If your dog is as enthusiastic for its walks as Patch (our Beagle) is, then we're sure you'll be needing the very best wellies to wear when you meet those muddy paths, shallow streams or boggy grounds!
Patch simply loves being outdoors and one of his favourite past times is rolling around in the muddiest, deepest and smelliest bog he can find - and that's why wellington boots are a must, whenever we take him out!
To be honest, in the past, we've found some brands of wellies are heavy and cumbersome to wear. Not nowadays though! We now enjoy favourite brands such as Percussion and Hoggs of Fife, because they offer much better foot support and are extremely comfortable to wear, no matter what the weather is. These brands really do fit a whole lot better around the ankle, making the whole walking experience much more pleasurable.
Things to consider when choosing wellies
There are certain things that you really need to consider when buying a new pair of wellies. Weight and comfort are the amongst the most important factors. From our experience, men seem to prefer a heavier pair of wellies that offer plenty of grip and traction. Women however, seem to prioritise both comfort and style as two of their most important factors.
It's also worth noting that when choosing wellies, getting the right fit can be more difficult for women than for men. Traditionally, some women have struggled to find wellington boots that will fit nicely over slightly wider calves. However, this problem can now be eradicated by simply choosing a pair of our side-adjusting wellies!
Of course, in the past, wellington boots used to be 'one style fits all', but today's wellies have been designed with many extra features in mind, so that they'll now comfortably fit a wide variety of leg and foot sizes!
Many wellington boots are available in a standard leg length and these can be awkward to get on and off, if you have wide calves. Short wellies may be more suitable. These shorter wellington boots offer the same support, comfort and grip as traditional wellies but are shorter in leg length, making them easier to slide on and off.
If a longer traditional high wellington boot is required because of the type of terrain or conditions you - and your dog - will be walking in (such as muddy streams) then you will probably be better opting for wellies that feature either a full length zip, such as the Percussion Rambouillet wellington boot, or a side adjuster, such as the Hoggs of Fife Field Sport wellington boot.
The advantage of wearing a full length zip wellington boot is that you then have full control over how far you need to close the zip up, given that the bellowed construction behind the zip offers full weather protection.
Ergonomic Design for Comfort
Ergonomically designed wellies are much more comfortable to wear than traditionally designed wellies. Specifically, the specially designed ankle and calf areas make sure the wellington boot fits comfortably around these key areas, preventing a 'sloppy' wellington movement when walking. The ergonomic shape will grip your ankle and calf more comfortably, making the wellington boot much more sturdy as you move along.
Sole Unit for Grip
Do consider that deep lugs on the sole units are essential when walking on muddy paths with your dog. If your dog is easily 'spooked' (like our Patch!) by the noise of a horse or a cow in a field over the hedge, then good grip and traction is needed to prevent your dog from actually pulling you over! Plus, if you need to wear your wellington boots all day to walk across rocky and muddy fields, then a Vibram sole unit may be more suitable for you than traditional rubber sole units.
Vibram sole units are also perfect when walking on packed snow, as well as those rocky terrains or muddy paths!
Some Wellies to Consider
