Reviews You Can Rely On

Joules WellyPrint Review

Good looking and offering good weather protection, this model sank to the bottom in comfort and warmth
gearlab tested logo
joules wellyprint rain boots women review
Credit: Joules
Price:  $75 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   JoulesUSA
By Amanda Fenn ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 26, 2015
61
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Protection - 30% 8.0
  • Comfort - 20% 3.0
  • Style - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 20% 7.0
  • Warmth - 10% 1.0

Our Verdict

We got lots of compliments while wearing the Joules WellyPrint. Whether you're into florals, stripes, or polka dots, Joules has a print that will make you squeal with delight. This boot does not offer much warmth, and is best saved for warmer rain showers in the spring, summer, and fall. It offers decent traction, but fell very flat in our comfort metric. The least comfortable of all the boots we tested, we could feel the base of the outsole right through the flimsy thin foam insole.
REASONS TO BUY
Good weather resistance
Cute patterns and buckle
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Uncomfortable
For a similar boot that provides more performance across the board, consider our Top Pick for Mild Weather, the Helly Hansen Veierland 2.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Joules WellyPrint rain boot measures 14.5 inches from the bottom of the sole to the top of the shaft. We loved its adorable patterns, but found the fit to be quite narrow and the footbed to be less than supportive.

Performance Comparison


joules wellyprint rain boots women review - the very cute joules wellyprint is a good choice for traipsing...
The very cute Joules WellyPrint is a good choice for traipsing across campus on a rainy day, except that it's not all that comfortable.
Credit: Emily Gordon

Weather Protection


Measuring 14.5 inches from the ground to the top of the shaft, this rain boot provides good protection from the elements whether you're wading through puddles or braving driving rain. For a stylish boot that offers even more protection, we recommend the Kamik Jennifer (which is the same price and one inch taller) or the Hunter Original Adjustable (which is over twice the price and two inches taller).

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - this boot has a relatively tall shaft that will keep you dry even if...
This boot has a relatively tall shaft that will keep you dry even if you're splashing in some serious puddles.
Credit: Steph Shea

Comfort


This was one of the biggest drawbacks of the Joules boot we tested. This product has a thin insole that provides little to no support. Our size 9.5 tester wore a size 9 and found that it fit well from front to back, but had a somewhat narrow fit and doesn't allow the toes to wiggle much. It also just felt a bit like the footbed was collapsing in on itself. If you want a boot with more support and a wider base, the Bogs North Hampton - Women's is an excellent choice.

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - comfort was our biggest complaint with the wellprint. it has a very...
Comfort was our biggest complaint with the WellPrint. It has a very thin insole and you can feel the top of the outsole through it.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

Style


What the WellyPrint lacks in comfort it makes up for in style. We loved its wide array of patterns, as well as its cute buckle, and its attractive "seam" up the back of the calf. The buckle and gusset are adjustable, but look best when left in the original setting. That said, we were a bit surprised that there was no molding around the footbox, which resulted in the loss of a point or two. If you're looking for a boot with more of a classic style, reach up on the Hunter Original Adjustable instead. If you love patterns and are looking for more of a yard work boot, the Sloggers Rain and Garden is a super affordable choice.

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - we got more compliments on this boot than any other we tested...
We got more compliments on this boot than any other we tested. Although it doesn't have much molded detailing, its cute prints and accents make up for it.
Credit: Emily Gordon

Traction


This rain boot scored on par with several other low-riding, thin-soled rain boots, including the Tretorn Kelly. We liked that we could feel the ground as we hopped from rock to rock in our traction tests.

Warmth


This product earned low scores in our warmth test, just as we suspected it would. This model is a great choice if you're seeking a boot for warmer rains and don't need something that will keep your feet warm during those early spring snow showers. The Helly Hansen Veierland 2 earned similar scores in warmth, but we think it's a better performer overall unless you're really smitten with the Joules' style.

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - one of the least warm products in this review, we recommend this...
One of the least warm products in this review, we recommend this boot for warmer days in summer, spring, or fall.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

Fit


The fit on this product is tricky. Our size 9.5 tester ordered a size nine. She found the fit to be spot on from front to back and experienced very little heel slippage. However, the fit felt quite narrow. We strongly recommend trying on both the 9 and 10 and wearing them around the house to see which will fit you best.

Best Applications


One of the more stylish boots we tested, this model is a great option for casual wear to class and around town as well as happy hour with friends.

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - this boot will keep you dry and looking cute, but we didn't think it...
This boot will keep you dry and looking cute, but we didn't think it was very comfortable.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

Value


Priced at $70, the Joules WellyPrint seems quite expensive given its lack of comfort. For just $10 more, you could purchase the Veierland 2 rain boot, which earned higher scores across our metrics and took home a Top Pick for Mild Weather.

Conclusion


Although we think that the WellyPrint is very cute, it just didn't offer enough performance to really convince us that it's worth the $70 price tag. We recommend choosing a more comfortable boot that provides better overall performance like the Veierland or the Tretorn Kelly.

joules wellyprint rain boots women review - one of our favorite things about this boot is its print and its...
One of our favorite things about this boot is its print and its decorative accents.
Credit: Amanda Fenn

Amanda Fenn