Wellington boots are my all-time favorite. They are stylish and keep my legs dry in muddy and wet situations. These days they come crafted for industrial purposes too…which makes them even better.
However, they are notorious for one thing.
Wellington boots are not suitable for prolonged use. They create discomfort for your feet if used for hours. The reason for this is the hard material they are made of. But, you can adopt methods and be cautious while choosing your pair to ensure maximum comfort.
So, how are they problematic?
Can get a little sweaty!
Yes, these leather boots that keep your feet stay dry all the way up to the knee can give you a hard time giving the sweats.
Made of vulcanized rubber or plastic, they do not let air pass through the body making the insides warm. This can make your legs sweaty and this can be one of the most uncomfortable situations that you can be in.
A sweaty inside can lead to the development of fungus. This can lead to further problems if your skin comes in contact with them. Therefore it is necessary to take steps to keep the problem at bay.
Not that comfy
Long walks in willies are not comfortable. They are not structured to give your legs support as the way work boots do.
Working with them in the field or the garden for a few minutes is not going to tell you this. But put them on and try to take hours of walk, this might be a different story altogether.
With Wellington boots, the toes and heels can easily start hurting as they are not having enough support or space inside. Due to this, wellies are known to be a bad choice for a peaceful painless long stroll.
Can make your body sick
Yes, your feet will not be at ease and can even be injured if you are not taking care of them while using wellington boots. Space constraints can create skin blisters, shin splints, scratches, etc.
When the situation becomes serious, you risk not the health of your legs but also other body parts.
Boots with poor sole and heel support can result in diseases like plantar fasciitis, which is the stabbing pain in the heels due to the inflammation of tissues that connect the heel bones to the toes.
Moreover, prolonged use of such boots can lead to muscle strain in the knees, spine, neck, and hip.
What are Wellington boots good at?
1.) They are excellent at repelling water!
Wellington boots are known for their excellent water repellent quality. This is because of the material that they are made of. And therefore, wellington boots are the first choice to be used in a muddy field or for a short walk on a rainy day.
With a good pair, you can easily stroll through a wet area without bothering about the water or mud touching your skin. Jumping in those puddles is surely fun with these good boys on!
2.) Good for loose ground
The outsoles of wellington boots are made in such a way that they do not dig deep into soft ground. With loose soil, a flat and spacious outsole evenly spreads pressure making the walk easier.
3.) They come with a long life!
Moreover, the material used is long-lasting events when they are always used in muggy situations. Vulcanized rubber is hard and gives a strong exterior to the boots, while plastic boots assure flexibility and comfort.
With the development of technology, the way the boots are crafted has improved. Technology is used efficiently to make sure that the user can get maximum support for his walk.
These days, they come with good insoles, straps, and other features that make them popular among the work boots available in the market.
How to make long walks comfortable in Wellington boots?
Wellington boots in their usual models come without much support or enough thickness to protect your legs from cold.
So there are certain things that you can do to make them a little cozy and comfy. Check out these tips.
1.) Wear water-wicking socks to absorb sweat.
Since the material of the boots is waterproof they do let water get inside or the sweat evaporates properly. Your only option is to absorb the sweat using a thick absorbent.
Socks that are multi-layered and made with good fiber can work wonders here. As and when the drops of perspiration develop the socks can easily absorb leaving your skin dry as possible.
Moreover, socks can also give your legs warm in cold weather.
2.) Antiperspirant spray
Using antiperspirant spray can also help with sweating. It can extend the freshness of the insides and keep them odorless.
3.) Remove the inner lining for space
In certain cases, the inner sole that is given for support can create space congestion. Check whether this inner part is removable and make sure that when you place your foot the toes are not in a convoluted position.
Note that the lining is given for comfort and support. Removing them is not the best option unless you find it extremely necessary.
4.) Opt for one size bigger for a better fit.
As wellington boots are not easy to wear for long walks and space always becomes an issue, it is wise to choose a size bigger while you buy them.
This way you do not have to worry that they will be too tight and at the same time, they will not be too loose to come off.
