Why Do Wellies Split?

Autumn is on its way, which means it'll soon be time for welly weather! Wellies are a staple of any British wardrobe, but why do so many styles crack or split?

Typically your wellington boots will be made of rubber. Rubber is a fantastic material that is robust, flexible and comfy! However, it’s important to find a pair of wellies that are made from the right kind of rubber...

Generally rubber will break down quite easily and will require proper care to ensure it lasts for a long time. When you consider that your wellies will be exposed to all sorts of elements, such as rain, mud and snow,

What should you look for in a pair of wellies:

1. Natural rubber: when it comes to rubber wellies, you only want to go for natural rubber. As it is extremely high in elasticity, natural rubber is the perfect material for ensuring your wellies won’t split. The flexibility that natural rubber provides means that your wellies will be ultra-supple and move with you. Our personal favourite wellies made from natural rubber are the Le Chameau Vierzonord wellies. These wellington boots are some of the best out there; with their neoprene lining keeping you cosy in temperatures as low as -15°C, their flexible natural rubber outer and adjustable gusset, these wellies
2. The right kind of gusset: we’re all different shapes and sizes, which means that the calf fitting on wellies won’t necessarily be the right fit for everyone. That’s why we love the fact that Le Chameau wellies have a variety of different gusset fittings, from adjustable straps to zips. This means that you can fit your wellies with ease and without the need to force them on and off.

How to make sure your wellies don’t split:

1. Look after them! This may sound fairly obvious, but keeping your wellies in tip-top condition will preserve their longevity. Here’s a few simple things you can do to keep them at their best:

• Keep them clean: by nature wellies will get wet and muddy, however the prolonged build-up of these elements can damage the rubber. Once clean, applying care sprays can also help keep the rubber in prime condition.
• Use a boot jack: a simple fix that many people forget about. Using a boot jack rather than forcing your wellies off with your other foot will help them stay their best for longer. Using force to remove your boots will cause damage to the rubber, so gently removing your wellies with a boot jack is a cheap way to help your boots last for longer.
• Store them in the right place: constant exposure to cold temperatures or direct sunlight can damage the rubber your boots are made from. Be sure to keep them stored somewhere dry, out of the sun and away from freezing cold temperatures. While we’d all love a boot room at home, this isn’t always the case - a boot bag is an ideal, alternative way to keep your wellies neatly stored.

2. Quality means longevity: it’s easy to be tempted into purchasing a cheap wellies, but the honest answer is that cheap wellington boots are made from poorer rubber and simply won’t last. A quality, robust pair of wellies could last you several years. This is why Le Chameau offer a two year warranty on their boots as standard.

Finding the right pair of wellies which will keep your feet warm, cosy and dry for years to come doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the simple steps above and you can avoid that age-old problem of having split wellies in the depth of winter, which results in cold and damp feet! Shop wellies for women, men and kids online to find out more.