Dublin boots?

[Oreocrumbs]

I'm not so sure this exactly comes under 'stylish' when talking about boots, but I do generally value the opinions on here so I thought I'd ask....

I've absolutely worn out my Dubarry Wexford boots and am going to replace them. I know they cost a lot, but I have worn them to death and so I'm happy to pay that price for another 4yrs hard labour! But a friend has asked if I've considered Dublin river boots instead. And I haven't heard of them.

So does anyone here have any experience of them? They are much cheaper (although still expensive so I don't want to waste money trying them)

TIA

www.dublinclothing.co.uk/products/casual-footwear/dublin-river-boots

[villainousbroodmare]

I don't have the River boots but bought these five years ago, and have worn them a lot. They still look great. Would recommend.
www.dublinclothing.co.uk/products/casual-footwear/dublin-pinnacle-boots

[Palomb]

I've had toggy canyons for the last 5 years and wear them continually when I'm not at work for 6 months of the year - gardening, walking, traipsing in the snow.. I've even been clubbing in mine! They've probably got another winter in them too I recon.

£95 well spent IMO!

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I wore Dublin boots pretty much constantly for four years. They finally gave up the ghost during the floods last year, and I replaced them with the Toggy Canyons. One day I'll have a pair of Dubarry or Ariats but either of those styles will do in the meantime

[Nearlyadoctor]

Speaking from experience I think you will always wish you'd stumped up for another pair of Du Barry's. I have both the Galways and the Claire's and nothing else comes close. Admittedly I haven't tried Dublin, but did replace Ariat riding boots with Dublin ones and they are a very poor relation.
When I wore out my first pair of Galways I replaced them with Toggi's trying to be a bit frugal, £120 for not even a whole winter.

[Oreocrumbs]

Ooh I'm wavering! I was almost sold on the pinnacle boots there, but now I'm not sure.

When I say I wear them to death I do mean constantly from sun up to sun down a good 6 months of the year and then every day for a couple of hours dog walking for the other 6 months.

Maybe I should get both only half joking

[Nearlyadoctor]

Has your friend previously had DuBarry boots? That I think for me would be the decider, if she has and still recommends Dublin then all well and good. If not you know how good DuBarry are and cost per wear etc etc.

[Oreocrumbs]

No she doesn't have either!! I think she was going by the fact they look similar, and ever the bargain hunter they have taken my interest, I have only looked online and not seen them in the flesh....

It isn't so much about the cost, I certainly get my money out of them, but if there are others that are as good then I'm not a label chaser. They will be beat up and battered in no time!

[Nearlyadoctor]

Anywhere local you could try the Dublin ones?

[Whenwillitrain]

Have you tried Ariats?

[Oreocrumbs]

I'm online looking now for somewhere that stocks a range, I've never had anything other than dubarry for years, and before that I wore riding boots, but they are long gone and I have no idea of the brand (had to switch from horses to dogs, they're cheaper to run!)

[Oreocrumbs]

I don't think I've come across ariats either, off to google!

[Nearlyadoctor]

Only ever worn Ariats to ride in, but they do a similar DuBarry style everyday boot. The riding ones are really good, and their customer service is excellent, zip broke after nearly 12 months on my jodphur boots and they replaced no question.

[SaggyNaggy]

Is there a cheap version of those river boots, like £20? I really like them but they're expensive.

[Oreocrumbs]

Well I've just had a mooch at ariat and I really do like those as well.....

I'm going to have to go and see these in the flesh I think. And try and make a choice.

And saggy they are very expensive, I do appreciate that I hope I don't sound flippant but if you do a lot of out doorsy stuff they are worth the money, and I do like the look of them too!

You would probably get a life time out of them with occasional use.

[TweedAddict]

Dublin river boots are the best. I've had most of the top brands but I always end up wearing these ones. My current ones are 4years old and still got LOTS of life in them. One of my best ever buys

[Lexilooo]

Dublin River Boots are crap quality don't bother really not worth it. Mine went to holes despite never letting them near the horse and only wearing them in craft marquees on show grounds and in Snowy weather. I now have Ariat boots which are amazing!

[OdinsLoveChild]

I have these Ariats : www.ariat-europe.com/uk/CONISTON_W_FOO.html?dwvar_CONISTON__W__FOO_color=CHOCOLATE#start=9 and theyre bloody brilliant.

I bought a pair with my birthday money a few years ago and they are well worth the money. They keep my feet warm and dry, theyre very comfortable but I do recommend a really good quality leather soap/polish. They do their own polish but I have never been able to purchase it locally so I go for a good quality saddle soap instead. I wear them everywhere and they still look new despite being 2-3 years old and worn for 9 months of the year.

[Comingandgoing81]

My Ariats only lasted a couple of years before they started to leak, and I only wore them at weekends.

Admittedly I wore them in muddy fields and didn't really look after them (as in I didn't polish them or re-waterproof). Those of you whose boots last years, do you wear them
In deep mud and do you clean them etc?

I've not tried leather Toggi boots but my Toggi wellies only lasted a year or so before cracking. Have just replaced with Aigle so hope they last better!

[OdinsLoveChild]

Comingandgoing81 I do wear my Ariats in mud and through streams, across fields etc. You have to wipe off as much mud as possible when you get home (I use kitchen roll) . Put them out to dry (not next to a radiator/heat source but somewhere warm) then brush/rub off any remaining dry mud. Then use a really good quality saddle/leather soap to clean them properly and a leather conditioner/wax if your soap isn't an all in one. I've had mine over 2 years almost 3 as I bought them as soon as the style appeared on the market. They still look new but I'm very particular about them being kept in good condition and free of mud. I cant afford to replace them so I feel I have to make more of an effort to keep them in good condition.

[Oreocrumbs]

W.r.t. The ariats, for those who's have lasted well, did you look after them? I haven't done a thing to my duabbrys bar squirt them with a hose every now and then.

I'm leaning towards the ariats, (still think I need to get my hands on a few brands in the flesh though) but alas I am full of good intentions about taking good care of stuff and making it last, if I'm honest, I'm not, they will be kicked off and dumped at night and occasionally bashed together to get the dry mud off

[Oreocrumbs]

Ooh cross posted there Odins!

[hollinhurst84]

No to Dublin river boots. The lining goes and you end up with your foot stuck!
I've had ariat grasmere ones for 4 years and they still look ok despite my complete lack of care

[hollinhurst84]

Here you go, 4 years wear and they will clean up like new. And now I'm about to clean them as I'm shamed by the photo!

[Oreocrumbs]

Oh they aren't bad (and look in a similar state to how my current boots do in a cleanliness way!) I've worn the heel and the lining from the dubbarys!

Back off to the ariat page for another look I go!

I have a horrible feeling this is going to get very expensive!

[hollinhurst84]

Scrubbed up (one step leather conditioner) nothing taxing!