Wellies – you don’t think you need them, until, well, you really do. And so whether it’s that sudden unexpected snow blitz in April or a drenched festival over the summer it pays to have some prepared just in case.

Which isn’t to say that it’s all necessary-but-not-particularly-chic when it comes to the world of wellies. The king of the Wellington boot, Hunter, has done a great deal in recent seasons to help you look good in the rain, making the rainproof shoe a must-have among the fash pack, splashing colour and streetwear-inspired branding onto its centuries-old rubber duck boots.

They’ll never be a permanent fixture in your shoe rotation, granted, but it’s savvy to have a good-looking and durable pair to call upon when every other boot style you own is rained off.

Key Buying Considerations

Wellies are function first, fashion second. They’re meant to keep your feet warm and dry, a cause significantly aided by having a neoprene lining at least 3mm thick behind the outer layer (if it’s positively arctic outside aim for 5mm).

Chances are you’ll also be stomping around quite a fair bit in your wellies when the time comes, whether that be walking the dog or trundling around the festival site. Vibram soles are the best for big-time walkers, offering the best traction on the widest range of surfaces.

Fitting wise, you don’t want to buy wellies that are too snug as your feet will expand during long, hot walks which may create rubbing on the side. Height-wise, they should rise no taller than the top of your calf and sit just below your knee – any higher and you’re in Catwoman on the cover of Country Life territory. Allow for about 2cm around the calf to fit your normal trousers and look for a strap on the side to tighten and loosen.

Which leads us into how to style them. You’ll need a good raincoat obviously. Down below, jeans and chinos are your best bet, always tucked inside the boot, never hanging loose on the outside which just defeats the point of the wellies’ weatherproofing. Glorious, sashaying, wide legged trousers, no matter how much we dig them at the moment, need not apply.