Wellies, more formally known as wellington boots, have long been a staple of the outdoors wardrobe, alongside proper walking trousers and a great waterproof jacket. The best wellies are an easy way to keep your legs mud-free year round.
They're ideal for festival use, as well as for wearing on campsites and, obviously, when traipsing around farms (as you do). In fact, wellies are a handy slip on shoe for many occasions, from dog walking to countryside strolls across acres of muddy fields, protecting your trousers from mud and rain.
When it comes to the best men's wellington boots, you can't beat Hunters for quality, durability and style. We recommend the shorter version of the classic Hunter Wellington Boot as our number one pick.
Why? For most men, the Original Short Boot will give sufficient protection from rain and mud, with the added flexibility of a shorter boot. The shorter leg height is ideal if you need something a little less restrictive, and a little more stylish.
Simplicity is the key to wearing the Hunter. These wellie boots are free from fussy embellishments and devoid of necessary detail, which means they can be worn with any outfit with ease. The colour choices are limited, but classic. Opt for black or navy for subtlety, or classic Hunter Green as a nod to the brand's heritage.
If you find that most wellies are too tight for your legs and therefore dig into your flesh, try these mid-height wellington boots from Joules instead. Mercifully, they even have pull tabs on the sides to make them easier to wrestle on.
On the sole you'll find a non-slip gum rubber, which has been inspired by car tyres. Ultimately this means you should have a better time of staying upright and on your feet during muddier parts of the path or trail.
Needless to say, these Joules wellies for men are weatherproof and fine for year-round use. Their plain design may disappoint more stylish customers, but on the other hand that means they'll blend in with anything you wear.
For a classic wellie that will serve you well when mucking about in deep mud most days, we recommend our number one choice's taller counterpart: the Original Tall Wellington Boot from Hunter.
They're a great all-round wellie, but most importantly the full calf coverage will you keep your feet, ankle and calves dry no matter how much it rains, or how deep a puddle of mud you stand in.
As with the Original Short, you'll have the rugged durability that comes with the Hunter name and promises to keep your feet warm and dry in deep mud or rainfall.
If you're looking for a wellie that is more about function than style, these Le Chameau Wellies could be the best men's wellies for you. They're a traditional boot from a highly reputable and long-standing brand.
Although pricey, if you work outdoors these will see you through many years of slogging away in thick mud as the heavens open. That's due to their durable rubber upper and hard-wearing rubber sole.
While we're not as much a fan of this shade of green as we are of Hunter Green, these wellies are certainly a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants the added comfort for everyday wet walks and working outdoors.
If you're looking for a pair of wellies you can keep in your car, for wearing on dog walks and for getting out and about in the mud, these Dunlops are the best wellies for you.
While they don't match the more expensive wellies in terms of material (the outer material is synthetic, not rubber), they're still fully waterproof and come with a 3cm heel for cushioning on unstable ground.
Plus, with wellies for wider calves being quite tricky to come by without a hike in price, these boots really are budget-friendly. If you require a cheap and cheerful pair of wellington boots because you don't want fancy forking out on a pair of Hunters, we heartily recommend these Dunlops.
A new entry to our list, these fur-lined boots from Stormwells are the best wellies for men looking to stay warm and dry in snowy, icy conditions.
While they do look a bit like waders, which isn't our favourite look, the tie top fastening will keep out snow and rain, while the faux fur lining keeps your toes warm and toasty in colder conditions.
The Hi-Grip sole helps keep you upright and moving in icy conditions, making these the perfect choice for extreme weather wellies.
If you are a construction worker, or do other manual labour on a regular basis, finding wellies that are ideal for work can be pretty tricky. These boots from Buckler are the best wellies for men – or women – who work outside or in garages, where something tougher than standard wellies is required.
These boots come with steel toe caps and are heat, oil and slip resistant, which means they can be worn in a variety of working environments. The colour may not be your top choice for weekend wear, but they certainly stand out. What's more, they come with detachable insoles for easy cleaning.
If your biggest concern when choosing wellies is protecting your feet from harm, these are the ideal choice for you.
With the luxury riding boot styling, these boots from Caldene almost don’t look like wellies at all. They are a unisex boot that come up to the knee, so for men with wider feet or calves they may feel a little snug.
That said, if you have been trawling the web for the best stylish wellies for men and have been disappointed with the 'same old' green rubber boots, these Bramham Country Wellingtons have a designer look that’s certainly worth the money.
