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Te return of rain to Snowdonia means that i need some proper waterproof boots for my dog walks.
I walk my cocker a good diatane in a very rural area and the long wet grass seems to make a mockery o my leather boots that are often sodden.
Is there a decent wellington i can investigate for my walks?
Anyine have any recommendations. The heating embargo at home seems to make drying footwear tricky and i prefer something that didnt wetout.
Thanks
Neoprene lined Le Chameau Chasseur was my choice (not cheap). Until I found that my shapely calves and narrow feet meant they didn't fit. Women's sizes didn't quite go large enough in the foot, but were great on the calf. So now looking at Aigle instead.
Le Chameau +1. They have a proper walking shoe sole so decent grip. Not at all like the slippery nonsense of Hunter's !
Got mine from Mole Valley Farmers for about £40. Comfy, warm and good grippy tread.
Edit: https://www.moleonline.com/cotswold-grange-neoprene-lined-wellington-boots-green
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/warm-tall-wellies-brown/_/R-p-187071?mc=8494287&c=BROWN
I have these (in green though), they're great, they were used daily from about this time last year to about April this year for similar dog walking in mud and long grass duties, for walks of up to about six or seven miles. My first pair of 'proper' wellies and I'm totally sold.
I bought some Gateway "Woodwalker" wellies and they're flipping awesome. As comfortable as a good pair of walking boots, in fact think of them as a combination of wellies and walking boots and you're not far off. Not cheap but worth it.
Riggers boots from screwfix, only downside is they seem to take an age to bed in, but they do eventually so it's worth getting the correct size (IME they come up big, like they're expecting you to be wearing several pairs of thick socks), I wear size 45 trainers/walking boots but can get 43 Site boots on with 2 pairs of socks.
Le Chameau +2
There might well be cheaper alternatives that are as good, but I've always had at least a decades use out of all of my pairs, so not really felt they were poor value for money.
+2 for those Decathlon ones linked to by IHN. My wife and I both use them.
We used to sell an awful lot of Le Chameau and they had a well-deserved reputation for quality, comfort and longevity. However, they moved their production from France in 2015 and their quality took a nose-dive. We had so many complaints and returns that we more or less stopped selling them.
Aigle are a much better bet. They're a good close fit, with shaped ankles and a good sole. The neoprene-lined ones are spot-on for my feet, and are genuinely all-day capable over a lot of terrain. As with everything else, you really need to try them on so you can be sure of a decent snug fit. Look for their Parcours 2
Other makes to look out for are Toggi, Muckboot. Decathlon boots aren't too shabby either.
Have you considered gaiters? I often team up a pair of Meindl Goretex boots with gaiters if I'm walking through wet cover/undergrowth/heather etc.
Previously had muck boots, were very good. Switched to Aigles, the neoprene ones, very comfy. Although all wellies seem to make my socks slip down, very annoying. Wore mine today in the rain, wet grass and walking boots doesn't work very well
+1 for Rigger boots. got mine for £30ish during the sales and they're bloody amazing for dog walks. easy to slip on/off, decent waterproofing and lined to keep yer tooties warm. i popped a pair of insoles in from an old pair of trainers for added comfort.
I've also managed a 10 mile walk in the Brecon Beacons after forgetting to pack my walking boots and they were fine, causing no blisters whatsoever. which was surprising given they're fairly loose.
Mine live in the boot of the car and have been live savers on many a walk
We used to sell an awful lot of Le Chameau and they had a well-deserved reputation for quality, comfort and longevity. However, they moved their production from France in 2015 and their quality took a nose-dive. We had so many complaints and returns that we more or less stopped selling them.
Did this happen with Hunter's I wonder? Had a pair years ago which were great wellies. The sole eventually cracked and I looked for another pair but the quality seemed to have gone downhill. Got some Barbour's instead which seem as decent as the old Hunter's were.
Muck boot ryders 👌🏻
Did this happen with Hunter’s I wonder?
Very possibly. I remember a colleague had some Hunter Sovereigns. They were leather lined, full zip and a nail studded leather sole. They cost an absolute fortune back then in the 80s.
Modern Hunters are pish. Not least because the sole is ridged side to side rather than cleated like Vibram or whatever else you find on walking wellies. Think Country Fair fodder for rural wannabe’s
Hunters used to be made in Dumfries, factory now shut and I'd guess production is no longer UK based.
