[Closed] Hunter Wellies - sizing question

The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?

The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?

Nope. You could hardly be more wrong, as it happens.

Hunters are now very much the preserve of the other end of the spectrum. (Apologies to the OP and wife, obviously)

Le Chameau, Dubarry or Aigle are where it's at for proper boots these days.

[i] proper boots[/i]

So people kid themselves! 😆

CaptainFlashheart - Member

The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?

Nope. You could hardly be more wrong, as it happens.

Hunters are now very much the preserve of the other end of the spectrum. (Apologies to the OP and wife, obviously)

Le Chameau, Dubarry or Aigle are where it's at for proper boots these days.

I was just about to ask those questions.. Failing that, who makes calf length boots in the same manner that someone like RM Williams might do??

Does anyone have any idea how they size up?

larger than my wallet

MUCK Boots (cough) MUCK Boots (cough)

However they are for proper farmers and the like so if your Hunters are for (CHAV) Town and a toe dip in a stream I'd go for a size up and get the fleecy sock that goes with them. You can get the fleecy socks in Union Flag stylee too, you know, just to top it awf.. 😉

MUCK Boots (cough)

The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?

I do wonder if she has fallen in with the wrong crowd lately

I'm only considering this as they are currently on sale on "that" website, no matter how much I might explain that there are better brands available I feel I will be talking to a brick wall on this one.

Thanks for the tip BikeBouy, they'll be used for walking and general rainy day excursions, but nothing untoward

So if my wellies are from B&Q, what class am I?

To be frank, save your money. My wife's had 2 pairs for winter dog walking. Neither pair lasted 12 months.

hunters +- ugg boots to be sported with your pjs and dressing gown in tesco on a sunday morning these days right ?

gimmie my jalattes or even some red wings anyday - sad day now that i have to pay for them though. once broken in they are lovely.

Le Chameau, Dubarry or Aigle are where it's at for proper boots these days.

The person who needs [b]proper [/b]boots has Muck Boots.

The people who pay him stupid money to come shooting for the day on his land however, wear the boots you mention because they have been told they are better 😉

I think up here in the west highlands we've missed out on exposure to the pj's ugg boot look and are still stuck in the original perception of Hunters as being high end wellies.

I may raise that with her prior to buying just in case it changes her mind, thank also for the review bluebird - useful info

Neal, tried them on, didn't find them comfortable. Tried on my Le Chameau boots and didn't want to take them off! You pays your money, etc.

I`ve always found hunters very comfortable, when you are in them all day that's important.
Although that was a few years ago now, way before they became fashionable (Although they have always been expensive)

So if my wellies are from B&Q, what class am I?

Dunno. Oh did you find a gardener by the way and what does he where? 😀

Where does he what?

OP, all unnecessary typecasting aside, I tried a pair on and found them small for their size. Especially in the calf region, I'm normally a 10, and I could barely get a pair of Hunter 10's on they were well tight on my calves. In the end I went for Lowthers, a much more comfortable fit and cheaper option. A pair will last me about 2 years of daily dog-walking and occasional gardening

Mine are a size up from normal, but mainly to accomodate big socks and the natty hunter welly liners. Find mine very comfy, and have lasted very well.

To be honest, a comfy pair of walking boots would be better!

Many years ago I bought Hunter's, one pair got sent back and were replaced. Yes, they are comfy compared to other wellies but I'd be much happier wearing walking boots with gaitors.

Meindl are good.

Would it be frowned upon by the Cheshire set to get a pair of Hunter welly liners to go with my 15 yo dunlops?

jfletch - Member
Would it be frowned upon by the Cheshire set to get a pair of Hunter welly liners to go with my 15 yo dunlops?

If it's Cheshire you're worried about, you'll be fine. As long as you've had a vajazzle and a spray tan first.

OP - cross the road to Pet Stop (I think!), they have a few. Failing that HIS for some Dunlops.

Be aware that Hunters are made in a Chinese sweatshop instead of Scotland these days; up until about 2006 I swore by them but the last two pairs I had both split after less than a year. Aigles or BOG hunting wellies for me now!

thegreatape - thats a bit spooky! how do you know where I am?

I'm a spy, and you're a bad un 🙂

I think you once posted a picture of a certain mountain from your office window, and I recognised your office (MH?). If it wasn't you that posted that then I just got lucky!

