Wellies (essential footwear)

Wellies  (Wellington Boots, Gumboots or Rubber Boots)

Wellington boots are named after the Duke of Wellington, who wore large leather  riding boots to cover the knee.
European explorers found South American Indians used the sap of the rubber tree to cover their feet, then when the sap dried and hardened, they could peel off the rubber "shoes" and wear them later when it was wet. The Australians call them gumboots, as they are made from the rubber tree "gum" or sap.

Nowadays they come in all sorts of shapes, colours and design and in some areas are almost fashionable.

That's a potted history, why might you be interested?

Landscape and nature photography will often mean wet ground.

Not only might you have to walk through it to get there you may also want to stand in it to capture the image you want.

Walking boots are fine for rough terrain, but they will not stop water from seeping over the top.

When water seeps over the top, it has a habit of siphoning its way up higher! 

Disadvantages

Can be hot and sticky in warm weather.

Lack of insulation means feet can get cold, when the temperature drops.

Less ankle support than walking boots.

Melanie's Wellies

Nokian Trimmis

For the past four years I've been wearing Nokian Trimmis, I'm now onto my second pair. They were recommended by two good friends and are stocked at Tyson's in Ambleside.  I find regular height wellies too long for my short legs and these have been a godsend. I've overcome the cold problem by putting in an extra pair of insoles and wearing two pairs of socks and this way found them as warm as my mid-weight walking boots.

They have the advantage of being able to buy studs that you fit into the soles that make walking over icy ground and slippery rocks safer. The studs are a beast to get in, and you will find many of them fall out, but enough seem to remain to give you the added grip.

Claire's Wellies

Spirale Raw Terrain Snow Boots

I'm a fan of the Raw Terrain Snow boots as I'm miserable if my feet are cold. They are the ideal, inexpensive warm boot. Designed for off piste they have a cosy fleecy pile lining and an imitation leather sleeve with pull tie, a thick full foot rubber sole means your feet are going to be warm and stay warm. The grip is good. The lower boot part is fully waterproof, the top part will withstand a soaking from a wave and wading through a stream but standing in water for more than a minute will cause leakage through the seams at the top. Like Mel, knee height wellies cause problems. Especially due to the popular "crouch" position adopted for those low angle shots. Unfortunately recent webs searches have failed to find these in my size but guys can look here .
I'll need a new pair soon as years of wear have seen the lining getting a bit thin, I'll be buying these AQUARIUS SPIRALE WELLIES - same make but fully waterproof. I just hope the lining is as cosy as their snow version.

Bill's Wellies

Black Rubber Boots from Walmart

Well, what can one not like about Wellies? Course, in the good old USA we call them "Rubber Boots."

In the USA, wellie-like boots are usually either black or white. White rubber boots are used for folks who work in concrete. Why white? Beats me. Most of us have the black ones, I have worn them since I was a child. Perfect for wading around in swamps. But, warning, warning, they don't protect you from snake-bites!

In the USA, well we buy them at Walmart. About $20 or so for a good pair. Course, I gotta say, wearing green boots in the USA is NOT what most men will do. But, of course, in Scotland, green boots are everywhere, especially pubs! I wouldn't dare wear a pair of green boots in a bar in the USA. I hope you get the gist of what I am saying.

I like to poke my pants into my rubber boots. "Poke" has a special connotation in the USA. It means something like, "I'm gonna poke my stuff in the bag."  The reason I poke my pants into the rubber boots is to protect my legs. The ones I have are sorta rough along the tops and tend to wear away my skin after long walks. So, I highly recommend poking your pants into the boots.

Course, the whole purpose of having wellies or rubber boots is to keep your feet dry and free of mud and stuff while wading around bogs, and mud puddles, and all that spongy stuff in Scotland. Sure helps out too when you want to get in the middle of a stream for a landscape shot. And they help get across those streams that seem to be everywhere in Scotland. And in Florida, well, if you traverse swamps like I do, it enables you to get across one reasonably dry.

But, one great advantage of wearing rubber boots in the USA is that you can go into a red-neck restaurant in North Florida and everyone there will immediately ignore you, cause they know you are a local guy who spends time in the woods. Just make certain that they are black ones, green ones will get you kicked out in a hurry.