Looking for some wellies suitable for walking a few miles in Scotland, standing in streams and taking photos (I’m taking photos, not the wellies). Need to have a decent sole so I don’t slip on rocks and fall in with expensive gear. I’m sure this has been discussed before but I can’t find the thread 🙁
Hunter or Barbour are the nice choices.
I have some Dunlop ones from go outdoors and they do a good job for walking the dog.
Muck Boots. Had mine for years and they are warm, comfy, waterproof etc. Don’t flop around.
Walking boot like sole on them perfect for what you describe.
As someone who spends 10 hours a day, every day wearing wellies,can I recommend the Bekina steplitex non safety version. Just make sure you do not get the safety version which are far more common or the Argrilite one which are not as good
Aigle neoprene lined ones. Last forever, excellent ģrip, warm and very comfy. I walk for miles in mine.
La Chameau
Hunters/Barbour are for people who drive white Evoques.
Would agree with muck boots. If you are standing in streams you want neoprene to insulate your feet. I have had a pair of muck boots for about a decade and still going strong- have used them for fishing and feet stay warm standing for hours in cold water
Thanks - where do I go to buy them? Outdoor shop?
Aigle neoprene lined ones. Last forever, excellent ģrip, warm and very comfy. I walk for miles in mine.
Second the Aigle suggestion. Don't go near Hunter. They are the Dunlop Green Flash equivalent in wellies. Thin, cold, with no real grip and a tread that clogs up as soon as it sees dirt.
I went through the same process as OP a couple of years ago. Did the rounds of the usual suppliers and all they were selling was cheap tat. I finished up at a Country Fair which opened my eyes as to what is available.
Bought the Aigles. Good tread. Excellent grip. Shaped well so they hold your foot. And, most importantly they are neoprene lined. They keep your feet warm all day long. I too stand in streams and rivers. Took them on a photographic holiday to Iceland in Winter and they were the envy of the others on the trip. I use them in preference to Hiking type boots when on the hills. Not cheap. but as SWMBO says...buy cheap, buy twice.
And don't call them wellies. They are boots.
Aigle or La Chameau.
Most wellies aren't great for walkign long distances in as they offer so little support to your ankles though.
I have some knee length La Chameau 'hunting boots' which are leather and goretex with a fur lining and are perfect winter boots but I wouldn;t stand in a stream in them (walkign through is ok).
Thanks – where do I go to buy them? Outdoor shop?
Google is your friend. Do the usual and order two pairs in different sizes, then send one back.
La Chameau chausseur if you have narrow ankles, boots without a zip can be very wallowy.
Aigle, can usually be had for a decent price from Uttings Outdoor.
Hunter are tosh.
Muck Boots have had a mega sale on recently. Lots of boots half price plus a discount code giving another 15-30% off and free delivery. Have a look on HotUKDeals for the code. Very happy with mine
Third Aigle. Hunter lost the edge when they sent production offshore and developed leaks at the seams. Neoprene lining is nice but get some decent t merino socks too.
Neither will be cheap. Done expect change out of £100 for a proper set.
Muck Boots again - I use them for work, bought from a local agricultural merchant (good place to shop for such things, pop in and see what the local farmers are using and you won't go far wrong!)
The advised against the mud soles when I bought mine btw - apparently they are rubbish on rock and the standard soles are better (and work well in the mud too). Huntin' and shootin' retailers are probably worth a look too, but probably a bit more expensive since those folks have more cash than Lakes hill farmers 😉
Another Aigle user here. Decathlon usually have good prices on them.
Very comfy for long walks they are boots as someone said.
If price is an issue get standard ones and good fishing socks.
Muck boots seem good an you will get neoprene for the price of standard Aigle
Another Aigle encourager here. My wife loves them and is in them 4-6 hours a day doing miles and miles - looking after horses etc.. They might seem expensive but they last for years and she says her most comfortable walking boots/shoes.
I have a pair of Dunlop ‘miners’ wellie boots, was given them when I visited a mine, warm (neoprene lined), steel plate under and steel toes, good generally and recommend them as really good all round wellies but not great when walking over a couple of miles.
Grubs Boots have some with better soles than Muck boots.
There are Aigle, Hunter and Le Chameau on Somersault at the moment. Plus a couple of other odds and sods.
Muck boots here 🙂 I have the muck boot ryder they are closer fit around top and very comfy
Le Chameau Vierzonord are the bagder's nadgers. Neoprene lined, so toasty even in a wintry stream, supremely comfy and with a sole/last that's good for a ten mile or more muddy yomp.
