When testing, they also needed to be comfortable, supportive, durable and trendy (The Independent)
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Do you know how much it rains here? A wry acceptance of precipitation is part of our DNA in the UK, but even so, the statistics on rainfall may exceed your expectations.
According to Statista, it rained 165 days out of 365 in 2019. And perhaps fresher in the memory, February 2020 was one of the rainiest months in the past decade, as 209.1mm of rain soaked the country over 29 days.
All this is to say, you could probably do with a pair of waterproof boots. Using a variety of waterproof materials, designs and treatments, this type of boot is the ideal footwear for keeping water out, in all but the most extreme weather.
It is far preferable to have dry feet than wet, that we often don’t talk about why keeping our feet dry really matters. Damp socks and feet can lead to bad odours, and they provide an ideal environment for conditions such as blisters and athlete’s foot to develop. On a more basic level, it’s just a bit uncomfortable having soggy socks.
There are three ways a boot can keep your feet dry: with waterproof design features including bonded seams, waterproof materials like Gore-Tex and OutDry, and waterproof treatments such as oiling. The boots with the best capabilities tend to be equipped with at least two of these defences.
Thankfully, there’s no reason to get your toes in a twist, as good-quality waterproof boots are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, styles and prices. We tested a representative sample, including 10 of the best waterproof boots for everyday use, to help you pick the perfect pair.
When testing, we deemed a really good pair as those that were not only waterproof, but also comfortable, supportive, durable and stylish.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Stutterheim Chelsea rainwalker wellington boots
A hybrid of a Chelsea boot and a wellington from Swedish brand Stutterheim offers a rare combination of novelty and practicality. The 100 per cent rubber outers repel rainwater fantastically well, while their Chelsea boot cut makes them far better suited to day-to-day wear than regular wellies are. As well as wearing these out and about, our reviewer found them extremely useful for slipping on to do odd jobs around the garden. It only takes a second or two to get them on your feet. The cotton lining is nice and comfy, but do bear in mind that as these are rubber wellies, they are best worn with warm, thick socks.
Thanks to its exceptional combination of versatile style, very good waterproof performance, comfort and robustness, we’re naming The Original Muck Boot Company’s foreman boot our IndyBest Buy. They’ve served our reviewer well through all sorts of weather, with minimal upkeep needed.
