has been contributing to IndyBest since 2017. He specialises in testing all-weather apparel and sports gear, having reviewed everything from kayaks and mountain bikes to paddleboards and men’s waterproofs.
When it comes to wellington boots, Jon knows his stuff. As a fan of the outdoors, he’s spent more time than most trudging through mud and braving treacherous conditions, so he has an intimate understanding of what goes into the perfect pair of wellies.
The best men’s wellington boots are:
Grubs frostline 5.0
Best: Overall
Sizes: UK 3-13
Why we love it
- A wellie for all seasons
- High quality
- Great traction
This British-made boot mixes robust rubber and chloroprene (which is used to make dry suits for divers) to excellent effect, making for a boot that feels very rugged, while also providing plenty of comfort, warmth and mobility.
The lower boot has a reinforced toe and heel and is encased in rubber with a Trax outsole that provides superb traction through muddy fields and even through water. The upper shaft is 5mm neoprene warm, which I found to move well during walks and provide lots of flexibility for garden work, too.
Buy now £79.95, Wellywarehouse.co.uk
Town & Country eco-essential wellington boots
Best: Budget buy
Sizes: UK 4-12
Why we love it
- Easy to get on and off
- Comfortable
- Good traction
Take note
- Thinner outsole, compared with other wellies we tested
There was a lot of flexibility in the shaft of this boot, which means it passed the ‘getting on and off’ test very easily. This style is very comfortable, both while walking and working.
I recommend wearing a thick sock, so you get more of a snug fit in the lower half of the boot, and to absorb any bumps underfoot, as this pair doesn’t have the thickest outsole, but the traction was very good.
Buy now £14.99, Sam-turner.co.uk
Aigle anti-fatigue hunting boots
Best: Anti-fatigue boots
Sizes: EU 36-49
Why we love it
- Cushioned heel
- Moulds to your feet
- Superb traction
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, protection and superb traction in all conditions. This is a do-it-all boot with some classic styling.
Buy now £140.00, Aigle.com
Muck boot unisex arctic sport short boots
Best: Insulated boots
Sizes: UK 4-14
Why we love it
- Easy to get on and off
- Good insulation
- Good grip
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 the calf and boot, to keep out any materials and trap warmth inside. The outsole performed well, with good grip and mud release, so I didn’t have to worry about diminished traction as I walked.
Buy now £145.00, Brantano.co.uk
Le Chameau country cross neoprene homme
Best: For a roomy fit
Sizes: UK 6-12
Why we love it
- Supple and comfortable rubber
- Neoprene lining for warmth
I found the natural rubber used in the country cross was one of the most supple and comfortable I tested. The boots felt like someone had already walked around in them to break them in.
I 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 £180.00, Millbryhill.co.uk
Hunter men’s balmoral field adjustable 3mm neoprene wellington boots
Best: Adjustable boots
Sizes: UK 6-13
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Ajustable fit
- Good traction
- Easy to take off
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 kick spur addition on the heel.
Buy now £225.00, Wellywarehouse.co.uk
Noramax S5 polyurethane wellington boot
Best: For dog walks
Sizes: UK 6-12
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Well insulated
This classic-looking green wellie is made entirely from polyurethane, rather than rubber, which makes it very lightweight and very well insulated. Nice cushioning on the ankle and a very sturdy outsole will help you keep your feet, no matter how muddy things get. This boot had one of the most comfortable footbeds on test, too, making it well suited for walking, and you can tailor the fit and feel, thanks to some OrthoLite removable insoles.
Buy now £55.99, Wellingtonwarehouse.co.uk
Dunlop purofort and full safety
Best: Workboot
Sizes: UK 5-13
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Good support and cushioning
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, too.
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.
Buy now £93.53, Amazon.co.uk
Buckler BBZ6000 S5 waterproof neoprene safety wellington boot
Best: Heavy-duty boots
Sizes: UK 6-13
Why we love it
- Detachable cushioned insoles
- Breathable lining
- Excellent traction and grip
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 £91.78, Amazon.co.uk
Westlake EVA thermal boots
Best: For year-round use
Sizes: UK 7-11
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Removable thermal liner
Designed with fishing in mind, these are good boots for general use, too. Comfortable for all-day wear, they have a thermal liner, which will keep feet warm through winter but can be removed without impacting the overall comfort of the boot when things finally start to warm up again.
They may look quite chunky, but they are surprisingly lightweigh,t and their all-in-one EVA moulding means you won’t have to worry about slits or splitting. Underneath, the tread will see you up muddy banks and down the other side, without you having to worry about ending up on your backside.
Buy now £50.00, Gooutdoors.co.uk
Your men’s wellies questions answered
What are the best men’s wellies?
Dunlop’s purofort and full safety boot is lightweight, while still offering decent traction, and Town & Country eco-essential wellington boot is a good budget buy.
My top pick, however, is the British Grubs frostline 5.0, which offers tremendous value for money, as the construction of the boot and the materials used mean these wellies will be in your boot room for years to come. Combining innovative materials throughout, the wellies are supremely comfortable, well insulated and 100 per cent waterproof, making them the perfect boots for the coming months.
Is it better to size up or down in wellies?
The classic advice is to go up a full size to accommodate a pair of chunky walking or thermal socks, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Many modern, high-quality wellies are designed with a more ergonomic fit and often account for this in their sizing. My best advice is to always check the brand's specific sizing guide, as it can vary.
Are expensive wellies worth it?
If you plan on wearing them for anything more than a quick dash to the bins or the occasional light gardening, then absolutely. Cheaper wellies are often made from rigid PVC, which can be prone to cracking and offers little in the way of comfort or support for serious walking. When you invest in a more premium pair, you're paying for superior materials like flexible, natural rubber, a much more comfortable and supportive footbed, and often a neoprene lining for warmth and cushioning.
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