Hunters wellies ?

[Bitsandbobsalot]

I’m thinking of buying myself a pair of hunters wellies. Are they worth the money ? Would you recommend them? If not what other would you recommend?
Thanks

Just caught up with your recent post, if you want to do a lot of walking, I’d get a pair of Dubarry’s or similar such as Dublin River boots or a pair of Ariat Windermere or Coniston (which I have a pair of & I love them!)

Cheap Dunlops or expensive Aigles will do you better.
If Dunlops, buy thick wooly socks.

woolly

My first hunters lasted about 15 years, they were not warm. My second pair lasted about 15 months

Despite a row of expensive wellies, I go for neoprene ones if I want warm comfy, dry feet.

The future is neoprene.

I want Dublin type boots but I have fat calves.

Le chameau or aigle - hunters not good now they are made in China - don't last and split. I have a pair of le chameau and they are much more substantial and arch support is good for yard work and long dog walks

Not as good as they used to be. Aigle are pretty good.

@Wolfiefan Dublin River boots come in a wide fit I bought them whilst pregnant to accommodate my huge calves. Best boots ever.

My son has a pair and they’re fantastic quality. I highly recommend them for kids and adults. They are worth the money.

Just the same as normal, cheap wellies in terms of quality.

Thanks drawstring. Only ones I could find round here are a sort of nubuck finish. Not practical for walking the giant hound in the mud!

Massively declined in quality, my last two pairs have lasted a winter each and that's only walking an hour a day

No worries. Mine are nubuck and leather (I think?) and they have been through all sorts of mud and shit. They clean up really well; they come with good instructions re mud removal. And I tested them out by actually standing in a river (well, a big stream ). Totally waterproof.

Depends what you want them for. I have a pair of Hunters that I bought (in desperation) one Winter because they were the only welly boots that our very expensive independent shoe shop sold. I've probably worn them a dozen times - price/wear = £9.

I also have a pair of Dubarry boots I wear every weekend from September to March. They still look brand new and are far more comfortable and much warmer than welly boots. Despite being eye-wateringly expensive the price/wear is probably around £1.60.

My hunters are almost a decade old and still going strong, thick socks and liners and they aren't cold. I do find the heel a little too narrow but it's a minor complaint. They have lasted better than basic wellies I've had which often ended up splitting. But I have seen a lot of people saying the quality has declined so I probably won't but another pair once mine are busted. Le Chameau and Dubarry are obviously superior but the hike in price is significant, but then again cost per wear will make it more worth it as they last for years as pp have said.

I have hunters, but hugely prefer my rockfish wellies. Much comfier and warmer

Another one that's noticed the quality has nosedived in recent years. I wouldn't waste money on them now.

Thanks guys. I’ll have a look into surgestions before I make a decision. It just feels like a big buy so close to Xmas so I don’t want to waste money.

I agree with others asking how you would use them.
I have some ancient Hunters which are only just giving up after over 20 years. I wouldn't buy them now - quality has gone down. LeChameau are good if you want long lasting wellies these days.

If its for more walking then decent boots are better than wellies - something like the river boots mentioned upthread. I don't have them but random relatives swear by them.

Hunters used to be made in the uk. The quality was excellent. I wore one pair every day, twice a day, walking my dogs for 4 years. When they eventually died they owed me nothing. By that time Hunters were being made overseas. They're exceptionally poor quality now. Unfortunately they increased supply to meet demand as they became more and more popular and they ruined a great product.

Try Aigle.

Not worth the money at all, but at 9 months pregnant I’m wearing mine a lot as they’re much easier to get on and off than my nice Ariat boots! I usually only use them as emergency boots in the car for popping in/out of muddy fields to check the horses, I wouldn’t walk the dog in them.

I sold mine on ebay, they were crap. The most uncomfortable wellies ever.

rosie I find mine really difficult to get off! I have a high instep and my foot seems to create a sort of vacuum in the boot when I try to remove it, it takes ages. It's one of the reasons I rarely wear them.

Wellies - Aigle.
But go for Dubarrys if you can stretch to their prices. I got a pair of Galways 6 years ago and I have no doubt that I'll be wearing them for many many years to come. They are so worth the money.