39 ½ Wellingtons

The material matters. A wool insole provides the very best warmth, while synthetic material effectively wicks away moisture. When will you be wearing your boots?

• Autumn/winter. During the winter months, it’s nice to have warm boots that keep out the cold and slush. We recommend winter-lined Wellingtonss or boots with a wool insole.

• Spring/summer. In the summer, it’s not as important that the boots are warm. Choose a pair of unlined Wellingtons or with a thin fabric lining.

• All year round. If you want to wear the same wellies all year round, you should be able to adapt them to the season. Choose a pair of unlined Wellingtons with a wide shaft to make room for socks. You can also buy a wool insole to insert when the temperature drops.

The shaft height that suits you depends on where you want to use your boots.

• In the playground, in the city or on short walks. Sometimes you just want to quickly slip on your boots to walk your dog or run an errand. Lighter boots will also be more comfortable for chasing after an adventurous toddler at the playground. Choose a pair of lighter wellies with a lower shaft or in a slip-on style.

• Boots you’ll be wearing in the woods need to keep your feet dry and clean when walking through mud and marshland. It’s also good if they keep out leaves and insects. So we recommend high shafts. Going for a long hike? A memory foam insole provides good support.

• In your garden. When you’re planting your flower beds, it’s nice to have boots that are easy to move around in. Choose a pair with a low or medium shaft.