The trusty Chelsea boot has become a gardener’s essential. Here are the ones we love.

Whether it’s wellies, clogs or just an old pair of comfortable shoes, we all have our favourite items of gardening footwear. But when it comes to professional gardeners, we’ve noticed a pattern: the Chelsea boot.

This popular choice combines essential durability and total foot protection with outdoorsy style and convenience; there are no laces or buckles here, just slip your feet right in. Choose the right pair and they’ll serve you just just as well in town as in the country.

To get the look, you’ll want to go for something fairly chunky with a decent sole, made with waterproof materials like leather or natural rubber. Avoid boots in suede or anything without a grippy sole. You can even find some Chelsea boots with steel toe caps, which is a safety requirement for some jobs.

Add chic – yet durable – overalls and the classic navy chore jacket (made famous by Monty Don) for extra style points.

10 gardener’s Chelsea boots on our wish lists

Blundstone Leather Chelsea Boots

With their classic styling and tough durability, these popular boots have attracted a loyal community of fans who treasure their ‘Blundstones’. The brand itself was born in Tasmania back in 1870, and takes pride in its rich heritage and focus on sustainability, from using recycled materials to avoiding fossil fuels and harsh chemicals.

Blundstones come in various styles and many neutral colourways; we recommend these classic leather Chelsea boots in chocolate brown.

Why we love them: “My boots are so comfortable that, when I bought them, I walked out of the shop wearing them and I’ve barely taken them off since. They’ve lasted all autumn and winter in sun, rain and snow, and I’ve never found myself with a wet sock or a blister. And as long as I’ve given them a wipe down, they look fitting on the tube, as well as in the muddiest of fields.” - Hannah Tribe, Staff Writer

Le Chameau Chelsea Aventure Cuir

We know and love Le Chameau for its premium wellies (see its welly-style Chelsea boots for colourful options), but the brand also sells stylish leather Chelseas like these.

Thanks to the grippy lugs and comfortable insoles, they’re a practical choice for gardening, but the high ankle design and gorgeous leather upper make them a stylish option for everyday wear as well.

Why we love them: “I love my Le Chameau's – I've had them for over 10 years and they're still going strong. I use them for gardening and dog walking – they're comfortable, don't rub and the leather lining means they're warm in winter and cool on warm spring days.” – Cinead McTernan, Content Strategist

Unisex Merry People Bobbi Boots

Merry People’s natural rubber boots are another great alternative to leather options. Not only are they vegan and cruelty-free, but they come fully lined with 4mm of comfy neoprene – the material used in wetsuits.

What’s more, the brand has added arch support, which should keep your feet comfy over a day of gardening, and you can remove the insole for extra space if you’ve got wide feet or bunions, or want to add your own insole.

These unisex boots come in 17 fun colours, and they’ve already earned more than 14,000 five-star reviews – what’s not to love?

Why gardeners love them: “My Bobbi Boots are great as I spend lots of time dog-walking, in the garden, and on site-visits – so they feel smart enough and also functional.” – Lulu, Garden Designer

Birkenstock Highwood boots

Birkenstock sandals are popular all over the world, but you may not have considered the brand’s durable Chelsea boots.

As you’d expect, they come with Birkenstock’s original anatomically shaped footbed, which you can remove if you want to go without. The upper is made from leather, while the sole is natural rubber, and they’re made in Portugal.

The Birkenstock Highwoods come in two classic choices: black and chocolate brown.

Why we love them: “Comfort and function meet timeless, pared-back style when it comes to Birkenstocks – and the same applies for the Highwood boot. I love the cork detailing across the sole, a nod to the brand’s iconic sandals.” – Rachel Howatson, Digital Writer

Penelope Chilvers Women’s Oscar Boot

Many of us know Penelope Chilvers as the footwear brand loved by Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, who’s been wearing the Long Tassel Boot since 2004.

These smart Chelseas are a slightly more casual version, perfect for winter gardening. They have a Spanish oiled leather upper and elasticated side gussets for a snug fit, while the colourful pull tabs and metallic detailing really set them apart from other brands.

Choose the Conker/Navy version for veg-dyed leather and a soft fleece lining for warmth.

Why we love them: “My Penelope Chilvers have coped with almost everyday wear over the last five years or so, come rain or shine, and have lasted really well. They’re comfortable – no pinching or rubbing, and I love the shiny elastic panel on my pair.” – Cinead McTernan, Content Strategist

Hunter Original Chelsea Boots

Hunter might not be the first brand you think of for gardening, but the iconic brand has created its very own version of the Chelsea boot, made with many of the popular design details of its famous wellies.

They’re waterproof, with a matte finish and grippy sole. Plus, they’re vegan, and while the outer is natural rubber, the lining and insoles are made from 100% recycled polyester.

Why we love them: “Hunter may have been around since 1856, but its impressive range of colours and matte finish give these Chelsea boots a modern feel. The pretty faded rose version has caught my attention, but you could choose rich yellow, military red or classic Hunter Green, among other options.” – Alice Tuffery, Digital Writer

Men's Black Hammer Slip On Safety Boots

If you’re on the lookout for an extra tough pair of work boots with steel toe caps, try these ones from Black Hammer. Not only do they have protective metal around the toes; there’s also a steel midsole to protect your feet if you step on sharp objects.

The leather upper and shock-resistant soles are also big plus points.

Customer review: “[T]hey are a really nice work boot, I like the way they look, the way they are constructed and the fact they are a slip on. They are comfortable to wear and I will use them when doing some heavy work around the house and garden.”

Unisex Dr. Martens 2976 Chelsea Boots

Don’t overlook Dr Martens when it comes to durable Chelsea boots. The brand’s 1976 boot has been around since the 1970s. It’s made with tough Crazy Horse leather, designed to look well-loved out of the box, and comes with a secure elasticated gusset and pull tabs for convenience.

Dr Martens also sells a range of shoe care products, which should help you keep your boots in good condition for years to come.

Why we love them: “There are over 30 versions of the 2976 boot available, so you can find the perfect one to suit your needs. Go for the faux fur-lined boots for winter warmth or a pair with extra grippy soles for wet weather.” – Alice Tuffery, Digital Writer

Unisex Jim Boomba Country Slip On Chelsea Boots

These Jim Boomba boots are made in Europe, while taking inspiration from Australian-style footwear. They’re crafted from a minimum of 2.4mm-thick cow leather, on a PU/TPU-injected sole, which should add durability and flexibility without much weight.

Pull tabs and classic chocolate-brown colouring completes the package.

Customer review: “Had them a year now and all I can say is excellent. They have worn much better than I expected, almost still looking like new. I wear them pretty much everyday… They are very comfortable… I would have to say that they are a bargain.”

Tretorn Terrang & Tretorn Low Neo Winter Boots

Buy Women's Tretorn Terrang Boots from Toast (£90.00)

Buy Men's Tretorn Low Neo Winter Boots from Toast (£110.00)

Tretorn is a Swedish brand dating back to 1891, and its natural rubber boots are a fantastic alternative if you want to avoid leather. The Terrang features waterproof rubber and a neoprene panel to help keep your feet warm in the winter, while the Low Neo boots come with a recycled polyester lining too.

Both have elasticated openings, pull tabs and chunky, grippy soles, so they’re a practical choice and ideal for wet and chilly weather.

Customer review: “Each pair lasts about a [year's] hard daily wear. Really worth the extra spend. Plus they look nice and are easy to slip on with the tabs front and back!”

For more footwear options, see our guides to the best wellies and clogs to wear for gardening.