The UK's bestWellies for Gardening2022 Review

These Dunlop Half-Height Wellies are designed for anyone with a slightly wider calf who finds it difficult to quickly pull off standard wellies.

They’re available in a surprisingly extensive range of sizes, from a UK 4 up to a UK 12 (with a couple of half sizes on offer as well) and are suitable for any gardeners looking for wider wellies that don’t go as far up the leg as standard boots. They reach to about shin height. The wider leg can also benefit those who like to wear thick socks with wellies, and want less of a struggle to fit all the layers in.

Coming from Dunlop, they’re good quality shoes as you might expect. Being 100% waterproof, they’ll be useful for a range of activities from gardening to dog walking, and actually they’re quite smart looking so could even be kept for rainy-day ‘best’.

Available in three different colour options, these wellies can be purchased in black, green, or green with a black sole. The sole is made from a flexible and comfortable moulded rubber, providing a good amount of cushioning. It also has a deep tread giving these boots good grip.  At the back of the boot, the maximum heel height is 3 cm which provides a reasonable amount of elevation out of potential mud.

The upper is made from synthetic materials, and the inner from a manmade textile.

Overall, if you want some boots with a slightly wider fit, these are some of the best wellies for gardening that you can buy. You may find that there is some ‘gape’ in the boot around the shin area, depending on the shape of your leg, but this can also be useful for tucking gardening trousers into. The wider fit, and shorter length, make these Dunlop wellies a lot easier to remove than standard wellington boots as well.

A sturdy pair of ankle-high boots, these Dirt Boot Neoprene Garden Wellies offer good movement and flexibility whilst also being extremely practical.

They’re a great option for anyone with wider calves, who finds traditional full-length boots uncomfortable, but they’re also a stylish and useful boot for anyone working in the garden, walking the dog, or mucking out the stables.

One thing that particularly helps with the comfort and fit of these boots is the four-way-stretch nylon that surrounds the ankle area. It provides a secure but stretchy fit, adapting to differently-shaped legs and stopping any mud and stones that might slip in if there were gaping in that area.

The stretchable nylon also helps make these boots easy to slip on and off, aided by the narrow steel shank in the heel which allows them to retain their shape. Despite containing a piece of metal, these wellies don’t weigh noticeably more than a standard pair of wellington boots.

Available in a UK size 5 – 10, there’s not quite as much sizing choice as with some of the other boots featured on this page. However, there are a range of colours available, from green, black and brown to a decorative autumnal leaf pattern.

These Dirt Boots are 100% waterproof and the outer material (of both the upper and the sole) is rubber. The soles offer good grip as well, which is particularly useful when working or walking in muddy areas.

Due to their wide design and secure fit, these are some of the best wellies for gardening if you’re after a comfortable shoe. They’re the shortest boots on this page, making them easy to slip on and off, and they offer flexibility around the ankle. In general, they seem ‘true to size’, though you may want to size up if you’ll be wearing very thick socks.

JCB might be better known for their diggers, but they’ve certainly put their working knowledge to good use with these Hydromaster Wellington Boots.

A hardwearing pair of work boots, these wellies are some of the most resilient and durable featured on this page. They have a thick rubber outsole and a reinforced steel midsole, as well as a steel toecap – “hardwearing” certainly isn’t an overstatement!

They’re ideal “workman” boots given that they’re not only waterproof, but the sole has been designed to be resistant to oil, acid, petrol, alkali and diesel. If you’re after some particularly tough footwear, these are some of the best wellies for gardening that you’ll find.

Available in sizes UK 7 – 12, the Hydromaster wellies come up quite wide – dropping down a size is advisable unless you appreciate a wider fit. They’re ‘traditional’ wellies in terms of height, covering the calf and finishing just below the knee, but they do feature a ‘kick off’ tab to help make removing the boots easier. If you tend to avoid full-length wellies because you get muddy hands when pulling them off, you may appreciate this feature.

A downside for some gardeners may be the weight of these wellies. With all the additional steel inside the boot, they do weigh more than standard wellington boots. Although not excessive, you will likely find they’re not as suitable for long walks as more traditional wellies. The classic Unisex Dunlop Wellington Boots will be more appropriate for walking.

Nevertheless, if you’re after a particularly strong pair of wellies for work around the garden or yard, these are a great pair to consider. Just remember to drop down a size as they do come up big.

One of the original and most classic wellington-boot styles, most people have owned a pair of Dunlop Unisex Outdoor Wellies in their time. And, to be honest, their popularity speaks volumes. These are good value wellies that are resilient and comfortable. They may be basic, but they tick all the necessary boxes when looking for decent wellington boots.

They’re available in a massive range of sizes, from a UK 3 all the way up to a UK 12, making them suitable for a lot of different gardeners – you can even get the kids involved! The sizing is relatively ‘true to size’, coming up fractionally larger than the equivalent size in standard shoes. For a lot of people this will be useful anyway, as it makes it easier to wear thick socks.

The sole and outer are made from durable, waterproof rubber and hold together well over time. There’s a decent tread on the sole, making these wellies suitable for both walking the dog and digging the garden, and they’re comfortable to wear over extended periods.

There’s a 2 cm heel at the back of the boot, and the chunky sole makes it easier to pull off the boots. Gardeners with larger calves may finds these boots a bit slim – they measure approximately 19.5 cm across the top.

Nonetheless, in terms of general comfort they rank highly: they’re lightweight and reasonably flexible, making them suitable for a large range of applications.

Overall, these are some of the best wellies for gardening, walking, working outside or even heading to the shops in on a rainy day. This style has been known as an excellent all-rounder for many years now, and continues to be very reliable.

One of the problems with standard wellies is that they’re not very warm, but that’s not the case with these Gardener Lux Waterproof Wellies.

With a slightly different design to the other boots on this list, these black patent wellingtons have removable fleece liners that add some extra insulation against colder weather. One of the best things about this design is that they don’t have to be kept in the boot year-round, but can be added for a bit more warmth when needed. Plus, they can be removed and washed if necessary.

Made from thick rubber, these wellies are completely waterproof and can be worn around the garden or on country walks. They’re lightweight, have good grip, and are sufficiently comfortable to be kept on for longer periods.

One downside is that there’s a relatively small number of sizes available, ranging from a UK size 3.5 to a 7.5. The size of each boot is a ‘range’ as well; instead of selling a size 4, the boot is a size 4 – 5. Most customers report the wellies being a little on the small side, so it’s a good idea to size up by at least half a size if you want a comfortable fit. If you want to wear thick socks with these boots (especially with the liner in place), you may need to size up one whole size.

Given the comfortable, warm liner, these are some of the best wellies for gardening in the winter. The fact that it’s removable also means that they can be worn in warmer months too without feet getting uncomfortably hot.