Ethical Wellies: Your UK Guide To Making A Sustainable Splash
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Looking for ethical wellies? Here is your guide to the best sustainable brands in the UK for adults and kids.
I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of ethical wellies lately. After daily wear all through the winter, walking over 3 miles each day, my old trusty pair of wellies has come a cropper. They’ve sadly developed an un-mendable hole in the heel that’s letting in water. Even the wonder that is Sugru isn’t even saving them.
My old pair weren’t especially ethical, but I did get A LOT of wear out of them. Whilst a part of me is tempted to buy a pair from the same shop, a bigger part of me wants a new pair of wellies with ethical credentials. The trouble is, ethical wellies are extremely thin on the ground.
Here’s what’s wrong with standard welly boots, why ethical wellies are so hard to find, and the more sustainable brands I’ve come across in my search:
What’s Wrong With Standard Welly Boots?
Wellies themselves are not particularly eco-friendly. The biggest issue is what they’re made from.
Standard wellies are usually made from PVC, a plastic derived from fossil fuels. This takes a heavy toll on the planet, as PVC production releases greenhouse gases and highly toxic chemicals, and leaves long-lasting waste that pollutes the land, rivers, and oceans.
Recycling is another big issue. Most standard wellies are made from mixed materials, which can’t be separated. This means they can’t be recycled through normal schemes.
Is There Such A Thing As Sustainable Wellies?
Making wellies out of eco-friendly materials also seems to be a difficult task.
I have managed to find a small number of UK-based ethical companies that make boots from natural materials such as natural rubber and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified rubber. This means that the rubber has been sourced from sustainably managed forests.
So far so good.
However, manufacturers seem to have to use other non-renewable materials in the making of them. This means even though the boots are made from some sustainable materials, because they are made from mixed materials, the boots can’t be recycled.
This leads to a dilemma when you really need a 100% waterproof boots. I live in a more rural part of Scotland, and find wellies a necessity.
Personally, I am compromising. I have decided to buy a pair of wellies made from natural rubber, rather than PVC. I’ll then look after them/repair them where possible, so that they will last as long as possible.
Guide to Ethical Wellies
As I’ve done quite a bit of research for myself, I thought I’d share my finds in case anyone else needs to compromise and requires a pair of more sustainable rain boots. None of these are the epitome of sustainability, but they are as good as it gets when it comes to keeping your feet dry:
Tretorn
- Caters for: Men (UK sizes 8 to 11) and Women (UK sizes 3 – 7)
- Budget: ££
These Garpa boots by Tretorn (£60 at Alpinetrek) are made from 100% natural rubber that’s been certified by the FSC. To keep your toes cosy, they’re lined with a quick-dry recycled polyester lining.
This Swedish company began by making rubber way back in the 19th century. So it goes without saying that Tretorn knows a thing or two about rubber.
In terms of ethics, Tretorn is a member of Amfori BSCI (formerly known as BSCI – Business Social Compliance Initiative). This is an international initiative where companies work together to improve working conditions at the supplier level, addressing both social and environmental challenges.
Get £5 off your first order over £40 when you sign up for the Alpinetrek mailing list.
Merry People
- Caters for: Men and Women (UK sizes 3 – 10) and Kids (UK size 7 infants – size 3 adults)
- Budget: ££
Merry People makes some of its stylish tall and short rain boots from FSC-certified natural rubber – including the Tully and Fergie, Bobbi and Andie ranges. Other styles are made from non-certified natural rubber; however, Merry People says it is working towards using FSC-certified natural rubber across its entire range.
Merry People is also working to introduce the use of recycled polyester in the lining and bio-based foam in the insole. It’s worthwhile checking out Merry People’s sustainability page to check the latest progress.
All Merry People boots are cruelty-free and vegan – made without the use of any animal by-products. Merry People also says its employees are paid a living wage and have a safe and healthy work environment, although it hasn’t publicly declared any external certifications to reinforce this.
Aigle
- Caters for: Men (UK sizes 6 to 13) and Women (UK sizes 2 – 7)
- Budget: ££ – £££
Aigle is another brand to look at for welly boots, as some of its wellies are handmade in France using natural rubber. This makes for a more sustainable welly boot. However, as I mentioned before, the entire boot is not made from 100% natural rubber, so it cannot be recycled at the end of its life.
