6 Best Sustainable, PVC-Free Wellies
Since discovering how toxic PVC is, I’ve been working hard to avoid it in my home. Here are 6 sustainable brands selling PVC-free wellies for adults and children in the UK
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So you’re looking for sustainable wellies?
Most rain boots you’ll find on the high street are made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a material that poses several environmental and health concerns.
Thankfully, more brands are now stepping up to offer eco-friendly options that are free from PVC.
Today I’m going to share 6 brands that sell high-quality wellies for men, women, or children that are made from sustainable or natural materials.
COMING UP
Why you should avoid PVC wellies
What other materials are wellies made from?
Non-toxic wellies for kids
Sustainable wellies for men and women.
Are hunter wellies sustainable?
1. Why You Should Avoid PVC Wellies
When it comes to choosing footwear for wet and muddy conditions, wellies are a go-to option.
Unfortunately, most rain boots are made from a type of unrecyclable plastic called PVC.
Here are some compelling reasons to steer clear of PVC wellies:
Environmental Impact
One of the main reasons PVC is not sustainable is the harm it causes to the environment. It is a non-biodegradable plastic that can take hundreds of years to decompose.
When discarded, PVC wellies contribute to landfill waste and environmental pollution. The production of PVC also involves the release of harmful chemicals, contributing to air and water pollution.
Health Risks
To make it flexible, PVC is filled with a host of toxic additives, like phthalates, which interfere with hormone function and reproductive health. Heavy metals, like lead and cadmium, are used as stabilisers in PVC. This is concerning because heavy metals can leach out of products and cause neurological damage.
The production and disposal of PVC can also release harmful substances like dioxins, which are known to be toxic and can have serious health implications for humans and wildlife.
Poor Breathability
PVC wellies tend to trap moisture inside, leading to sweaty and uncomfortable feet. This lack of breathability can also result in bad odours and increases the risk of blisters.
Low Durability
While PVC might seem sturdy, it can become brittle over time, especially when exposed to UV light. This brittleness can lead to cracking and breakage, reducing the lifespan of your wellies and requiring more frequent replacements.
Sustainable Alternatives
With the rise of eco-friendly materials like natural rubber and recycled plastics, there are now plenty of sustainable alternatives to PVC wellies. These options reduce your environmental impact whilst providing you with more comfortable feet!
As you can see, PVC has a long list of problems associated with it, and with more sustainable options available now, there is no need for us to produce such a huge quantity of unrecyclable PVC wellies.
2. What other materials are wellies made from?
Synthetic materials
Wellies can be made from a few different materials, but most are synthetic and therefore, not sustainable.
Wellies are often made from materials like polyurethane (PU) and synthetic rubber. While these are not as toxic as PVC, they are made from petrochemicals.
Any materials that are made from fossil fuels are a big problem because making them is contributing to the climate change crisis.
There is also the fact PU is similar to plastic (it’s a polymer that’s kind of in between plastic and synthetic rubber) so it will not easily biodegrade.
At the end of its life, PU and plastic wellies end up in landfill taking hundreds of years to break down.
Natural rubber
All the wellies I’ve included in this list are made from natural rubber.
Natural rubber is a stretchy, elastic material made from the latex sap of rubber trees, mainly the Hevea brasiliensis species. Farmers tap these trees to collect the sap, which is then processed into rubber.
It is still important to ensure the brands using the rubber are getting it from forests that are being managed sustainably and protecting people and wildlife.
3. Sustainable Wellies for Kids
When it comes to sustainable kids’ wellies, you definitely want to steer clear of PVC. Not only can those plastic wellies off-gas some pretty nasty chemicals, but they’re also not very breathable, which may result in sweaty little feet.
PVC contains phthalates and heavy metals like lead which is especially harmful to developing children. Phthalates transfer easily to whatever they come into contact with including your children’s clothing and skin.
