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?

I'm going to whisper this as not normally a fan of the brand ... but I have some waterproof Ugg boots that have withstood 4 years of gardening/walking/hiking/ etc. They are hard to the ankle then a little more flexible to mid-calf and look a little like 'builders boots' but they are very warm and so far indestructible!! (I never thought I would own an Ugg!)

Yep they're shite. You pay for the name, there is no durability to them whatsoever

Muck boots are FAR superior

The best wellies I have ever bought 5 years ago worn every day are MUCKBOOTS have a neoprene leg, so warm and comfortabel

I haven’t read the whole thread but wouldn’t bother with them, unless it’s the new sturdier zip up ones that are around £200. They feel nicer and so much better quality. I prefer Dubarry country boots for dog walking and doing my horses, they are around £300 but last years.

I really wanted hunter wellies (ashamedly because I like the aesthetics!) and my husband instantly warned me that any made post Scotland-era (ie China as loads of others have said) won't last at all. Funnily enough I then bought a pair from Tesco for £12 which lasted me 5 years of daily dog walking before getting a leak!

Joules wellies are another that have fallen foul to shoddy workmanship- I was bought 2 pairs and both leaked within less than 3 months, my mum and sister have also found this. They're not exactly cheap either!

I bought a pair of muckboots several months ago as my faithful old cheapies were causing irritation to a nerve in my foot and I needed more support.

So far they are warm and dry and I've already walked several hundred miles in them without problems

Reading this thinking my Hunters are still going strong but they were a Christmas present 15 years ago...must have been before they went bad. Makes me feel old tho!

I too have a pair of aigle and they are super warm and comfy if a bit stompy because they are so sturdy and well made. I got mine for Xmas last year on black Friday so saved a fortune !

I've had the same pair of dunlop boots for 15 years, worn regularly in all conditions, only cleaned when i've needed to disinfect them.

My Hunters leaked horribly. I’ve now got Muck Boots and they’re fab. Just got a new pair in the sale actually, there’s some good bargains on their website.

Agree I’m saving up for Muck Boots

Yes they're total shit, buy some Aigle

Used to have Hunters , till they were lasting me less than 6 months before falling apart , bought a pair of Dubarrys and lived in them for eight years with dogs and horses - they got battered and then I lost one ! Now I've got Dubarry lookalikes the Taurus Holkham boots and they're gorgeous for a third of the price .

Le Chameau wellies are amazing. I have had mine for years and they are as good as new (under the mud). Hunter wellies are utter shite and only good for seventeen year olds going to festivals (I remember all the it girls at school having them for Glastonbury.) Le Chameau are much better quality and much more understated imo.

My vintage cowboy boots are amazing £20 look good with most things. They need reheeling but they are lovely. Warm comfortable and mud just washes off the leather. Had them for about 20 yrs

I must admit I do love my cowboys boots too. Bought them at a vintage shop, no idea how old they are but the leather is nice and soft and they are sturdy and well made. They started rubbing my feet though and corns and bunions started appearing (the are quite narrow) so I can't wear them as much now

I have some wellies made by Rockfish which I have been really impressed by. Made from natural rubber, and really reasonable prices too (I bought mine on eBay).

I still have my original "Made in Scotland" Hunter wellies. At over 20 years old they are still going strong!

Would I buy a pair now? Not a chance. There are plenty on the market for a fraction of the price, and they would last longer too!

I ordered 2 pairs of muck boots for the garden, came today........

And they are both made in China