Whatever the weather or time of year, a comfortable and reliable pair of wellies are essential for any horse owner. We’ve put a variety of wellington boots through their paces (many more than you’ll see in this guide) and these are our favourites that stood up to the challenge. As horse owners, we chose these wellies as they proved to be not only suitable for daily yard tasks (which involves a lot of wet ground, mud and cold weather), but they were also comfortable for long dog walks and smart enough for casual outings with friends in wet conditions.
We believe a quality pair of wellies can be a great investment – the price of some can be a lot to swallow at the time, but the best pairs really are worth it and our favourites have lasted us years. We’ve also included a number of cheaper, but still excellent, styles that give the premium brands a run for their money, however, as we want to offer something for all.
Best wellies: H&H’s quick guide
Best overall wellies: Aigle Parcours 2 Iso
Warmest wellies: Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene-Lined
Best budget wellies: Harry Hall Mud Boots
Best short wellies: Merry People Bobbi
Best wellington boots on the market
Aigle Parcours 2 Iso Wellingtons Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Bronze
Sizes: UK 3½–14½
H&H Rating: 10/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Warm neoprene lining
- Unbelievably comfortable
- Hard wearing
- Good grip
Reasons to avoid
- Too warm for summer use
Handmade in France from natural rubber, I consider Aigles to be the most comfortable welly available – they are designed to be anti-fatiguing so that you can wear and walk in them comfortably all day.
The Parcours 2 Iso is a premium pair of insulated boots that are unbelievably comfortable and warm. They allow me to be out all day without my feet feeling tired or achy and I can wear these boots in sub-zero temperatures with normal socks without my feet getting cold. If you want a year-round boot, they do a non-insulated pair with exactly the same features minus the neoprene lining – the Aigle Parcours 2.
The sole offers excellent grip allowing me to push the wheelbarrow through muddy, slippery gateways with ease. After over five year’s use, I can confirm that the Aigle Parcour 2 Iso wellies are superb and fit for purpose. They’re showing minimal signs of wear, and I’m confident I’ll get many more years of use out of them.
Yes, they’re expensive, but not the most expensive pair in this guide. They are a solid brand in terms of quality and should keep your feet warm and dry for years to come.
While we normally get boots sent in for testing, I was unable to get hold of Aigle to get a pair on test for this guide. However, Georgia and I rate these wellies so much that we couldn’t write this best wellington boot guide without including them and letting our fellow equestrians know about the most comfortable wellies that have never let us down.
Read the full Aigle Parcours 2 Iso review – we awarded them H&H Approved status.
Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene-Lined Wellingtons
Fit: Ladies’ or men’s
Colours: Chameau green, black, dark brown or iconic green
Sizes: UK 2.5–9 (ladies’), UK 6–15 (men’s)
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Lighter than they look
- Comfortable
- Neoprene-lined for warmth and comfort
Reasons to avoid
- Found them tricky to take off
Le Chameau are at the top end of the market; they were the first to use neoprene in wellies, and to add calf adjustment and a vulcanised natural rubber, which they say is softer and more durable than rivals.
Georgia used them daily for general horse care and many walks through the fields in autumn, winter and spring. She affirms that they are excellent boots, but they lack structure; the outer layer is floppy and bendable, with the most flex of any boot on test by a long way. This gives you lots of freedom of movement but can make it tricky to get your feet in if you’re in a hurry (or the dark) and also means it doesn’t feel quite as supportive round the ankle and calf others we’ve tested.
They are, however, loved by many and have many loyal wearers for good reaser. Georgia advises that if you want a premium pair of wellies you should consider which style you might personally prefer – butter-soft and flexible (like the Le Chameaus) or structured and supportive on the foot (like the Aigles) – as both are excellent in their own right. Rather than buy cheap and buy twice, if you wear wellies a lot it’s worth biting the bullet and going first class.
Read H&H‘s independent Le Chameau Vierzonord wellies review – we awarded them H&H Approved status.
Harry Hall Mud Boots Neoprene Wellies
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Navy or black
Sizes: UK 3–8
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Warm and flexible neoprene upper
- Usually discounted
- Good grip
Reasons to avoid
- Calf isn’t adjustable
- Shorter height than other wellies tested
The cheapest pair in this guide, these warm neoprene wellies from Harry Hall offer surprising levels of comfort and warmth, as well as having excellent grip. These boots represent great quality at a decent price. The entire upper section is made of neoprene rather than rubber, so it’s fabulously warm and flexible, but still has enough rigidity to make sliding your feet in and out easy.
The other thing to say about the Harry Hall Mud boots is that they’re slightly shorter than the rest of the wellies on test, but unless you’re planning on going through deep water regularly, this shouldn’t be an issue.
In terms of comfort, these score pretty high, with a bouncy sole. The calf cuff isn’t adjustable, but otherwise the Mud boots are a great buy and it even gives the similar but more well-known boots from The Original Muck Boot Company a run for their money.
Read the full Harry Hall Mud Boots Neoprene Wellies review – we awarded them H&H Approved status.
Merry People Bobbi Ankle Boots
Fit: Ladies’ or men’s
Colours: 19 options
Sizes: UK 3–12
These boots really bring fun and style to this guide, but they are practical too! There are times of year when you don’t need long, insulated boots – and Georgia has worn these in every season, including summer.
If you keep your horses on sand land, you can get away with wearing these boots through the winter, too – unless you’re looking for a specifically insulated pair. Or if you just want a pair of wellies for walking the dog or bring out in the countryside with friends, these are perfect.
There are loads of colours to choose from and they really are smart enough to wear in everyday life – they don’t look out of place in the city either. They’re easy to put on, really comfortable and are sturdy without being heavy – we’ve got no real complaints about these boots.
