Waterproof boots for dog walking

Ankle boots are lighter, easier to get on and off, and comfortable for shorter or flatter walks. The Vancouver Storm is the most lightweight option. The Ottawa Storm adds sheep wool lining for warmth. The Chicago in Italian suede works well for walks that end in a pub or a market town. The Hudson Ankle uses an OPTI zip for easy entry and an X-Comfort insole for all-day comfort.

Mid-calf boots give more protection on boggy ground and keep mud off the lower leg. The Quebec is the most popular mid-calf choice — easy to pull on, wide fit, waterproof. The Rocky is another solid all-rounder with a Duratread sole and three colour options. The Hudson Mid adds sheep wool and Therma-tex lining for colder days, with an OPTI zip entry.

Long boots provide the most coverage for deep country, field edges, and wet conditions. The Dakota comes in standard and extra wide calf and uses a top-to-toe Wil-tex® waterproof membrane. The Hudson Storm adds sheep wool lining and a toggle adjustment system for a closer calf fit.

Zip-entry boots open fully, making them much easier to get on if you have a high instep, limited ankle mobility, or a wider foot.

The Quebec Zip-Up Mid Calf, Quebec Zip-Up Mid Calf Black, Quebec Zip-Up Ankle, Quebec Zip-Up Ankle Black, and Quebec Wool-Lined are all specifically described as suitable for high instep, limited ankle mobility, or a wider foot. The standard pull-on Quebec is also built on a wide-fit last.

The Kentucky Storm uses a fully adjustable lace system, so you can dial in the fit around the width and instep before zipping in.

The Ottawa Storm and Chatsworth Storm are not recommended for those with a high instep — both product descriptions note entry may be difficult.

If you're out early on cold mornings or covering long distances in winter, wool or shearling lining makes a real difference:

• Hudson Mid — sheep wool + Therma-tex, mid-calf, OPTI zip, Duratread outsole
• Hudson Storm — sheep wool + Therma-tex, long, adjustable toggle, Duratread outsole
• Alaska Storm — sheep wool, mid-calf, wide fit
• Ottawa Storm — sheep wool, ankle, Dual Grip, waxed calfskin (note: not for high instep)
• Rocky Winter Mocha — sheep wool, mid-calf, Dutatread sole
• Quebec Wool-Lined — shearling, mid-calf, OPTI zip, wide fit & high instep friendly

All of the above carry a waterproof membrane, so your feet will stay warm and dry even in wet conditions.

The Hudson family shares the same waxed Italian leather upper, sheep wool lining, Therma-tex moisture wicking layer, OPTI zip entry, and Duratread outsole — but each is cut to a different height.

The Hudson Storm is a full-length long boot with an adjustable toggle buckle for calf fit. It's the best choice for deep country walks and field edges where you need maximum coverage.

The Hudson Mid sits at mid-calf — the same warm, waterproof construction in a more manageable height. A good all-rounder for most dog walking conditions.

The Hudson Ankle uses the STORMPROOF WIL-TEX® membrane and X-Comfort insole at ankle height — lighter and easier to move in, but with a little less leg coverage. The right choice for shorter or more urban walks.

The Quebec is Bareback's most versatile waterproof boot, available in six versions across mid-calf and ankle heights. All carry a STORMPROOF WIL-TEX® membrane and are built on a wide-fit last.

• Quebec pull-on mid-calf — X-Comfort insole. Brown or Black.
• Quebec Zip-Up mid-calf — OPTI zip, Brown or Black. Best for high instep or wide foot.
• Quebec Wool-Lined — shearling, OPTI zip, mid-calf. Winter option. Also suits high instep or wide foot. Brown only.
• Quebec Ankle pull-on — shorter cut, X-Comfort, Brown or Black.
• Quebec Zip-Up Ankle — OPTI zip at ankle height, Brown or Black. Best for high instep or wide foot.

If you're choosing between Quebec styles: go pull-on for a standard foot; choose a zip-up for a high instep or wide foot; choose the Wool-Lined for cold winter walks.

Yes — every boot in this collection features a Wil-Tex waterproof membrane (the Quebec range uses STORMPROOF WIL-TEX®). This is a breathable membrane built into the boot, not a surface treatment, so it continues to perform wash after wash.

For long days out, comfort underfoot matters as much as waterproofing. The Rocky (Perlon footbed with Therma-tex layer) and the Hudson Mid (sheep wool + Therma-tex) are both designed for sustained wear. The Kentucky Storm's adjustable lace system also lets you fine-tune the fit for longer distances.

The Dakota's Duratread sole gives good traction on varied terrain for longer country routes, and it's available in extra wide calf.

The Vancouver Storm is explicitly described as “durable but lightweight” and uses a Cambrella insole with a Duratread sole. It's the best choice for warmer walks where you still want waterproof protection without the weight of a wool-lined boot.

The Chicago in Italian suede is another lighter ankle option — waterproof but with a more open, breathable feel through the suede upper, and a smart look if the walk ends in town.

Zip-entry boots are the safest choice. The Quebec Zip-Up Mid Calf, Quebec Zip-Up Ankle, Quebec Wool-Lined, and Hudson Ankle all use zip entry and are easier to get on with a high instep. The Kentucky Storm's adjustable lace system also helps you customise the fit around your instep before zipping in.

Please avoid the Ottawa Storm and Chatsworth Storm if you have a high instep — both may be difficult to enter.

After muddy walks, knock off excess mud and wipe the leather down with a damp cloth while it's still wet — dried mud is harder to remove and can dry out the leather. Allow the boots to dry naturally away from direct heat; placing them near a radiator can cause the leather to crack. Once dry, apply a leather conditioner or wax to feed the leather and maintain suppleness. For waxed calfskin styles like the Ottawa Storm, a wax-based product is best. Avoid silicone sprays on leather. If in doubt, call us on 01886 888873 for advice on the right product for your specific boot.