AIBU to splash out on boots?

[whyistherumgone]

With all the world madness I'm focusing on anything but the news - in this case BOOTS.
My tax return is looming (which I should have covered) and obviously it's Christmas....but I'm getting so sick of wet feet when I walk the dog and having to replace my boots (even pricey ones) every six months I'm considering splashing out on a pair of waterproof country boots.

I know the Dubarry style has become a bit of a fashion statement but they seem to be exactly what I need - if they last - I'm just a bit at how much I'm going to be spending.

You see what's going on here, I just want a load of replies saying 'They're fantastic BUY THEM!' etc.

I'm also looking at cheaper alternatives but the reviews don't seem as favourable... if you've got any and think they're great please let me know!

[19lottie82]

Buy them. If you will wear them loads and you know they will last, just do it :)

[WayHarshTai]

Not Dubarry but I have the Ugg Simmens in brown for dog walks and school run and OMG they are fabulous. Completely weather proof, lined with sheepskin, like hugs for your feet. And they look fabulous. I can't recommend them highly enough.

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/ugg-australia-simmens-brown-boots/1482886020/

[MadameSilva]

I have toggi. Very similar to Dubarry but half the price. I've had them for 3 years, still look brand new

[OldBootNewBoots]

buy them, i've been lusting after a pair for about 3 years. I've bought other pairs that were slightly more city though instead as I don't do much sloshing around in woods/beaches. If I did, I'd have bought them. you can find cheaper but it won't feel the same. I had a pair of gamefish that were great though...

[whyistherumgone]

Thanks everyone.

I only really dog walk - through woodland, boggy canal walk and a common near me - actually in London but countrified London if there is such a thing ;)

Thanks for the encouragement, I am so tempted - but will check out some of the others suggested first - haven't heard of Toggi.

[LemonBreeland]

Don't get Dubarry, everyone I know who has them says they fall apart. They really are not made to last. I have heard good things about Toggi, but I have Ariat ones which is what everyone at our outdoor country shop wears. They sell Dubarry and Toggi there too. Mine have lasted 4 years so far and still look great. I pretty much live in them from September to May too.

These are the ones I have

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

I think sometimes spending more is more cost effective, but then I am a master at justifying ridiculous purchases!

In your case I definitely would. Walking your dog I imagine shouldn't feel like a chore (I'm not a dog lover and it would feel like a chore to me no matter what boots I wear!) and wet feet make anything horrible.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Omg Lemon I love them!

[Garthmarenghi]

Ariats are the answer.

[PutDownThatLaptop]

Free bag as well on that link Lemon !

[LemonBreeland]

I just linked to the first website that sold them, bonus free bag! They are very comfy and warm too. I forgot to mention before that I tried on Dubarry boots and they were tight on the top of my foot. The Ariat ones are much more comfortable.

[whyistherumgone]

Ooh Lemon I really like them. What's the sizing like, do they come up true to size?
Also, are they quite roomy on the calves?

So. Much. Choice.

Bloody love MN.

[Garthmarenghi]

You'll need to try them. Get yourself to a good tack shop. I've found the windermeres fit me well with jodhpurs on, but I have slim calves. There's tons of choice in country boots. They should last beautifully as long as you look after them.

[whyistherumgone]

Thanks Garth love the username by the way :D

I think I've definitely decided to invest in a pair, now it's just a question of which pair.

[LemonBreeland]

I have slim calves too, and they are a good fit for me, I can easily wear them with skinny jeans and they are still loose. They are pretty true to size on the foot. They are loose but in a good way in the foot area. I could easily wear thick socks with them, although I don't tend to as they are nice and warm.

[Sparlklesilverglitter]

I think good quality footwear is Important. I also think buying cheap footwear is a false economy as they never last as long as a good quality pair

Invest in a decent pair OP

[Garthmarenghi]

Thank you! Go try them. I've got some mountain horse boots, look similar, bit more expensive but feel like welly boots for some odd reason. I've also got some other Ariats that come up a little bit too high and chop me in the back of the leg.

[Fantasticmissfoxy]

I have Dubarry and wear them every day for work - they get hard used and tend to last me at least 2 years per pair. Ariat are good boots too - bit smarter looking maybe but I'm a Dubarry addict (4 pairs at last count)

[CantChoose]

I've found Ariat and Dublin to be good quality, cheaper alternatives to Dubarrys. I love boots, really mustn't follow this thread too closely in case I end up with even more!

[FlyingElbows]

Dubarry, Ariat, Dublin,Toggi, Tuffa (I love my Norfolks but they are for riding) and Kanyon all make what you're looking for in a range of styles and prices. All available in either horse shops or online. Tuffa and Kanyon cater for the more generously proportioned too (like me).

[AlwaysLookOnBrightsideOfLife]

I'm another to recommend Toggi. I wear mine daily (mucking out horses (standing in sh*t), walking the dog on the beach, through rivers, muddy fields etc.) and they're as good as new over a year later. I'd been looking at Ariats and Dubarrys but then my tack store had an offer on the Toggis and I couldn't be happier. So comfortable, warm, waterproof and a fraction of the price.

In fact they're so good that I haven't worn my heavy duty wellies since about a month after I bought the Toggis (once they were fully broken in).

[AlwaysLookOnBrightsideOfLife]

Oh I should say it's the Toggi Canyon which I wear. Everyone I know that owns a pair (a lot in the horse world) say they're the most comfortable boots going.

[whyistherumgone]

Thank you! This has been incredibly helpful - I think I'm going to browse the different brands online then take advice and go find a shop I can try as I don't think my calves are slim but they're not huge either - plus I'm quite short so will need to make are they don't chop me in the back of the leg too!

Always good to get recommendations from people who have actually had them for a while - I never know whether to believe the claims of being totally waterproof etc.

[witsender]

I've had my current dubarrys for over 15 years, they're yachting boots not the country ones but get used for both and are still fab.

[CantChoose]

None of mine have ever leaked :) I do wonder whether that's because of the impenetrable layer of mud though...