Hunter Wellies are a waste of money?

[egyptiancotton]

My granny always used to wear hunter wellies when we would go on our walks together, and so I thought I'd treat myself to a nice pair. Around £100 so the price of some decent-ish shoes anyway. She has had the same pair, (Made in Scotland era) for over 20 years, and still going strong.

We have an energetic dog who likes to be walked twice a day (Labradoodle), I will do this duty once 30-60mins of walking, 5 days out of 7.

12 months and 2 weeks later, the buckle broke off. Then a week later, they started leaking! So I wrote to them asking for them to be fixed. They wouldn't do anything about it as warranty was 12 months.

For my birthday in March, I was given a new pair, which again lasted about a year and have BOTH split and started leaking.

I make sure to dry them off and remove mud and store them upside down in the boot room.

Has anyone else found them to be a complete waste of money other than now to be a fashion piece, rather than practical?

[PFB1]

I have never been able to part with the cash for hunter wellies... then again I don't have a boot room either

[Cherries101]

They aren’t worth it any more — have been made in china for the past 5-10 years. If you can obtain second hand UK made Hunters — they’ll probably last you a lot longer!

[ElainaElephant]

Try Muck Boots instead. They are much better!

[seventhgonickname]

I bought mine quite a while ago as I was fed up of replacing other ones.I leave the mud on until it dries,give them no special care and they go on and on .
Don't have a boot room but lots of path walked over and fertilised by cows so wellies a necessity,I also have wide calfs and hunters wellies that accommodate that.

[seventhgonickname]

Just read the Made in China bit,mine are about 15 years old.

[fc301]

YANBU I've had 2 pairs of Hunter ankle wellies. V warm & comfortable. Both cracked completely across the top in under a year. It's got to be the type of rubber used.
Currently loving my cheap Tesco wellies, warm, comfy, dry, cheap.

[ShesABelter]

Yes! I got a pair for a festival a few years ago. By the Sunday they were splitting at the sole and leaking. Absolute shite. The asda ones for a tennar I got a year later were better.

[egyptiancotton]

Yes ! I have a pair that I bought for my son... from sports direct for a £10, and yes they're pretty hard on the feet, but they remain dry!

Oh you should see the boot room, one gust of wind and the lean to will blow away.

[Honeyroar]

Since they've been made in China they've been rubbish and wellies for mugs, or people that only wear them once in a blue moon. I wouldn't ever waste money on them nowadays- there are much better wellies around for the money. I can't even say I thought they were that good in their hey day, mine punctured easily even back in the 80s.

[RandomWok]

Yep sadly they are shit now. Still got an older pair that are still going strong. Am following to steal your recommendations OP!

[yoyo1234]

Never heard anything good ( other than your post about your Gran's ones). Always thought they were just fashion accessories for the likes of Glastonbury.

[Honeyroar]

I think they've been made in China for at least 10 years, probably nearer 15 yrs.

[Habadabadoo]

I spent extra on a pair with neoprene lining to keep my feet warmer. They are not warm at all! Now looking at muck boots but they are so expensive too.

[HildaZelda]

YANBU. Hunter's used to be great years ago when they were actually used for practicality, but when they became a fashion item (mostly from festivals), demand increased and now they're just a mass produced inferior product.

[Honeyroar]

I like Muck boots, but they're expensive. I've used Dirt boots for a couple of years- which are a cheaper alternative.

[LooksBetterWithAFilter]

They used to be great when they were made in Scotland they are a fashion accessory now and bugger all use as an actual wellies boot. They don’t last long enough to keep your feet wet. I have a pair or Barbour wellies had them about 2 years they go on muddy, wet dog walks wear them on winter rock pooling trips with ds and they still look like new. I liked these ones because I’ve got skinny feet, ankles and calves and these are a slim style.

[egyptiancotton]

They've been such a disappointment.

Le Chameau look appealing, but a bit too "gone shooting" if you see what I mean. Looking into Mucks now.

[trojanpony]

Yanbu
With £££ try le chameau
or more purse friendly go for Dunlop’s...

[AlanaMay]

My mum has a pair of boots she inherited from her mum which are still waterproof probably 40 years old!
Every pair of wellies I've bought over the last 10 years - whether Hunter or Millets own brand - has cracked and leaked within a couple of years. Can't understand it.

[TheSmallAssassin]

Have a look somewhere like here, if farmers will spend money on them, they'll probably do the job.

m.molevalleyfarmers.com/h5/r/molevalleyfarmers/mvf/store/category/wellington-boots

[lalafafa]

I’ve had mine fir 26 years. Had to buy them from a posh hunting and shooting shop in Mayfair as they were difficult to get.

[stayathomegardener]

I actually have a couple of Boot rooms...
Hunter wellies of the modern variety are #officiallyrubbish

The vintage pairs made in Scotland, now you are talking

[SukiPutTheEarlGreyOn]

The owner of the outdoor wear shop where I bought my wellies mentioned that Hunter have become known for these type of issues and that he’d noticed an increase in quality related problems in recent years. After comparing the quality and longevity of various brands with him, I ended up buying a pair of Le Chameau (which are in Hunter price territory i.e more than I’d ever imagined I’d pay for footwear used primarily to stomp through mud with the dog in tow ). They’ve ended up as a favourite purchase; toasty on cold mornings and incredibly comfortable. Five years later, they’re in the same great condition as when they were first bought despite being used daily.

[Asdf12345]

The made in Scotland ones were good.

I go aigle these days. Lenchameau allegedly moved production to Morocco with poor results but aigle still hand make in France.

[Orlandointhewilderness]

I'm a groom and live in my wellies. Wouldn't have hunters if they were free. They are utter crap and not fit for purpose. I live in le chameau. The reason people who shoot wear them is because they are very comfy, warm and last bloody well.