Oh God, another wellies/country boots thread

[Oxedflum1]

Help! Still searching for an acceptable pair of wellies or country boots, despite reading many MN threads over the years.
I want something that is fitted, not flappy, not with adjustable straps because they just stick out, definitely not black, preferably brown but navy possibly. I need them for occasional use, they are not going to get hammered by being worn every day. I want them to look reasonably stylish. I am quite tall so they need to be proper knee boots.
On the basis of previous threads I have:
Muckboots, very warm, but they are so rigid and heavy I hate them.
I have some Hyland Country boots www.viovet.co.uk/HyLand-Waterford-Winter-Country-Riding-Boots/c41776/?quick_find=261603&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInLzwxbyj7gIV4YBQBh1XlgLEEAQYASABEgLHb_D_BwE which I totally love the look of - but they just won't give in the leg around the back zip. I have tried all the online tips and lots of wearing in and they still rip up my legs. I cannot wear them for more than 10 minutes. I now hate them too!
Is there any hope?

I know you said fitted and these aren't, but I love my Dubarries! So comfortable

I know lots of people really like them and I'm sure they are good boots, but they are too straight cut and I particularly don't like the horizontal bands.

Really depends if you want wellies or country boots. I think if you want stylish then maybe you’re thinking more country boots - like dubarrys, but not those?

If wellies are acceptable then Le chameau and Aigle are generally well reviewed and possibly at the smarter end of the wellie spectrum?

These are slim, long and really comfy. Quite stylish too.
https://www.lechameau.com/gb/item/le-chameau/womens-iris-jersey-lined-boot/1MFV?s=75780

Ariat country boots, lots of styles to choose from. I have Grassmeres but would love some conistons.

I have those Le Chameau boots and love them. Nicely fitted and comfy to wear for a long time.

www.grubswarehouse.com/product-page/frostline-4 I have just bought these and they (so far) are bloody amazing the neoprene means they fit nice and snug I'm 5"10 so also a good height. Probably done fit your 'style' requirements but the company do other styles.
Once you've found the style you like look around on Google as I found mine with £20 off.

Have you looked at fairfax and favor? I absolutely love all their boots! And the tassels!!

@Oxedflum1

I know lots of people really like them and I'm sure they are good boots, but they are too straight cut and I particularly don't like the horizontal bands.

But Dubarries are just the brand, they have loads of different styles which have the properties you would like. Look on their website, not all of them are the mucky dog-walk type. Good luck

Those le chameau boots look not very tall and not very slim, or is that just me. I like some other styles but £200 plus is over budget. Also rules out lots of country boots. Agile parcours are a possibility????

www.dubarry.com/women/footwear/country-boots/downpatrick-knee-high-boot-old-rum?c=23

Just an example, there are other styles.

Have you looked at the Dublin range , I’ve got river boots but mine are for practical purposes, they have others like the Kalmar which look more like the thing you are looking for .

I have north face knee boots. Fitted, look fine with jeans if we finish a walk at the pub (pre Covid). Pretty sure they discontinued the particular pair I have but worth a look.

Or, if you have the budget, you could follow the royal example. Kate has plenty of fitted country boots that seem stylish enough.

I have some brown leather toggi boots. I have slim feet and they are the only ones that don't slip off. They are very comfortable. I wear them loads as have a horse. They are well under £100.

I know you want knee high, but I've just bought these so thought I'd share with everyone.

www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk/shires-moretta-vita-country-boots.html

I bloody love my Aigle wellies - the sole is as good as my walking boots, so I can comfortably walk for miles in them.

Also love my Ariat riding boots for less muddy conditions.

Those Dubarry Downpatrick boots are lovely and perfect....except the price.

Dublin Kalmar look interesting (apart from the stupid tassels) - can I really walk through a puddle in them?
The Dublin Caltons look good, but the reviews all say they come up small and I am an 8 so have nowhere to go.

Another vote for ariat I have a pair of winderemeres which I love they are now 5 years old and still going strong despite being used for dog walks, mucking out horses, riding and occasionally dealing with cows. Mine are not the most stylish but they have many different styles perhaps something like this
www.ariat.com/gb/en/P15250_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P15250__W__FOO_color=BLACK
or
www.ariat.com/gb/en/P17143_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P17143__W__FOO_color=CHOCOLATE_WILLOW
As a brand I have always found them true to size and good quality although other than the windermeres all my other boots have been riding ones. I have also had dublin boots in the past and found the quality was poor for the price in some of the ranges so be sure to check reviews first if you go for that brand.

Also just noticed you mention the dublin kalmar. I have the paddock boot version in leather not suede and they are perfectly waterproof but I use them as a day to day ankle boot not for walking or getting particuarly muddy etc. the sole has very very limited grip and it looks like the knee high version is the same. Also even if suede is waterproof it looks awful very quickly compared to leather.
Someone upthread mentioned fairfax and favour, I haven't tried a pair personally but have friends who love them. They do similar boots to the Kalmar but with a better sole and in polishable leather. Sadly very expensive though
www.fairfaxandfavor.com/collections/womens-boots/products/the-explorer-mahogany-1

I think Dubarry Sligo boots would tick all of your boxes apart from the price.

I love mine and think they're worth every penny.

Dubarry Sligo are indeed way out of price range, but I don't like the horizontal bands anyway (fortunately!).

Ariat Sutton are interesting. But still very expensive and wondering if they are tall enough and spooked by the review that says the shaft bends above the ankle and rubs the leg - this is the problem with my unwearable current pair.

@Deepintheforest

Another vote for ariat I have a pair of winderemeres which I love they are now 5 years old and still going strong despite being used for dog walks, mucking out horses, riding and occasionally dealing with cows. Mine are not the most stylish but they have many different styles perhaps something like this www.ariat.com/gb/en/P15250_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P15250__W__FOO_color=BLACK or www.ariat.com/gb/en/P17143_W_FOO.html?dwvar_P17143__W__FOO_color=CHOCOLATE_WILLOW As a brand I have always found them true to size and good quality although other than the windermeres all my other boots have been riding ones. I have also had dublin boots in the past and found the quality was poor for the price in some of the ranges so be sure to check reviews first if you go for that brand.

I love those Cardens.

I used to have a pair of the Ilse Jacobsen Hornbeck wellies that lace up, which I loved. I wouldn't say the sole was especially grippy or hard wearing, which is why I didn't replace like for like. But they looked good, and there are quite a few colours.

I got a 404 error when I tried to link them.