Make sure you are prepared for when the temperature drops with a pair of the best thermal wellington boots. Thermal and insulated wellies are some of the best wellington boots available and are highly sought after by anyone spending a significant amount of time outside in the wet and cold winter weather.
Neoprene, which is the material used for making wetsuits, is commonly used to line wellington boots as it has strong insulating properties and is hard-wearing. Linings will vary in thickness, with a thicker lining offering more insulation. All of the boots in this round-up benefit from neoprene insulation.
Best insulated wellies: H&H’s quick guide
Best premium insulated wellies: Le Chameau Vierzonord
Most comfortable insulated wellies: Aigle Parcours 2 ISO
Warmest insulated wellies: The Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport II
Best wellies for half sized feet: Ariat Burford Insulated
Best insulated wellies for wide calves: Hunter Balmoral
Best thermal wellington boots
Le Chameau Vierzonord Neoprene-Lined Wellingtons
Fit: Ladies’ or men’s
Colours: Chameau green, black, dark brown or iconic green
Sizes: UK 2.5–9 (ladies’), UK 6–15 (men’s)
RRP: From £220
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Good grip
- Comfortable
- Lighter than they look
Reasons to avoid
- Tricky to take off
These hand-crafted boots from Le Chameau are described as perfect for winter. The abrasion-resistant outsole gives you shoe-like comfort while offering sure-footed traction on uneven, slippery, muddy or soft terrain. They are lined with 3mm neoprene and have an adjustable, waterproof gusset. The dual-density sole absorbs shock and has a shank reinforcement that delivers stability and arch support to help reduce fatigue. The combination of natural rubber and neoprene allows the wellington boot to flex easily, mirroring any foot movement. They are also available in men’s sizes.
Georgia H&H’s head of ecommerce tested these wellies and she said “these boots are perfect for someone regularly wearing wellies, they stood up well to regular use and offered a good grip but she did find that she needed two hands to get them on and off due to its flexible shaft.” Read H&H’s independent Le Chameau Vierzonord wellies review.
Aigle Parcours 2 ISO Wellington Boots
Fit: Ladies’or men’s
Colours: Brown, bronze or khaki
Sizes: EU 36–42 (ladies’), EU 39–50 (men’s)
RRP: £230
Reasons to buy
- Warm
- Very comfortable
- Durable
Reasons to avoid
- Can be too warm for use in the summer
These wellies are designed to protect from the cold, keep your feet dry, comfortable and free from fatigue, perfect for walking or yard work. With an adjustable side gusset they are suitable for a range of calf fittings, made from a natural rubber compound it offers fantastic strength, comfort as well as flexibility. The boots have a Neoprene lining and insole which is 4.5mm in thickness designed for insulation and temperature maintenance. The inner sole is treated with an anti-bacterial agent. The sole of the boots have 3 layers that shock absorb, provide cushioning, stability and are slip resistant.
Franchesca has a pair of these wellies that she has owned for the last two years with regular wear and her my opinion, they are the best Aigle wellies ever! They are super comfortable and warm, so you won’t be disappointed.
The Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport II Tall Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: 12 options
Sizes: UK 3–9
RRP: £150
H&H Rating: 8/10
Reasons to buy
- Warm
- Comfortable
Reasons to avoid
- No adjustability on the calf
These boots from The Original Muck Boot Company are designed for those who are outdoors in the coldest conditions. They have a cosy fleece lining and a 5mm neoprene inner boot for added warmth, and the stretch-fit top-line binding keeps the boots snug to your legs to keep cold air out and warm air in. They also have a moulded midsole that offers support and the rugged outsole helps grip.
These wellies were tested by Georgia and she said they are supportive and felt just like wearing trainers they were so comfortable. She was also grateful for the soft fleece lining and 5mm neoprene during the winter months. Read H&H’s independent Muck Boot Arctic Sport II review.
