Choosing the right footwear is important if you want to ensure you are comfortable and safe in different settings. If you are going with wellingtons, whether for working, walking, or even events like festivals, you need to make sure you have reliable ones. An important thing to look at is what they are made of. This can have a big impact on comfort, flexibility, how long they last, and sustainability. Generally, the choice will come down to natural rubber or synthetic. Let’s have a closer look to see the differences.

Natural rubber

Wellies at the higher end of the market tend to be made of natural rubber. It’s a fantastic material that is highly sustainable. Interestingly, the raw material comes from para trees (Hevea brasiliensis). They produce raw natural latex. This material goes on to become a wide array of different products, including tyres and boots.

One of the big selling points of natural rubber is its sustainability. Harvesting latex from the trees can be done carefully to ensure it does not harm them. They will go on producing it for decades, sometimes as long as 30 years before replanting is necessary.

The natural rubber also offers some fantastic advantages. It is more flexible than synthetic materials, means it can flex more effectively when people walk. This increases comfort and can make the wellingtons last longer. Additionally, it is possible to patch the boots if there are issues like cracks or holes. It can extend their lifecycle.

Synthetic materials

There are a number of different options here, including PVC, PU, and EVA. These materials all derive from petrochemicals in one way or another. As a result, they rely on finite, non-renewable resources. That means you can’t call any of them sustainable. PVC and PU are recyclable though, so there are green elements to think about.

The key thing with synthetic wellies is they can be very durable. This is ideal for tough situations like working on farms or construction sites. However, there are some drawbacks. The hard shell, while durable, means there is a higher risk of cracks with repeat flexing. It also means the boots don’t flex as easily in general, potentially making them less comfortable to wear.

The big advantage here is synthetic boots are typically more cost effective. That is especially true if you look at high end brands that use the highest grades of natural rubber. So, it often becomes a trade-off between more expensive longer lasting boots or affordable ones you need to replace more often.

Find the ideal wellingtons here

JS Hubbuck Ltd knows how essential it is to choose the right footwear for different needs. There are a number of industries where foot problems are very common because people fail to wear suitable boots. This includes agriculture and construction. Our goal is to help people avoid this, providing some excellent products, including wellies from top brands.

So, if you want to find great wellingtons, speak to us. We have various types, including natural rubber and synthetic materials are different price points.