WINTER weather means cold, rain, lots of mud and even snow so footwear to keep your feet warm is a must.
That’s where the best thermal wellies come in: they keep your toes toasty and your legs dry, while allowing you to move freely and easily, whether that’s walking the dogs, commuting to work or strolling through town.
I spend a lot of time outdoors and I live in the countryside, so wellies I can rely on to get me through the worst weather and lowest temperatures are a vital part of my wardrobe. Dogs and horses don’t care if it’s minus three outside, they still have to be walked and cared for.
When reviewing thermal wellies, I was evaluating them for warmth, comfort and, most importantly, waterproofing, as I didn’t want to end up cold because the rain got into my boots!
Additionally, a thick sole with chunky ridges to grip the ground and stop me from slipping on frost, snow, or mud was also high on my wishlist. Finally, I wanted wellies that were easy to pull on and weren’t a struggle to take off when I’d finished wearing them.
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Best thermal wellies at a glance:
- Best thermal wellies overall: The Original Muck Boot Company Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boots
- Best short thermal wellies: Ariat Kelmarsh Shortie Rubber Boot
- Best value neoprene thermal wellies: Mountain Warehouse Mucker Women’s Neoprene Long Boots
- Best lightweight thermal wellies: XtraTuf women’s 6” Ankle Deck Boots
- Best work thermal wellies: M&S Quilted Flatform Walking Boots
The Original Muck Boot Company Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boots
- The Original Muck Boot Company Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall Boots, £150 from The Original Muck Boot Company – buy here
Pros: So warm, hug your calves, great in wet weather and mud
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If you’re one of those people who thinks wellies are cold then you should take a look at Muck Boots, as they are possibly the warmest wellies I’ve ever worn.
The regular welly-boot base is topped with a neoprene upper that fits snugly to your legs, stopping any chill from getting in and the inside is fleece-lined for extra heat. Inside there’s an anti-microbial insole to keep your foot dry and minimise any sweaty smells.
They’re designed for walking on muddy ground, so the sole features impressive grips that look like they’d keep you upright even on ice and they are so comfortable to wear.
My calves are on the biggish side, but the neoprene is forgiving so it doesn’t matter, they simply mould to your leg and the neoprene flexes when you take them off, so they’re easy to remove.
They’re also waterproof and warm down to -40°C according to the website, which is way colder than I’ll ever experience. In all, I love these wellies; they are a game changer for me.
Sizes: UK 3 – 9; Material: Rubber and neoprene upper, fleece lining; Height: Knee-high; Colour: Navy Spruce (also available in hot pink, black and black grey)
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Ariat Kelmarsh Shortie Rubber Boot
- Ariat Kelmarsh Shortie Rubber Boot, £95 from Ariat – buy here
Pros: Amazingly comfortable, slide on and off easily, very warm, lightweight
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
These Ariat wellies have to be the comfiest I have ever worn; they slip on smoothly, like butter if that’s even possible and they’re just so comfortable to walk in. They’re also lightweight and have a cushioned insole, which helps explain why they’re so lovely to wear.
The chunky soles held up well to the muddy conditions on my dog walks and, although they’re not billed as thermal on the website, I found them to be really cosy, keeping my feet toasty and dry. They feel supportive and I can walk for miles in them, with no issues.
Vulcanised rubber uppers keeps the rain and muddy water out and neoprene tops add stretch and warmth. They’re also available in half sizes, which not many are; I was sent size 6.5 and the fit was perfect.
I tested the boots in navy and I love the contrasting red Ariat logo and pull loop. They look great with jeans and I find myself wearing them as normal boots, even when it’s not raining.
Sizes: UK 3 – 8.5 including half sizes; Material: Vulcanised rubber and neoprene upper, textile lining; Height: Ankle height; Colour: Navy, dark olive and black/leopard camo
XtraTuf women’s 6” Ankle Deck Boots
- XtraTuf women’s 6” Ankle Deck Boots, £119.95 from Wetsuit Centre – buy here
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, very warm
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
These boots were designed to keep your feet warm even down to -20°C! While it wasn’t quite as cold as that when I tested them it was freezing outside and the boots kept my feet toasty and dry.
What I couldn’t get over the first time I wore them was how light they were; they didn’t drag my feet down and walking in them was a dream! They’re also incredibly warm, even in thin socks, and are lined with faux shearling.
The outside is rubber, so it's easy to clean off mud and means they're completely waterproof. The chunky sole comes around the front to buffer the toe and the back to protect the heel and the grip is awesome.
They’ve been designed to work on wet ice in Alaska, with GlacierTrek Pro soles for slip resistance, so they’re more than capable of coping with the British winter.
They’re also easy to pull on and off, but have tabs to help if needed. I’ve worn them now for countless dog walks and I love them.
Sizes: UK 4 – 8; Material: Rubber upper, faux shearling lining; Height: Ankle height; Colour: Dark Shadow
Mountain Warehouse Mucker Women’s Neoprene Long Boot
- Mountain Warehouse Mucker Women’s Neoprene Long Boot, £79.99 from Mountain Warehouse – buy here
Pros: Price, very warm, great grip
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
If you’ve never worn neoprene wellies before then seriously, you haven’t lived! They’re totally different to the cold rubber wellies you might remember from your childhood; they’re a dream to wear and incredibly warm.
I tested the khaki colourway in a size 7. I’m usually a 6.5 but the wellies fitted perfectly and my feet didn’t slip around inside. The ridged soles have an impressive grip and the rubber section of the boot stops water from getting in, even when you jump in puddles.
