The Perfect Dog Walking Boot For Winter - the search is on!

[PacificDogwod]

I need the following boots:

• waterproof: this is Scotland. It may never stop raining again
• comfortable: DHound likes to walk for miles and miles...
• warm, but not too warm: I am refusing to buy winter AND summer boots
• longlasting: I had Hunters, they have now sprung a leak over the uppers of both boots - I am NOT impressed!

I am prepared to invest, but need to be convinced that I am getting a good product for my moola.

So, Aigle? Muckboots?? Back to Hunter? Natural rubber? Neoprene? Leather??

Any recommendations much appreciated

I have friends who swear by Dubarrys and they do look lovely, though not convinced that the amount of water and mud I walk through would be good for them. I did try a pair on once, but for whatever reason they just didn't seem to fit me in a way I felt I could walk a few hours in them. My lovely Aigles on the other hand..... so hope someone from Aigle is reading and sends me some free stuff for my sales pitch

I have Dubarry Galway boots. I was sceptical initially given the high retail price. But they are amazing. Completely waterproof, comfy and far warmer than wellies. I walk our springer spaniel for miles through muddy woods and fields every day. My Dubarrys are 3 years old and are not significantly worn on the heels and soles. The leather toes could do with a polish, only to improve their look not performance. I also wear them in town shopping when it's raining as they are pretty stylish too. Price per wear must be tiny by now.

I've a pair of Dublin River Pinnacle . Not too heavy, comfy, waterproof (although I do reproof them every so often) and great for the woods.
They are big so I've put a sheepskin insole in them. They breathe well which means they're lovely and warm in the winter and not too hot in the warmer weather.

I wear Muck boots but lust after Dubarry's! However, the cheaper boots (that look like Dubarry's ) are apparently better quality now than Dubarry's - according to our local sailing chandlers

I too gave up on my Hunters and splashed out on Le Chameau Chasseurnord. They are £££ but lined with neoprene so really toasty. I have wide feet and they are fine, even better they have a fuly lined zip, so really easy to get on and off (I have a stupid high instep that can make boots tricky).
Well worth the investment I think as Hunters aren't exactly cheap anyway

Dubarry's!

Dubarrys!

I have neoprene lined aigles. 5 years old (same as the dog) and still perfect.

I've just splashed out on some Aigle Parcours Signature 2. Hoping they'll last long enough to justify the price!
I wore them last week for a day out in London when it poured down, I had them on for 12 hours, including mucking my horses out and walking the dogs, and can honestly say they were as comfy as my favourite old slippers.
I can recommend Ariat Grasmeres, mine have lasted me 6 years, the leather is knackered from mucking out (ammonia not good for leather) but they're still water proof because of the goretex lining.

Another Aigle Parcour here - love, love, love mine :)

Another for Dubarrys, worth every penny. Also have Muck Boots for when it's dinging down. Both comfortable, love them.

cherrytree those are a thing of beauty, I have true Aigle envy now

I so want them too now, Bubble

What is the difference between the various Parcours?
Vario vs Signature?

Is it just me or are most website rubbing as pointing out relevant differences??

I have a pair of Ariats and theyre bloody brilliant. I love them more than the dogs Warm, waterproof, easy to maintain (leather wax obviously) and look stylish, to me anyway. Obviously pricey but the length I've had them for I would normally have purchased 3 or 4 pairs of Hunters/Wellies/cheaper boots.

From a quick Amazon search the Signatures look to be leather lined....and gloriously shiny...sigh...

They come up large?!

There are so many gorgeous boot suggestions on this thread - v confusing, but in a good way.

I never considered any of the leather one - they do look gorgeous, but it'd worry about the level of mud (and water) I wade through in the winter...

Didn't read all the replies so sorry if these have already been recommended.

WATERPROOF Dublin River Boots Wide & Standard ALL SIZES (Chocolate, 6UK Standard) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F9ANVI4/ref=cmswwrcppapi_RDr5xb6NG6QBA

Cheaper than Dubarry and still very nice and waterproof I have no complaints

Me too didn't read everything - my Le Chameau wellies are now 12 years old, one neoprene lined pair for freezing weather and one without.

Otherwise I wear my walking boots - Brasher superlite I think they are called, also quite old but waterproof.

I bought a pair of Merrell walking trainer things but ankle height in the sales a couple of years ago and they are massively waterproof. My regular dog walk has got seven hills and seven streams and instead of walking round to cross on the pack horse bridges I follow my lab through the streams in the summer - have done it in the Merrells many times and not a drop of water gets in .

Sort of like these but I only paid about £50.

Muckboots. I love mine so much that I look forward to winter to get back into them!

It's worth looking on the Naylor's equestrian website, they often have deals on certain boots.
Yes the Aigles come up wide and a little big in the foot, I'm a 5 and bought a size 4.
The chameaus were a little narrow on my foot.
When I got my Grasmeres I went to Ingatestone, they also do mail order, and the store price was about ;£60 cheaper. When I asked why they said it was because Ariat won't allow firms to advertise at lower than their own direct purchase price.

I have aigles parcours neoprene lined. I love them. So comfortable and when I am standing about walking with a toddler in the cold & wet, my feet are always warm.
They do come up big though, so I'd go for a 5 if I was you. Mine were £135 from Amazon a couple of years ago, but our local Mole Valley Farmers was doing them for about £95 (they just couldn't get a 3 ordered in for me)

Le Chameau or Dubarry, the only two investment options.
Dubarry are the best, but expensive. However, you will only buy one pair,ever.

I have Dublin River boots as well as my trusty aigles. I wouldn't want to wear my Dublins in a muddy ploughed field though I'm sure they would survive. IMO Dublins are better for dry days when perhaps a visit to a country pub is involved but for everyday muddy wet walks its aigles every time.

Aigles without doubt. Was recommended them in Countrywide after the 3rd pair of Hunters failed within weeks of me owning them (my dogs need lots of exercise!). 3 years in and still going strong, love 'em!