Le Chameau Chasseur Neoprene Lined Wellington Boots
Fit: Ladies’ or men’s
Colours: Iconic green or black
Sizes: UK 2½–9, with three width options (ladies’), UK 6–15, with three width options (men’s)
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Choice of three calf options
- Comfortable
- Two-year warranty
- Supple and flexible rubber
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price tag but, they’re a seriously technical boot
The Le Chameau Chasseur are one of the most expensive wellies we’ve tested, but the quality seems to be high enough to warrant the price, especially when you discover that they’re also suitable country pub lunch attire. If you’ve got wide calves or want room to tuck in your waterproofs, but want a seriously good wellington boot, these are your best bet. They have a full-length waterproof zip, which gives the shaft more structure and it makes them easier to get on and off than other styles from this brand.
More importantly however, despite putting the Chasseur through some arduous daily horse care and dog walking, this boot stayed tough, durable and completely waterproof. Le Chameau is also a solid brand in terms of quality, so these should have plenty of life in them for years, and the neoprene lining should keep you toasty. Take it from us, they’re a seriously technical boot.
They have many similar features to the Le Chameau Vierzonord, which is also adjustable but doesn’t offer different widths from the outset.
Read the full Le Chameau Chasseur neoprene-lined boots review – we awarded them H&H Approved status.
The Original Muck Boot Company Women’s Adjustable Chore Tall Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Black
Sizes: UK 3–9
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Stretchy neoprene cuff
- Very insulated
- Rear adjustable gusset extends up to 7cm
Reasons to avoid
- Very chunky
- Not as stylish as other wellies
- May be too warm for some
These wellies are the redesigned iconic Muck Boot Chore for women, with the addition of a fully waterproof adjustable gusset at the back that extends up to 7cm for extra room around the calf and a customised fit. They are the chunkiest boots we’ve tested, however, so you’ll be anchored down in the next storm, no doubt.
They have chunky soles for excellent grip, and because of the form-fitting interior, they don’t slop about at all on the feet. They’re also breathable while staying warm, and due to the wide calf fit, are easy to get on and off even with waterproofs on without your socks being left behind.
They also look incredibly industrial, so don’t win points on style so are more of a workhorse than a fashion statement.
Read the full The Original Muck Boot Company Adjustable Chore Tall Boots review – we awarded them H&H Approved status.
Toggi Barnsdale Wellington Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Black, navy or olive
Sizes: EU 37–48
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Good value in comparison to similar brands
- Smart
- Expandable back gusset
Reasons to avoid
- Found the sizing to come up big
Warm and comfortable to wear whatever the weather, these mid-priced wellies are durable enough for walking and daily horse chores, while its tread offers decent traction even in slippery, muddy gateways.
Worn with regular socks, I found these wellies to be too big in my regular size, leaving plenty of room for a thicker sock if needed. And they’re adjustable via a strap at the rear of the calf, making it easy to get a good, close fit around your leg. The leather strap and piping offers a higher end finish without the price tag. They are quite heavy compared to other styles, but if you like a chunky boot that could work in your favour.
If you’re after adjustable wellies for a less eye-watering price than you get with rival brands, then the Barnsdales could be a good bet for you.
Read the full Toggi Barnsdale review – we awarded it H&H Approved status.
How we tested the best wellington boots
These wellington boots were tested by me and H&H deputy website editor Georgia Guerin. We wore them in a wide variety of scenarios that come with owning a horse, testing traction, comfort, durability and general performance.
I tested them for daily wear around the horses, daily dog walks on the beach and in the woods, running errands and going to the pub. I also enlisted the help from family and friends with similarly sized feet to ensure they got as much wear as possible.
Georgia has tested more wellies over the years than anyone I know. She has a horse on DIY so is at the yard twice a day and wellies are her go-to footwear of choice. As well as wearing them at the yard, she wears them everywhere from country walks with friends, to Tesco for the weekly shop on the way home from the yard. She really believes that finding your favourite brand is the key to having happy feet, and until you’ve experienced this you don’t know what you’re missing.
How we selected the best wellies for this guide
We invited a variety of equestrian brands, both prominent and lesser-known, to submit their wellington boots for testing in real-life equestrian scenarios.
We rated all the wellies we’ve tested – and we’re always testing more – on style, fit, ease of use and durability, and considered their value for money. We then selected the top-rated (H&H Approved) boots to feature in this guide. All the other reviews remain on the website, and some feature in our more specialist guides, including best adjustable wellies for wide calves, best insulated wellies, best neoprene wellies, best wellies for men and best wellies for children.
Over the years, we’ve tested boots from Aigle, Le Chameau, Toggi, Harry Hall, Merry People, Hunter, Barbour, Fairfax & Favor, Decathlon, Ariat, LeMieux, Holland Cooper, The Original Muck Boot Company, Gum Leaf and Felix Bühler – and we’re continually making sure our favourite new styles from welly brands feature here.
Regrettably, Aigle did not respond to our invitation for inclusion in this guide. However, I think they have great wellies, so I have included my own personal pair that I’ve owned for five years (which is why they don’t look as new as the others in the images) in this guide as I felt they are too good not to include them.
Can you ride in wellies?
Wellies are not a substitute for riding boots, but having a pair of wellies to wear on the yard when you’re not in the saddle will mean your riding boots will last longer as even winter riding boots are not designed for the heavy work that comes with horse ownership.
You may also be interested in:
Treat your feet to a pair of the best insulated wellies
Best wellies for men: for walking, yard work and casual wear
Adjustable wellies to suit all leg shapes
6 of the warmest waterproof neoprene wellies
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