The inner shoe of the snow boot is 100% waterproof and the lining makes them much warmer than wellies. The oversized handles are a lovely addition too, not only allowing little ones to pull the wellies on and off themselves, but also making carrying them when muddy far easier. They don’t come particularly high up the leg, however, so if you do opt for these wellies it may be a good idea to team with a pair of waterproof trousers on the rainiest of days. When it came to compiling our list we were mindful of the fact that wellies are needed for an array of different activities. A two-year-old spending the odd 10 minutes splashing in a puddle will have different requirements to an older child going on longer walks or attending forest school. We therefore made it our aim to find a comprehensive list to cover all eventualities. Wellies tried and tested by our users

If we decided to stay indoors every time it rained, it’s likely our children would never see the light of day. We’re far better off getting wrapped up and embracing the British weather, and that means kitting out your youngsters in some appropriate threads. WATERPROOF UPPERS: The wellington can be submerged to a point just below the knee, ensuring your feet stay dry when working in wet conditions for extended periods

How we chose our recommendations

Whilst short-term wear won’t do any long-term damage, there’s nothing worse than a little one who keeps tripping over their own feet. That’s why many of our Mumsnetters preferred using snow boots as opposed to traditional wellies. The Decathlon Snow Boot is an excellent option as not only are they well-lined, they also do half sizes to make sure you have an extra snug fit and therefore better support around the ankle. We like this basic but classic design, a navy colour with a striking red sole for contrast. TU do have other designs of wellies though if you want something with a splash more colour to brighten up the greyest of rainy days, including Baby Shark, Thomas the Tank Engine and Star Wars editions. Pros Whether your child adores a muddy walk, loves a trip to the beach or quite simply enjoys a spot of good, old fashioned puddle jumping, wellies need to be a firm staple in every little explorer’s wardrobe. But not all wellingtons are created equally and, where one pair will work well until your child outgrows them, others may allow water leakage and are best to be avoided. One of the biggest plus points of Hunter wellies is that they are crafted from natural rubber, and are therefore 100% vegan. The use of natural rubber not only makes them the more ethical choice but it means they are less likely to succumb to wear and tear too. They are expensive, but if accidents do happen, the wellies come with a two-year guarantee for extra peace of mind. Material: Most wellies are made from rubber or PVC. Rubber tends to cost more but it will mould to your child’s feet and legs through time and as it’s a more malleable material it may offer more comfort. Neoprene is a synthetic form of rubber, think wetsuit material. It is more lightweight than traditional rubber and can often be warmer. Some of our featured brands such as Aigle and Hunter have introduced wellies made from natural rubber which, whilst more expensive, is a more ethical choice of material.

We have always bought our kids Hunters. They’re great and last until they grow out of them. If they grow out of them before they’re done you can sell them on too. My kids wear wellies to trek round fields so they got proper wear rather than just to splash in the odd puddle on the way to the shop. Mine have been going strong for 10 years too!” (Reviewed by Mumsnet user Norightorwronganswer) Many reviewers noted that the Hatley wellies were far roomier than other brands so if your little one has wider feet, this brand is a great option. We particularly loved this gorgeous tractor design which gave them an almost vintage look. However if you don’t have a tractor fan, Hatley wellies come covered in everything from dinosaurs to unicorns so all tastes are catered for. STEEL TOE CAP: Protects against impact from falling objects and against compression, giving 200 Joules of protection - equivalent to dropping 20kg from a height of 1m or a weight of 1.5 tonnes resting on the toe areaAlthough very reasonably priced, the price does seem to jump a little when you’re not buying in the infant sizes so be mindful of this if you’re buying for older children Pros

OTHER FEATURES: Energy absorbing heel that reduces foot fatigue; anti-static sole that minimises the build-up of electrostatic charges; slip resistant soleMine wear them a lot and they have never split. In fact, mine have handed them down to a younger sibling.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user SpanielPlusToddler) I now have Start-rite Mud Busters and they're fab, especially for this time of year as they're fleece lined." (Brand recommendation from Mumsnet user librarylover53) The combination of assured quality whilst remaining cheaper than some of the other well-known brands made the Crocs a clear winner in our eyes. Why you should trust us

As long as your little one doesn’t spend every day in them, wellies are unlikely to do your child’s feet any harm. They can be a little heavier, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if your toddler is only just learning to walk. I like Hatley wellies for my four-year-old. Some of them are colour changing and they're lovely patterns. Last well too, as does the rest of their rainwear."(Recommended by mumsnet user LBOCS2) Price: Playing in the mud shouldn’t have to cost the earth and with little feet getting bigger everyday it’s worth taking into consideration how much you want to spend. If you’ve got a toddler who is only going to wear them for short periods of time then one of our cheaper recommendations is probably all you need. However, older children who may be wearing them for longer periods of time may require something that’s a little more hardwearing and therefore more expensive. Many of our Mumsnetters chose to pay a little more for a more durable brand and then either passed them down the line to younger children or sold them online after they’d finished with them. IDEAL FOR: Indoor cleanroom environments where a high standard of hygiene is important such as food preparation, medical, and pharmaceutical Aigle is a popular brand with many of our Mumsnetters for both kids' and adults' wellies. They come quite high up the calf but remain lightweight, making them an ideal option for particularly messy or wet outings. Not only is the material light, but reviewers also noted that it was more flexible than other brands, particularly around the calf.Snow boots or fleece-lined wellies may also provide a snugger fit and more support. However, if it’s just a romp through a muddy forest or a spot of puddle jumping this probably isn’t something you need to worry about. Should you go up a size in wellies? The wellies are also made using natural rubber and there is a lovely range of designs for different age ranges. We loved the striped option for a more sophisticated choice but little ones are bound to love options such as the fun shark design (with added fin!). Lining: If you want something a little warmer or with more support it’s worth investing in wellies that are lined. Some have removable lining which can be taken out during warmer weather or to allow you to get a little more wear out of them. There’s nothing worse than having to lug around a heavy pair of wellies if you plan on going between them and regular shoes which is why we loved the clever roll-up design of the Joules boot. Not only does this design make them easier to carry but it means they are also lighter to wear.