Country boots that don't cost the earth and will last more than a year...

OldNag

OldNag

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... wondering if such a thing exists?

I have a pair of Kanyons which have given up the ghost at just over a year old, despite being looked after.

I have previously had HKMs which were cheap as chips and lasted 2 years. Might go back to those.

But am wondering what other makes at the lower end of the market might last a bit longer than my Kanyons? It's a shame as they are very comfortable but they haven't had much use and I would have expected them to go on a bit longer! I might revert to HKMs but wonder if there were other suggestions of comfortable, waterproof boots. Sadly, budget is limited so Dubarry and the likes are off my list.
 
I don't think the cost makes much difference. I've had Kanyons, Dublin river boots and now have Ariats which will need to be replaced soon. 2 years seems to be the limit for all of them. :(
 
I would definitely recommend the Toggi Calgary boots. Mine were roughly £80 online, I've had them probably three years and still going strong! Also suitable for hacking/schooling if you can't be bothered to change boots!
 
My ariat grassmeres get abused and neglected with constant use yet have always lasted at least 4 years. They cost around £260 making them £65 a year so, for me, very cost effective. I find them really comfortable and suitable to use all year.
 
My Kanyons have lasted 8 months 😟. Really disappointed to suddenly have wet, stinky feet. They are comfortable but functionally a bit useless. I've got some glue to see if that works but it's annoying to have to do it. Haven't even worn them that much.
 
A friend has some Rhinegold ones. Saysvthey arevreally comfy and super cheap! Aldi did them one year and they were £20!
 
I love my Ariat Windermere but to be honest the best country boot I ever bought was the Dublin riverboots. They are on year 4 and I can honestly say they have never been looked after! They get worn on the farm, dog walks, to the beach (including in the sea) literally everywhere. I have never so much as cleaned them (they are minging) but they are still war, comfortable and waterproof. Best boots ever for me!
 
My Shires boots are more than two years old, cost under £90, I wear them every day and walk miles and miles in them and they're only just starting to go in the heels, otherwise they're sound.

My Toggi boots on the other hand will doubtless last forever because they're so uncomfortable I never wear them ...
 
I have Rhinegold Vermont, and love them. Very waterproof and seem to be mega tough. I am a serial boot abuser, but these ones seem impervious to my attempts to kill them. I like that they have a longer shaft than most country boots too, as I have long legs, and hate the look of boots that only come to mid calf!
 
Northern Hare said:
Tuffa Suffolk boots are very good and don't seen to wear out - I'm wanting a new pair but can't justify it till my current pair give up the ghost but they're still perfectly fine!
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Totally agree with Northern Hare! I had my Suffolk boots for literally years and that was with constant use and severe lack of care lol! I think if the boot is going to last it's worth the extra outlay to begin with. whats the old saying - buy cheap buy twice! Highly recommend Tuffa.
In all seriousness though horsey people are hilarious - I spent £80.00 every 6 weeks for the horse to be shod but fully expect my boots to least at least 3 years in some seriously tough conditions lol!
 
Dublin Pinacle. I am a nightmare with boots, but I can keep these alive and waterproof, with pretty much no care on my part, for easily 3 years. If I looked after them I could probably get far longer out of them.

I absolutely hated the Toggi Calgary, they rubbed my heels raw.
 
Another one for Tuffa - my country rider boots lasted 8 years before they gave in!! I would definitely invest in another pair when I'm not broke!! :p
 
I love my Dublin River Boots. I’ve had a few pairs over the years but never look after them and have only replaced them because they got really scuffed from dragging my feet and rubbed around the tops from riding in them. My original ones live in the boot of my car and are still comfortable and totally waterproof after years.
 
The Dublin River boots are very comfy and retain their waterproofing, BUT I have had 2 pairs where the inner lining came away at the heel and annoyingly goes under your foot when you put them on. And my black ones, which have had an easy life (riding, no yard work), have their heels hanging off, despite being repaired previously. Shame as the boots themselves are fine, and probably 6 yrs old now.
 
TPO said:
My ariat grassmeres get abused and neglected with constant use yet have always lasted at least 4 years. They cost around £260 making them £65 a year so, for me, very cost effective. I find them really comfortable and suitable to use all year.
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Mine are just coming into their sixth year and I wear them every time I ride, so two-four times a week in the winter and six times a week in the summer. I also muck out and do all the yard and field jobs in them. The only time I don't wear them is when I know I won't be riding and that is only because they are harder to get on and off than wellies. I bought them in a sale for £200 and they were the most expensive boots I had ever bought but they have proved excellent value.
 
I have very very old tuffa boots, but when I looked they didn't do anything with a membrane in. They advised that people found them sufficiently waterproof wtihout. I said I didn't think they'd cope with camping at a wet badminton with no opportunity to dry out in between.
So I do have grasmeres, they are 4/5 though only lightly used recently. I love them and will certainly replace when I have to.
 
I think you were lucky to get a year out of your kanyons, my last pair managed about 7 months. They used to be a lot better, I had had a few pairs, but think recently they are poorly made.
I've had my Ariats for over a year and they're doing well, they don't have to be that expensive either, there is often some good deals. Paid just over £100 for mine.
 
Landcruiser said:
The Dublin River boots are very comfy and retain their waterproofing, BUT I have had 2 pairs where the inner lining came away at the heel and annoyingly goes under your foot when you put them on. And my black ones, which have had an easy life (riding, no yard work), have their heels hanging off, despite being repaired previously. Shame as the boots themselves are fine, and probably 6 yrs old now.
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I've had the same issue, carried on using them with thick socks despite the broken lining until one day I got my foot caught in it and couldn't get it out. I did think I was going to have to cut them off somehow as my foot was well and truly stuck but the rest of the lining ripped and they went straight in the bin. They weren't even that old but I do have narrow heels that move around in a lot of shoes and can get rubbed raw which might have exacerbated it.
 
I know you say their outwith your budget but you may be able to pick some nearly new ones off Ebay... I love my Dubarrys and they've lasted ages. My first pair lasted about 8 years, my current pair are still going perfectly strong at about 3 or 4 years old. Never had any issues with them at all and I abuse them, they're usually caked in mud and rarely do I clean or treat them.
 
Another vote for Tuffa Country riders. Super comfy to ride in and will cope with serious mud. They need regular nik wax to stay properly waterproof. The only downside is that its hard to keep them looking smart (the black fades, buy brown) if they take proper abuse.
 
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