Aigle are damn good and I'm surprised by how they last. Expensive but mine outlasted 2 pairs of Hunter's and have plenty of life left in them
Le Chameau for my wife and I, used daily for dog walks when required. Had mine for 5 years or more and they show no sign of failing.
Before that I tried various other wellies from cheap to £80 and not one pair lasted more than 6 months before leaking.
I asked on here this time last year and the overwhelming recommendation was muck boots derwent 2,
Bought some, absolutely no regrets. Having been a life long welly hater these on n are a revelation. Nice thick sole, comfy and warm.
I'm a size 42, bought a size 8uk.
I have a pair of Grubs, just died this year, about 6 years old. Were expensive, but great for walking the dog in when its cold and wet.
Have you considered gaiters?
Berghaus Yeti gaiters are amazing - fully waterproof* to just below the knee.
* in wet grass etc, not wading in a stream
So another vote for Decathlon. I wear them to death in autumn/winter and they're as good as new after almost 7 years.
I almost died in Muck Boots, the slippiest, least grippy sole I've ever experienced.
The heating embargo at home seems to make drying footwear tricky and i prefer something that didnt wetout.
You don't need any heat, but a dedicated air blower drier for shoes / boots makes a huge difference. Use mine all the time in winter as my winter cycling shoes are always soaked, either from sweat or rain / spray. Bone dry in under an hour.
Aigle Parcours 2 ISO…seem pretty comfy and well built.
Only picked them up today so haven’t used them in anger yet!
I just went to the local independant agri suppliers to get some... as if they sell them to farmers then they should be at least half decent. If you are in North Wales there must be somewhere like that near you...
Got some Dunlop Acrifort for about £30 which seem pretty good so far for dog walks and the like...
Muckboot Edgewater here although I can't believe how much the price has gone up since I bought mine 3 years ago.
Dunlop Purofort are another option.
I wore them on wet days on the construction site when very wet or muddy foe long hours at times.
Very comfortable.
An extra footbed maybe needed or a second pair of old socks to make them snug.
What’s the calf size of aigle? I ask because I fitted the 36cm Le Chameau just fine and most give me a gap around the top of a couple of inches. Obviously I don’t have cyclist legs!
Muck boot arctic outpost. Absolute snow had a good deal on them a while ago. Paid £70 odd. Just looked and now £118. Not sure i’d pay that for them but they are good.
Muck boots. Bought a pair after someone recommended them on here who was a farmer, and had mine at least ten-twelve years. Done a nine mile walk in them without issues, I wear thin sports socks with a neoprene boot sock over. They generally live in a large bag in my car boot, in case I get somewhere for a walk and there’s been heavy rain/is raining.
I think I paid around £75 for them, I’d happily pay more if I had to replace mine.
Just ordered a pair of the muck boot arctic outpost after this thread. Getting bored of being covered in mud walking the dog already wearing waterproof trainers. So wellies it is
Just ordered a pair linked to at mole valley farmers. Amazon and Cotswold outdoors have them as well, but a lot more expensive. Hopefully they're ok.
My wife’s aigles have just died after 20plus years of horses and country living, my previous pair lasted about 6 yrs but my last pair of parcours lasted 6months until the heel fell off, so now I am going with one of the 10 or so companies that make neoprene lined walking boots for about £70. Next ones are rylands.
Dunlop Purofort are another option.
I was chatting to a local fishing boat owner yesterday on the island I’m stopping on (Hebrides) and he swears by these. The orange ones are a bit bright though.
You pay a premium for the French stuff. Arguable if they are the best value. Have had a couple of pairs of Chams. Neither lasted more than about 10 years, possibly because of the need to look after them not just chuck them in the porch covered in blood, crap and oil. Same issue with all rubber wellies.
Good review in Shooing Times a couple of weeks ago about alternatives including a New Zealand brand.
The Muck boots type, be they originals or copies (which are as warm and last as long) are often heavy and the soles can be flexible.
Original Hunters are cold and very flexible (May not be an issue) Fancy versions are like the French stuff.
Look for bargains eg Musto from an outlet place or Phillip Morris /any shooting shop.
Traditional Dunlops will be plastic not pure rubber and will last much longer but will have less than perfect soles.
Zipped ones can be hard to get on if they have narrow ankles.
