Wellies for delicate feet - anywhere on High street?

[Dancingwithdaftness]

So, I'm probably being unreasonable as most people I know can buy any old footwear and blightly gallivant without concern for their feet.
My feet appear to be unusual. I must emphasise that they are perfectly normal looking feet to the innocent eye.
However. I constantly suffer from blisters on the back of the heels and on each side of the balls of my feet if you get me.
I've small feet technically, size 3.5/4 but the bones in my feet seem wide at the base of toes, so shoes always seem to squash my feet/toes terribly.

I'm looking for some recommendations of somewhere that I could walk into and actually try the wellies on as I will know within 2 paces whether something is going to hurt my feet.

My plan for the winter is to do a lot of soggy forest trails, but I can't bear footwear giving me blisters. I suppose I could bring plasters with me, but ideally I'd like to try them on before buying. Price isn't really an issue as I will be cancelling my gym membership most likely.

I genuinely have never seen a proper wellie shop in my area of London.

Please help out a girl with two awkward feet?

Pp that website looks amazing. Thank you.

Double layer running socks will help.

Aigle wellies are great but good supportive gore tex lightweight walking boots are really what you'd benefit from.

And get your feet checked out - I recommend First Podiatry in Golders Green. They've worked wonders for my daughter (severe hyper mobility and tiny slender feet, the inserts are expensive but honestly have made all the difference).

www.equinesuperstore.co.uk/rider/equestrian-footwear/country-boots.html
That is what pp mean by country boots, I have an ariat pair and have walked many many miles in them. I can't walk in wellies without getting foot and leg pain but these are supportive while still being easy to get on and off and clean. I also lived in a flat for several years and just rinsed them in the shower like you would wellies.
Probably won't find anywhere in London to try them on though

Also Precious Soles in Potters Bar are well worth a trip if you get insoles (or even if you don't).

I'm sure there are other good shoe shops that others can recommend. I don't work for them!

I have duck feet (narrow heels, wide toes) and Plantar fasciitis, and can pretty much only wear Skechers. I use 2 or 3 coats of sleeping bag/tent waterproofing spray and any dirt and water just rolls off.

Might you be better off with sturdy walking boots, rather than wellies?
Like you, wellies aren't good for my feet, and honestly, are designed for jumping in puddles or a quick slip-on/slip-off to pop into the garden. Not for long country walks. They have no cushioning and are not designed to the contours of a foot.

My walking boots are 10+ years old and still going strong. Never had even a hint of a blister in them.

I cannot wear any type of plastic shoes

I can wear leather walking boots with one thin pair of socks & one thicker pair of walking socks
I was told a long time ago, that the 2 socks rub together, not your feet & the boot

Works for me 😄

Try both the male & female boots on, because they have slightly different shape

Take some socks with you to the shop

Beware, some shops have Covid restrictions

Darn it. You've just reminded me about Covid. I know some shops aren't allowing you to try on shoes! Feck it anyway.

I’d go to a kids independant show shop and get some adult bogs. I know our local one goes up to adult sizes. My friend that has small feet gets hers from there, My kids live in bogs in the autumn and if they are good enough for them might work for you,

Also kids shoe shops are still allowing try ons with and appointment,

I’m not sure if anyone has suggested it but it might be worth trying Joules. I have a pair of their wellibobs and they are 100 x more comfortable than any welly I’ve ever owned. I have feet that are quite narrow in the middle and wide at the toes and find them fairly accommodating and even a bit stretchy. I wouldn’t do a 20 mile hike in them but I’m happy enough walking in them for a few hours or wearing them all day as normal shoes

I'll join the posters recommending walking boots rather than wellies. I have a Berghaus pair that must be getting in for twenty years old. Still waterproof. Never gave me blisters. I'd also second trying double layer socks as you are prone to blisters.

If money is no issue (I think you said this earlier) have a look at Dubarry of Ireland for country boots. Have a look online and see if you like anything. They have a shop in central London and if you ring before going they will make sure they have the right sizes in stock for you to try.

I have slightly odd shaped feet and have a pair of Lowa walking boots from Decathlon which are amazingly comfortable. They’re also really light - I found some walking boots quite heavy.

Good luck!

I agree walking boots are likely to be best for you, but you’ll have to try a lot on. I’d recommend buying some good walking socks to try on with first, they often have extra padding round the heels etc.
Many sympathies about the delicateness of your feet. Mine are anything but dainty but rub really easily.
For boots cleaning, I’d really recommend a Boot Buddy - we got one for kids football boots in the first place, but it’s great at cleaning up any walking boots too. You fill it up with water and can use it wherever so you could even clean your boots at the end of your dog walk. Don’t know if links work but it’s called “the boot buddy” and is a blue and green squeezy thing, I got ours from amazon.
amazon.co.uk/dp/B014UPAHO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kYRGFb9P79FRC]]

I’m not sure where you can try them on, but the brand Sorel does amazingly comfortable boots that are also waterproof and not horrendously ugly. They are, however, quite expensive.

My other recommendation is Decathlon. I got my dog walking boots from there as I didn’t want anything too pricy that would get ruined and they’re still going strong 3 years later. They’re fur lined, so might be kind to your wee feet. These are the ones I have: www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-warm-waterproof-snow-hiking-shoes-sh100-warm-mid/_/R-p-135965

I got mine from Decathalon - they have a removable fleecey lining which is incredibly comfortable and snug and warm.

I find that even padded socks don't have padding up the back of the heel though (right to the top of a shoe). So even padded socks are no use to me as it's quite high up the heel that I get blisters.

It's the nobbly bone that sticks out at the back of the heel about an inch and a half up from sole that gets skint all the time.

I really need to get myself into a shop. Can't wait to try on all the suggestions. No doubt whatever is most comfortable and practical will by fugly, but nobody is going to see me deep in the forest (unless a serial killer).

I used to have snow boots years ago that were amazing. So so comfy, fur lined. Came half-way up calf and were lace up so worked well for skinny calves. Can not for the life of me remember the name of them though. Can't even remember where I got them.

Also have you tried blister socks? Friend of mine swears by them. Apologies if already mentioned my reception is a bit crap

@Dancingwithdaftness

That nobbly bit is a heel spur, thankfully I had mine removed as a teenager- still a nightmare to get shoes to fit my super short wide feet with high arches and skinny heels but pre op it was even worse and yes always blistering and sore!!!