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These boots are made for walking, and they rain supreme
As Brits, we’re no strangers to the rain. So much so that everyone from farmers to fashionistas has the humble wellington boot as a wardrobe staple.
Luckily, gone are the days of bulky and uncomfortable designs because the traditional formula of oversized and clunky options has well and truly been rethought.
One brand that is leading the way is FitFlop. Promising to have created the “most comfortable design in the world”, the wonderwellys might just be the boots to turn to on rainy days and muddy rambles.
With an ultra-light design, they’ve been created to provide extra support, with a contoured sole that’s said to diffuse pressure, as well as match the shape of your foot. Promising to put a spring in your step, the design has clearly been well thought out.
Given the claims that FitFlop’s wonderwelly boots are the most comfortable ever, we put them to the test to see whether these boots really are made for walking.
Stomping our way on long muddy dog walks, as well as wearing them to complete simple errands in the rain, we assessed FitFlop’s wonderwellies for their grip, quality, fit, whether they could keep our feet warm and dry, and of course, if they were as comfortable as the brand claims. Will these rain (pun intended) supreme? We find out.
We’ll be honest, we were skeptical as to whether these wellies really could live up to the hype. After all, we’re used to big and boxy designs that are heavy and uncomfortable. But, much to our relief these surpassed our expectations.
As soon as we took them out of the box, the high quality was apparent – and this was only proved further after we tried them on. Fitting true to size, they feature a specially designed footbed, which is springy and supportive. The contoured sole fits the shape of your foot and allows even weight distribution, while the honeycomb heel absorbs the shock from any heavy stomping you may do through the woods.
Owing to the cushioning in the forefront and heel, there’s a noticeable bounce when you walk, which makes them a dream to walk in. Despite all the technology, they are particularly lightweight, so compared to other wellies we’ve worn in the past, these boots really are made for walking.
Read more: 10 best women’s waterproof jackets to beat every drizzle and downpour
In terms of waterproofing, our feet remained bone dry and warm, even during a very wet walk (it is the UK after all), and we liked the fact that there’s a tab at the back so that they can be adjusted to fit tighter to the calf.
Similarly, they had excellent grip, so you won’t go slipping and sliding in the mud. The only bugbear we had was that they gaped slightly around the ankle area. But, this didn’t affect us too much.
The black colourway of course goes with everything, but should you rather something more traditional, they’re also available in green (£90, Independent.co.uk). Similarly, should you think the tall design will be a little cumbersome for you (take it from us, they’re not clumpy and heavy), the same boots are also available in a short (£75, Independent.co.uk), which are just as comfortable.
An impressive wellington that we actually enjoy wearing, who’d have thought it?
True to the brand’s promise, FitFlop has delivered a seriously comfortable pair of wellies with its wonderwelly boots. Unlike other styles we’ve tried in the past, these boots don’t feel heavy nor clumpy, making them a joy to wear for everything from long, muddy rambles to short errand runs. The sheer number of colourways on offer mean there’s something for everyone.
Searching for more wet weather recommendations? Read our review of the best women’s wellington boots