The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

8 best women’s wellies that are waterproof and stylish to boot

Put your best foot forward with these long and short styles, suiting all seasons

Helen Wilson-Beevers
Friday 09 February 2024 12:43 GMT
<p>These designs cover warmth, comfort and on-trend features </p>

These designs cover warmth, comfort and on-trend features

Our Top Picks

Living in the UK, we’re often met with a changeable climate – which means wearing clothing and footwear suited to all weathers, come rain or shine. We’re talking thermal base layers, waterproof coats and practical boots, to name a few options, whatever the season.

Especially during the colder months, it’s safe to say that nobody wants soggy feet – so good-old wellington boots are a practical pick for walks and heading outside in general. They’re a year-round British staple, too, for wear during beach trips, stormy weather and drizzly days alike.

Typically a waterproof rubber boot, wellies have a thick, durable sole for stomping through puddles and navigating rougher terrain. Their deep tread should help stop you slipping, while the height of the boot itself varies from ankle to full length. Plus, you can layer up with some fleecy socks underneath, too, to keep your feet toasty as well as dry.

Most often, wellies are slip-on boots, so they can be removed or put on quickly. Although, some do take a bit of extra push-pull effort. Whether you prefer a timeless welly take or look to stylish waterproof options, we’ve been perusing the options available to buy.

Spanning short and tall options, in different colours and prints, we’ve put lots of pairs through their paces to bring you our verdict. Read on for our full tried-and-tested review of the best wellies for women.

How we tested the best wellies for women

We tested several pairs of wellies over a few weeks. We looked at comfort, durability and style, while also taking wearability into account. Keep scrolling for the best women’s wellies to suit all budgets.

The best wellies for women for 2024 are:

  • Best wellies for women overall – Barbour Abbey wellington boots, black: £64.95, Barbour.com
  • Best budget wellies for women – Regatta women’s Wenlock wellies, dark denim: £19.95, Regatta.com
  • Best bright wellies for women – Helly Hansen women’s nordvik 2 rubber boots, yellow: £65, Hellyhansen.com
  • Best short wellies for women – FatFace ankle wellies, black: £24, Fatface.com

Barbour abbey wellington boots, black

best-wellies-for-women-indybest-review.png
  • Best: Wellies for women overall
  • Height: Tall
  • Colours: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Robust
    • Flexible fit

This smart pair of wellies is available to shop in black, blue and olive shades. We noted how robust the boots are, while also offering a flexible fit for movement. The chunky soles are sturdy and provide a good grip while walking, so we didn’t slip about on mud or ice. There’s chic Barbour branding throughout, from the tartan pattern inside to the logo running up the back. Our feet stayed dry in the rain and during a beach walk with our dog, while we also appreciated how comfy the boots were to wear out and about too.

  1. £64 from Barbour.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Regatta women’s Wenlock wellies, dark denim

Regatta.jpg
  • Best: Budget wellies for women
  • Height: Tall
  • Colours: 7
  • Why we love it
    • Full-length coverage
    • Deep tread for good grip

The first thing we noticed about these classic wellies is how shiny they are, and that’s down to the rubber’s PVC finish. We found the sole’s deep tread offered a good grip on slippy ground, while the full-length shape kept our legs dry in rain and puddles. Practical and streamlined to wear, they aren’t bulky or heavy. The dark denim shade we tried is a fun colour for pairing with jeans now or shorts in the summer.

Use discount code “RCUKJA15” for 15 per cent off the best wellies for women

  1. £19 from Regatta.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Helly Hansen women’s nordvik 2 rubber boots

Helly Hansen.jpg
  • Best: Bright wellies for women
  • Height: Short to mid
  • Colours: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Roomy for ankles and legs

A short to mid-height pair of wellies ideal for quickly throwing on, the waterproof boots lend themselves well to gardening, walking and going out in the rain. We liked the bright yellow shade for adding a bit of sunshine to any outfit, with black and navy blue available to buy too. The boots came up to our calves, and were roomy on the ankles and legs, which would appeal if you steer away from a tight fit. We paired them with chunky socks for warmth, and found them equally comfortable without that layer on warmer days.

