Boots for mud / walking?

[sparklins]

Hoping to get some tried and tested recommendations!
I live semi-rural and am looking for comfortable knee high or calf height boots to wear in autumn/winter when it gets muddy and wet for dog walking.
Waterproof and comfortable to walk long distances.

Ideally I would not want to spend over £100 but would consider it if there is something out there that is absolutely worth it - please feel free to spam me with links!/recommendations!

How stylish do you want? I have some shortish patterned wellies from Joules that look cute, but I also have some amazing fleece lined thermal tall wellies from Dunlop that definitely don't look cute but are great for a winter yomp

I used to live in Argyll and quickly learned that wellies are actually rubbish for walking. Maybe the name brand ones are better but the generic ones I'd get at Asda or wherever were awful. They had zero grip and zero support.

Invest in some good waterproof hiking boots. You can walk through puddles and bogs with impunity. They won't get stuck and come off your feet. They'll have grip and support and they'll keep your feet warm and dry.

Also on the hunt, OP. I don't want wellies as they are uncomfortable on long walks and my feet get really cold in winter. Looking for waterproof walking boots, comfort is key. Bonus if they are easy to clean, like wellies.

I have got as far as these. Bit over your budget.

www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/bravada-edge-2-thermo-mid-waterproof/54373W.html

I can walk a good few miles in my Bogs wellies, and they are fairly warm. I wouldn't want to try climbing a mountain in them, but can potter about in them all day quite happily. I may be banned from the Style and Beauty board...

I highly recommend these

Prices change constantly. I got the Amberley ones for £50 a few yrs ago. Decent 3 hr country walks in them. Waterproof and warm

Those look nice and I'd have been able to use them up in Argyll! They're perfect for the OP. I have no need for them anymore as I live in a town. I just have my trusty hiking boots for hill walks.

DuBarry? Pricey but last forever.

I wear Aigle Parcours for dog walking (miles) and any other activity requiring wellies. I'm sure I've had this pair at least 6 or 7 years. They've proper heels, well supported arches, VERY comfortable and toasty warm as they're neoprene lined. My current pair are brown, last pair was green but DD borrowed them for the yard and she still uses them (must be 12+ years old). Plain but very functional.

Muck Boots, specifically Arctic Sport which are calf length. They are warm, comfortable and hard-wearing. I wear mine all the time and have had them for years.

On offer here if that helps…https://www.very.co.uk/muck-boots-arctic-sport-mid-height-wellington-boots-black/1600403535.prd?sku=sku21894998&cm_mmc=google--PLA+-+Generic---_-__&utm_campaign=Generic_Fashion+Clothing+%26+Footwear+-+Womens+-+PMAX+-+Catch+All&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=&campaigntype=shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj5mpBhDJARIsAOVjBdpmjmHKt7gXQ5K3LLvQ_kUSH5dAKPJtRFof-o4wDchWIvZ3Qhu5ckoaAvaGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You need country boots, look at equestrian/country stores.

Various price points but at the cheaper end the Dublin ones are good. Under £100.

I have had Dublin Rivers but prefer my Pinnacles. Dubarry are lovely but not really worth the £. Ariat are also brilliant, I have short Ariat boots which are like a walking boot/riding boot combined. So comfy and waterproof.

I walk for miles in wellies. They just need to be reasonable quality, have a fleecy lining and a good sole. Wear long socks over skinny jeans so your socks don't fall down, and you're good to go.

Walking boots or anything leather look great, but need more looking after - cleaning, leather care, waterproofing - and often have a deep tread which holds a lot of mud, and er other substances. Wellies you just wash off in the nearest puddle. You can probably get more resilient leather boots, but I expect it comes at a price!

You can't really trust walking boots in puddles, streams, long wet grass etc, so it can limit where you can walk. And wellies protect your trousers more from water, mud spatters, brambles, wet dogs etc.

Can highly recommend these

EMU Australia Women's Pioneer Oak Snow Boots amzn.eu/d/1YuShXi

They're super sturdy, very comfortable, warm and waterproof. These have been used religiously as my dog walking boots for the last 3 winters.

If you get proper leather country boots they don’t need any looking after. My current pair are 9 years old and have never been cleaned or re-proofed. They are battered now but no maintenance was required. I wear them everywhere, no limitations!

I have wellies too but they are much less comfortable if you are in them all day and much less breathable in summer.

Fair enough, I don't spend all day in wellies, just a few hours on a walk. And I do have cold feet, even in summer!

My first pair of 'grown up' wellies lasted me 45 years (good old St Michael) - I only replaced them last year because the fleece lining was getting a bit thin. My second pair were originally bought by my MiL from a garden centre and they'll probably see me out!

I just wanted to defend the welly, because I find them comfier and more practical than hiking boots, and much more affordable than (admittedly gorgeous) leather ones.

Good to know Benjamin. Consider the welly adequately defended! They are soooo much easier to clean so that's a huge plus in my book.

They need to be light too.