Neoprene is warm, see above though.
what dryer have you got for your shoes?
We've got one of these, works well
OH has Aigle and they've lasted over 10 years of looking after horses and are still pretty decent.
I have some Barbour ones that seem decent. dont think they'll last as long though.
The muck boots I had before my Aigles were Muck Boot Derwents. They were ace, and are still waterproof. But the sole has worn slick now so I can't wear them in slippery mud, it's hell!
Anyone else think it ironic that the French are experts on Wellingtons?
I bought a pair of Goodyear streams (55quid from amazon) in 2020 and they have been fine.
Just received a pair of those Cotswold boots from Mole online. Normally a size 11/45 (UK/EU) which is what I ordered. They come up a bit big, so will definitely need to wear the thick walking socks with them.
Another fan of decathlon wellies here.
Aigle Parcours 2
Hard wearing & comfy with a grippy tread. I think I read somewhere that they’re designed for wearing all day as a hunting boot.
I’ve had mine since 2015 and they’re still alive. Bought in recommendation after 3 pairs of Muck boots went back under warranty for leaks.
Update: Well after using them for walking the dog pretty much every day for 5 months my Cotswold boots have started leaking, both of them.
So will look through this thread for alternatives.
I’m still in my Aigle wellies. Survived 3rd winter now!
However my wife has found wellies didn’t do her Achilles any good so has moved onto Hyland Muck Boots. Certainly bit of an acquired taste aesthetically but warm grippy and last. Don’t cover as high as a wellie though. T
Grub boots seem to have a permanent sale on their website at the moment. Their Fieldline boots are £30 at the moment (down from £80). Like other brands, I think the quality may of dipped, but at that price worth a punt
I'm currently rocking these beauties - the only welly I've found that I don't get floppy socks in - I hate that floppy bit of sock around the toe!... 🙂
https://www.grubswarehouse.com/product-page/fieldline-olive
...and at £30 a ruddy bargain. I might even buy another pair for spares.
EDIT: seem to be out of stock for smaller sizes!
https://www.charlies.co.uk/grubs-men-s-fieldline-4-0-wellington-boots-olive.html
Update: Well after using them for walking the dog pretty much every day for 5 months my Cotswold boots have started leaking, both of them.
So will look through this thread for alternatives.
Spookily, walking the dog this morning and striding through an icy boggy bit, I thought my Decathlon wellies had started leaking after daily winter wear for two years as I suddenly had a cold, wet foot. However, hallelujah, it had somehow splashed up and over the top, and I confirmed their continuing waterproofness by standing in a small pond for a few minutes 🙂
So, again, highly recommended
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/warm-tall-wellies-brown/_/R-p-135928?mc=8395627
I bought the Decathlon ones when this thread first popped up (thanks for the link). So I guess that's five months ago now and no complaints so far.
What's the smallest calf diameter for Decathlon boots? My shapely calves slop around in most wellingtons, despite the cycling (36cm circumference and size 43/9). Just got rid of a lovely pair of neoprene wellies that were very comfortable in the feet, but the slapping shins made them too uncomfortable to walk in. None of the main brands were slim enough, and ladies boots tend to stop at a UK 8 (I tried).
Dubarry Galway slim do, however, fit. Leather takes some looking after.
I don't know exactly, but I'd say probably not tight enough for you. Mine are fine for tucking jeans into but certainly aren't a snug fit on my chicken calves 🙂
I've just measured my calves, and they're about 37cm nekkid. I have the boot legs in the Decathlon wellies (size 44 I think) at their tightest, which I'll be honest isn't massively tight, but I don't find that my shins slap around by the time I've got a pair of jeans tucked down inside them
My Muckboots still keep my feet dry after twelve years or so, although they don’t get worn that often, tbh. Still think they’ve been excellent value for money.
My muck boots derwent 2s are so comfy and warm I sleep in them.
But seriously, I love them, so comfy.propper tread so good for several hours.
Highly recommended.
grubs snowline here. cant get em on now with my fused ankle.
but they are bloody awesome. even good for winter bike riding.
Aigle Parcours 2...I was issued these for my job where I spent all day on farm walking about and they were so comfy and survived for years. Dont do the role anymore but I eventually replaced them for exactly the same for personal use and now everyone in our house has a pair and I wouldnt buy anything else