Wellington boots, also known as rain boots, keep feet dry and clean through rain and mud. But they work only if they are free of holes. Because rubber is prone to dry out and susceptible to sharp objects, cracks and tears can ruin an otherwise good pair of boots. There are several ways to repair these boots and save your investment.

Find a rubber repair kit that will work for your boots. If the boots are not made of rubber, find a repair kit for that material. Check with your boot manufacturer to see if they sell a patch kit. If not, purchase a boot repair kit. If you cannot find such a kit for rubber boots, you may also use a rubber repair kit for a bike tire or car tire inner tube. If your boots are not black, try to find a clear patch kit so you don't end up with large black patches on your boots.

Clean the boots with a soft brush and gentle cleanser. Do not use harsh cleaning agents because they can harm the rubber and cause drying and more cracking.

Read the instructions on your chosen kit and follow them carefully. Each kit varies so be careful to follow the instructions exactly. Some kits are just a stick-on patch while others require adhesives and a more involved process.

Allow the repair sufficient drying and curing time as instructed by the repair kit before wearing the boots again.

Find a liquid shoe patching "goo" that says it works with rubber or the material your Wellington boots are made of. Look for a clear goo or a goo that will match your boots so you don't leave unsightly marks on the area you patch.

Clean the boots with a soft brush and gentle cleanser. Do not use harsh cleaning agents because they can harm the rubber and cause drying and more cracking.

Apply the shoe goo according to the instructions on the packaging. You may want to place newspaper or some other material inside the boot in case some of the goo drips through the torn or cracked area.

Allow the goo sufficient drying time as instructed by the packaging before wearing the boots again.