The best fishing wellies

There is nothing worse than getting wet feet when you're out fishing, especially in the depths of winter, so a pair of the best fishing wellies will help you stay dry and comfortable when you're out on the bank, whatever the weather. There are plenty of options on the market too, with shorter length wellies for those who prefer a smaller fitting boot, to full length, fleece lined options for those who want utmost comfort.

The best fishing wellies will prevent any inclement weather dampening your spirits, prevent you from getting cold feet and also provide some protection if the venue you're fishing is shallow and you need to wade out a little to net the fish. A good pair of wellies can be the difference between you sticking it out during bleak conditions and getting that all important bite or going home early and regretting the session.

Best fishing wellies at a glance:

• Best Overall Fishing Wellies - Muck Boot Arctic Sport Tall Boots - View offer on Go Outdoors

• Best Lightweight Fishing Wellies - Navitas Light Insulated Wellies - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

• Best Fishing Wellies For Wearing On A Seatbox - Preston Innovations Drifish Boots - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

• Best Fishing Wellies For Prolonged Walking - Daiwa Neoprene Boots - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait

With so many types of wellies to choose from, with so many varying qualities of material and construction, it can be hard to decide what the best fishing wellies for you are. Here is a guide to help you decide between some of the best available right now...

What to look for in fishing wellies

As anglers, we all enjoy different things from our fishing, whether that be trotting a float down a river or sitting in a bivvy or on a seatbox all day, and because of this, the best fishing wellies will vary depending on what you require from them. It goes without saying that any pair of wellies you buy should be waterproof above any other factors, as that is their primary job.

The next thing you should consider is how often you're likely to wear them, if you only wear wellies in the winter, then opting for a pair of fleece lined or neoprene wellies will really help keep your feet insulated and warm. This will help you stay motivated and fishing better, which will hopefully lead to you catching more fish. If you like to wear your wellies all-year-round, a quality hardwearing pair that have removable insulation would be the perfect choice, as you can keep your feet dry and cool in the summer, yet by adding the inner back into the boots you can keep your feet warm in the colder months too.

If you're an angler that likes to walk the bank in search of fish, a comfortable pair of wellies that offer support to your ankle, have good grip and are lightweight would be far superior to a heavy pair that are difficult to walk in. Similarly, if you're a match angler and are likely to be seated most of your session, it can pay to buy some wellies that have a shorter leg section, as it will stop them constricting around your calf, which can make them uncomfortable.

Glossary

Wellies: Short for Wellington Boot, they are a tall rubber boot designed for wearing in wet and muddy conditions.

Neoprene: A robust and stretchy fabric that is also waterproof and provides good heat insulation properties.

EVA: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is a material that has high resilience, high toughness, good shock resistance, cushioning performance, heat insulation, and low temperature performance - perfect for wellies.

Cleated sole: Deep recesses or protruding metal studs to improve grip on slippery surfaces.

Kick Block: A plastic or rubber mount at the base of the heel to help you use your other foot to remove your welly easier.

Frequently asked questions on fishing wellies

Are neoprene wellies better than rubber ones?

Neoprene does offer some advantages over rubber wellies, namely in how well they retain heat. If you're an angler that fishes in the coldest conditions it's well worth considering neoprene over standard rubber wellies. What you will notice is they are generally quite a snug fit, so if you have wider calves you may struggle to get them on and off easily. They are also regarded as being more comfortable to wear thanks to the stretchier material and lighter weight, but they can snag and tear much easier than a rubber welly, so it's worth considering that too.

What wellies are best for match fishing?

When match fishing you will be seated, often in a fairly restricted position for upwards of 5 hours and becuase of this the best fishing wellies will vary slightly to the more traditional ones. Whilst some anglers are perfectly comfortable sat in full length wellies on a seatbox, most will find a pair of shorter length wellies much easier to sit in. They also allow a bib 'n' brace to sit over them much more easily, allowing you to be fully waterproof.

Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.