The neoprene uppers hug your legs without being too tight and, along with the textile lining, they keep your legs and feet really warm. The neoprene is also water resistant and rain just rolls off it.
There’s even a little ledge on each heel to help you get your wellies off; ingenious!
All in all, these are a great and affordable introduction to neoprene wellies.
Sizes: UK 4 – 8; Material: Neoprene and rubber upper, textile lining; Height: Just below the knee; Colour: Khaki and black
Hunter Women’s Refined Stitch Insulated Wellington Boots
- Hunter Women’s Refined Stitch Insulated Wellington Boots,
£185£92.50 from Blacks – buy here
Pros: Warm, stylish
Cons: Heavy
Rating: 4/5
Hunter is perhaps the most well-known name in wellies and they have long been a favourite in the countryside. These short boots have a more contemporary style than their traditional knee-length versions, with the double stitching around the top of the sole giving a gritty, fashionable edge.
The upper is a combination of a rubber shoe with a neoprene top, while the inside is lined with Sherpa-style fleece and boasts a breathable insole. The outsole sports a classic tread and the grip is good in wet and icy conditions.
I wore these for dog walking in freezing temperatures and they kept my feet warm. Hunter says they’re good down to -5°C, which it must have been on a few of the days I wore them.
However, I found them heavy to wear, especially when walking up hills. I’m sure many people would not have a problem with this, but for me, it was a little disappointing.
Sizes: UK 3 – 8; Material: Textile and other materials upper, textile lining; Height: Above the ankle; Colour: black
Fitflop Wonderwelly ATB
- Fitflop Wonderwelly ATB, £140 from Fitflop – buy here
Pros: Look great, warm,
Cons: A little heavy
Rating: 4.5/5
I’ve owned several pairs of Fitflop sandals over the years and always found them extremely comfortable, so I was keen to try their wellies.
I tested their Wonderwelly Advanced Terrain Boot (ATB) in Minky Grey. The upper has a textured-finish rubber shoe that reaches above the ankle, topped with a stretch nylon sock that rises to just below the knee. This is cushioned and fleece-lined, and because it’s soft you can roll down the sock section for a different look or if you get too warm. The look is casual but still rather stylish so I think these would be great for wearing to work during bad weather.
Although the top part of the welly is fabric, the rain just beads up and rolls off, so my legs stayed dry. I was impressed with the soles too, they’re thick and have chunky grips, which stopped me from slipping, even when walking through mud. Their cushioned sole and in-build shock absorption also made for a very comfortable ride.
My only gripe is they became a little heavy after wearing a while, so I couldn’t wear them for long walks, which is a shame.
Sizes: UK 3 – 9; Material: Rubber and textile upper, polyester fleece lining; Height: just below the knee; Colours: Minky grey and black
M&S Quilted Flatform Walking Boots
- M&S Quilted Flatform Walking Boots, £45 from M&S – buy here
Pros: Easy to pull on and off, warm, chunky sole with good grip, water repellent, price
Cons: Wide top
Rating: 4/5
These boots feature water-repellent technology that sees the rain simply ball and drop off, without sinking into the material. The sole is thick and grips well in the wet, while the heel and bottom section of the upper is made from a waterproof rubber-like material that stops water getting in.
I jumped in puddles wearing these and my feet stayed dry. They’re really comfy and I have worn them all day, not just while walking the dogs. The fur lining is cosy and kept my feet warm even in freezing temperatures.
These make a change from your usual style of wellies and are smart enough for work. They’re also lightweight, so they're ideal for commuting in and then storing in your bag if you decide not to wear them at the office.
The only downside I found wearing these on countryside walks was the rather wide top meant small stones and grit would find their way inside.
Sizes: UK 3 – 8; Material: Textile and other materials upper, textile lining; Height: above the ankle; Colour: Black
Damart Thermolactyl Boots
- Damart Thermolactyl Boots, £59 from Damart – buy here
Pros: More stylish than regular wellies, lightweight, zip fastening for easy fitting and removal
Cons: Not super warm
Rating: 4/5
Damart is an expert in thermal wear and they’ve applied their knowledge to these thermolactyl boots.
They’re more formal-looking than regular wellies so I think these would be great for commuting to work and wearing at the office. I found them easy to walk in and comfortable, thanks to the low platform sole, and the faux fur lining kept my feet warm and cosy.
The lower part of the shoe (above the sole and around the heel) seems to be waterproof (I walked through puddles wearing them and my feet stayed dry) and the upper is water-repellent so rain simply runs off.
They’re warm, but not quite as warm as some of the wellies I tested. They are however easier to get on and off than some of the others, thanks to the zip fastening.
Sizes: UK 3 – 7; Material: Textile/other materials upper, faux fur lining; Height: Mid-calf; Colour: Black
Pavers Fleece Lined Wellies
- Pavers Fleece Lined Wellies, £29.99 from Pavers – buy here
Pros: Look great, warm, price
Cons: Thin sole and small heel
Rating: 3.5/5
I love the high-shine look of these wellies, which I think looks really smart. The length is good, too and the fit around my calves is snug but not too tight.
They’re lined with faux fur from top to toe, so they’re warm and cosy. The sole is a little thin (I prefer a chunkier sole) but it is ridged for grip in the wet. The thing that lets them down is the weirdly small heel. It doesn’t reach to the back of the boot so I felt like my foot was overhanging the heel, which felt a little unsafe, like I was about to fall off it.
Apart from that though, they’re comfortable and okay for shopping trips or short walks.
Sizes: UK 3 – 8; Material: Textile and other materials upper, textile lining; Height: Knee-high; Colours: Black and burgundy patent
