Wellingtons that actually last?

T

The wife

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Right, i'm getting a bit cross with wellingtons not lasting me any longer than 6 months and I will be honest, I am a welly snob!

My first pair of Hunters lasted me 3 years, I loved them and then they split and kept splitting... - When Hunters were still made in Britain. My next 3 pairs of China made Hunters I struggled to get between 3-6 months out of them. Since then I have tried Toggi's (8 months), Sealand (2 months), cheap Dunlops (4 days), Aigle (1 month) and lastly a pair of very cheap and nasty 'fashion' wellies that gave up the ghost after 4 hours...

So, does anybody have any recommendations for me please that will withstand mud and lots of it, a lot of walking and that will also look decent on the shooting field please. I have considered le Chameau's but had mixed reviews on how long they last for... And don't really want to shell out over £250 for a pair of wellies that won't last longer than a year, as I reckon I have already spent near on £500 in the last 4 years on wellies alone.

Although the neoprene muck boots look like a decent option, I really don't want to wear them while shooting (sorry yes as stated above I am a welly snob)...

Ta in advance
 
Avoid Le Chameaus - I recently sent the ones I bought last winter back, they lasted a whole 4 months before the rubber at the ankles perished and split on both boots. And I only used them in the field, not a lot of walking.
 
I don't think there are any I have bought loads of different Wellington boots and tried a few of the neoprene type boots none lasted longer than 4 months, the last pair of the neoprene were rok and I took the first pair back after a month as they split in 3 places they gave me another pair and exactly the same happened they were £85, I am debating on buying some of the rigger boots that builders wear a few people I know have them and say they do last, they are not very pretty but I am sick of paying out for rubbish and £200 plus for wellingtons is a joke.
 
I've had this problem with wellies too but I'm now on my second pair of agile parcours as I did actually get 2 years out of the first pair! TBH though I think they are all pretty rubbish, however, I do think it's important to wash the mud off them every time you wear them. Apparently mud perishes the the rubber quite quickly! I know right! Isn't that what wellies are designed for lol!
 
@Buddysmum - This is what I have heard about Le Chameau's, split at the ankles...

@Pinkvboots - Ah, not just me then that goes through wellingtons like chocolate then. As for the rigger boots, this is why I bought a pair of Dunlops hoping that they would last longer than the equestrian/farming designed boots but not only did they only last 4 days but they were short as well and really need a pair that are knee high - think rigger boots will be short also won't they?... May have to invest in a 'posh' pair for shooting and following the hunt and a separate rigger boot pair for the yard... My other problem is that I am only a size 3 in wellies so find it difficult to find a pair of knee high wellingtons as well.
 
chocolategirl said:
I've had this problem with wellies too but I'm now on my second pair of agile parcours as I did actually get 2 years out of the first pair! TBH though I think they are all pretty rubbish, however, I do think it's important to wash the mud off them every time you wear them. Apparently mud perishes the the rubber quite quickly! I know right! Isn't that what wellies are designed for lol!
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Funny you've said this actually regarding mud. My sister bought a pair of leather riding boots from Shires from our local (ish) equestrian store... 3 months later they were shot, literally falling to pieces. The store refused to take them back as they had a tiny amount of mud and straw on the sole and so did not abide to their 'due wear and tear' policy as the mud and straw meant she had obviously been mucking out and walking in mud in them... She hadn't actually but we were thinking, anybody who is around horses will at some point come into contact with a small amount of mud or straw at some point. Ridiculous really.
 
I bought some neoprene lined wellies a year ago, made by gum leaf. They are still as good as new and the best ones I've had so far!
 
I'm now on my second pair of le chameau, no splitting for me. The first pair last 4.5 years and I only got rid of them because the neoprene came away from the outer welly, the rubber was still perfect.

Had this pair now for 1.5 years and they are like new, used every day.
 
I gave up on expensive wellies as they only ever lasted months before splitting. Last year I bought a cheap pair of Lowthers off amazon with the view that they were cheap, therefore would just replace them. They did the whole winter with every day use at the stables and dog walking. Am going to get another pair for this winter.
 
My OH's Chameaus have lasted about years however I rarely get more than a year out of them. I get at least 2 years out of Aigles, I'm not sure if it's the way I walk but my Chameaus (4 pairs) always split across the base of my big toes, so far this hasn't happened with the Aigles.
 
EventingMum said:
My OH's Chameaus have lasted about years however I rarely get more than a year out of them. I get at least 2 years out of Aigles, I'm not sure if it's the way I walk but my Chameaus (4 pairs) always split across the base of my big toes, so far this hasn't happened with the Aigles.
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The husband says it is the way I walk but my argument is that I can't help that I walk funny! He's had his Neoprene Hunters for 4 years now and although he doesn't have heavy use from them they are still going strong and have withstood a fair few days shooting, trailing around after the hunt and walking the dog (I would like to add helping me with the horses but I would be lying about that) Mine always go on the ankles and at the side of my big toe, so he is probably right... I wonder, it is mainly women who seem to have problems with wellies... Do we walk differently to men? Or perhaps we just walk more?! :p
 
My Aigles have lasted me 4 years and they belonged to at least 2 of my oh's ex girlfriends before me 😂😂 waste not want not!
X
 
You sound like me 18 months ago, and now like my ideal customer, unfortunately my Riding Wellies won't be ready until the new year. I got so frustrated with split wellies I've left my job to into making wellies that are designed to do the job. So although mine aren't ready I thought I'd just give some advice, although I don't have a brand to recommend, as that was my issue. Firstly don't go for Muck boots with half neoprene top as neoprene is ideal inside the boot to keep your feet warm but it is not stable/barn acid resistant, so will disintegrate when in touch with urine/manure. Also Hunters tend to split not because they're made in China but because they changed the rubber formula. It's cheaper if it's thinner and they're now designed as fashion items, with different colours every season so they don't want them to last. Also don't go for a calendered outsoles, what most hunters/joules have. These are thinner soles that aren't very thick so not comfortable and split easily. You need a thick moulded harder sole, as they have better resistance. Also I can't stand wellies that have more cleaning instructions than my shoes, but just washing your wellies with water under an outside tap will help them last longer. Hope that helps and you find something that suits x
 
They aren't the prettiest, but my Harry Hall neoprene wellingtons have been fab so far and on their second year, which for under £40 is some sort of miracle!
 
Another who has tried various brands - my first Hunters (made in Scotland) lasted 15 years! But since then nothing has lasted more than a few months. However I was bought a pair of Bekina wellies last year and they are still going strong with little sign of wear. They are not the most glam of wellies but quite frankly I am just thankful for something that does what wellies are supposed to do and keep my feet dry.
 
I feel your pain - I am a welly trasher!

The ones I have found to last the longest are my muckboots, I have the Tyne's because I have long legs. I do wear mine shooting and they last about a year.

My husband has some Irish Setter lace up boots, they come about mid calf - they are amazing and I am tempted to swop tactics and go for these. They are properly waterproof to the top of the boot.
 
My bright pink hunter-look-alike from Homebase cost £20 2 yrs ago, still going strong.
However, I dont use them all the time, they live in the feed room and I pop them on for going round the fields/poo picking when grass is wet, so not long daily.
I drive in old joddy boots or the tellurides (or work shoes if after work) & change if needed when at the yard.
If its really tipping it down/snow when I leave home, then my Grassmere's are put on for the duration instead.
 
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