For quite some time, Agile was making some of its boots in China. However, it seems like Aigle has refocused and everything is now made in France. I reached out to Aigle in December 2025 to clarify, and they told me via email “We would like to inform you that on our UK website only the items made in France are shown and sold on the website.” So that is good news.
The good news is that if plain wellies aren’t for you, then Aigle does have quite the collection of stylish prints and styles.
Note that Aigle ships from France. Aigle offers free shipping to the UK on orders over £200, however there may be additional customs fees to pay. If you would prefer to shop from UK Aigle suppliers, try La Redoute or Farlows.
Gumleaf
- Caters for: Men (UK sizes 4 to 12), Women (UK sizes 4 – 8) and Kids (UK sizes 7 – 2.5)
- Budget: ££ – £££
Gumleaf Wellies are handmade in Europe, although there’s no mention of the exact location. Their boots are made using over 75% rubber, so fewer fossil fuels go into their production compared to a pair made from synthetic rubber.
They also look pretty practical and sturdy, and look like they could withstand the muddiest of puddles! In fact, Gumleaf guarantees each pair will last for one year.
Muddy Puddles
- Caters for: Kids (UK sizes 3 infant – 5 adult)
- Budget: £
When it comes to ethical wellies for kids, the choices are again slim. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t good options.
Muddy Puddles is one good choice. This certified B-Corp (which means it puts people and the planet at the core of its business) was one of the first clothing manufacturers to use recycled plastic in its garments in 2017.
Muddy Puddles focuses on making durable products that last. And as well as having strong ethical standards in its supply chains, Muddy Puddles uses recyclable packaging to package all of its orders.
Both The Muddy Puddles’ “Puddlestomper” and “Puddleflex” range of wellington boots are made from durable FSC-certified natural rubber. Meanwhile, they’re lined with soft cotton lining and feature padded insoles for extra comfort. The grippy soles give traction on slippery surfaces, while a reflective strip at the back helps keep little ones seen in the dark.
Available in solid bright colours or fun patterns, these are sure to be a hit with little ones (and maybe not so little ones!). Just watch out – the classic range of wellies is made from 100% PVC rather than natural rubber.
Sign up for the Muddy Puddles newsletter and get 15% off your first order.
Baby Mori
- Caters for: Kids (UK sizes 3 infant – 12 infant)
- Budget: £
Kids retailer Baby Mori is another top choice for natural rubber wellies for kids. It’s Kidly by Mori range of PVC-free boots are made from natural rubber, and lined with 70% cotton and 30% polyester. The pull tab makes it easy for little hands to put them on and off. They are all £22 or under.
Little Green Radicals
- Caters for: Kids (UK sizes 5 – 13 infant)
- Budget: £
Finally, organic kids wear brand Little Green Radicals (available for £39 at Mountain Warehouse) make what it says are the world’s first Fairtrade wellies for kids. These are made from 90% Fairtrade natural rubber and blended with 10% synthetic rubber. They are lined with 85% natural rubber foam and 15% synthetic rubber, and then wrapped in recycled nylon for extra warmth.
By using Fairtrade natural rubber, this means Little Green Radicals pays more for the rubber, which gives more to the foresters, their families and their communities. They receive a guaranteed minimum price, which means they will always be able to cover their costs, plus an extra premium to make improvements to their daily lives.
What To Do With Old Wellies
Before you bin your old pair of wellington boots, check out my post on what to do with old wellies. I’ve got heaps of upcycling advice, and failing that, places where you can recycle them.
More Sustainable Wardrobe Help
As you can see, the hunt for greener wellies is definitely full of compromise. However, if you ever come across any other more ethical wellies, then do let me know. I will also keep checking for more brands and will update this post if I find any more boots that fit the bill.
In the meantime, check out my guide to both women’s ethical clothing and men’s ethical clothing.
And if you are looking for more wet-weather gear, try my handy guide to eco-friendly umbrellas, and my guide to ethical raincoats to help keep you dry.
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Are the Lakeland wellies made of 100% natural rubber?
The boots are made from natural rubber, but I don’t know what/if anything else is added. All other manufacturers seem to have to use other non-renewable materials in the making of their wellies, so I would assume there are additions – particularly the sole. It would be worth dropping them a line.
