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Few things unite Britons, from farmers to the fashion set, like Wellington boots. Defined by their durability and the fact they can withstand the UK’s 1,200mm of average yearly rainfall, they’re the quintessential British shoe.
“It’s more than practicality now – wellies are something of a status symbol,” says welly expert Fiona Coe of Coes, an independent chain of clothing and country attire shops in Suffolk and Norfolk. That’s why so much has been made of the fact that the Princess of Wales’s favourite brand is Le Chameau (whose sales rose 36 per cent once it was known.)
As country-dwellers and city workers, we’re interested in finding wellies that look good as well as feel goo, and which can hack a sludgy country field but wouldn’t look out of place on Hampstead Heath. That’s a tall order. Read on below for our full reviews, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five:
Which are the best wellington boots in 2024? At a glance
How to choose the best wellington boots for you
“The strict criteria we have for countrywear is that they are fit for purpose, durable and look good,” says Hillary Bacon of Cordings, the traditional country outfitters in Piccadilly, London. She likes royal-approved Chameau boots but notes they are a significant outlay and by no means the only option.
Coe favours Barbour (“If you want a good pair at a reasonable price, that you know is going to last you, they’re the ones to go for”) and the new heritage country-wear brand Holland Cooper, whose sherpa-lined Wellingtons are a popular urban-country hybrid option.
If you’re looking for Wellingtons for occasional wear, or for kids, you may not want to spend upwards of £50 on a pair. But Bacon says: “I always apply a simple calculation – number of times worn divided by the price. A good pair of boots will last for years, so if you are intending to wear Wellingtons even once a month it’s worth it.”
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