Finally, wellies that don’t make my feet freeze: I put Holland Cooper’s Sherpa-lined boots to the test

Where I live in Northern Ireland, a pair of the best wellies is a wardrobe essential – no arguments. I walk my dog every day too, which means muddy farm paths, forest trails, sandy beaches and no such thing as bad weather – just unsuitable clothing. Or footwear.

And yet I've never really been a wellies person. I've always hated how cold they make my feet feel – there's nothing worse than setting off on a walk only to spend the next hour unable to feel my toes. No matter how many pairs of thick socks I've tried, traditional wellies have just never kept the cold out.

So when our fashion ecommerce editor Caroline Parr volunteered me to review Holland Cooper Sherpa Lined Regency Wellington Boots to see if they could win me round, she didn't need to ask me twice. It helps that the royals make them look so stylish.

Holland Cooper Sherpa Lined Regency Wellington

First impressions

First things first, these are really lovely to look at. Holland Cooper knows how to make country-inspired clothing and accessories that look utterly chic, and these wellies are a perfect example of the brand's aesthetic. They arrived beautifully presented in a signature green-and-gold boot box, instantly making it clear that I was not taking delivery of any ordinary pair of wellies.

I tested these in the Matte Green colourway, and it's gorgeous; a classic, timeless countryside shade. The Regency design has a smarter silhouette than many traditional Wellington boots, too, and the signature Holland Cooper hardware and strapping details give them a distinctive finish without being too flashy.

But it's what you don't see – the lining – that's the real star of the show here. A thermal Sherpa-lined welly sounds like a great idea when you're facing an Irish winter, but I confess to having one slight reservation: would they be too warm?

My feet are always cold – thank you, hypothyroidism – but perimenopause means a hot flush can also strike at any moment, so I worried I'd regret the extra insulation once I started walking. I needn't have worried; these keep my feet and lower legs cosy on the most bitter of November days, but without ever making me overheat. I can wear them with my favourite thick woolly socks and head out for a proper walk without worrying about either freezing toes or hot feet.

Comfort

I've never found wellies comfortable to wear for any length of time. There's just something about pulling on a traditional rubber boot – not to mention wrestling them off later – that I've never enjoyed.

But these have completely changed my mind. They feel comfortable from the moment I pull them on, with none of the awkwardness I've previously associated with wellies.

I love how easy they are to slip into – absolutely no wrangling required. They're also light, so I don't get that 'draggy foot' feeling that can come from wearing wellies on a long walk. And yet they're as sturdy as can be – I've waded through a river, squelched across fields full of ankle-deep mud, and even picked my way along a rocky coastal path. I never once felt like I was wearing the wrong footwear.

For someone who has spent years thinking wellies weren't for them, that's quite a turnaround.

Fit

I'm normally a UK size 6 and found these fitted perfectly true to size, so I'd agree with Holland Cooper's advice to order your usual size.

The boots measure 41cm in height and are designed to finish just below the knee. I find this gives them a lovely classic Wellington shape without feeling overly restrictive.

A feature I particularly like is the adjustable side gusset, which allows you to adjust the calf width. The relaxed measurement is approximately 36cm, with the gusset allowing adjustment between 33cm and 42cm.

It's a thoughtful detail, particularly if you sometimes struggle to find wellies that fit comfortably around your calves. I also love that I can adjust them on days when I want to tuck thicker trousers inside my boots.

Performance

The boots are described by Holland Cooper as 100% waterproof, and I've found them excellent in all the (many) wet conditions I've encountered during testing.

My dog walks take me across farm lanes, through forests and along the beach in all weathers, and these wellies have coped brilliantly with everything I've put them through.

A troublesome puddle on the farm lane where I live is now a non-issue. Previously, I had to climb a steep, muddy bank to avoid it or accept wet feet but now I can wade straight through it. On the beach, when a river appeared out of nowhere after a recent storm, I didn't have to turn back or risk ruined shoes.

But there's another practical detail that I hadn't anticipated appreciating quite so much: how easy they are to take off. It's a small thing, but anything that makes my daily dog walking routine easier is a bonus.

We tend to come and go via the kitchen door instead of the front door, which presents a challenge when it comes to storing muddy footwear. With five people's shoes competing for space, I really don't want to add a pair of full-length wellies to the collection cluttering up a corner of the kitchen.

However, I've found them so easy to pull on and off that this is no longer an issue. I can simply slip them off on the kitchen doorstep and step straight into my slippers. Best of all, the cosy lining means they're never freezing cold when I put them back on – even when they've been left in the porch overnight rather than brought indoors.

They're also remarkably easy to clean. I've been hosing them down after every walk to remove the mud and sand, and they still look brand new.

Style

These are fancy wellies. I mean that in the best possible way – think impeccably dressed royals and the kind of people who look elegant while striding around beautiful countryside estates. It's an aesthetic I've always admired, but never could pull off. To be blunt, my usual look is more farmhand than fashion editor.

To my surprise, however, there is something effortlessly stylish about wearing these. They make me feel pulled together rather than absurdly overdressed. I can wear them with cosy leggings, thick woolly socks and a barn jacket, but still pop into the pub for a post-walk pint without feeling conspicuous.

I'm never going to be mistaken for a Holland Cooper campaign model, but these boots make me feel like I've made a little bit of effort in the fashion department, even when my pockets are stuffed with dog treats and poop bags. If you've ever admired the country-chic look but wondered how to make it your own, these might just be the wellies for you.

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Are they worth it?

At £129, this is a considerable amount of money to spend on something that's going to spend most of its time caked in mud. But given how long I expect them to last – and how many dog walks I can look forward to while having warm feet at last – I think they're worth every penny.

I've had these for almost three months now, and I wouldn't be parted from them. They've earned their place in my life because they cope with every type of terrain I've tackled, are incredibly easy to clean and are comfortable enough that I actually look forward to popping them on.

But what makes them worth their weight in gold is how toasty warm they keep my toes – I'd happily spend £129 on a pair of boots in return for the assurance that I'll never have to suffer another winter walk wondering if I've finally got frostbite.