Your dog doesn't care that it's chucking it down. Here's how to pick boots that pull on in seconds and keep you dry on every walk.
Quick answer: the best waterproof boots for dog walking are easy to slip on, fully waterproof up to the ankle at least, light enough for an hour's stomp and grippy on wet grass. For most dog walkers that's an insulated ankle welly like the Grubs Midline 5.0 or the lighter Bowline 4.0. If your walks go up hill and down dale, the Ptarmigan 5.0 with its VIBRAM® sole is the one.
Your dog doesn't care that it's chucking it down. Your dog doesn't care that it's dark at half four. Your dog wants out, twice a day, every day, and fair play to them. So you need boots you can get on in ten seconds flat, that won't let a drop in, and that you'd happily wear for a long walk as well as a quick one round the block.
Here's how to choose, and the Grubs boots our own dog-walking customers swear by.
What makes a good dog walking boot?
Quick on, quick off
Laces are a faff when there's a whining spaniel at the door. A pull-on ankle welly goes on in seconds and comes off without you sitting on the step getting covered in mud. All three of our top picks are pull-on.
Waterproof where it counts
Dew-soaked grass will soak through "water-resistant" fabric boots in minutes. Our ankle wellies pair a waterproof rubber lower with a neoprene upper, so wet grass and puddles stay outside. If your usual route includes a beck to wade or a properly flooded footpath, go taller. Our ankle vs tall wellies guide helps you pick a height.
Light enough for the long walk
Heavy wellies are fine for ten minutes and tiring after an hour. The Bowline 4.0 uses our SUPERLITE® technology, which makes it 30% lighter than conventional rubber boots. It's buoyant and comfortable thanks to its moulded shape.
Grip on wet grass and greasy paths
Wet grass, muddy stiles and slimy cobbles are where dog walkers end up on their backsides. The Midline 5.0 has our TRAX™ outsole, with a tread designed to work with the action of your foot. The Ptarmigan 5.0 goes one better with a VIBRAM® BRISTOL sole that's lightweight, self-cleaning and grips well on most surfaces, including higher ground.
Warm on the 7am winter loop
Dog walking is slow walking with lots of stopping. Every time the dog finds an interesting smell, your feet cool down. Neoprene keeps the warmth in. Midline and Ptarmigan use 5mm INSUFOAM-ULTRA™, Bowline uses 4mm, and all three are comfort rated from -20°C to +20°C.
No stinky boots
You'll wear these every day, so the lining matters. SUPERDRI™ wicks moisture away and is fungus and rot proof, so your boots won't end up smelling worse than the dog.
The best Grubs boots for dog walking
Grubs Midline 5.0: our favourite all-rounder
The Midline 5.0 is an ankle-height boot for people who don't want a full-length welly but won't compromise on quality. You get 5mm INSUFOAM-ULTRA™, a 6mm NITROCELL™ footbed packed with a million microscopic nitrogen bubbles to insulate you from cold ground, a HEXZORB™ shock-absorbing heel, SUPERDRI™ lining and the TRAX™ outsole. It comes in Green and Violet.
Grubs Bowline 4.0: the lightweight one
If you walk a long way, the Bowline 4.0 is 30% lighter than conventional rubber boots thanks to SUPERLITE®. It has 4mm INSUFOAM-ULTRA™, a 5mm POLYOU™ footbed, SUPERDRI™ lining and a grippy GATS outsole. It comes in four colourways: Sage/Gum, Black/White, Midnight/Gum and Plum/Gum.
Grubs Ptarmigan 5.0: for hills, fells and rough ground
Got a dog that thinks every walk is a fell race? The Ptarmigan 5.0 is built for adventurous terrain. It pairs the VIBRAM® BRISTOL sole with 5mm INSUFOAM-ULTRA™ and ankle-height rubber, a 6mm NITROCELL™ footbed, SUPERDRI™ lining and a reinforced toe and ankle.
Browse the full Walking & Gardening collection for more ankle boots, clogs and full-length wellies.
Dog walking boots compared
| Midline 5.0 | Bowline 4.0 | Ptarmigan 5.0 | Typical fabric "waterproof" walking shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | Ankle | Ankle | Ankle | Ankle or below |
| On and off | Pull-on | Pull-on | Pull-on | Laces |
| Insulation | 5mm neoprene | 4mm neoprene | 5mm neoprene | Usually thin |
| Comfort rating | -20°C to +20°C | -20°C to +20°C | -20°C to +20°C | Rarely stated |
| Sole | TRAX™ | GATS | VIBRAM® BRISTOL | Varies |
| Hose them clean? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not really |
If you love a lace-up for long summer rambles, our Quest fitness walking boot has a 100% waterproof HYDRI-FUSE™ upper and a VIBRAM® RGS Hiker™ sole. For the muddy months, though, a pull-on welly is hard to beat.
Dog walking boot questions
Are wellies or walking boots better for dog walking?
For muddy fields and wet grass, wellies win. They're fully waterproof, pull on in seconds and hose clean. Walking boots suit long, dry, rocky routes better. An insulated ankle welly like the Grubs Midline 5.0 gives you the best of both for everyday walks.
Are ankle wellies waterproof enough for dog walking?
For most walks, yes. Wet grass, puddles and mud stay out. If you regularly wade through deep water or long, soaking grass, a full-length boot like the Grubs Frostline 5.0 will keep you drier.
What are the lightest wellies for dog walking?
Look for SUPERLITE® on Grubs boots. The Bowline 4.0, Tideline 4.0 and Waterline 4.0 are all 30% lighter than conventional rubber boots.
Do I need welly socks with neoprene boots?
No. Ordinary walking socks are fine. Grubs boots also allow 15mm for wool-blend socks if you like a thicker pair in winter.
How do I stop my dog walking wellies smelling?
Choose a rot-proof lining like SUPERDRI™, let your boots dry out between walks (not on a radiator) and rinse the mud off the outside. A cotton-lined boot is much more likely to go whiffy.
Ready for the next downpour? Pick your pair from the Walking & Gardening range. Your dog's already waiting by the door.