5.) Go for sophisticated ones.
Go for superior willies. They are more sophisticated than the usual ones. Made of high-quality materials they give the feet and legs a good feel. They are also lightweight and come with a good grip.
When to replace my wellington boots?
Wellington boots last for months or in some cases years. It all depends on how you use them and how much care you take to repair them.
Wellies can give you a hard time getting worn out with prolonged use. They can get split or the soles can come off with repeated use.
Rubber with time can deteriorate and can get leaky too. Plastic also will get torn and give the same result.
Knowing tricks to keep your boots intact and waterproof can extend their life.
The adhesive is one of the most effective methods used to repair boots. They can efficiently deal with any visible fatigue that can arise with continuous use.
Stormsure Adhesive is the most popular glue to repair boots. It has been used and tested for years now that it is almost considered to be irreplaceable.
To see how to use it, check the videos below.
For leaks :
For tears :
The best Wellington boots in the market
Check out the list of the five best wellington boots and choose yours today!
1.) KEEN Utility Men’s CSA Philadelphia Wellington Work Boot
- COMPOSITE TOE: Asymmetrical, non-metallic carbon-fiber toes, a composite material, offer an unobtrusive fit and are 15% lighter than steel; The Philadelphia Wellington work boot meets or exceeds CSA Z195 Grade 1, ASTM F2412, F2413 I/75 and C/75 Standards
- TRACTION: Oil- and slip-resistant, non-marking, rubber outsoles are used for improved traction that meet or exceed ASTM F1677 MARK II and ASTM F2913 SATRA Non-Slip Testing Standards; Lug sole patterns provide grip even on slick surfaces
- WATERPROOF: KEEN.DRY is a waterproof, breathable membrane liner that lets vapor out without letting water in keeping your feet dry and comfortable; The Philadelphia Wellington work boot does have a mesh liner that integrates with the waterproof membrane
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Features:
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- Non-mutilating uppers
- Non-metallic carbon-fiber toes
- Excellent grip
- Strongly built
- Underproof Protection (from electrical hazards)
- Waterproof
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2.) HUNTER Women’s Original Tall Gloss
- Hunter Size Chart
- Shine on through the wettest weather with the Original Tall Gloss rain boot.
- Vulcanized natural rubber construction with glossy finish.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Features:
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- Waterproof shell
- Rubber Sole
- Buckles at back shaft
- Sponge insole
- Nylon lining
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3.) WOLVERINE Men’s Hellcat Wellington Boot Construction
- Premium waterproof full-grain leather upper. Breathable waterproof membrane with moisture wicking mesh lining
- Removable Ortholite UltraLite full-cushioned footbed is light without sacrificing comfort
- Revolutionary UltraSpring high rebound ETPU midsole provides energized ride
- Rubber lug outsole grips the ground. Time-tested Goodyear Welt construction
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Features:
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- Rubber sole
- Waterproof
- Made of superior quality
- Removable Ortholite UltraLite full-cushioned footbed
- Time-tested Goodyear Welt construction
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4.) Irish Setter Men’s 83909 Wellington
- Pull-on work boot with dual pull handles and cushioning foam mids
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Features:
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- Rubber sole
- Cushioning foam midsole
- Pull-on work boot
- 100% Leather
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5.) Carhartt Men’s Ground Force 10″ Wellington Industrial Boot
- Composite Safety Toe. Identifies protection against impact and compression hazards with a composite (non-metallic) safety toe.
- Electrical Hazard (Safety Toe). Identifies secondary protection against incidental contact with electrical circuits of 18,000 volts or less under dry conditions.
- Storm Defender Waterproof Breathable Protection.
- Cement constructed with Carhartt rubber Ground Force outso
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Features:
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- Flexible outsole
- Waterproof and breathable membrane
- Lightweight
- Insite Technology Footbed
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To Conclude
Wellington boots are bad for your feet if you are using them for long walks. Make sure to adopt the mentioned methods to reduce the discomfort.
That said one cannot deny the fact that they are the best choice to be used in muddy areas due to their excellent water-repellent qualities.
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