It's good to [s]s[/s]talk!

@trail rat, just out of curiosity, when did you get your red wings? PFFt fnarr fnarr

My girlfriend was given some Hunter wellies for Xmas last year and they're now sitting in the garage. One has a split up the back, from the sole over the heel and the other has some nice toe ventilation. I honestly could not believe that a simple rubber boot could wear out so fast.

Damn - good skills!

You're obviously local, drop me an email if you fancy meeting up for a ride

Especially when you get paid to do so flashy!

(OP, I'm not stalking you, promise)

Will do, next time I get a half day off!

No comment, TGA! No comment! 8)

Why are you on a mission if she wants them?

Unless of course it is her birthday or something

the stabiliser - in equitorial guinea in 2009. Meant to "lose my boots" when i was there in august.

we cant get them out of our office as we are uk sector

I'd go one size up if I were you. I wish I had done so I could wear thick socks. I got mine years ago and they've been absolutely brilliant. The only annoying thing is that I now look like a d*ck wearing them because of the fashion thing. I hate advertising on my person so tried to remove the logo on the front but just made a mess.

I have Muck Boots and they have lasted pretty well (2 years) but the sole is now pretty much dead as the treads have worn off, mind you I did wear them every day 7am-7pm day for 6 months, now I just wear them for dog walking and working outside. Saying that I will be replacing them with more muck boots. I've also found they aren't that great for walking for more than a few hours as they can rub.

My missus has had hunters and they aren't great to be honest, and never lasted more than 12 months and aren't very supportive when you walk, tread is shit and are quite narrow calved, she now has Aigles even though they are ugly (apparently) she wouldn't get hunters again as they are much better in every way. Got them from Mole Valley Farmers so I am guessing they still count as proper wellies

Just replaced my muckboot derwents with some muckboot thurso's. Wifes got the gretas in purple. Far superior to hunters. Buy your normal size and wear thin socks as they a very well insulated.

I've had Dubarry 'Galway' boots for a couple of years and they are amazing. You get what you pay for.

I bought a pair of Muckboots from Uttings.co.uk, after seeing them recommended on here, and they've been brilliant, I wouldn't be without them. I wear thin socks with neoprene boot socks over, which are just little bootees, and they make a huge difference comfort-wise, and I've walked miles in them, longest around eight or nine. They live in the car boot, ready for any mucky conditions, like wandering round Westonbirt Arbouretum on Sunday; it's [i]very[/i] muddy at the mo'!
A muddy walk in West Woods, Marlborough, Muckboots very much appreciated:

[IMG] [/IMG]

Has she got short fat legs.
If so they won't fit.

Le Chameau, Muck Boots or Aigle, or an alternative Grub Boots (same as Muck Boots). Hunter do make a boot specifically for women called the Huntress - it is wider around the calf area. Dubarry Boots are ok, but they are expensive

Got mine from a builders merchants.
Steel toe caps, armoured shin bit.
Why, these babies have got the lot.
Ha.

If wellies could fight, they would [i]own[/i] your fancy pants Hunters.

Those aforementioned [i]Huntress's[/i] want to have my wellies babies.

Get her a set of £9 dunlops. Best value but I have to admit they are not the best for doing miles on miles like I do in them but you won't care too much when you stick a hole in them.

OH wears hunters - I don't rate the cheap ones at all. (the Balmoral etc are a lot better but £££££)

I picked up a pair of these Musto wellies I picked up in one of their sales. I suspect they are made by one of the main brands:

[img] [/img]

My mrs's Hunters leaked within a month, they reluctantly replaced em as a [i]goodwill gesture[/i] and they leaked at the same place within a month as well,
Overpriced rubbish IMO..
My ten year old green council wellys are still perfect, and cost a tenner...

The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?

No chance. That would be which Barbour jacket to buy.

Binners, ss to B&Q wellies that makes you either poor or upper class. I'm banking on upper class and that your online people's champion persona is just a facade. 😉

CaptainFlashheart - Member

Le Chameau, Dubarry or Aigle are where it's at for proper [s]boots[/s] snobbery these days.

My son in law is posh.
Ish.

He wears Aigle boots for walking the pointer and the sprocker whilst wearing his tweed cap.
Unfortunatly, they live in central Manchester, so he looks like he's on his way to a fancy dress party whilst dressed as the Phil the Greek.

