In case you need a reminder of what 2021’s standout trend was all about, it was an obsession with the outdoors. With a focus on function, its influence was catalysed by the pandemic and our undying desire to get outside. Dubbed ‘Gorpcore’, it’s for the trailblazers, hikers and campers alike, looking for breathable and slimming, yet effortless garms to keep them warm and dry in a sudden downpour.
‘Gorp’ is an acronym short for ‘Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts’, a colloquial way to describe trail mix – a staple food source for travellers across the globe. With an emphasis on warmth, comfort and durability, fashion’s addiction to Gorpcore is prevailing into the new year.
As the weather continues to worsen, wellies – as an alternative to hiking boots – are the Gorpcore remedy, that any footwear aficionado can attest, to keeping your feet bone-dry as you tackle the rain, sleet and snow this season.
From heritage labels to new-gen designers and compelling collabs, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite wellies for your Gorpcore fits all winter. Whether you boast a genuine enthusiasm for the great outdoors and are on the hunt for something practical and rainy weather ready, or you want a statement shoe to stand out from your mates, either way, these wellington boots were made for walking.
TALL BOTTEGA VENETA PUDDLE BOOTS – £560 / US$750
We’re starting this list off with none other than the Bottega Veneta Puddle Boots that have dominated our feeds since they first appeared on the runway in Autumn 2020. With a 5.5cm flatform they’re not only going to keep you levels above the runoff streams that wash down London’s streets, they’ll allow you to turn heads while you do it too. Crafted from a single biodegradable rubber mold, these knee high boots are available in five shades from egg yolk and flamingo to the grassy green hues that are leading our way into 2022.
OFF-WHITE SLOGAN PRINT RAIN BOOTS – £375 / US$570
Off-White’s army-green wellies are rainy day ready; in bright orange lettering they quite literally state: “FOR RAINY DAYS”. With a sturdy, ridged rubber sole, a two-tone outer and the label’s signature Zip Tie tag, they’re an eye-catching take on winter wellies. They will have you prepared to attack any terrain, from an afternoon spent wading in shallow waters in the woods, to stormy nights in the city.
CAMPERLAB TRAKTORI ANKLE BOOTS – £255 / US$380
Get ready for the rainfall with Camperlab. These water-resistant, vulcanized white leather zip-up boots might offer up the motivation you’ve been missing to go on those daily walks for your mental health as the gloom of the cold season officially sets in. Featuring toothed rubber soles to avoid all those slips, trips and falls, these kicks will keep you on your feet in spite of the frost.
JIL SANDER NEOPRENE CHELSEA BOOTS – £818 / US$1100
Hyper-practical and au courant, these ankle high Jil Sander wellies offer a sleek, sophisticated silhouette that couldn’t possibly go unnoticed. Featuring a Vibram® tractor sole and a buffed, black leather upper, this revamped essential is perfect for the days that the sun doesn’t shine. With their watertight, neoprene collar and gusset to boot, there’s no chance you’ll be catching cold feet. Just be careful not to run them into the ground as they come at quite a sizable price to replace.
MONCLER GINETTE RUBBER ANKLE BOOTS – £365 / US$465
If you are looking for superior craftsmanship from start to finish, Moncler most definitely has you covered. These sleek, non-slip rubber sole boots are available in patent and matte leather to take you from the streets to the sleet and back again.
HUNTER BALMORAL FIELD HYBRID TALL WELLINGTON BOOTS – £495 / US$695
When it comes to waterproof footwear, Hunter are bona fide connoisseurs. So, straight from the horse’s mouth of wellingtons, these dark olive, chunky boots feature a two-tone, shock absorption sole coupled with multi-directional cleats and a flexible neoprene upper and backing for comfort and ease of movement. Handmade and completely vegan, nothing is better built for the great outdoors.
BALENCIAGA X CROCS BOOTS – £495 / US$695
Nobody does Crocs better than Balenciaga. Repped by Kanye West, the king of subversive kicks, these waterproof, rubber boots might just be the next big flavour of footwear. Offered in three shades, from an alabaster white, to ink black, to the colour of 2022 once again – grass green – these will take you out of the storm and into the club (fingers crossed they stay open). Classic to Crocs, the perforated detailing is an unmistakable staple, but it doesn’t make these any less weatherproof. You may not be able to climb Mount Everest in these boots but you can definitely stay dry in style.
STELLA MCCARTNEY X HUNTER RAIN BOOTS – £320 / US$475
These positively conscious ankle-height wellies are a dark, utilitarian take on the classic rain boot, handcrafted from sustainable natural rubber. Featuring a recycled polyester lining, neoprene panels, a sleek round toe, a rear pull tab and a 30mm chunky rubber sole, these make for an unbreakable bond between two British-born brands to add to your Dune-esque aesthetic.
SOREL BREX CHELSEA BOOTS – £126.82 / US$160
With omicron on the rise, we won’t judge if you’d rather stay in. And though their only use this season might be to run to the shop for some Doritos, these comfy, slip-on waterproof chelsea boots from Sorel are great for puddle jumping. They feature a padded insole and a full-grain leather upper, with a 1.5 inch moulded rubber platform sole, a slender, rounded toe and an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole for weight dispersion and stability. But these wet winter boots aren’t just about function and practicality, they come in a variety of bold colours with a unique, sculpted sole, drawing on sportswear and high-style too.
HUNTER ORIGINAL TALL WELLINGTON BOOTS – £115 / US$160
There is only one place to end this list, and that is with the Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot. First introduced in 1956, with the sole purpose of protecting you from the elements, these wellies are offered in five, deep hues and are a wet weather necessity. You can’t go wrong with a classic.
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See also: IT’S SNOW BOOT SZN