Ariat Burford Insulated Wellies
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Olive green or navy
Sizes: UK 3–8½
RRP: £160
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Really smart
- Warm
- Good grip
Reasons to avoid
- Not the most flexible
These stylish wellies are created with waterproof, vulcanised rubber and a shock-absorbing EVA midsole for added all-day foot comfort. They use Ariat’s ATS Pro footbed technology for heightened performance, have a moisture-wicking layer and defend against odour. The 3.5mm neoprene lining will keep your feet warm in the winter, while the leather strap closure and trimmed top add a bit of style. They also feature an easy-off ‘heel kick’ feature and Duratread outsole. Half sizes and men’s sizes also available.
Georgia tested these boots during the winter months and found them to be super comfortable, durable and they kept her feet warm in a range of temperatures even as low as -2°C. Read H&H’s independent Ariat Burford Wellies review.
Hunter Balmoral Adjustable 3mm Neoprene Wellington Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Dark olive, dark slate or navy
Sizes: UK 3–9
RRP: £225
Reasons to buy
- Shock absorbent sole
- 3mm neoprene lining
- Changeable insoles
Reasons to avoid
- An expensive price tag
Handcrafted using natural rubber for comfort and durability. They feature a performance Vibram sole exclusively developed for Hunter to offer enhanced shock absorption, while multi-directional cleats are designed for grip and mud-release. Supplied with removable 3mm and 5mm moulded insoles to customise the fit of the boot and ease foot fatigue and there’s a 3mm lining for insulation. If you’re looking for a pair of wellingtons that offer adjustable fitting around the calves check out our best adjustable wellies guide.
Fencham Argo Wellington Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Olive
Sizes: UK 5–12
RRP: £79.99
Reasons to buy
- Adjustable side gusset
- Made from supple, durable rubber
- 5mm neoprene lining
Reasons to avoid
- If your feet don’t get cold these boots might be too warm
The Argo wellies feature an adjustable, waterproof gusset with snap-fastening buckle to ensure a snug fit or for added ventilation. Crafted from supple, durable rubber, they feature a full 5mm Neoprene lining to keep your temperate all year around by insulating and ventilating your feet. With a shock-absorbing Fensole it prevents fatigue and offers sure-footed traction on uneven, slippery, muddy and soft terrain. The Argo is designed to be supportive and protective plus and 100% waterproof.
Rockfish Walkabout Neoprene-Lined Wellingtons
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Evergreen, black matte, otter or oxford blue
Sizes: UK 3–13
RRP: £120
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Robust enough to withstand hard work
- Supportive shaft
- Warm
Reasons to avoid
- The foot comes up narrower than others
These Rockfish wellies are fitted with a 5mm neoprene lining throughout, which will keep your feet warm on winter days. These particular Rockfish boots are based on hiking boot technology, ensuring a snug fit, while the sole is designed to provide extra grip on rugged terrain. They also feature an insole that is engineered to provide comfort all day.
Georgia Guerin put these wellies through their paces and found them to be “warm, waterproof and sturdy.” They exceeded all her expectations. She said “They’re built for long days on your feet in bad weather. They were easy to get on and off and have an adjustable side gusset to get the right fit for you.” Read H&H’s independent Rockfish Walkabout wellies review.
Should wellingtons be a size bigger?
You should buy your normal size in wellington boots, make sure they fit snugly without being too tight. Make sure you look at the manufacturers sizing charts and if possible try on your wellies with the socks you would normally wear.
Can I wear wellies in the snow?
Wellingtons are great for the snow as they are waterproof. If you are looking for a pair for cold weather make sure you opt for insulated ones with a neoprene lining to help keep your feet warm and ensure they have a good tread and grip.
Why do my feet still get cold in insulated boots?
You need to make sure you have enough room to allow your socks and any insulation effectively trap heat and allow for circulation.
You might also like:
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Wellington boots you can rely on, recommended by horse owners who know their mud
6 of the warmest waterproof neoprene wellies
Best wellies for men: for walking, yard work and casual wear
Short wellies and rain boots: perfect for popping out in a downpour
Adjustable wellies to suit all leg shapes
10 pairs of boots to help tackle yard life
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