Festival season is fast approaching and there is one undeniable item that must – must! – be packed in your overnight bag no matter what the forecast suggests: wellies.
You can be prepared all you like with your hard-earned ticket, tent, and fun festival clobber, but when the British weather inevitably serves a downpour, you’ll be wishing you headed our advice as you squelch through knee-deep puddles and mudslides in your new white trainers.
Keeping your feet dry and warm as you trudge from stage to stage is absolutely crucial to your overall enjoyment of the festivities. Call in footwear reinforcements and leave soggy socks out of your experience as you enjoy listening to your favourite artists.
If you’re reluctant to take these often-cumbersome boots in tow, opt for playful patterns with bright hues, floral or stripe designs that will only enhance the rest of your festive or weekend look.
Of course, wellies serve more than just one purpose, particularly if you’re partial to countryside breaks or have the pleasure of living in the vicinity of fields or parks. You will find yourself reaching for these sturdy waterproof shoes every time you need to walk your dog and a drizzle is on the cards, or a pub lunch leads to a leisurely stroll.
With this in mind, if you’re looking for a more demure style that fits that classically English country aesthetic, there’s an endless array of classic muted hues of the green, navy, black or brown variety.
Taking you from the festival field to rural walks, shop our edit of the best rain-repelling Wellington boots below.
Hunter Original Short Wellington Boots - Navy
A Glastonbury necessity, you won’t have to look hard at Worthy Farm to spot a pair of these cult classic boots trudging their way through the mud.
Hunters have long been a favourite of celebrities, with everyone from Princess Diana, to Kate Moss opting for a pair – and it’s clear to see why. The wellies are hard-wearing, quick drying and extremely comfortable.
They come in a range of colours (from blush pink and yellow to black), lengths (short, mid-calf and tall), and textures including matte and glossy, which in turn affects their price. These are boots that will stand the test of time.
Buy now £125.00, John Lewis
Burberry Checked canvas and rubber rain boots
Drawing from its 150-year heritage, Burberry’s wellies feature the British house’s heritage print set on hard-wearing rubber. The weatherproof fabric will mean your plans won’t need a rain check.
Staying dry and chic at the same time, these wellies make the perfect addition to any walk in the countryside paired with the label’s signature trench coat.
Added design details can be found with the equestrian-inspired gold ring at the back of the ankle and the logo at the heel.
Buy now £470.00, LuisaViaRoma
La Chameau Women’s Iris Jersey Lined Wellington Boots
Le Chameau has been making coveted rubber boots since 1927. The brand was founded in Normandy, France but has become a fixture on on this side of the pond for its well-crafted designs that are built to last. These don’t come cheap but then again, you’ll probably never need to buy another pair again.
The Iris boots mark the brand’s more playful collection as they are available in an array of vibrant shades from pink to tones of green and blue. They are waterproof and hugely comfortable with a lightweight construction. The shoes are breathable and have a moisture-wicking lining so you can wear them from rain to shine with ease.
There are models composed of quality leather too that are not only durable but will actually look better over time.
Buy now £60.00, Le Chameau
Barbour Kingham ankle welly boots
Specialising in waterproof outerwear, British label Barbour knows a thing or two about staying dry and cosy thanks to over 120 years in business – all of which they have channelled into their wellies.
The fully waterproof boots feature a stylish tartan print and an ankle-length design that makes them a real fashion item and offers ease in the getting on/off process. The short length also makes them ideal for city wear. Style with their signature Barbour jacket for the full British countryside look.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
Dunlop Devon Adults Safety Welly in Yellow
Rain boots don’t have to break the bank, just look to this cheap and cheerful pair of Dunlop ones that are sure to do the trick.
They’re simple, practical and complete with a moulded sole with a traction grip to stop you from slipping in icy weather. The shoes are perfect for a whole host of activities, from fishing and camping, or simply a deep desire to keep your tootsies dry.
The wellies come in a huge selection of colour options, from the mood-boosting yellow shade pictured, to your run-of-the-mill classic darker hues.
Buy now £17.95, Amazon
Muck Boots Unisex Muckster II Ankle Welly
Muck Boots was founded with one clear mission to keep your feet dry and warm through rain, snow, sleet, mud and on any terrain.
The Muckster II is the follow-up to the hugely popular original silhouette with a new tracked sole for even greater stability. It has an almost sock-like level of comfort and the hugely versatile colour palette makes the footwear suitable for any occasion.
Buy now £100.00, John Lewis
Orla Kiely Hi Welly Daisy Black Seagrass
More fashion than function, if you are looking to inject a playful piece into your festival look, Orla Kiely may just be your best bet. With these boots, the silhouette is available in a striking daisy print that will stand out among the sea of neutral-hued wellies. The sole has a textured tread for stability.
Buy now £29.95, Regatta
UGG Droplet Rubber Boots
UGG boots have had a huge revival in the post-lockdown era. The Noughties favourite shoe has comfort in spades, so it comes as no surprise that people everywhere are opting for furry footwear. Comfort is king, after all.
For the brand’s wellies, the signature material - sheepskin - is found as a lining to keep your feet snug when temperatures drop. On the exterior is rubber at both the outsole and upper and there’s a logo detailing to keep things interesting. The boots come in green or black.
Buy now £85.00, Harrods
Regatta Ly Fairweather II Womens Striped Welly
If the eye-catching stripe design wasn't enough to win you over, then the waterproof capabilities might just. Regatta has designed this shoe to withstand the elements. The rubber exterior will keep your feet dry, while the cotton lining is breathable and soft.
The shoes are vegan-friendly.
Buy now £28.09, Amazon
Merry People Black Bobbi Boot
A newish-to-the-UK launch all the way from Down Under, Aussie's Merry People is the latest welly brand making a play for your rainy-day wardrobe. Its unisex ankle-high Bobbi Boot comes in six colourways, giving your ensemble a much-needed surge of colour. Or not, the black version has range too, a failsafe neutral for all sorts of outfits.
The gumboot is robust and will keep you steady through all terrains, from bogged festival fields to rain-slicked city pavements. Each boot is 100 per cent vegan, made from natural rubbers and lined with 4mm of neoprene for extra comfort as well as insulation from cold, wet grounds. They sport handy pulls at the front and back so you can yank them off easily. Available in sizes 3 - 10.
Buy now £84.95, Merry People
Fitflop WONDERWELLY Chelsea Rain Boots
Whether you’re looking for a weatherproof shoe to see you through the festival season or something to withstand country walks no matter what the British summer has in store, these Chelsea rain boots from Fitflop’s Wonderwelly range should be on your radar. They come in an array of colours, from the classic navy shade pictured to playful pops of yellow and pink.
But not all style over substance, the ergonomic midsole tech is included in each and every model, giving you the comfort of ordinary shoes with the hard-wearing nature of wellies. The insole has been specially designed to balance natural alignment, while the heel is impact-absorbing and springy.
Buy now £89.99, Fitflop
Hunter Women's Original Tall Gloss Wellington Boots
If you’ve not yet owned a pair of Hunter boots, you will have no doubt spotted them on street-style snaps from festivals around the country. The brand is a beloved celebrity favourite - worn by everyone from Meghan Markle to Sarah Jessica Parker and Gigi Hadid. The ubiquitous wellies have earned cult status, no doubt due to their premium construction. Buy now, and you’ll own them forever.
They’re made to withstand whatever the British summertime has to throw at them as well as throughout the winter thanks to their entirely waterproof exterior and signature Hunter Original tread pattern that’s suitable for all floor types.
Buy now £116.43, Amazon
