Best Packable Waterproof Boots in the UK | Complete Guide

Looking for lightweight waterproof boots that do not take up half your bag? Pokeboo packable boots are designed for people who need practical wet-weather footwear without the bulk of traditional wellies.

Made from natural rubber and designed by ATOM Corporation in Japan, Pokeboo boots fold down into a compact carry bag, making them ideal for travel, festivals, camping, gardening, paddling, dog walking and everyday rainy days.

Pokeboo packable waterproof boots are lightweight, foldable and designed for wet-weather days, travel, festivals and outdoor use.

Pokeboo UK is the official UK distributor of Pokeboo packable boots, operated by Shop Green Today Ltd.

What are packable waterproof boots?

Packable waterproof boots are lightweight, foldable boots designed to give you full waterproof protection without the bulk of traditional wellington boots. Unlike standard wellies, they fold or roll down into a compact carry bag so you can keep them in a backpack, suitcase, car boot or campervan locker until you need them.

Pokeboo boots are made from natural rubber and weigh approximately 500 grams per pair - roughly half the weight of a standard welly. They are waterproof, flexible underfoot and designed for everyday wet-weather use rather than industrial or heavy-duty work.

Why choose packable or foldable wellies?

Packable or foldable wellies give you the waterproof protection of traditional wellington boots without the bulk. Unlike rigid wellies that take up valuable storage or luggage space, Pokeboo boots are lightweight and flexible enough to roll down and pack into their own compact carry bag.

That makes them particularly useful when you need waterproof footwear occasionally rather than all day - whether you're travelling, camping, heading to a festival, walking through wet grass or simply keeping a pair in the car for unexpected British weather.

Unlike traditional wellies, Pokeboo boots fold down into a compact carry bag.

Pokeboo boots are different because they are:

• Lightweight — approximately 500g per pair
• Fully waterproof
• Made from natural rubber
• Foldable and packable into their own carry bag
• Flexible underfoot with a zero-drop style sole
• Easy to store in a bag, campervan, car boot, suitcase or backpack
• Suitable for festivals, travel, camping, gardening and wet-weather days

Pokeboo Original vs Pokeboo TREAD

Pokeboo Original and Pokeboo TREAD are both waterproof, packable boots, but they suit slightly different needs.

Pokeboo Original has a flat, flexible, zero-drop style sole and a minimalist feel. It is a good choice for travel, festivals, camping, gardening, commuting, paddling and general wet-weather use.

Pokeboo TREAD has a more textured sole for extra grip while keeping the same lightweight, packable design. It is a good choice for muddy paths, wet grass, festivals, camping, gardening and more active outdoor use.

Read the full comparison: Pokeboo Original vs Pokeboo TREAD — which is right for you?

Why are Pokeboo known as Japanese wellies?

Pokeboo are Japanese-designed packable wellies made by ATOM Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer with a history of specialist rubber footwear dating back to 1924.

Their distinctive lightweight, flexible design draws on ATOM's experience producing traditional Japanese rice-planting boots - footwear designed to move easily through wet and muddy conditions without the weight and rigidity of conventional wellington boots.

Pokeboo takes that practical Japanese design approach and turns it into a modern waterproof boot for travel, festivals, camping, gardening, walking and everyday outdoor use. The boots can be rolled down and stored in their own compact carry bag, making them particularly useful when space and weight matter.

Packable boots vs traditional wellies

Traditional wellies are often strong and practical, but they can be heavy, stiff and difficult to pack. They are not always ideal for travel, festivals or situations where you only need waterproof boots some of the time.

Pokeboo boots are designed to solve that problem. They fold down into their carry bag, so you can take them with you and use them when the weather changes.

Choose packable boots if you want:

• Boots that are easier to carry
• Waterproof footwear for unpredictable weather
• A lightweight alternative to bulky wellies
• Boots you can keep in a bag, car, caravan or campervan
• A practical option for festivals, travel and weekends away

Choose traditional heavy wellies if you need:

• Safety footwear or steel toe caps
• Heavy-duty work or construction boots
• Protection from sharp terrain
• Mountain trekking boots

Are Pokeboo good barefoot wellies for the UK?

If you're looking for barefoot wellies in the UK, Pokeboo offer a lightweight, flexible alternative to traditional bulky wellington boots. Both Pokeboo Original and TREAD have a flat, zero-drop style sole designed to give a more natural, minimalist feel underfoot.

The Original has the thinnest, most flexible sole for greater ground feel, while Pokeboo TREAD adds extra grip for wet grass, mud and more active outdoor use. Both are waterproof, lightweight and foldable, so they can be packed into their own carry bag when you don't need them.

Pokeboo are best described as barefoot-friendly or barefoot-inspired rather than specialist barefoot footwear. Their flexible construction and flat sole appeal to people who dislike stiff, heavy wellies, although the toe box is not designed as a specialist anatomical barefoot shoe.

Looking for barefoot-friendly waterproof boots? Explore Pokeboo Original and Pokeboo TREAD to choose the sole that suits you best here.

Read more: Pokeboo barefoot wellies - independent review by Hasches Adventure

Best uses for Pokeboo packable boots

Pokeboo boots are especially useful for:

• Festivals and outdoor events
• Camping and campervan trips
• Travel and weekends away
• Dog walking and muddy school runs
• Gardening and allotments
• Paddling and waterside activities
• Rainy commutes
• Keeping in the car for unexpected weather

Explore the full guide: packable boots by use

Use the links below to explore how Pokeboo packable boots perform in specific situations. Each guide covers what to look for, how Pokeboo compares to alternatives, and which model suits you best.

• Best packable boots for festivals and outdoor events — lightweight, foldable wellies for Glastonbury, Beat Herder and beyond
• Best packable waterproof boots for travel — fold-flat boots for suitcases, backpacks and carry-on luggage
• Packable waterproof boots for campervan and road trips — compact boots that live in the locker until you need them
• Packable waterproof boots for dog walking and school runs — practical everyday boots that store in the boot of the car
• Packable waterproof boots for gardening and allotments — lightweight, easy-to-clean boots for the plot
• Packable waterproof boots for paddling and waterside activities — boots that go from bag to water in seconds
• How to choose the right packable boot size — sizing guide for Pokeboo Original and TREAD

Frequently asked questions

Are Pokeboo boots waterproof?
Yes. Pokeboo boots are waterproof packable boots made from natural rubber and designed for wet-weather use.

Are Pokeboo boots good for festivals?
Yes. Pokeboo boots are popular for festivals because they are lightweight, waterproof and fold down into a carry bag, making them easier to pack than traditional wellies.

What is the difference between Pokeboo Original and Pokeboo TREAD?
Pokeboo Original has a smooth, flexible minimalist sole. Pokeboo TREAD has added tread for extra grip compared with the original boot.

Are Pokeboo boots suitable for travel?
Yes. Pokeboo boots fold down and pack into their carry bag, making them useful for travel, camping, festivals and weekends away.

Are Pokeboo boots suitable for heavy-duty work?
No. Pokeboo boots are not safety boots and are not designed for construction, industrial work, sharp terrain or heavy mountain trekking.

Where can I buy Pokeboo boots in the UK?
You can buy Pokeboo packable boots directly from Pokeboo UK, the official UK distributor.

How do I choose the right size?
Read our full Pokeboo sizing guide for advice on fit, half sizes and how Pokeboo compares to standard UK sizing.