Back to top

Le Chameau women’s Iris jersey lined boot

La Chameu.jpg
  • Best: Luxury wellies for women
  • Height: Tall
  • Colours: 7
  • Why we love it
    • They look smart
    • Hard-wearing design

As wellies go, Le Chameau’s Iris boots are a beautiful buy that look and feel luxurious to wear. They seriously smartened up our dog-walking attire, and we also enjoyed wearing them as normal boots during cold winter days. We’d best describe them as having a riding-boot shape, but being crafted from hard-wearing rubber. The jersey lining is soft too, so there was no ankle rubbing or material digging in during trips out. If you’re looking to elevate your outdoor wear, this is the investment pair to buy.

Back to top

FatFace ankle wellies, black

Fat Face.jpg
  • Best: Short wellies for women
  • Height: Short
  • Colours: One
  • Why we love it
    • Raised heel offers good grip

These ankle-length wellies have a Chelsea-boot style, complete with an elasticated tab, making it easier to put them on. We found the slightly raised heel excellent for gripping muddy footpaths, while we also enjoyed the warm fleecy inner sole lining. The boot is true to size, and because of the short style, we pulled chunky socks up our legs for added warmth on chillier days. These cute wellies are ideal for all seasons and are smart enough to wear as short boots on damp days.

  1. £24 from Fatface.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Mountain Warehouse women’s tall printed wellies, khaki

Mountain Warehouse.jpg
  • Best: Patterned wellies for women
  • Height: Tall
  • Colours: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Comfortable cotton lining

A pretty pair of wellies complete with floral print, these tall boots came up to just below our knees. Made from rubber, they’re totally waterproof and we put this to the test by walking through puddles and wet fields. The cotton lining added extra comfort, and we could fit some fleecy socks underneath when seeing additional warmth. The lightweight shape has a lot of give, so they didn’t feel rigid when walking and we could also fold them for compact storage too. Plus, they’re currently reduced by a whopping £40, if you fancy snapping up some bargain Wellington boots.

Use discount code “MWAW99” for 20 per cent off the best wellies for women

Back to top

Lemon Jelly Everley boot

Lemon Jelly.jpg
  • Best: Women’s wellies for style
  • Height: Short
  • Colours: One
  • Why we love it
    • Springy, thick sole feels comfy

A short, chunky pair of black boots that have a contrasting khaki sole, this is a fashion-forward welly pick. They protected our feet in the rain, and we loved the stylish design. The Chelsea boot panel and ankle loop pull made them easy to put on and take off, for wearable ease. Meanwhile, we don’t think they look like wellies at all, so you could wear this pair for all occasions. The thick soles felt springy and we found them super comfy to wear.

Back to top

Muck boot Arctic sport II tall boots

Muck Boot.png
  • Best: Women’s wellies for winter weather
  • Height: Tall
  • Colours: Eight
  • Why we love it
    • Impressive grip

Muck Boot’s Arctic sport II boots have been designed to withstand extreme temperatures, and they certainly pull out all the stops. The standout feature is the 5mm neoprene inner boot, which, along with a soft fleece lining, makes these boots incredibly warm, even in freezing cold temperatures. We found this really made a difference on wintry days. The close fit also helped retain warmth; the boots fit snugly against the leg, although there’s plenty of give. The secure fit also makes these boots ideal for walking long distances.

We wore them out on dog walks, as well as short hikes, and found them as comfortable as hiking boots. Plus, the grip is impressive, so we had no problem in muddy or slippery conditions. These boots may be pretty pricey, but they certainly deliver on performance.

Back to top

The verdict: Wellies for women

For smart and robust boots with timeless style, we love Barbour’s abbey wellington boots. Alternatively, if you fancy a bright pair of wellies, Helly Hansen’s women’s nordvik 2 rubber boots in yellow are an uplifting summery pick. Finally, Le Chameau’s women’s Iris jersey lined boots are a beautiful, comfy buy for daily wear.

In the market for new outerwear? These are the best women’s winter coats to wear on repeat

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
£100 off all bookings over £1000 - TUI discount code
ASOS Discount Code
20% off everything with this ASOS app discount code
Travelodge Discount Code
5% off all bookings with this Travelodge discount code
The Body Shop Discount Code
20% off everything with The Body Shop discount code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
15% of all orders with The Perfume Shop birthday discount
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Up to 20% off all orders over £40 - Cult Beauty discount code

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in