Just tried a pair of Chameau, narrow feet mean limited choice for me. Hunter have a narrow last, otherwise it’s ladies and wider calf’s. D Width feet can be a pain, so if you have narrow feet like me then you will need t try before you buy.
If you don't need a full height boot up to the knee then the crocs rain boats are incredible, I have climbed several munro's in mine and wear them all the time for wet or snowy walks. They grip like shit to the proverbial blanket, even wet roots. Super comfy all day long and warm too. Super light as well. Awesome boots
Le Chameau get the thumbs up from my wife and I.
Similar story to others, tried plenty of cheap and not so cheap wellies that lasted months if not weeks before failing. Spent the extra on Le Chameau and have not looked back. I'd happily wear them all day.
Don’t order online. You need to try them on. Aigle fit quite wide, and are sized half a size up for use with thick socks. I rate them though cos they fit my feet.
Le Chameau are smart, but recent quality issues since they moved production to Morocco have dented their reputation.
If you can find some Toggi, try their Wanderers or Wanderer plus. Great value and good soles in a neoprene lined boot.
Muckdoots and Grubs great value, but not particularly smart (if that matters).
Edit to add Arxus to the mix. Excellent quality, but expensive.
Finally, Decathlon sell Aigle at good prices, and their own brand Solognac. Well worth a look for value for money.
Another Aigle user here. Decathlon usually have good prices on them.
^^^ this. I get issued Aigle boots for my job and fortunately they fit very well and are very comfy... happily go back to back days walking in them for 8+ hours. Wife also now has them after trying them on & then buying from decathlon
Black diamond boots, thick soles, warm and comfortable
Was going to suggest Dubarry but they're not the best choice for standing in cold highland water. They do look good.
Is this a one off or are you going to be wearing them a lot?
I spend most of my time out of my day job wearing wellies and took Welsh Farmers advice above. Excellent wellies - they are PU so very light, they have amazingly grippy soles in mud that also work well on wet smooth surfaces.
Had one pair of hunters - the more expensive balmorals. They were okay. Had some Musto wellies and never again. The Barbour wellies are just Hunters from what I can see and I really do not rate the cheap Hunters.
Aigle not tried yet, if Decathlon have them cheap I might try some next. Have had a look at them at Mole Valley and they do look good. Le Chameau also look well made.
If the cheap Dunlops fit you well and are comfy for you then you will not find anything better for the £ and they grip very well on slippery surfaces. I used to go out running in the snow and ice in mine. Compared to a really good welly you will notice the difference though as they lack the mid sole support.
I use Grubs, about £120 with a Vibram sole and different models with different levels of insulation as required. Expensive, but worth it if you use them. I use them for walking the dog every day in winter when the ground is wet, lasted a couple of years so far. Super comfy, fit well, decent sole and good support for a welly, I will buy another pair when these are done. Noticeably better grip, fit and much warmer than cheap boots.
I have some Aldi sub £20 Neoprene/rubber hybrid things. The rubber on the sole is super grippy with a good tread pattern. I bought them for general duty, but they have been excellent for open canoeing. All that dicking around in the shallows and on the riverbank - they are perfect. Excellent on wet/slime covered rock. They might be from the Aldi fishing range come to think of it.
My only criticism is the sole isn't at all stiff, but for £20?
Probably been recommended already, but muc boots or grub boots. Not cheap, but if you see a mid wales sheep farmer I can pretty much guarantee they’ll be wearing a pair an that’s all you need as a testimonial
To go against the trend, I have worn a pair of Hunter Balmoral 3mm neoprene boots over the last 2 years and they have been fantastic. Vibram soles and a good footbed mean 20 mile walks are no problem. They were £75 from sport pursuit and I can honestly say they are my second favourite footware ever (after my astral brewers)
Looks like an expedition to Decathlon is required!!
Muckboots here, bought a pair seven or eight years ago on the advice of another forum member, and they’re terrific, really warm and comfy, I wear thin socks with neoprene boot socks over the top, I’ve walked nine miles around Castle Combe, which isn’t flat, with no problem. They live in the back of the car ready for use any time the going looks mucky.
I have said this before but both Hunter & Aigle have lastested me less than a year & at over a £100 per pair it was an expensive mistake, I would say go with the fit which means finding a decent shop with some choice, equestrian suppliers normally stock a good range.
Some types of boots just don’t fit, I liked the idea of grub boots but they just didn’t me fit well but they may fit you.
HTH.
Aigle and Le Chameau are good, I've had botha nad are very happy. My wife has just got a pair of these (to match our 3 year old) and now has happy, toasty feet:
Decathlon neoprene lined £69 two year warranty.
Everything else Ive had splits.