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?

What a shame their quality has gone down. I have a pair I bought when I got married over 30 years ago and I can still wear them even though one has a crack across the rubber and would let water in if it was very wet or I stood in water.

My DHs are still going strong.

Mine are 20 years old and still going strong. They were bought for me by my mother when I was a stable hand at a racing yard at the weekends.... those were the days! 😊

I was really disappointed with the last pair of Hunters I had, which must be about 8 years ago. They split within a year. I currently have Le Chameau and they have survived over a year so far - this is pretty good going as I wear them for long periods every day in all weathers. They are warm and so comfortable that I could walk miles in them from day one.

If I didn’t have Le Chameau I would go for Dunlops. They take longer to wear in as they are stiffer, but they are good value all-rounders. They might not be considered posh, but if you’re posh enough you can wear what the heck you like

I agree try muck boots. I also really rate Joules wellies! Admittedly initially I bought them for the patterns..... but since my first pair I have never swayed. Worn with the joules fluffy socks they are warm, comfortable and as yet I have never had any problems with cracking, leaking etc. And mine are worn on the farm daily as well as on long dog walks, feeding stock, in the sea etc etc

Does anyone rate the Seasalt wellies?

I second the comments about Aigle wellies; mine are great and they have a hard life. Hunters are for wispy festival attendees and residents of SW3 ;). They used to be great but they now split very quickly as do all wellies made the same way/of the same style, eg Joules wellies.

Such a shame about Hunters. I had a pair over 30 years ago when I had a horse and they got such a beating every day but were fine. It took me forever to convince my mother to buy me a pair (she had some but they were 'too expensive' for me the kid) and I loved them so much.

These days I have a 'fashion pair' of short Hunters that live in the boot of my car and get pulled out when visiting country friends for muddy walks to shrieks of "OMG you look like such a townie!". They've lasted a few years so far but don't get a fraction of the beatings my childhood pair did.

So sad what has happened to Hunter but I guess maybe they would have gone out of business if they hadn't gone down the Chinese/fashion route.

I had Hunter wellies that lasted 20 years. Replaced with another pair that started leaking after about 13 months. I mentioned this in a country wear shop that I was annoyed it was just outside the guarantee period. The assistant who was a friend of a family member told me that was how they were made theses days, no longer "built to last", just long enough that they don't have to replace them under guarantee.

I had a Joules pair and they split within months! Although to be fair they had a warranty which was honoured so although the wellies were crap, the customer service was at least good. But it was a PITA.

Slightly off-topic, but Le Chameau have a film on their YouTube channel about how their wellies are made and it's totally hypnotic... if anyone fancies falling down a bit of a rabbit hole

Hunters and Dubarrys are both a total waste of money. I’ve tried both, and both leaked and started to fall apart after about 8 months. I will never buy either make again. Aigle boots have lasted the distance though, so I’ll stick with those.

Another vote for Aigle. I walk miles a day in mine and they are fab. I have neoprene lined boots and they are warm and v comfortable.

Apart from my Hunter wellies (35 years old and on the way out, OK for light walking!) I have Dunlops. Not attractive to look at but if they can make tyres, they can make a strong welly!

Muck boots all the way. Mine are 12 years old and still going strong. Neoprene keeps you nice and warm.
I used mine for winter riding and yard work so they took a battering.

Nope! Mine are amazing, going on 10 years of dog walking. I’ve had cheap wellies and they’ve not been as comfy or lasted as well. There are other good brands though if you don’t like the Hunters.

I've had mine 10 years and they're brilliant - but I wouldn't pay the money for them now. They've gone up in price due to the 'Festival Set' all wearing them and are now mass produced.

I bought mine years ago and they are still going strong - they are plain old green, none of the glossy rubbish they do now, and even then they were £££ I don't regret buying them though as I wear them lots and they are still like new. They have a super thick sole and fab grip too

I have had my black hunters for about 8 or 9 years now! No problems with them whatsoever.

They are balmoral ones but like I say years old now x

Yes, Hunters are total crap nowadays and it's disgraceful that they still keep churning out rubbish that needs replacing after a year. The company should be held to account, not least as they are so environmentally damaging.

I have done some extensive welly testing over the years and the best ones I've ever had are my Aigles. It hurt, paying for them, but they have been brilliant - warm, comfortable and still going after six years.
I had some Muck Boots once, they were in holes after six months.

Agreed - numerous hunters that leaked and poor customer service.

On 4th year of Le chameau 2 x dog walks a day. Definitely worth the money. 👍🏻

My original Scottish made Hunters lasted years.Then I had two pairs within a year.Both leaked and the buckle came off.Now wearing Aigle and 4 years on still great.And I walk dogs every single day and alternate between walking boots and wellies so they do miles.OP you're right .Hunters aren't worth the money since they moved manufacturing and they became a festival fashion statement.

Ps. Also have neoprene Muck boots for very cold weather and when I need extra grip.Excellent also.

Mine lasted a year, go for Le Chameau.

I had a pair 20 years ago that were amazing and lasted 10years being used daily. I have tried quite a few pairs but these are my current ones and after 2 years they still look new https://www.countryattire.com/ariat-women-s-burford-wellington-boots-olive-green.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImMKkxIOn3wIV1YbVCh1nYwRHEAQYAyABEgKoJDD_BwE