It's that time of year where footwear becomes a tricky decision. It's almost always wet, and so starts the daily dilemma of whether or not to risk your 'nice' shoes.
With three kids and a dog in my household, convenience and comfort are my priority when it comes to getting out with them. And a pair of the best wellies are my go-to footwear for all of the above.
For a long time I favoured classic length wellies, but have recently found them to be somewhat restrictive in their movement, which is certainly not the most comfortable, and far from ideal when trying to keep up with a young family. After some research, I came across fitflop's short-style Wonderwelly Wellington boot, and the style, fit and comfort is the best I've experienced from this style of shoe.
fitflop's Wonderwelly boots look like regular wellies, but trust me they are anything but. Behind their classic look is a whole host of clever features and technology to keep your feet comfortable, dry and supported all day. And I can attest they do just that.
fitflop Wonderwelly: Design
Fitflop's Wonderwelly boot has such a considered design, it's taken wearing them to realise just how far my old pair fell short in certain areas.
The shaft of the boot on this particular style is mid calf and is lovely and wide, which means you don't have to lift your leg too high if standing to put them on, or have to spend a long time pulling them on from seated - even with thick welly socks. wide style enables you to easily slip them on from standing.
The wideness of the boot shaft is a subtle but brilliant design element too - it opens up so many options of what to wear with them. Where I would usually have to avoid thick jogging bottoms or waterproof trousers as they simply wouldn't fit inside my old wellies, this isn't an issue here. The gap was also a lifesaver in the warmer months, when I needed waterproof shoes that allowed some air in. They really are all-weather shoes.
The length of the shaft is also a big selling point for me. As someone with wide calves, I often feel restricted by longer wellies, and these allow so much freedom and comfort. They also make it much easier to go underneath trousers. I have worn these multiple times with wide-leg jeans without issue.
The shorter style also makes them much easier to store, which sounds simple, but is amazing after spending years of trying to find a space tall enough to put them at home.
fitflop Wonderwelly: Comfort and cleaning
fitflops' Wonderwelly boots might look unassuming, but the footwear brand has clearly spent a huge amount of time engineering these shoes to ensure maximum comfort and protection from the elements.
The slip-resistant rubber boot pulls on really easily, and then hidden design and technology takes care of your feet all day. The insole is contoured to work with your foot's natural alignment, the heel is filled with impact-absorbing honeycomb cushioning, the outsole is engineered for flexibility and 'springboard' ridges at the forefront help put a spring in your step.
All of the above added together make for an unbelievably comfortable fit. You can immediately feel the sturdiness of these boots under your feet, but they are somehow also incredibly flexible and the cushioning really does add bounce to my step.
While I wouldn't actively choose these over the best walking shoes for a long hike, I have ended up being out in them for much longer than anticipated and not once experienced any discomfort. With rubber, sturdy shoes like these, I was prepared with blister plasters at the start, but to my shock and pleasant surprise, I've not needed to use them.
Being black, the Wonderwelly boots hide a multitude of sins, but I have found the smooth finish and deep grips on the sole really easy to spray off after use. I have been wearing them for six months now, at least three times a week and they show very little signs of wear.
fitflop Wonderwelly: Verdict
Wearing fitflop's Wonderwellys has given me a new-found appreciation for these classic outdoor shoes, and the engineering that goes into them. A pair of boots almost everyone owns and wears regularly, particularly this time of year, to find a pair that not only offers all-day wear comfort, but makes my life easier from every other aspect - cleaning, storage, what to wear with them etc - is a game-changer. And while these boots are an investment, they are cheaper than many other brands on the market that don't offer the same level of comfort and consideration.
