Please talk to me about wellies

[wiffin]

I have worn an ancient pair of hunters for years. They seemed indestructible. But I got a wet foot in the field today.

I don't wear them much, mainly in the field, and live in ankle wellies with elastic. But the mud is too deep for them at the moment.

Have had a look, was shocked at the price of wellies. But I do want something comfy. Just not for £100+! The cheap ones just flap around too much.

Any recommendations? Please?

In my experience you have to pay ££ for good wellies. I swear by Aigle Parcours ISO. Yes expensive initially but each pair lasts 4-5 years of being worn most days plus daily dog walking.
Hunters, barbour and joules are all crap and I would avoid.

I'll second Joules being crap, they're uncomfortable.

I have Hunters but they leak.

The best boots ever are Le Chameau. A bit more expensive than some, but worth it.

Thank you. I know the newer hunters have a bad rep. Mine were seriously old but am reluctant to buy another pair.

Aigle and Le Chameau came up on a lot of searches. Just a lot of money for something to wear in the field.

I just wear Dublin River boots , very waterproof

I suppose it depends on what you're looking for but i swear by Le Chameau

I'm glad someone has posted about this, as I am looking to get new ankle wellies.
Now I know they are not something that you should wear all day on a regular basis maybe.
But I know there will be a difference depending on the make and quality.
And I have osteoarthritis in my foot and bunions and possibly plantar fasciitis.
So whatever footwear I wear I need something that suits all of the above.

I have had two cheap pairs of ankle boots neither very good.
So I am open to looking up the names that have been mentioned here.

Rockfish aren’t too expensive and a pair last me about 18 months. I don’t particularly want indestructible wellies that last forever. I do where wellies more than I wear any other type of footwear

I just replaced an ancient pair of Hunters with a new pair of Hunters from Tog 24 - about £80

Le Chameau, the leather lined ones. Expensive, but they last for years - and they're so comfortable.

When buying expensive items, I calculate the number of years' wear (or use) I expect - currently my boots have cost just under £28 per annum and counting.

I also vote Le Chameau - I have the neoprene lines ones and they're lovely and warm.

I like muck boots but did wait until a sale to buy

Muck boots

Another vote for Muck Boots in the sale.

I've bought some Le Meuix wellies which were half the price of Ariat. I'm very very impressed with them.

My Le Chameau were pricy but worth every penny. They're still going strong 12 years on, i reckon come the apocalypse it will be the cockroaches and my wellies left.

I bought the neoprene ones and they are great, your feet don't freeze in them like with regular wellies.

Another vote for aigle iso parcours 2. I wore them when I was running a dog walking business doing 8 to 10 miles a day plus up the yard every day, most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. They have lasted 5 years but have sadly split which was my fault for not treating them and leaving them in the car all the time but they still don't leak. I bought another cheaper pair of a different brand but never wear them I may have lost them now I come to think of it.

I'd never touch muck boots they were very comfortable but I went through two pairs in 3 months. Both pairs were defective and leaked/big split

I bought grubs frontline last year, really comfortable and only ££ instead of ££££!

I love my aigle parcours - I wear them every day for dog walks, feeding animals, poo picking etc. My first pair lasted five years and my second pair are still going strong so as far as cost per wear goes they’re one of the cheapest items I own

I've had 6 years of my leather lined Aigles, being leather lined they are wearable in warmer weather so nearly all year round use.
The sole has worn a bit, and they've split where they crease when I walk. I will patch them with welly repair stuff when I get round to it.
I bought a pair of muck boots, found them really supportive for walking, but they split after a few weeks wear.
I always had Hunters when I was younger, lasted donkey's years, but the last pair I got split really quickly.
Ditto my Joules and Barbour wellies.

I have grubs frostline and I find them really comfortable. My last pair were 3 years old and I wore them every day