What wellies?

Can I have recommendations for some decent wellies? Just been out in the slush and my 20 year old Hunters have sprung a leak so time for some new…

Decent quality and warm ish for all year round general household use/ pottering. Not too rugged/heavy. Knee height rather than ankle type. Helpful if they could be worn walking to the shops and back without dragging the heel.

Not keen on more Hunters, these were a gift and they’re all far too expensive for my liking.

Ta.

Really like my Muckboots.

Neoprene upper so nice and comfy. Seem pretty good for walking. Done some country walks with them. Supple.

My muck boots perished after one year.

I have grubs now,  but would go for le chameau if you can afford

I have Hunters and Le Chameau. The Hunters are less comfortable, less grippy and overall lesser !

Aigle or Decathlon.  Or Toggi.  Look for the neoprene lined ones and try theme on with some decent long socks/stockings.

decent long socks/stockings

Recommendations ?

Aigle Parcours. Decathlon have some reduced.

Got issued them for my job and they have been excellent…hardwearing and comfortable on long days. Rest of my household all have them now

My Aigle Parcours ISO are around 11 or 12 years old and in daily use from October to February.  They are still in superb condition and look likely to last as long again.  My wife has a pair too. The only issue is that the neoprene lining is very warm – fine in cold weather, but if it’s warm and muddy, they can be a bit too warm.  Highly recommended.

If Hunters are too expensive then so are Aigle and Le Chameau

Hunters too expensive for what they are IMO – paying for the brand. I like the look of the Chameau and Aigle …

I don’t have a pair as they weren’t in stock in my size in the shop I visited, but these Goodyears from Grisport looked good for a reasonable price

https://www.grisport.co.uk/gifts-for-him-c85/stream-navy-wellington-p4505

Yellow Dunlops if you identify yourself as Hebridean 😉

Hunters used to be good quality, but it took a real nosedive a few years back.  I don’t know if they were bought out by some chancers who kept the name but downgraded quality, but it smacks of that.  Enshitification I think it’s called.

In which case, Aigle Parcours of some variety. Decathlon usually stock them if you have one nearby.

Bekina, all those Belgian dairy farmers can’t be wrong….can they?

The Aigles on offer at Decathlon look good – will try some of those probably. Thanks all. 🙂

If you’re in Decathlon, do try their Solognac brand. Mrs L has a pair which she loves, and in her years of horsing, has been through many brands.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/warm-tall-wellies-brown/_/R-p-135928?mc=8395627&c=walnut%20brown

I got a pair of these Town and Country Buckinghams

https://www.townandco.com/products/footwear/buckingham-neoprene-wellington-boots-navy/

only in green, from my local garden centre.  A few places have them, and online.  They are proper cosy and good for doing a decent walk in, two things I have not got out of cheaper wellies (not that these are very expensive).  Too early to say about durability, but they seem well made.  The remove assist knob on the heel is a little small, but just about does the job.

I live in my wellies (small holding owner) and they usually last 2 years before they crack. But I’ve found Dunlop Purofort Field pro to be brilliant. Lightweight, kinda stretchy and snug (they call it trainer fit) so no dragging of heel, neoprene lined, etc. The only thing I miss is a heel wedge to help get them off on the doorstep. Brilliant wellies.

I’ve tried Aigle and liked them, before they got nicked I thought I’d never have to replace them – I only wear them for a few days of the year.

I replaced them with some Gumleaf boots, they’re based down the road from me near Warwick. So far, so good.

Aigle Parcours also, really good…had them a few years and wear them daily for dog walks, paired with woolie boolie socks toes are always warm and dry.

Not got a bad thing to say about them tbh, will happily buy again when they eventually wear out

La Chameau are my favourite. Expensive but I’ve had 20 yrs out of past pairs.

Hunters are like Barbour – no one who actually grew up in the countryside wears them.

Dunlop purofort thermo I got mine in 2010 and they have been properly abused. Marching up and down the railway, check. Used to guide core and rock drills, check. Caked in all kinds of concrete, grout and grease, check. Helping roll snowmen, check

Expensive but worth it. Size down though.

Good to at least minus 18

Another vote for the Aigle Parcours ISO. I thought they were a ridiculous price for wellies but it was lock down time and I bought them out of boredom, but after over 4 years of very frequent winter use (daily wanders in boggy water meadows and the like), they were worth every penny. I had a pair of neoprene lined Decathlons before (about £40 worth if I remember correctly) but I found them unsupportive and quite narrow under my feet.

To make the most of wellies, the fit is quite important as you don’t have the adjustability of lace ups. So if you can, try them on, and where there are size differences in the calf etc, try to get it right.

I run Hunters – better than any old cheap boot but not particularly durable. I seem to only get 3-4 years out of a pair with leaky seams and the soles wearing out at around the same time. Le Chameu next I think.

The Aigle has landed…

Feels like a top quality boot – ought to be for the price! Very comfy. Lovely green with red inside. Black sole. Well smart. 🙂

Thanks for recommending them.

Another vote for Dunlop purofort.

Worn at work all day in winter.

A gamechanger for me.

I got Hunter short boat wellies this time last year. Great looking pair (as far as wellies go).

I don’t think they are as silly expensive as some other top brands so that wouldn’t put me off – the fact they are terrible grip wise, soles appear to dissolve like cheap soap, and you need to size up at least one full size to be able to get them off afterwards are valid reasons though.

These “beaters wellies” are the choice of the dog walking clan here. Lovely toasty feet, decent arch support, quite heavy and I’m sure too hot in summer, but walking through the snow and ice the other day, my toes were the warmest part of my body!

You need to size down at least one size, but otherwise no issues. The local rural farmshop only sells one types of wellies and it’s these. First year in mine, but everyone who has them reckons they are better than Hunters for longevity.

decent long socks/stockings
Recommendations ?

@DrJ  my absolute go to socks under wellies are Meindl Hunting socks. Bit spendy, but they are knee length, merino blend, well made and most importantly they stay up! I’ve worn nothing else for the last five or six years.

Here’s a link to Meindl’s site but shop around!

Meindl Merino Extra Long Hunting Sock Bundle -3 Pair Pack

There was a thread on here many years ago about wellies, and someone here who’s a farmer recommended Muckboots, so I bought a pair. I still have them, they live in the back of the car and they haven’t failed me yet. I guess they’re fifteen years old? Dunno, but I have done a nine mile walk in them in the past. I think there’s similar boots with neoprene tops around, but I’d certainly consider Muckboots again if mine were to fil.

Ones that fit well. The rest is largely irrelevant as what fits me won’t fit you well.

After that decide, plastic or rubber. Insulated or not. Hefty sole or not.

Nothing else that we can do really as in all shoe type advice.

I wore the soles out of my muck boots, still waterproof but couldn’t find anyone who would resole them. Got about 10 years out of them, but not daily use

now have Aigle Parcours ISO, also excellent. Hope they have a similar lifetime. Used for dog walks in late autumn to winter