Thanks for this post, and for all the helpful reader comments too! I don’t know if Muddy Puddles’ wellies are also recycled, but their waterproofs are made from recycled plastic and they have good ethical standards which are the cornerstone of their business, as far as I can tell. I’m not connected to them in any way but was pleased with their ethos.
Thanks Jenny, I have heard of Muddy Puddles for waterproof suits, but didn’t know they did welly boots too. Will take a little look!
I got mine from the swiss brand elvetik. It s natural rubber, and they have a good ethical policy concerning the manufacture too. Plus, their wellies are colorful, just love them! (Not sure if they deliver out of Switzerland?)
Hey there,
I’m just off the phone with Lakeland Footwear asking about their welly boots. They are 100% FSC natural rubber, lined with organic cotton and contain no plastic. They have been made and are shipped from Sri Lanka. May be the most eco and ethical brand out there. But if you want to be as eco as possible and avoid the air miles your best bet would be to go barefoot or grow a rubber plantation in your greenhouse?!
I phoned Aigle customer services today to ask whether their natural rubber came from sustainable sources and the poor woman had no idea – it’s obviously not something the company values. I asked her to mention to management that people are looking for sustainably sourced materials. So I looked elsewhere… Lakeland wellies are sustainably sourced and lined with organic cotton, and half the price! Just a shame they don’t make children’s sizes.
Thanks Natalie, the welly boot market is definitely opaque at best. I know that welly boots are not recyclable but I feel like manufacturers, even the slightly more ethical ones, could make more of an effort! And thanks for pointing me a direction of Lakeland – a few readers have now recommended them so will definitely be updating the post ASAP.
There’s Lakeland, made from FSC rubber, sustainably harvested with organic cotton. So good from an environmental point of view.
I haven’t used the product, just found them when researching.
A British company but the product is manufactured in Sri Lanka (where the rubber is harvested). It doesn’t say much about standards for the workforce but it says no human or animal is harmed in production and that they guarantee a safe secure and inclusive working environment.
I have just bought a pair of Lakeland.
Seems that they are 100% rubber.
They are pretty comfortable, though have only walked in them once.
They were very friendly & helpful, sending me a pair of insoles as the boots were on the big side for me.
Followed your link Luciana, the wellies look great and may be sustainable vegan, but they are still not British made which is what I have been looking for. I don’t want to buy anything from China even if they state they look after the employees. I have seen and heard too many things recently about the slave labour in factory camps/ prisons.
Has any body got any ideas!😏
I found Evercreatures offers sustainable and vegan wellies.
Thanks for sharing your research! (-; I understand that you looked at wellies made in the UK or near enough to be “ethical” (i.e.. Europe) and that’s great! but do you know if they are made out of recyclable or recycled materials? I always worry about the “trace” I leave behind me with my purchases… Thanks! Celine
Hi, I was looking after sustainable rubber boots and I wound that only few Aigles are handmade in France. Colourful and nice looking Aigles comes from China or somewhere. 😢
Aah, this photo is from a few years ago so it may well have changed since then.
There’s a bit more to”ethical” than whether they’re produced near to you. Not all Aigle boots are natural rubber and they include polystyrene and EVA, neither of which are environmentally friendly.
Thank you for this! What a great source of information. My trusty old wellies have developed a leak and as an allotmenteer I NEED wellies. Now off to shop!
I found actual ‘gum’ boots online for kids!
So getting a yellow pair for my daughter! 😁
Hi Suzie! I could not find any wellies on this site. Have they stopped making them?
I bought some Fatface wellies 4 years ago…within a few months and only a few outings they cracked at the ankles and leaked! Really disappointing for a fairly pricey buy!!!
Vivobarefoot do an amazing bare of minimalist welly. Very ethical British brand
Those red ones are perfect! I might have to get them for September so I can have nice dry feet at work :)
Oh I love those short red aigle ones at the top.
Veganline sell Dunlop wellies made in Portugal, only £13.50 too. Not quite so pretty though!
Ooh, thanks for the tip! I forgot about good old Dunlop!
Great post! I’ve been wanting to hunt some down too. It will make splashing in the puddles with my boys a reality, rather than watching from the sidelines in my leather boots.
If only I could find sustainable children’s wellies too! (Or gumboots, as we call them in Australia)
Yes, I hear on on the puddle jumping! It was one of the things I was most looking forward to on becoming a mum – finally an excuse to legitimately jump in puddles! ;)