Muck boots rule.
The only reason you wouldn't wear them Flashy is that your friends would laugh at you.

Snobbery really is vile, isn't it?
Hunters were considered perfectly fine until ordinary people started wearing them.
Then the snobs had to start wearing Aigle etc just to distance themselves and maintain the percieved gap in class.
No need chaps - the condescending attitude is a clear give away. 😀

There is a middle way.

I wear wellies for all day walking occasionally, and have a pair of Toggi Wanderer. They are better than Hunters in every way possible, and measure up in terms of features (if not label) that the best of Hunter (proper Hunters like the Sovereign) LeChameau , AIgle or Musto can throw at you.

With a decent pair of "all day" boots you need decent sole. High Street Hunter rubber soles are shite. Full stop. They grip in one direction only. Quality boots have a cleated walking sole.

Next is shape. To be comfy and supportive a boot has to be snug and fit without flapping and letting your foot move in it. So a boot needs to be snug around your ankle, and snug on your calf. Garden centre or B&Q will flap around and rub skin off you after an hour or so walking in them.

Lining. Quality boots have a decent lining. Hunter Sovs have leather (which is frankly nonsense in a supremely luxurious sort of way) but the majority have a neoprene lining. This means the boots are warm, and you don't need to wear extra socks. Wearing ordinary socks, or better still stockings and breeks means that you can get a consistent fit, again without bunching or chafing.

Flexi outers. Quality boots have softer, flexible outers, again, meaning a better fit.

Side gussets and zips. I've got cyclist's calves, so I opted for a full length zip, but shorter zipped gussets can also help with fit to varied calf shapes.

Of course if you don't want them to be comfy or practical, then spend your fiver at the garden centre. If you want to spend a day in them then go for the decent stuff. The Toggis I currently wear are five years old and still going strong. For £70 over five years that's not all that bad!

clubber - Member
The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?
No chance. That would be which Barbour jacket to buy.

Barbour, there is just no educating people,

We lost Barbour to the common folk as well

Will people stop recommending Aigle. If these become common I'll be forced to buy something different 😡

Barbour, there is just no educating people,

We lost Barbour to the common folk as well

Technical tweed and Duckdry are the way forward.

clubber - Member
The most middle/upper class question ever asked here?
No chance. That would be which Barbour jacket to buy.
Barbour, there is just no educating people,

We lost Barbour to the common folk as well

Yep the quilted jacket is quite chav

Waxed cotton jackets are great - just picked up a decent one from Dickies for £45.00.
Perfect for working outside in the wet: not too hot, last for ages, don't fall apart.

And they were worn by everyone long before they were hijacked by the fashionable.

I used to use Belstaff motorbike jackets for years until the company was bought by an Italian fashion house & they started costing £400!

Very practical is waxed cotton.

The Barbour fixation is a strange one though - they are well made, but not really worth £200 are they?
I thought they were a bit expensive when they were half the price in the 80's.

Houns - Member

Will people stop recommending Aigle. If these become common I'll be forced to buy something different

And there endeth the thread.

Dissipated into snobbery and Yah'ishness and phhhffizzled out to the tune of a VW Golf advert where the keys drop down the drain.

Hunters, provided you get the right ones (and theres the rub) are fine for general use, just that they are overpriced and have a neveau image problem.
Pitching in with brands that cost £400 is a rather crass way of pointing out to Us Lot that you are swung by a savvy Chav Head in marketing whose been to an Economics lecture and the picture in the latest GQ portrays a glamour lifestyle caked in mud.

I've said my piece on Muck Boots, 18mths in and still warm as toast and heaps of cow shite covered (and never washed) rubberyness but when it comes down to it, image is..

Everything. 😉

The Barbour fixation is a strange one though - they are well made, but not really worth £200 are they?

Well made? Having gone through 2 Barbour Sapper jackets in 3 months last year that is not my experience, plus their sizing is all over the place.

muckboots +1

Le Chameau here.

Despite what the folks say above. Mine are proven over the last 6 winters. Decent Vibram sole, neoprene lined, waterproof as the day I got them despite a lot of welly/bramble interfacing, salty beach walks and rock pooling with the kids, dog walks, beating for the local shoot...they've been tried and tested.