Hunter Wellis

[squashedbanana]

Why are they so popular? What's so good about them? Are there any good cheap alternatives?

Got mine a couple of years ago. I think they're better than most Welles in that they come up very high on the leg (useful in the snow) and are quite solid and insulated compared to most. So if you spend your life outside (farmer or horsey type) then they're probably worth it.

However, as I use them about 3 times a year, I think I wasted my money TBH

I like mine because they survive camping, walking, winter beach trips and still look good. Packing light for camping means I'm pretty much restricted to my birkies for when it's dry and for inside the tent and my Hunters for when it is not. I've had mine a few years now and there are no signs of wear.

A scarf (MN of course!) chucked on over my hoodie, a denim skirt, leggings and my boots seems a perfectly acceptable pub lunch outfit too and on my walks and camping trips these are regular features.

I do have Peter Storm ones too which have also lasted several years and they are a really good price. I purchased mine for a festival so find the design a bit bright for everyday wear.
www.millets.co.uk/category/footwear/women/wellingtons.html

I also lust a gloss pair but worry about Hunter having negative associations
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Love mine because they are the only wellies in which I can walk for miles and miles and still have comfy toasty feet. Good and solid ... I know they do amazing colours and patterns but I just went for black as they were cheaper and less likely to make my DH / dog blush while out walking with me!

Love mine too. I wear mine most days for muddy dog walking. I bought them 2 years ago and they have lasted beautifully. I have navy neoprene lined ones. They are toasty warm and very comfy. Some people say they find the soles slippery but I have never had this problem (perhaps because they are always so encased in mud!). You can often find Hunters for around £20 in TK Maxx but tend to be of the more "noticeable" colours (silver or bright lilac, say).

I bought Hunter because I liked the way they looked in comparison to most wellies. They leak and they are not comfy - if you want comfy and cool buy Le Chameau they are more pricey but much better wellies and definitely an investment purchase.

My feet are too wide for Hunters wellies. I did get a nice wide fit pair from Simply Be in a black and white printed pattern but I do get wellie envy. :o

Nothing wrong with a pair of Dunlops - and since Hunters stopped being made in the UK the quality has gone down the pan.

If you want serious toasty wellies you need Muck boots.

I saw Hunters around Nov/Dec time in TK Maxx by the time I went back they had sold out of them so I would be tempted to look in there!

I had a pair about many a few years ago & they were rubbish.

The sole wore down very quickly leaving no grip.

Prefer Dunlop.

I wore mine for dog walking and found the quality to be very poor. They wore out very quickly. They do fit well and come higher up on the leg which I liked. Would probably buy them again if they were mega cheap for Tkmax.

super comfy and come in all sorts of colours, what's not to like?!

I have kids pair, I can't remember where I got them now but they were a size five and green and very comfy.

I've had the gloss Hunters and can honstly say they were a total waste of money. The sheen had gone off them after the first couple of wears and the rubber cracked and perished very quickly. At the same time DH purchased the really expensive Hunter wellies with all the bells and whistles, these were also rubbish and rapidly fell apart.

We both now have mid range Dunlops that are both reasonably priced and hard wearing.

They're shite

And can I disagree with the poster who said if you work outdoors they are probably good? They are not - mine lasted 3 months.

If all you are doing is walking the dog then they're fine, but if you want to give them a real bashing they leak within weeks.

A waste of money imho

I've got a pair of Dunlops too but much prefer my Hunters - the rubber is softer and more flexible when walking, and the sole is similarly flexible so that it self cleans to a certain extent. The soles on the Dunlops are stiff, like having two boards strapped to your feet. I also like the fact that the Hunters can be tightened around the calf with the adjustable strap, which looks neater and stops cold/rain/snow getting in.

I've had mine for about a year and they get heavy use - no sign of wear, but did get white patches that were difficult to scrub off. When I rang Hunter they said it was a normal feature but sent me some of the cleaner free of charge.

If you shell out the money for the neoprene lined ones designed for standing around at shoots in and mucking out horses then they're good.

The bright coloured glossy ones are just expensive fashion items.

That's my opinion from working in a shop that sells them. If the customer can afford the expensive one, then that's what I sell them - they'll get the value of them. Most people coming to buy the 3-figure price tag ones have done their research and know which they want.

Ooo thanks! I have often wondered about why they have suddenly become so popular and if it was for a good reason or they were just the latest new name in footwear, because UGGs are sooo last year

I have seen a really beautiful pair of toasty Merrell boots in the Schuh sale and was wondering whether to get those or the lower priced Hunters, or a good cheaper alternative, for wet weather use. As the Merrells are waterproofed I think I'll go with those. My Merrell walking shoes are still going strong despite using them for a round the world trip, so I can vouch for their hardiness!

Have you gone and got the Merrell boots yet?

I have a pair of Merrell Oslo boots, and frankly they're a bit sweaty. Merrell use their own waterproofing in a lot of their boots but Goretex in most of their shoes. Do check. Obviously depends on your feet...

I have a pair of Hunters, but much prefer my Muck Boots.

Uggs will never go out of fashion. They are classic.