The following sustainable brands sell non-toxic PVC-free wellies (note there are a few brands in the men's and women’s section that also sell kidswear):
Little Green Radicals
Location: UK
Shipping: offers international shipping
Made from: natural rubber and organic cotton
Certifications: Fair rubber, Fairtrade cotton, Soil Association, GOTS organic
For: children only
Little Green Radicals is an ethical kid’s clothing brand that makes apparel, including wellies, from sustainable materials. They’ve made the top spot on this list for making the first-ever Fairtrade wellies!
The outside is made from natural rubber which is made from non-toxic tree sap. The inside of the wellies are lined with soft organic cotton to ensure they are comfortable.
They come in four beautiful, unisex designs and are excellent quality so can be worn all year round.
Frugi
Location: UK
Shipping: offers international shipping
Made from: natural rubber and organic cotton
Certifications: B corporation
For: children only
Frugi is the leading ethical and organic clothing brand in the UK so it’s not a surprise that their kids’ wellies are also PVC-free.
Made from natural rubber and available in colourful, unisex, fun designs, Frugi’s Wellington boots are popular with children.
I have bought Frugi wellies before and the quality is great - good enough to be worn by multiple children.
Kidly Label
Location: UK
Shipping: UK-only
Made from: natural rubber, cotton, polyester
Certifications:
For: children only
Kidly wellies are a more budget-friendly option, but they are still PVC-free.
Made from natural rubber, they differ slightly because the inner lining is made from 70% cotton and 30% polyester.
They have simple designs and come in earthy colours, like pale blue, khaki, brown, or lilac. Occasionally they do release patterned wellies, too.
I have bought Kidly wellies before and the quality is good enough to be worn by multiple children.
4. Sustainable wellies for men + women
There are very few sustainable wellies for men and women on the market right now, so I’ve included a few that aren’t completely perfect, but are still good quality with a high percentage of sustainable materials.
Location: UK
Shipping: contact for an international delivery quote
Made from: natural rubber, organic cotton
Certifications: made in a Fairtrade factory
For: men and women
Lakeland Footwear is a British company that makes sustainable wellies which are designed for the rural countryside.
They are made in a factory in Sri Lanka that is certified by GOTS (organic) and Fairtrade, which means people get paid a fair wage and safe working conditions.
The natural rubber wellies come in plain black and a variety of colours and patterns so there is something for everyone.
Location: UK, USA, Australia
Shipping: ships internationally
Made from: natural rubber, neoprene lining
Certifications:
For: women and kids
Merry People’s wellies were designed to bridge the gap between rural and city life - stylish enough to be worn to work, but waterproof and suitable for country life.
They make tall boots and ankle-length boots and they are made from high-quality natural rubber. They are not completely sustainable as the lining is made from neoprene with some foam for comfort, however, they are investigating alternatives.
Merry People is an Australian brand that has a UK and US branch. If you’re in the UK, your order will be shipped from a warehouse in Essex via Royal Mail.
Location: EU with UK stockist
Shipping:
Made from: natural rubber, neoprene lining
Certifications:
For: men, women and kids
Aigle is a French footwear company that has been expertly making shoes since 1853. They are handmade in France using natural rubber and appear to be of excellent quality.
Please note that while the majority of these wellies are made of natural rubber, they also use some synthetic materials. For example, a neoprene lining (for insulation) and foam insole (for shock absorption). In Australia, their shoes can be recycled into flooring at the end of life.
If you’re in the EU, you can buy them via Aigle’s website, but if you’re in the UK, you can get them from Go Outdoors (UK only)
5. Are Hunter wellies ethical and sustainable?
No, Hunter wellies are not considered ethical or sustainable. While they used to be an iconic British product that was built to last, they were bought out by a private consortium and moved production to China in 2008.
Since then, the quality has dramatically declined with people complaining their Hunters wellies barely last 3-6 months.
The ethical fashion site Good On You rated Hunters with their lowest score - “avoid,” claiming there is no evidence it’s protecting its workers from exploitation or paying them a fair wage. This is especially important considering they manufacture in a country with extreme risks of labour abuse.
So while you may come across photos and celebrities and members of the Royal family wearing Hunters wellies, this is probably not the case anymore.
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Have you made the switch to sustainable wellies?